Freshman Core Content Courses

Grade Level:  9

Credit:  1

Prerequisite:  None

*This course meets the English 1 requirement for graduation. The course is designed to present a wide range of reading experiences with print and non-print texts for literary, informational, argumentative, analytical, and practical purposes. Students use writing-to-learn and writing-to-demonstrate-learning strategies, as well as the writing process and criteria for effective writing, to comprehend and analyze complex texts and write in a variety of forms and for multiple audiences and purposes. Receptive and expressive skills are used to communicate information for a variety of authentic purposes, situations, and audiences. The integration of inquiry skills and technology with the other strands allows students to continue to discover and communicate ideas and information.  Pre-AP English I is strongly recommended as preparation for other classes in our AP English program including Pre-AP English 2.   

Grade Level:  9

Credit:  1

Prerequisite:  None

*This course meets the English 1 requirement for graduation.  Pre-AP English 1 focuses on reading, writing, and language skills that are relevant to students’ current work and essential for students' future to future high school and college coursework. 

Texts take center stage, preparing students for close, critical reading and analytical writing. The course trains readers to observe small details in a text to arrive at a deeper understanding of the whole. It also trains writers to create complex sentences—building this foundational skill en route to sophisticated, longer-form analyses. 

The Pre-AP English areas of focus are vertically aligned to the practices embedded in high school and college English courses, including AP. This gives students multiple opportunities to prioritize and strengthen key literacy skills throughout their course of study. 

• Reading closely: Students read closely and analyze a range of complex literary and informational texts. 

• Valuing evidence: Students evaluate textual evidence and incorporate it effectively in writing and speaking. 

• Noticing language choices: Students understand how writers and speakers use specific words and sentences to move the thoughts, emotions, and actions of readers and listeners.

Pre-AP English I is strongly recommended as preparation for other classes in our AP English program including Pre-AP English 2.

https://pre-ap.collegeboard.org/courses/course-descriptions/english-1

Grade level:  9

Credit:  1

Prerequisite:  None

*This course meets the Algebra 1 requirement for graduation.  This course is the study of high school Algebra 1 content aligned to the Kentucky Academic Standards for Algebra 1.  Topics include but are not limited to the following:  exponents; quantitative reasoning; linear, quadratic, and exponential expressions; written expressions; polynomials; first and second degree polynomials; linear, quadratic, or exponential equations; inequalities in one variable and linear equations in two variables; graphing; linear, quadratic or exponential functions and function notation; quantitative variables; and linear models. This course is designed to build a solid foundation necessary for future high school mathematics courses. This course contains modeling standards. 

Grade level:  9

Credit:  1

Prerequisite:  None

*This course meets the Algebra 1 requirement for graduation.  In Pre-AP Algebra 1, students develop a deep understanding of linear relationships emphasizing patterns of change, multiple representations of functions and equations, modeling real world scenarios with functions, and methods for finding and representing solutions of equations and inequalities. Taken together, these ideas provide powerful conceptual tools that students can use to make sense of their world through mathematics. 

The Pre-AP mathematics areas of focus are aligned to the disciplinary practices that are fundamental to mathematics in high school, AP courses, and beyond. This gives students multiple opportunities to think and work like mathematicians as they develop and strengthen these disciplinary reasoning skills throughout their education: 

• Connections among multiple representations: Students represent mathematical concepts in a variety of forms and move fluently among the forms.

• Greater authenticity of applications and modeling: Students create and use mathematical models to understand and explain authentic scenarios.

• Engagement in mathematical argumentation: Students use evidence to craft mathematical conjectures and prove or disprove them.

https://pre-ap.collegeboard.org/courses/course-descriptions/algebra-1

Grade level:  9-10

Credit:  1

Prerequisite:  Algebra 1

*This course meets the Geometry requirement for graduation.  This course is the study of high school Geometry content aligned to the Kentucky Academic Standards for Geometry.   Topics include but are not limited to the following:  quantitative reasoning; transformations in the plane; congruence in terms of rigid motions; geometric theorems; geometric constructions; similarity transformations; trigonometric ratios; theorems about circles; the equation for a conic section; coordinates; volume formulas; two-dimensional and three-dimensional objects; and geometric concepts in modeling situations. This course contains modeling standards.  

Grade level:  9-10

Credit:  1

Prerequisite:  Algebra 1

*This course meets the Geometry requirement for graduation. Pre-AP Geometry with Statistics provides students with a conceptual bridge between algebra and geometry that deepens their understanding of mathematics. The course includes a unit of statistics and probability to support students’ understanding of concepts essential to quantitative literacy. 

Throughout the course, students solve problems across the domains of algebra, geometry, and statistics.

The Pre-AP mathematics areas of focus are vertically aligned to the mathematical practices that are fundamental to the discipline of mathematics in high school, AP courses, and beyond. This gives students multiple opportunities to think and work like mathematicians as they develop and strengthen these disciplinary reasoning skills throughout their education:

• Connections among multiple representations: Students represent mathematical concepts in a variety of forms and move fluently among the forms.

• Greater authenticity of applications and modeling: Students create and use mathematical models to understand and explain authentic scenarios.

• Engagement in mathematical argumentation: Students use evidence to craft mathematical conjectures and prove or disprove them.

https://pre-ap.collegeboard.org/courses/course-descriptions/geometry

Grade level:  9

Credit:  1

Prerequisite:  None

Students develop a conceptual understanding of Earth/space science, as outlined in the Kentucky Academic Standards for Science, through the use of science and engineering practices. They experience Earth/space concepts such as energy in the Earth system, geochemical cycles, formation and ongoing changes of the Earth system, and formation and ongoing changes of the universe. Students will learn these core ideas within these topics through the use of the science and engineering practices and crosscutting concepts. The science and engineering practices are skills students will use as they investigate the natural world and develop solutions to problems. The crosscutting concepts are conceptual ways of thinking that cross the domains of science. 

Grade level:  9

Credit:  1

Prerequisite:  None

This Geography course studies the physical features of the earth and its atmosphere and human activity as it affects and is affected by these, including the distribution of populations and resources, land use and industries. Students gain geographical perspectives of the world by studying the earth and the interactions of people with places where they live, work and play. Knowledge of geography helps students to address the various cultural, economic, social and civic implications of life in Earth's many environments. 

Grade level:  9

Credit:  1

Prerequisite:  None

Focusing on concepts and skills with maximum value for high school, college, careers, and civic life, Pre-AP World History and Geography is built around three enduring ideas:

1. History is an interrelated story of the world.
   This course explores the structures and forces that reflect and shape the regions, communities, governments, economies, and cultures of humanity—helping students develop an organized, meaningful understanding of time and space. 

2. History and geography are inherently dynamic.
   As historians and geographers uncover new evidence, current assumptions are challenged, and previous arguments gain nuance and context. This course teaches students how to examine sources and data, establish inferences, and ultimately build and critique arguments.

3. Historians and geographers are investigators.
   Pre-AP World History and Geography is designed as a disciplinary apprenticeship in which students learn through the process of discovery by applying the tools of historians and geographers.

The Pre-AP World History and Geography areas of focus prioritize the skills fundamental to the study of history and geography in high school, AP, and beyond. This gives students multiple opportunities to think and work like historians and geographers as they develop and strengthen these disciplinary reasoning skills throughout their education in history and the social sciences.

• Evaluating evidence: Students acquire knowledge by evaluating evidence from a wide range of primary and secondary sources.

• Explaining historical and geographic relationships: Students explain relationships among events and people by marshalling evidence for causation, comparison, and continuity and change over time. 

• Incorporating evidence: Students demonstrate command of quantitative, qualitative, and spatial data by effectively incorporating them into written and oral arguments.

https://pre-ap.collegeboard.org/courses/course-descriptions/world-history-geography

Grade level:  9

Credit:  .50

Prerequisite:  None

This course is designed to give students the opportunity to learn through a comprehensive sequentially planned Health Education program in accordance with the Kentucky Academic Standards for High School Health Education. The emphasis of this course is to teach students the ability to access, understand, appraise, apply and advocate for health information and services in order to maintain or enhance one's own health and the health of others.  (NOTE:  CPR Education is included in this course.) 

Grade level:  9

Credit:  .50

Prerequisite:  None

This course is designed to give students the opportunity to learn through a comprehensive sequentially planned Physical Education program in accordance with the Kentucky Academic Standards for High School (9th-12th Grade) Physical Education. The emphasis of this course is to provide students with the skills, knowledge, attitude and confidence to be active for a lifetime. Students will have the opportunity to develop skills in fitness/conditioning activities, individual/team sports and recreational activities. Students will learn how lifetime physical activity contributes to optimal physical, mental, emotional and social health.

Grade level:  9

Credit:  1

Prerequisite:  None

This is a mandatory anchor course for all freshmen that supports the transition process to high school through content like time management skills, test taking skills, important resources for academic success, and other support services.  Additionally, students will explore all career pathway options in order to select their future pathway courses.  The emphasis of this course is to prepare students for a successful high school experience.