Advanced Placement (AP)

ADVANCED PLACEMENT LANGUAGE & COMPOSITION

Grade level: 11-12

Year: 1 credit

Prerequisite: High achievement (A/B average) in both English 9 and 10; if taking as a senior, high achievement in English 11 or AP Literature (A/B average). 

Description: AP Language is intended for college-bound students who have a firm command of reading and writing skills and is designed to reflect a college-level freshmen composition course. Within this course that is reading and writing intensive, the curriculum emphasizes nonfiction prose analysis and three core writing forms: analysis, argumentation, and synthesis. Special attention is given to the study of logic and rhetoric in order to deepen students’ understanding of how language works.  Course readings feature a wide variety of historical and contemporary non-fiction texts. 

​Students registering for the course will submit a writing sample to be evaluated by current AP writing teachers in the spring prior to taking the course. Writing samples will be graded using the AP College Board Competency Rubric; scores will determine course eligibility. Informational meetings about this class will be held when students register for classes in the spring and then again after the writing samples are assessed.

ADVANCED PLACEMENT LITERATURE AND COMPOSITION

Grade level: 11 or 12

Year: 1 credit

Prerequisite: High achievement (A/B average) in both English 9 and 10; if taking as a senior, high achievement in English 11 or AP Language (A/B average).

Description: AP English has a rigorous curriculum, designed to reflect a freshmen college English course.  It demands alert reading of imaginative literature including short stories, novels, poetry, non-fiction, and plays. With the important component of discussion, students are called upon to interpret and defend their views logically and clearly.  Also, they must be active and respectful listeners.  Analysis is the main focus of writing for both impromptu and out of class essays and research papers.

​Students registering for the course will submit a writing sample to be evaluated by current AP writing teachers in the spring prior to taking the course. Writing samples will be graded using the AP College Board Competency Rubric; scores will determine course eligibility. Informational meetings about this class will be held when students register for classes in the spring and then again after the writing samples are assessed.

ADVANCED PLACEMENT CALCULUS

Grade level: 12

Year: 1 credit

Prerequisite: High achievement (A/B average) in Algebra II or Pre-Calculus.

Description: This is an Advanced Placement Calculus course which is equivalent to the first semester of college level calculus.  This course covers the fundamentals of differentiation and integration with problems representing all major areas.  At the end of the school year, students have the option of taking the Advanced Placement exam to earn actual college credit.

ADVANCED PLACEMENT STATISTICS

Grade level: 11-12

Year: 1 credit

Prerequisite: High achievement (A/B average) in Algebra II. 

Description:  This is an Advanced Placement Statistics course focusing on the presentation and analysis of data in different forms. Technology is utilized to evaluate data and make decisions in situations from different disciplines that utilize statistical analysis.  Students will develop the ability to examine statistical information and test its validity to help make decisions.   At the end of the school year, students have the option of taking the Advanced Placement exam to earn college credit.

ADVANCED PLACEMENT BIOLOGY

(WILL BE OFFERED EVEN YEARS, ALTERNATING W/ANATOMY & PHYSIOLOGY)

Grade Level: 11-12

Year: 1 credit

Prerequisite: High Achievement (A/B Average) in both Biology and Chemistry. Prior teacher recommendation required.

Description: This rigorous, second-year biology course is a valuable class for students interested in health or science-related fields as it is designed to give students the equivalent of a freshman college biology course. In the spring, students have the option to take the AP Biology Test for possible college credit. For this reason, students who enjoy science but are not necessarily interested in pursuing a career in science can also benefit from this class by earning college credit toward science electives. The class is organized around the core scientific principles, theories, and processes that govern living organisms and biological systems. Hands on, inquiry based labs with accompanying data analysis are an integral part of this course. It studies topics not covered in the first year of biology as well as increasing the depth of understanding of first year topics.

ADVANCED PLACEMENT CHEMISTRY

(WILL BE OFFERED IN EVEN YEARS, ALTERNATING W/ORGANIC CHEMISTRY)

Grade Level: 11-12

Year: 1 credit

Prerequisite: High achievement (A/B average) in Chemistry & completion of or concurrent enrollment in Algebra II.

Description: This rigorous, second-year chemistry course is a valuable class for students interested in health or science-related fields as it is designed to give students the equivalent of a freshman college chemistry course. In the spring, students have the option to take the AP Chemistry Test for possible college credit. For this reason, students who enjoy science but are not necessarily interested in pursuing a career in science can also benefit from this class by earning college credit toward science electives. The class is organized around the underlying principles of chemistry. It studies topics not covered in the first year of chemistry as well as increasing the depth of understanding of first year topics. Hands-on, inquiry-based labs and problem-solving skills are an integral part of this course.

ADVANCED PLACEMENT PHYSICS

Grade level: 11-12

Year: 1 credit

Prerequisite: High achievement (A/B average) in Chemistry & Algebra II.

Recommended: Pre-Calculus or AP Calculus (taken concurrently with Physics)

Students taking Physics may take it as an AP class.  Focus is on mechanics, motion and electricity topics. Students planning careers in fields such as engineering, mathematics, electromagnetism, computer science, nursing, medicine, pharmacy, physical therapy, medical technology, electronics, laser technology, agricultural sciences and architecture should take this course.

ADVANCED PLACEMENT UNITED STATES GOVERNMENT AND POLITICS

Grade level: 11-12

Year: 1 credit

Prerequisite: High achievement (A/B average) in US History.

*This class meets the American Government Graduation Requirement

Description: This course provides students with a comprehensive understanding of American government.  To accomplish this, students develop analytical perspectives for interpreting, understanding, and explaining political events in this country.  U.S. Government and Politics is a highly structured, very demanding college-level course for students who are serious about earning college credit.  One of the primary objectives of this course is to expose students to all areas covered on the AP examination.  Thus it is imperative that a high-level academic environment exist and that the student is dedicated to learning is highly motivated, and is willing to put forth the time and effort required for a course of this intensity. The course will also provide students with a foundation in civic education. 

At the conclusion of the course students should have a more sophisticated understanding of majority rule democracy, constitutionalism and civil liberties. Students will also be able to see the relationships and distinctions between formal and informal institutions and the public policies that are developed as a result of these relationships.

ADVANCED PLACEMENT HUMAN GEOGRAPHY

(WILL BE OFFERED IN ODD YEARS, ALTERNATING W/AP US HISTORY)

Grade level:  10-12

Year: 1 credit

Prerequisite: High achievement (A/B average) in World History.

Description: The purpose of the AP Human Geography course is to introduce students to the systematic study of patterns and processes that have shaped human understanding, use, and alteration of the Earth’s surface. Students employ spatial concepts and landscape analysis to examine human social organization and its environmental consequences. They also learn about the methods and tools geographers use in their science and practice.  This course is intended for highly dedicated and motivated college bound students!

ADVANCED PLACEMENT UNITED STATES HISTORY

(WILL BE OFFERED EVEN YEARS, ALTERNATING W/AP HUMAN GEOGRAPHY)

Grade level: 10 as an alternative to US History or 11-12 for Social Studies Elective

*This class meets the US History Graduation Requirement

Year: 1 Credit

Prerequisite: High achievement (A/B average) in World History.

Description: AP U.S. History is designed to be the equivalent of a two-semester introductory college or university U.S. history course. In AP U.S. History students investigate significant events, individuals, developments, and processes in nine historical periods from approximately 1491 to the present. Students develop and use the same skills, practices, and methods employed by historians: analyzing primary and secondary sources; developing historical arguments; making historical comparisons; and utilizing reasoning about contextualization, causation, and continuity and change over time. The course also provides seven themes that students explore throughout the course in order to make connections among historical developments in different times and places: American and national identity; migration and settlement; politics and power; work, exchange, and technology; America in the world; geography and the environment; and culture and society.

ADVANCED PLACEMENT COMPUTER SCIENCE PRINCIPLES

Grade level: 10-12

Year: 1.0 credit

Prerequisite: Computer Science Discoveries

Description: Computer Science Principles II serves as a continuation of the CS Principles I course to meet yearlong AP Computer Science Principles Curriculum. The second semester introduces students to units meeting AP CSP content including: computing innovations, building applications, and making data-backed applications. After the AP Test, students will learn how to analyze data using spreadsheets and use App Lab's database capabilities to create apps that store data in the cloud.