AP Courses

The Advanced Placement (AP) Program at Northern Highlands offers students a remarkable opportunity to challenge themselves with college-level coursework while still in high school. With over 25 AP courses across various disciplines, including Art, English, Mathematics, Science, Social Studies, World Languages, and interdisciplinary subjects, students can explore their interests and gain skills essential for academic success in higher education.

Taking AP courses at Northern Highlands provides numerous benefits, such as developing college-level analytical and critical thinking skills, improving time management and study habits, and demonstrating a commitment to academic rigor. AP students also have the opportunity to earn college credit or advanced placement at universities, saving time and tuition costs. Furthermore, AP courses foster a deeper understanding of subjects, preparing students for the expectations of college academics while strengthening their college applications.

Last year we had 1190 total AP tests taken with 1086 of those earning passing scores.  Boasting an AP Pass rate of 91%, Northern Highlands is proud of its AP program, which empowers students to excel and compete at the highest academic levels.

Please note: If students are planning to register for one or more Advanced Placement (AP) course(s), the following should be kept in mind: AP courses are equivalent to college courses; they are extremely rigorous. All students are expected to take the AP examination in May. Due to the rigor of the AP level work, students will be challenged to achieve A's in coursework if they are coming from honors or CP level courses. Tenth grade students who fulfill course prerequisites are permitted to take one (1) AP course. However, sophomores who were enrolled and passed Honors Math Analysis, and are required to take an AP level course as part of their mathematics and/or science sequence, may take one (1) additional AP course. The elective AP course will receive AP weighting; however, the weighting will not be used when determining our valedictorian or salutatorian at the conclusion of seven semesters. Ninth grade students are not permitted to take AP courses, with one exception. Freshmen enrolled in Honors Math Analysis have the option to take either Honors Physics or AP Physics I. (Note: The AP Physics I class is the only AP class that Honors Math Analysis students can take). Freshmen enrolled in the AP Physics I class will receive AP weighting and are also eligible to sit for the AP examination in May; however, the weighting of the AP Physics I class will not be used when determining our valedictorian or salutatorian at the conclusion of seven semesters. 

AP Art Courses

AP 2-D Art and Design (Photography)                                                                                                                                                              Grades 11-12

AP 2-D Art and Design Photography is intended for the serious, committed photography student who wishes to pursue visual art at a college level. This course provides students with the opportunity to explore a wide range of photographic techniques and darkroom methods and prepares them for a college major in Studio Art. Students will work both inside and outside of class to create a portfolio to be submitted to the College Board. Students will work on projects that use various methods and topics that explore the medium of photography and work on their own topics where they explore a particular design idea or concern. Students’ commitment to the course is essential to the success of their portfolio.

Prerequisite: Two years of art classes, portfolio submission and departmental review.

Note: A summer assignment may be required.

AP Art History                                                                                                                                                                                                         Grades 10-12

This course explores such topics as the nature of art, its uses, its meanings, the process of art making and responses to art. Through investigation of diverse artistic traditions of cultures from prehistory to present from both western and nonwestern cultures, the course fosters in-depth understanding of the history of art from a global perspective. Students learn and apply skills of visual, contextual, and comparative analysis to engage with a variety of art forms, constructing understanding of individual works and interconnections of art-making processes and products throughout history. The course is designed to be the equivalent of a two-semester introduction college or university art history survey course. Students enrolled in this course are expected to take the AP Art History exam in May. Please see page 5 for additional information regarding advanced placement courses and exams.

Prerequisites for sophomores*: Minimum grade of “90” or better in World History

Prerequisites for juniors and seniors. Minimum grade of “85” or better in current Honors History course

*This only applies to students taking the course as sophomores.

Note: A summer assignment may be required.

AP Drawing                                                                                                                                                                                                              Grades 11-12

This course is intended for committed art students who wish to begin creating artwork at the college level. AP Drawing focuses on advanced media processes and is inquiry based. Students create and assemble artwork both inside and outside of class in preparation for the AP Studio Art digital submission. During the first semester, students work on teacher-assigned topics which are designed to broaden understanding of various visual media. During the second semester, students develop a series of visually cohesive artworks. The expectation of this course is that students work, independently and rigorously, to complete and assemble a portfolio.

Prerequisite: Two years of art classes, portfolio submission and departmental review.

Note: A summer assignment may be required.

AP Business Courses

AP Economics                                                                                                                                                                                                          Grades 10-12

AP Economics is an introductory college level course that will address real world macro topics in the economy. Students will gain a thorough understanding of economic decision making with particular emphasis on analyzing and interpreting economic data, measuring economic growth through various economic indicators, and research and utilizing the methods used to correct disruptions in the business cycle such as Monetary and Fiscal Policy. Students will learn to use graphs, charts and data to analyze, describe, and explain economic concepts, while being prepared to properly research, interpret and discuss current events in our economic system. Students enrolled in this course are preparing for and are expected to take the AP Macroeconomics exam in May. Students who wish to take the AP Microeconomics exam will be required to do additional teacher-guided coursework outside of class. 

Prerequisite for sophomores*: Minimum grade of “90” or better in Honors Geometry or “80” or better in Honors Math Analysis (final grade will be checked in June).

Prerequisite for juniors and seniors: A minimum of “90” or better in CP Algebra II/Trigonometry or “85” or better in Honors Algebra II/Trigonometry.

Note: A summer assignment may be required.

Approved for NCAA DI and DII athletic eligibility 

AP English Courses

AP English Language and Composition   Grades 11-12 

AP Language and Composition is designed both to enhance the students’ understanding of civics and citizenship as well as to comply with the needs of the AP English Language and Composition Exam. The approach of the course is thematic, which is reflected in the syllabus, and includes the following units: Introduction to Argumentation, Advanced Rhetoric, Basic Citizenry, Justice, and Media Literacy. Within each of the units, students will study and analyze rhetorical approaches and implement them in their own argumentative writing, while understanding and practicing the advanced reading, writing, and thinking skills necessary for the AP exam. Students enrolled in this course are expected to take the AP English Language and Composition exam in May. Please see page 5 for additional information regarding advanced placement courses and exams. 

Prerequisites: Minimum grade of “90” in an Honors English course and the recommendation of an English teacher. 

Note: A summer assignment is required. 

Approved for NCAA DI and DII athletic eligibility 

AP English Literature and Composition   Grades 11-12 

The course provides high-achieving juniors and seniors with opportunities to engage in close readings of texts-including short fiction, poetry, full-length novels and plays-and to practice analytical, critical, and creative writing. Students study the structures of fictional works, examining the author’s use of literary elements-including characterization, narration, structure, and figurative language-as they master their literary analysis skills. Students enrolled in this course are expected to take the AP English Literature and Composition exam in May. Please see page 5 for additional information regarding advanced placement courses and exams. 

Prerequisites: Minimum grade of “90” in an Honors English course and the recommendation of an English teacher. 

Note: A summer assignment is required. 

Approved for NCAA DI and DII athletic eligibility 

AP Mathematics Courses

AP Calculus (AB)   Grades 11-12 

Calculus AB covers differential and integral calculus topics that are typically covered in a Calculus I course in college. The course emphasizes theory as well as the applications of differentiation and integration. Concepts and problems are examined from a verbal, geometric, numeric, and analytical perspective. This is a rigorous, challenging, and demanding course that requires an intuitive knowledge of mathematics. It is expected that the students in this course will seek college credit, college placement, or both, as a result of successful performance on the advanced placement examination. Students enrolled in this course are expected to take the AP Calculus AB exam in May. Please see page 5 for additional information regarding advanced placement courses and exams. 

Prerequisites: Minimum grade of “80” or better in AP Pre-Calculus and teacher recommendation. 

Note: A summer assignment may be required. 

Approved for NCAA DI and DII athletic eligibility 

AP Calculus (BC)   Grades 11-12 

The Calculus BC course covers Calculus AB topics, as well as additional topics in differential and integral calculus and infinite series. This course is rigorous, challenging, and demanding, and is recommended only for those who appreciate and understand the theoretical aspects of mathematics. Additional topics are L’Hopital’s Rule, logistic growth, Euler’s Method, improper integrals, series convergence, and Maclaurin and Taylor Series. Students who perform well may receive up to two semesters of college credit. Students who take the Calculus BC examination will receive a Calculus AB subscore grade in addition to the Calculus BC grade. Students are expected to take the AP examination in May. Please see page 5 for additional information regarding advanced placement courses and exams. 

Prerequisites: Minimum grade of “90” or better in AP Pre-Calculus and teacher recommendation. 

Note: A summer assignment may be required. 

Approved for NCAA DI and DII athletic eligibility 

AP Computer Science Principles   Grades 10-12 

AP Computer Science Principles introduces students to the foundations of computer science with a focus on how computing powers the world. Along with the fundamentals of computing, students will learn to analyze data, create technology that has a practical impact, and gain a broader understanding of how computer science impacts people and society. Students are expected to take the AP examination in May. Please see page 5 for additional information regarding advanced placement courses and exams. 

Prerequisite for rising sophomores only*: Minimum grade of “90” or better in Honors Geometry or “80” or better in Honors Math Analysis (final grade will be checked in June). 

Prerequisites for rising juniors and seniors: Minimum grade of “90” or better in Algebra II/Trigonometry or a minimum grade of “80” in Honors Algebra II/Trigonometry. 

Approved for NCAA DI and DII athletic eligibility 

AP Computer Science A   Grades 10-12 

This course is designed for students who seek a challenge beyond Introduction to Computer Science and Honors Computer Science. The course focuses on comprehensive program development and implementation, using the JAVA programming language. Case studies and activities are used to analyze the logic behind effective data structure development using object-oriented programming. Debugging and efficient coding techniques are emphasized throughout the course, further incorporating in-depth analysis of real world applications and complex data structures. Students explore problem-solving in mathematics, business, and other disciplines. They also have the opportunity to construct a functional portfolio of programs to use when applying for admission to college level computer-science programs. Students are expected to take the AP examination in May. Please see page 5 for additional information regarding advanced placement courses and exams. 

Prerequisite for rising sophomores only*: Minimum grade of “90” or better in Honors Geometry or “80” or better in Honors Math Analysis (final grade will be checked in June) and demonstrated proficiency in computer science by passing a proficiency examination. 

Prerequisites for rising juniors and seniors: Minimum grade of “85” or better in Honors Computer Science, including JAVA or AP Computer Science Principles, and a minimum of Algebra II/Trigonometry. If this is your first Computer Science course you must demonstrate proficiency in computer science by passing a proficiency examination. 

Note: A summer assignment may be required. 

Approved for NCAA DI and DII athletic eligibility 

AP Precalculus   Grades 10-12 

This course includes an in depth study of trigonometric functions and identities, rational functions, logs and exponentials, their connection with previous Algebra 2 and Geometric properties and their applications to real world scenarios. Students will be introduced to conics, series, sequences, and polar and parametric equations as well as an analytical study of limits. This course provides an excellent foundation for calculus but also serves as an appropriate capstone mathematics course that will open pathways to success in STEM fields. It is expected that the students in this course will seek college credit, college placement, or both, as a result of successful performance on the advanced placement examination. Students enrolled in this course are expected to take the AP Precalculus exam in May. Please see page 5 for additional information regarding advanced placement courses and exams.

Prerequisite: Minimum grade of “80” or better in Honors Algebra II/Trigonometry 

Approved for NCAA DI and DII athletic eligibility

AP Statistics   Grades 10-12 

This course introduces students to the major concepts and tools for collecting, analyzing and drawing conclusions from data. Problem solving and effective verbal communication is strongly emphasized and is necessary for success in the course. There is an abundance of interpretive reading that requires students to use inference skills. Students are exposed to four broad conceptual themes: exploring data; sampling and experimentation; anticipating patterns; and statistical inference. Topics in probability include geometric and binomial theorems, and the normal curve. Those students interested in social sciences, engineering, science and math are encouraged to enroll. Students enrolled in this course are expected to take the AP Statistics exam in May. Please see page 5 for additional information regarding advanced placement courses and exams. 

Prerequisite for sophomores: *Honors Math Analysis or minimum grade of “90” or better (as a final grade) in Honors Geometry and teacher recommendation. 

Prerequisites for juniors and seniors: Honors Algebra II/Trigonometry or minimum grade of “93” or better in Algebra II/ Trigonometry and teacher recommendation. 

Note: A summer assignment may be required. 

Approved for NCAA DI and DII athletic eligibility 

AP Multi-Disciplinary Courses 

AP Research   Grade 12 

In the second year of the two-year program, students deeply explore an academic topic, problem, issue, or idea of individual interest. Students will be able to draw on the mastery skills acquired in AP Seminar and design, plan, and implement a year-long study of their own research questions. Students will also build on the research skills in AP Seminar while furthering their study of methodology, employing ethical research practices, and accessing, analyzing, and synthesizing information. Students will reflect on their skill development, document their processes, and curate the artifacts of their scholarly work through a process and reflection portfolio. In accordance with the College Board, the course culminates in an academic paper of 4,000–5,000 words (accompanied by a performance, exhibit, or product where applicable) and a presentation with an oral defense. With scores of three (3) or better in each Capstone course, along with scores of three (3) or more four (4) other AP courses, students are awarded an AP Capstone 42 Diploma. 

Prerequisite: AP Seminar and teacher recommendation.

Approved for NCAA DI and DII athletic eligibility 

AP Seminar   Grades 11-12 

This course is part of a two year AP Capstone program which engages students in inquiry-based research and in the analysis and creation of strong arguments. Students should be committed to mastering the synthesis of research, writing, collaboration, and oral presentations, and must be independent in their studies and capable of self-paced work. Students will analyze articles, research studies, and a variety of other written and visual texts. They will develop their own perspectives in written essays, and design and deliver oral and visual presentations, both individually and as part of a team. This course prepares qualified juniors for AP Research, but seniors are also welcome to take it. Students enrolled in this course are expected to take the AP Seminar exam in May. Please see page 5 for additional information regarding advanced placement courses and exams. 

Prerequisite: A grade of “90” or better in an Honors course and teacher recommendation. 

Approved for NCAA DI and DII athletic eligibility 

AP Music Courses 

AP Music Theory   Grades 11-12 

This course corresponds to two semesters of a typical introductory college music theory course that covers topics such as musicianship, theory, musical materials, and procedures. Musicianship skills including dictation and other listening skills, sight-singing, and keyboard harmony are considered an important part of the course. Through the course, students develop the ability to recognize, understand, and describe basic materials and processes of music that are heard or presented in a score. Development of aural skills is a primary objective. Performance is also part of the learning process. Students understand basic concepts and terminology by listening to and performing a wide variety of music. Notational skills, speed, and fluency with basic materials are emphasized. This is a detailed presentation of the elements of music in preparation for the AP Music Theory examination, which students are expected to take in May. Please see page 5 for additional information regarding advanced placement courses and exams. 

Prerequisite: Teacher recommendation. 

Note: A summer assignment may be required. 

AP Science Courses 

AP Biology/Lab   Grades 11-12 

The AP biology course is designed to be the equivalent of a college level introductory biology course. The intent of this course is to expose students to higher level biological principles, concepts, and skills and allow them the opportunity to apply their knowledge to real life applications. The core concepts of AP Biology are organized around biological principles called Big Ideas that permeate the entire course and focus on the following topics: the process of evolution drives diversity and unity of life; biological systems utilize free energy and molecular building blocks to grow, to reproduce, and to maintain dynamic homeostasis. Big Idea 3: Living systems store, retrieve, transmit and respond to information essential to life processes; biological systems interact, and these systems and their interactions possess complex properties. In class, students are given opportunities to learn and apply their knowledge through the process of inquiry rather than learning solely from lectures and/or prescribed lab protocols. AP Biology is a challenging course that requires a strong Biology (summer Bio classes are not encouraged unless it is through the Highlands Summer Academy) and a Chemistry background. Students enrolled in this course are expected to take the AP Biology exam in May. Please see page 5 for additional information regarding advanced placement courses and exams. 

Prerequisites: AP Biology is offered to any student who has successfully completed Honors Chemistry and Honors Biology with a minimum grade of a “85” or better in both courses. Teacher recommendation is required. 

A summer assignment may be assigned. 

Approved for NCAA DI and DII athletic eligibility 

AP Chemistry/Lab   Grades 11-12 

Advanced Placement Chemistry is a high mathematical, introductory college level course that builds upon the knowledge base gained in a first year chemistry course. This course emphasizes inquiry and reasoning skills as methods to develop the College Board’s six Big Ideas and their corresponding enduring understandings. The areas of study include, but are not limited to: the structure of matter, the properties of matter, chemical reactions, rates of chemical reactions, thermodynamics, and equilibrium. Students will be required to do independent research and reading, write formal lab reports, and think analytically about problems they may never have encountered before. Students will be engaged in hands-on laboratory work, integrated throughout the course, which accounts for a minimum of 25 percent of the course time. Students enrolled in this course are expected to take the AP Chemistry exam in May. Please see page 5 for additional information regarding advanced placement courses and exams. 

Prerequisites: Minimum grade of “85” or better in Honors Chemistry, minimum grade of “85” or better in either Honors Algebra II/ Trigonometry or Honors Pre-Calculus or teacher recommendation. 

Suggested co-requisite (if not taken previously): Honors Precalculus and Honors Biology. 

Note: A summer assignment is assigned at teacher discretion. 

Approved for NCAA DI and DII athletic eligibility 

AP Environmental Science/Lab   Grades 11-12 

The goal of the AP Environmental Science course is to provide students with scientific principles, concepts, and methodologies required to understand the interrelationships of the natural world, to identify and analyze environmental problems both natural and human-made, to evaluate the relative risks associated with these problems, and to examine alternative solutions for resolving or preventing them. The AP Environmental Science course is a demanding course designed to be the equivalent of a one semester, introductory college course in Environmental Science. Environmental Science is interdisciplinary; it embraces a wide variety of topics from different areas which include concepts of geology, biology, chemistry, and geography. Students enrolled in this course are expected to take the AP Environmental exam in May. Please see page 5 for additional information regarding advanced placement courses and exams. 

Prerequisites: Minimum grade of “85” or better in Honors Chemistry and Honors Biology and a minimum grade of “90” or better in Chemistry/Lab and Biology/Lab, or written recommendation from two science teachers. 

Note: A summer assignment may be required. 

Approved for NCAA DI and DII athletic eligibility 

AP Physics I/Lab     Grades 9-12 

The course is a rigorous math-based physics course. It is designed to be equivalent to the first semester of an introductory college level algebra based physics course. A high level of achievement in algebra and geometry is mandatory. Students choosing to take this class will find it challenging, with extended study time requirements outside of class. Students are required to apply the principles learned in class to problem solving in homework, test, and laboratory settings. The major topics of study include: kinematics, Newtonian Mechanics, energy, harmonic motion, waves, sound, electrostatics and simple electric circuits. Students enrolled in this course are expected to take the AP Physics I exam in May. Please see page 5 for additional information regarding advanced placement courses and exams. 

Prerequisite for incoming freshmen: Only freshmen enrolled in Honors Math Analysis will be eligible to take AP Physics I. (Please refer to page 5 for additional information). 

Prerequisite for sophomores, juniors, and seniors: Teacher recommendation and minimum grade of a “85” or better in Honors Physics, or “95” in Geophysics/Lab, and a minimum grade of “85” or better in Algebra II/Trigonometry or concurrently enrolled in Algebra II/ Trigonometry. 

Note: A summer assignment may be required. 

Approved for NCAA DI and DII athletic eligibility 

AP Physics C/Lab     Grade 12 

AP Physics C is designed to prepare the qualified physics student to take the Advanced Placement Physics C test in Mechanics and/or Electricity/Magnetism. This course requires the use of Calculus in the solution of problems. This includes: mechanics with motion in two dimensions, work, energy, momentum, rotation, oscillatory motion, universal gravitation and electricity/magnetism with electric forces and fields, capacitance, steady state and non-steady state circuits, magnetic fields and forces, and induction. Successful completion of this course and the AP Physics Examination in Mechanics and Electricity/Magnetism will provide an experience similar to that of two semesters of physics in engineering, physical science, mathematics or pre-med program at a university. This course requires a high degree of commitment to academic work and extremely strong mathematical analysis and problem solving abilities. Students enrolled in this course are expected to take the AP Physics C exam in May. Please see page 5 for additional information regarding advanced placement courses and exams. 

Prerequisite: This is a senior course and requires science teacher recommendation and a strong performance in three previous years of honors science. 

AP Calculus is a co-requisite. Concurrent placement in AP level Calculus course is required (BC calculus is preferred). 

Note: A summer assignment may be required. Approved for NCAA DI and DII athletic eligibility (please refer to page 4). 

AP Social Studies Courses 

AP European History   Grades 11-12 

This college level course focuses on the social, economic, and political developments in European history from 1450 onward. In preparation for the AP test, emphasis is on historical writing, including free response and document-based essay questions. Students are expected to have strong writing skills. Students enrolled in this course are expected to take the AP European exam in May. Please see page 5 for additional information regarding advanced placement courses and exams. 

Prerequisites: Successful completion of any AP course offered in Social Studies, or a minimum grade of “85” or better in Honors U.S. History, or a minimum grade of “90” or better in U.S. History. Candidates who do not meet these requirements must have a teacher recommendation.

Note: A summer assignment may be required. 

Approved for NCAA DI and DII athletic eligibility 

AP Human Geography   Grades 10-12 

AP Human Geography introduces students to the systematic study of patterns and processes that have shaped human understanding, use, and alteration of Earth’s surface. Students employ spatial concepts and landscape analysis to examine socio economic organization and its environmental consequences. The course consists of seven units: Thinking Geographically, Population and Migration, Cultural Patterns and Processes, Political Patterns and Processes, Agriculture and Rural Land-Use, Cities and Urban Land-Use, and Industrial and Economic Development. The course is equivalent to an introductory college-level course in human geography and prepares students for the AP exam. Students enrolled in this course are expected to take the AP Human Geography exam in May. Please see page 5 for additional information regarding advanced placement courses and exams. 

Prerequisites for sophomores: Minimum grade of “90” or better in World History and teacher recommendation. 

Prerequisites: Successful completion of any AP course offered in Social Studies, or a minimum grade of “85” or better in Honors U.S. History, or a minimum grade of “90” or better in U.S. History. Candidates who do not meet these requirements must have a teacher recommendation. 

Note: A summer assignment may be required. 

Approved for NCAA DI and DII athletic eligibility 

AP Psychology   Grades 11-12 

This college level course is designed to provide students with an experience similar to a college level introductory psychology class. Students develop an understanding of major core concepts and theories in psychology, learn basic skills of psychological research and experimental design, understand the ethical standards governing the work of psychologists, and apply psychological concepts to their own lives. All students will be held to skill standards designed to prepare them for success on the Advanced Placement Examination in May. Students enrolled in this course are expected to take the AP Psychology exam in May. Please see page 5 for additional information regarding advanced placement courses and exams. 

Prerequisites: Successful completion of any AP course offered in Social Studies, or a minimum grade of “85” in Honors U.S. History, or a minimum grade of “90” or better in U.S. History. Candidates who do not meet these requirements must have a teacher recommendation. 

Note: A summer assignment may be required. 

Approved for NCAA DI and DII athletic eligibility 

AP United States Government & Politics     Grades 10-12 

This college level course provides an analytical perspective of government and politics in the United States. The course involves study of general concepts used to interpret U.S. politics through analysis of specific case studies. Students are expected to have strong writing skills. Students enrolled in this course are expected to take the AP U.S. Government & Politics exam in May. Please see page 5 for additional information regarding advanced placement courses and exams. Prerequisites for sophomores: Minimum grade of “90” or better in World History (as a final grade) and teacher recommendation. 

Prerequisites: Successful completion of any AP course offered in Social Studies, or a minimum grade of “85” or better in Honors U.S. History, or a minimum grade of “90” or better in U.S. History. Candidates who do not meet these requirements must have a teacher recommendation. 

Note: A summer assignment may be required. Approved for NCAA DI and DII athletic eligibility 

AP United States History   Grades 11-12 

This course is a full survey of U. S. History from the colonial period to the present, focusing on content, strategies, techniques and skills needed in preparation for the AP examination. Students are expected to have strong writing skills. Students enrolled in this course are expected to take the AP United States History exam in May. Please see page 5 for additional information regarding advanced placement courses and exams. 

Prerequisites for juniors wishing to take AP U.S. History in lieu of either Honors U.S. History II or U. S. History II: Minimum grade of “90” or better in U.S. History I or a “83” or better in Honors U.S. History I, or teacher recommendation based on a student’s writing ability, which is a distinguishable element of performance for AP U.S. History. 

Prerequisite for seniors wishing to take AP U.S. History as an elective: Teacher recommendation. 

Note: A summer assignment may be required. 

Approved for NCAA DI and DII athletic eligibility 

AP World History: Modern   Grades 10-12 

This college level course will explore topics from approximately 1200 C.E. to the present. Students will develop a greater understanding of the dynamics of continuity and change across historical periods throughout this course. The course highlights the nature of changes in global frameworks and their causes and consequences, as well as comparisons among major societies. The Six Themes addressed in this course are Humans and the Environment; Cultural Development and Interactions; Governance; Economic Systems; Social Interactions and Organizations; and Technology Innovation. Students enrolled in this course are expected to take the AP World History: Modern exam in May. Please see page 5 for additional information regarding advanced placement courses and exams. 

Prerequisites for sophomores: Minimum grade of “90” or better in World History and teacher recommendation. 

Prerequisites: Successful completion of any AP course offered in Social Studies, or a minimum grade of “85” or better in Honors U.S. History, or a minimum grade of “90” or better in U.S. History. Candidates who do not meet these requirements must have a teacher recommendation. 

Note: A summer assignment may be required. 

Approved for NCAA DI and DII athletic eligibility 

AP World Language Courses 

AP French Language   Grades 11-12 

This level requires a high degree of proficiency. Listening and speaking skills are continuously analyzed and evaluated. Reading continues with a variety of original selections discussed in French, and writing skills are expanded to include analytical and creative papers/projects. Students enrolled in this course are preparing for and are expected to take the AP examination in French Language in May. 

Prerequisite: Recommendation of Honors French IV teacher and/or placement test. 

Note: A summer assignment may be required.

 Approved for NCAA DI and DII athletic eligibility 

AP Spanish Language   Grades 11-12 

Because a high degree of proficiency is expected at this level, listening and speaking skills are continuously analyzed and evaluated. Reading continues with a variety of authentic selections discussed in Spanish; writing skills are expanded to include analytical and creative formats. Students enrolled in this course are preparing for and are expected to take the AP examination in Spanish Language in May. Please see page 5 for additional information regarding advanced placement courses and exams. 

Prerequisite: Recommendation of Honors Spanish IV teachers and/or placement test. 

Note: A summer assignment is required. 

Approved for NCAA DI and DII athletic eligibility