Advanced Placement Courses

SPHS offers many Advanced Placement Courses. These courses are taught by an SPHS staff member. After completing the coursework, students take an Advanced Placement Exam. By earning a qualifying score on the exam, students can earn college credit.

AP course grades are weighted. See the grading scale for more information.

For more information please click here.

Advanced Placement Courses at SPHS

AP Drawing

AP 2-D Art and Design

AP 3-D Art and Design

AP Computer Science A

AP Computer Science Principles

AP English Language & Composition (Offered in even graduation Years, next offered in 2023-2024)

AP English Literature & Composition (Offered in odd graduation years, next offered in 2024-2025)

AP Precalculus

AP Calculus AB

AP Calculus BC

AP Statistics

AP Biology

AP Chemistry

AP Physics 1: Algebra-Based

AP Environmental Science

AP Psychology

AP United States Government and Politics

AP European History (Offered in odd graduation years, next offered 2022-2023)

AP United States History (Offered in even graduation years, next offered in 2023-2024)

AP Capstone Diploma Program: Based on two year-long AP Courses: AP Seminar and AP Research. Rather than teaching subject-specific content, these courses develop students’ skills in research, analysis, evidence-based arguments, collaboration, writing, and presenting. Students who complete the two-year program can earn one of two AP Capstone awards: AP Capstone Diploma ® or the AP Seminar and Research Certificate ®

AP Seminar

Course#790: Length: 2 Trimesters Grade Level: 10-12 Credit: 1.0

Recommended Course: None

AP Seminar is a foundational course that engages students in cross-curricular conversations that explore the complexities of academic and real-world topics and issues by analyzing divergent perspectives. Using an inquiry framework, students practice reading and analyzing articles, research studies, and foundational, literary, and philosophical texts; listening to and viewing speeches, broadcasts, and personal accounts; and experiencing artistic works and performances. Students learn to synthesize information from multiple sources, develop their own perspectives in written essays, and design and deliver oral and visual presentations, both individually and as part of a team. Ultimately, the course aims to equip students with the power to analyze and evaluate information with accuracy and precision in order to craft and communicate evidence-based arguments.

AP Research

Course#792: Length: 2 Trimesters Grade Level: 11-12 Credit: 1.0

Recommended Course: AP Seminar

AP Research, the second course in the AP Capstone experience, allows students to deeply explore an academic topic, problem, issue, or idea of individual interest. Students design, plan, and implement a yearlong investigation to address a research question. Through this inquiry, they further the skills they acquired in the AP Seminar course by learning research methodology, employing ethical research practices, and accessing, analyzing, and synthesizing information. Students reflect on their skill development, document their processes, and curate the artifacts of their scholarly work through a process and reflection portfolio. 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.