Advanced Placement Examinations

Upper Arlington High School administers Advanced Placement (AP) exams in May each year. There are a wide range of Advanced Placement courses reflected in many disciplines. Advanced Placement courses, because of their academic rigor, are assigned a weighted grade factor of 1.2 x letter grade. Students can also choose to challenge any AP exam, without having taken the course.

Acceptable AP scores enable students to earn college credit by demonstrating competence in freshman college-level coursework. Students who earn at least a score of a 3 on the AP test are guaranteed college credit at all Ohio Public Institutions of Higher Education. The number of credits and how they apply towards a degree vary depending on the test and the college. Be advised that students can only receive credit if they take the AP test and taking the AP test is a UAHS requirement. Private universities and universities outside of Ohio have specific policies in place for receiving credit.

The Upper Arlington School district will pay the AP testing fee, but students are required to pay any additional fees that are incurred. Should a student choose not to take the AP test, the AP designation will be removed from the title of the title of the course. The "weighted average" will also be removed from the students' transcript.

Students and parents should be very sensitive to the demanding nature of Advanced Placement courses. Students will be asked to be involved in college level activities, particularly in the areas of writing skills, reading, and test taking. Advanced Placement courses place a high degree of emphasis on the student’s own self-motivation, study skills, and the ability to self-direct his or her own learning.

If you are interested in learning more about the benefits of taking AP - including what research shows about students who take AP courses and exams, how AP courses help students not only get into college but also succeed in college, and how you can save time and money in college - please click on this link.

More information on AP can be found at: www.collegeboard.org/

or feel free to contact

Cynthia Ballheim at 487-5240 ext. 2736 or cballheim@uaschools.org

International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme

The IB Diploma Programme is a rigorous, two-year comprehensive curriculum for grades 11 and 12 that seeks to prepare students for post-secondary study through courses and instructional techniques that emphasize:

• critical thinking;

• effective self-expression in presenting and defending one’s point of view;

• application of knowledge

• and an international focus.

Students complete coursework in IB subjects, complete all internal assessments, and sit for external examinations. To receive the IB Diploma, students must successfully take one course from each of six groups, three courses at Standard Level (one or two year courses) and three or four courses at Higher Level (two-year courses). These courses are chosen from the six different groups listed below. This requirement ensures a broad exposure across the liberal arts spectrum. Students who do not wish to earn the IB Diploma may also take individual IB courses for which they will earn certificates upon successful completion of all IB components.

Group 1: Language A1 (language of instruction) - English Language & Literature HL.

Group 2: Language B (modern foreign language) - French SL, Spanish SL, German SL. French HL, Spanish HL, German HL, French ab initio, German ab initio, and Spanish ab initio are also available based on the proficiency of the student.

Group 3: Individuals and Societies - World History with a focus on Africa and the Middle East, Business Management SL & HL, Psychology HL, World Religions SL, Cultural Anthropology HL (via LABS program mentioned below) .

Group 4: Experimental Sciences - Environmental Systems and Society SL, Physics HL, Sports Exercise & Health Science HL, Computer Science HL

Group 5: Mathematics , Mathematics Applications and Interpretation SL, Mathematics Analysis & Approaches SL (UAIB Calculus) and HL

Group 6: IB Fine Arts - Visual Arts SL & HL, Music SL & HL,, Film SL, or a second course from Groups 2, 3, and/or 4 above.

Pamoja Education offers the opportunity to take some IB Courses on-line at UA, when schedules do not allow access. Arrangements are made with the programme coordinator in order to take this option.

In addition to the above coursework, IB Diploma candidates must successfully complete three additional core components to earn the IB Diploma.

LABS (Literature, Anthropology, Belonging & Service)

IB Anthropology ~ IB Language & Literature ~ TOK

2.5 credits per year (TOTAL of 5 credits over 2 years) -

Grades 11 & 12 (this is a 2-year commitment)

Over 2 years, you will take 3 IB courses during 2 periods. Teachers will work together to create a dynamic curriculum that maximizes connections between courses, reduces workload and redundancies, balances the timing of assessments, offers opportunities to learn collaboratively, and utilizes student voice to frame learning. 

Courses included in Culture, Learning & Language are:

• IB English Language & Literature HL  (1 credit each year)

• IB Cultural Anthropology HL (1 credit each year)

• Theory of Knowledge (TOK) (0.5 credit each year)

By the end of the program, students will earn 2 English credits, 1 World History credit, 1 elective social studies credit, and 1 elective credit of Theory of Knowledge. For more information about individual classes, please visit the R&D section of the Program of Studies.

THEORY OF KNOWLEDGE – Year 1 & Year 2 0.5 Credit each year

Theory of Knowledge is a course taken over the junior and senior years. Sometimes called “the jewel in the crown,” the purpose of Theory of Knowledge is to engage the learner in ways of knowing while also exploring areas of knowledge. By fostering the skills of inquiry, analysis, and critical thinking. TOK aims to lead the student to processes and activities that stimulate independent thinking. The objective of including several areas of knowledge (Natural Sciences, Human Sciences, History, the Arts, Ethics, Independent Knowledge Systems, Mathematics, Religious Knowledge Systems, Indigenous Knowledge), as well as ways of knowing (Emotion, Reason, Language, Imagination, Faith, Intuition, and Sense Perception), is to guide a student to a balanced understanding of his/her world. This blended course meets, on average, once a week beginning in the second semester of a student’s junior year and ending after the first semester of senior year. TOK leads to both a formal presentation and a formal paper.

EXTENDED ESSAY – The Extended Essay represents the culmination of a student’s work in the Diploma Programme. The Extended Essay is an independent research project on a topic of a student’s choice and related to one of the IB courses that he/she has studied. The upper limit is 4000 words. The process begins in the second semester of grade 11 and concludes by the end of February of the student’s grade 12 year. Members of the teaching staff at UAHS mentor students preparing for their essays, while the IB English Teacher serves as the Extended Essay Coordinator. The Extended Essay, TOK, and CAS are a diploma candidate’s Capstone Project.

CREATIVITY, ACTIVITY, SERVICE (IB CAS) -- Grades 11, 12

The IB goal of educating the whole person and fostering a more compassionate citizenry comes alive through the CAS requirement. CAS requires students to reach beyond them-selves and their books and encourages them to share their energy and special talents with others in the junior year and continue through the students’ senior year. A system of self-evaluation and reflection enables students to critically evaluate the understanding and insight that they acquire. CAS is graded on a Pass/Fail basis and concludes with a final presentation where students give evidence that they have met all learning outcomes, which includes a service learning component.

What does the IB program cost?

There is no cost to participate in the IBDP Program

University Recognition

Universities around the world recognize the IB Diploma as an admissions credential and recognize it as the single, best preparation for university. Many universities offer IB scholarships, multiple credits for Higher Level courses, and sophomore status to Diploma recipients. This is particularly true in California, Colorado, Florida, Georgia, New York, Oregon, and Texas where state legislation has mandated that all Diploma recipients be recognized. As states continue to be added to this list, it is important to visit http://www.ibo.org for the most up-to-date information on university policies. Be sure to visit the research page, which highlights specific benefits of the program. Should they wish to, IB students are encouraged to take the AP exam in certain subjects. For example, our IB students have successfully challenged AP exams in AP English Language & Composition, AP Psychology, AP German, AP French, and AP Spanish. One hundred per cent of our students have been successful.

English Learners

English Learners (E.L.) is designed for limited English-proficient students for whom English is not their first language.

The focus of instruction is to help students develop and improve skills in the four communication areas: reading, writing, listening, and speaking. Students receive intensive review of English grammar as well as instruction in vocabulary building, essay writing, multicultural literature, and oral presentations. Eligible students may elect this course in lieu of a regular English course for a maximum of two academic years.

* This is just one example of a pathway. Please visit Columbus State or OSU's website for other examples.

College Credit Plus Course Descriptions:

ENGL 1100 Composition I +

English 1100 is a beginning composition course which develops processes for critically reading, writing, and responding to a variety of texts in order to compose clear, concise, expository essays. The course facilitates an awareness of purpose, audience, content, structure and style, while also introducing research and documentation methods. Course reading and writing assignments may be thematically organized.

ENGL 2367 Composition II +

ENGL 2367 is an intermediate composition course that extends and refines skills in expository and argumentative writing, critical reading, and critical thinking. This course also refines skills in researching a topic, documenting sources, and working collaboratively. Course reading and writing assignments are organized around the diversity of those who comprise the identities.

FOTO 1140 Intro Digital Photography

Introduces students to the basic principles and applications of digital photography as a medium, a skill-set, and an integral part of today's digital literacy needs. Topics covered include capturing images using digital cameras while emphasizing the manipulation of camera controls, exposure, lighting, on-and-off camera flash, essential imaging tactics, digital workflow for photography, print, web and image storage and archival. Students are required to have a digital camera (point and shoot or DSLR).

Math 1152 Calculus II

Continue introduction to integral calculus: integration of exponential, logarithmic, trigonometric, inverse trigonometric functions, volume and surface area of solids of revolution, arc length, and methods of integration. Also includes L'Hospital's Rule and Improper Integrals. Analyze plane curves given parametrically or in polar coordinates, and their differential and integral calculus. Infinite sequences and series, and their sum and/or convergence, conic sections, vectors in the plane and in space. Applications to problems in science and engineering. Not open to students with credit for MATH 1157 and above.

Math 2153 Calculus III

A continuation of the calculus sequence, this course provides an introduction to multivariable calculus: Vector-valued functions and motion in the plane and in space, functions of several variables, partial derivatives, directional derivatives, gradients, extrema, multiple integrals, line integrals, Green’s theorem, parametric surfaces, divergence theorem, and Stokes theorem. Applications to problems in science and engineering.

Career Centers

COLUMBUS CAREER CENTERS A contractual agreement between the Upper Arlington and Columbus Boards of Education allows a student at Upper Arlington High School the opportunity to attend Career Centers on a half-day basis for career tech education programs not offered at Upper Arlington High School.

Students apply during their sophomore year and attend during their junior and senior years. For complete information, contact your school counselor. Students can combine their chosen career center choice with the International Baccalaureate Career Related Programme.

Programs take place at Columbus Downtown High School or Fort Hayes - click here for program descriptions and locations

Project Lead the Way

Civil Engineering and Architecture

1 credit — Grades 10, 11 & 12

(1 period per day for 1 year)

Prerequisite: Introduction to Engineering Design or Principles of Engineering suggested. No prerequisite if a senior.

Fee: $15

Seniors: see counselor to enroll

This course teaches students about the design, technology and engineering fundamentals associated with civil engineering, architecture, landscape design, interior design, and community management fields. Many hands on activities will take place such as soil testing, real working models of structures, construction of foundation, framing, plumbing and electrical systems. The course applies and concurrently develops knowledge and skills in mathematics, science, and technology. The course of study includes: design process, modeling, sketching, prototyping, project planning, presentation design and deliver, engineering drawing standards, CAD solid modeling, site planning, building design, innovation, project documentations & presentation, engineering ethics, and virtual design.

Students will study the history of societal evolution, and the role architects and civil engineers play. They will also examine current practices in these industries and consider how technological advances will change the way people build structures and cities of the future. Students will learn about the infrastructure within these communities that take care of all of our basic human needs.

Students will use design software to create virtual models of residential and commercial properties. They will also use professional surveying equipment to plot land areas. Many hands on activities will take place such as soil testing, real working models of structures, construction of foundation, framing, plumbing and electrical systems. Students will also consider how to provide basic needs to a community population, i.e.: transportation, potable water supply, waste removal, transportation, for a city of the future.

Students will use the sophisticated design software and build real working models, they will practice the common sense problem solving skills that professional use. This is introductory program is a great opportunity for students to develop an awareness of or purse their emerging interests in the technology, design and engineering related fields.

Upon completion of the course, students will have a hard copy of a professional portfolio containing research, photographs, drawings and samples of solutions for all of the works they were involved in throughout the year. They will also have an electronic copy of this portfolio. In addition, they will possess many fun artifacts from the design/build prototyping activities they participated in.

This college prep class is known to be fast paced and rigorous. It is also known for the enthusiasm of the students. Being an elective, homework is minimal.

Engineering Design and Development - Project Lead the Way

1 credit — Grades 12, 11 only if other courses not available or offered

(1 period per day for 1 year)

Prerequisite: Completion of two previous PLTW courses or permission of the instructor.

Fee: $25

Seniors can schedule without prerequisite with permission.

This is an engineering research course in which students will work in teams to research, design, test and construct a solution to an open ended engineering problem. The product development life cycle and a design process are used to guide and help the team to reach a solution to the problem. The team presents and defends their solution to a panel of outside reviewers at the conclusion of the course. The EDD course allows students to apply all the skills and knowledge learned in previous Project Lead the Way courses. This course also engages students in time management and teamwork skills, a valuable set for students in the future. Students will be required to purchase additional supplies. Depending on project choice the costs for this course can vary greatly. The projects in these courses naturally lead to exciting capstone experience, even without previous enrollment.