Advanced Placement Courses

Emmetsburg High School

What are Advanced Placement courses?

Advanced Placement (or AP) courses are courses that are offered by our high school that are considered to be similar to a first or second year college course. These courses are offered in accordance with the College Board, an organization that approves the course work as well as distributes AP Exams in May.

Currently, Emmetsburg High School offers four courses "in house" which are taught face-to-face: AP Literature and Composition, AP Language and Composition, AP Calculus AB, AP Seminar, and AP World History.

Emmetsburg High School offers several opportunities for students to take Advanced Placement courses. Please see our course listings below.

Advanced Placement Course Descriptions

AP World History: Modern

Instructor: Mr. Arik Kerr

Prerequisites: Survey of Social Studies; Teacher and administrative approval and at least a B in Survey of Social Studies or most recent Social Studies course; 80% proficient reading and writing on ISASP; sophomore/junior/senior standing

Modern is an introductory college-level modern world history course. Students cultivate their understanding of world history from c. 1200 CE to the present through analyzing historical sources and learning to make connections and craft historical arguments as they explore concepts like humans and the environment, cultural developments and interactions, governance, economic systems, social interactions and organization, and technology and innovation

Advanced Placement Calculus AB

Instructor: Mr. Gable Bonner

Prerequisites: Algebra 2, Geometry, Pre-Calculus with Trigonometry

In AP Calculus AB, students learn to understand change geometrically and visually (by studying graphs of curves), analytically (by studying and working with mathematical formulas), numerically (by seeing patterns in sets of numbers), and verbally. Instead of simply getting the right answer, students learn to evaluate the soundness of proposed solutions and to apply mathematical reasoning to real-world models. Calculus helps scientists, engineers, and financial analysts understand the complex relationships behind real-world phenomena. The equivalent of an introductory college-level calculus course, AP Calculus AB prepares students for the AP exam and further studies in science, engineering, and mathematics. This course has been authorized by the College Board® to use the AP designation.

AP Language and Composition

Instructor: Mrs. Kelly Josephson

Prerequisites: Teacher and administrative approval and at least a B in most recent English course; completion of summer reading program requirements; 80% proficiency reading and writing on ISASP; sophomore/junior/senior standing

In AP English Language and Composition, students investigate rhetoric and its impact on culture through analysis of notable fiction and nonfiction texts, from pamphlets to speeches to personal essays. The equivalent of an introductory college-level survey class, this course prepares students for the AP exam and for further study in communications, creative writing, journalism, literature, and composition. Students explore a variety of textual forms, styles, and genres. By examining all texts through a rhetorical lens, students become skilled readers and analytical thinkers. Focusing specifically on language, purpose, and audience gives them a broad view of the effect of text and its cultural role. Students write expository and narrative texts to hone the effectiveness of their own use of language, and they develop varied, informed arguments through research. Throughout the course, students are evaluated with assessments specifically designed to prepare them for the content, form, and depth of the AP Exam. AP English Language and Composition is recommended for 11th and 12th grade students.

This class is replacing Advanced Sophomore English.

AP English Literature and Composition

Instructor: Dr. Jill Schany

Prerequisites: Teacher and administrative approval and at least a B in most recent English course; completion of summer reading program requirements; 80% proficiency on ISASPs, junior/senior standing

AP English Literature and Composition immerses students in novels, plays, poems, and short stories from various periods. Students will read and write daily, using a variety of multimedia and interactive activities, interpretive writing assignments, and class discussions to assess and improve their skills and knowledge. The course places special emphasis on reading comprehension, structural and critical analysis of written works, literary vocabulary, and recognizing and understanding literary devices. The equivalent of an introductory college-level survey class, this course prepares students for the AP exam and for further study in creative writing, communications, journalism, literature, and composition. This course has been authorized by the College Board® to use the AP designation.

Advanced Placement Seminar

Instructor: Dr. Jill Schany

Prerequisities: Proficiency on the ISASP and Administrator/Instructor approval; sophmore/junior/senior standing

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. Students learn to investigate a problem or issue, analyze arguments, compare different perspectives, synthesize information from multiple sources, and work alone and in a group to communicate their ideas.

Courses Taught Through Participation in the Iowa Online Advanced Placement Academy

Emmetsburg High School is registered with the Iowa Online Advanced Placement Academy (IOAPA). Courses offered at EHS can be found in the registration handbook.

To register for IOAPA courses, please visit with Mrs. Schany.

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