Advanced Placement Courses

AP Language & Composition: Students will read complex texts, including both non-fiction and fiction with understanding, as well as analyze language use in advertisement and rhetoric. Students will write engaging prose that emphasizes content and purpose. (prerequisite: 10th grade language arts)

AP Literature & Composition: Students will read complex texts including fiction and poetry to deepen their understanding of language as it is used to provide meaning/pleasure for reader. The students will also focus on writing about literature and literary analysis. Completion of 11th Grade LA or AP Language & Composition is required. (prerequisite: 11th grade language arts or AP Language & Composition)

AP Calculus AB: Topics include limits, derivatives and integrals of algebraic and transcendental functions, continuity, applications of derivatives to related rates, maxima and minima, curve sketching, integration formulas, applications of the definite integral, and methods of integration. (prerequisite - Accel. Pre-calculus or 90 or higher in PreCalculus)

AP Calculus BC: Topics include all of AP Calculus AB as well as  graphing, and integrating in polar coordinates, infinite sequences and series, power series, vectors, and differential equations. (prerequisite - AP Calculus AB or an 85 or higher in Calculus)

AP Statistics: This course includes in-depth experience in statistical concepts and methods, including data collection and exploration, experimental and theoretical probability, probability distributions, and descriptive and inferential statistics. (prerequisite - Algebra II)

AP Biology: Major topics covered in this class include molecules and cells, heredity and evolution, and organisms and populations. The AP Biology course is designed to be taken by students after the successful completion of high school biology; however, students in grades 9-12 may enroll in AP Biology. Ninth graders requesting this course should be in the top 3% of their class, have a strong interest in the study of science, possess a strong work ethic and the maturity to succeed in a college-level course. 

AP Chemistry: This college-level course stresses theoretical aspects of chemistry and is designed to build upon the foundations of a first year Honors or Gifted Chemistry course. (prerequisite: Honors/Gifted Chemistry and Algebra II, OR 75 or higher in AP Biology, OR an 85 in Honors/Gifted Biology and completion of Algebra II with an 80 or higher)

AP Environmental: In this course students cultivate their understanding of the interrelationships of the natural world through inquiry-based lab investigations and field work as they explore concepts like the four Big Ideas: energy transfer, interactions between earth systems, interactions between distinct species and the environment, and sustainability. (prerequisites: Biology, Chemistry, and Algebra I)

AP Physics: This first-year college course is a rigorous approach to an in-depth study of matter in motion. Emphasis is placed on mechanics, sound light, electricity, magnetism, and modern physics. (prerequisites: Geometry, and concurrent enrollment in Algebra II or higher)

AP Human Geography: Students will be challenged to develop critical thinking skills while exploring humanity’s place in an increasingly globalized world. This is a great course to introduce the AP curriculum to freshmen.

AP World History: This course builds on an understanding of cultural, institutional, and technological foundations that, along with geography, set the human stage from 1200-present day. (prerequisite: AP Human Geography OR an 85 or higher in a previous Social Studies course and 9th grade language arts)

AP US History:  This course provides students with factual knowledge and analytical skills in the interpretation of the history of the United States from the 1600s through the 1990s. (prerequisite: AP World History OR 85 or higher in World History and 10th grade language arts)

AP Macroeconomics (1 semester): This course places particular emphasis on the study of national income and price determination, and also develops students’ familiarity with economic performance measures, economic growth, and international economics. (prerequisites: AP US History, OR an 85 or higher in US History and 11th grade language arts)

AP American Government (1 semester): This course provides an overview of government, politics, and political behavior at the local, state, and national levels. (prerequisites: AP US History, OR an 85 or higher in US History and 11th grade language arts)

AP African American Studies: This is an interdisciplinary course that examines the diversity of African American experiences through direct encounters with rich and varied sources. (Grades 10-12 only)

AP Psychology: This course provides students the opportunity to examine the issues leading to the development of psychology as a science as well as the issue currently being addressed in the field of human behavior. (Grades 11-12 only, 80 or higher in World History or 10th grade language arts)

AP Art History: This course will help students understand architecture, sculpture, painting and other art forms within their historical and cultural context. The course will cover the major forms of artistic expression from the past to the present allowing students to engage in the skillful practice of art criticism. (Grades 10-12 only)

AP Studio Art 2D/3D: Students will create a portfolio of work to demonstrate mastery of artistic skills, processes, and ideas. (prerequisite: completion of Visual Arts Comp I & II (2D & 3D) and teacher recommendation)

AP Music Theory: This course develops a student’s ability to recognize, understand, and describe the basic materials and process of music that are heard or presented in a score. A strong focus is placed on music notation, composition, analysis, and the development of aural skills. (prerequisite: experience reading music)

AP Spanish Language & Culture: Students will complete college level work in the Spanish language. (prerequisite: complete level 3 or Spanish for Native Speakers)

AP Computer Science Principles: The course will introduce students to the creative aspects of programming, abstractions, algorithms, large data sets, the Internet, cyber security concerns, and computing impacts. (prerequisite: Algebra II, introduction to Digital/Software Technology is recommended)

AP Computer Science A: This course offers students opportunities to learn to problem-solve real-world problems and code programs that provide solutions to cross-curricular problems using concepts of math and logic. (prerequisite: AP Computer Science Principles, completed or enrolled in Accelerated Precalculus or AP Precalculus)