High School Advanced Placement Courses
| AP English Language | The academic objectives of this two semester course adhere to those outlined by the College Board in preparation for the Advanced Placement Exam in Language and Composition. AP Language and Composition explores the relationship between what authors say and how they are trying to say it. The literary component of the course provides a range of genres, including nonfiction, fiction, drama, and poetry, and in the analysis of these works, students are exposed to the analysis of both style—the more language-based approach to exploring meaning—and rhetoric—the analysis of author argument and structure. In terms of style, students will explore how elements of language—such as tone, diction, and syntax—influence the overall meaning. In terms of rhetoric, students will examine various appeals, aspects of writer's credibility, irony, and the overall use of logic to explore how effectively an author presents her/his position. In any aspect of analysis, students are obliged to consider what the author's overall theme is. By understanding the purpose of a piece of writing, students recognize the elements of language as an integral tool with which authors develop their work. Writing assignments cover both the expository and argumentative aspects of writing. In addition to the exploration of American and global themes of literature, students will discern how styles of writers have evolved over the last several centuries. Prerequisite: School determination of eligibility based on English grades and any other criteria Software Requirements:
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| AP English Literature | This is a college level two semester course that ultimately prepares students for the Advanced Placement exam in May. In addition, it provides students with other skills associated with the most advanced classes in high school English, including research skills. When they have completed the class, students will have acquired the reading and critical thinking skills necessary for understanding challenging new material, analyzing that material to deduce meaning, and applying what they have learned to their world. They will have the composition skills needed to communicate their understanding effectively to a variety of audiences. Students will read and analyze classic works of literature because these works contain literary qualities that merit study and provoke thinking, not because of a requirement to know a particular work or author. They will also look at modern and contemporary works as they examine all genres: plays, short stories, poetry, essays, and novels. Students will learn to apply critical literary terms as tools for learning, understanding, and communication. Learning activities include close reading, paraphrasing, discussions, essays, short answer exams, research papers, reflective journals, web quests, and others. Most units will include a combination of genres and activities. The structure of the class is not based on a sequence of chronology, national origin, or genres. It is instead based on the sequence that best supports the learning needs of the student. Prerequisite: School determination of eligibility based on English grades and other criteria Software Requirements:
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| AP Statistics | AP Statistics data analysis is dependent on the use of technology. In this two semester course, students should have access to computers that include software capable of doing data analysis. Students will be required to interpret output generated by statistical software programs. Students are not expected to learn how to use various statistical programs. In addition, one of the following Texas Instruments calculators is required, TI-83, TI-83+, TI-84, TI-84+, or a TI 89. The TI-83+ is the most popular calculator for AP Statistics. In most cases the calculator is sufficient, but the fundamental tool of data analysis is the computer . Required: TI 83 Plus Calculator Prerequisites (suggested): Basic Statistics, Algebra II Software Requirements:
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| AP Calculus - AB | This is a college level two semester course covering derivatives, integrals, limits, approximation, and applications and modeling. Required: TI 83 Plus Calculator Prerequisites: Before studying calculus, all students should complete four years of secondary mathematics designed for college-bound students: courses in which they study algebra, geometry, trigonometry, analytic geometry, and elementary functions. These functions include those that are linear, polynomial, rational, exponential, logarithmic, trigonometric, inverse trigonometric, and piecewise defined. In particular, before studying calculus, students must be familiar with the properties of functions, the algebra of functions, and the graphs of functions. Students must also understand the language of functions (domain and range, odd and even, periodic, symmetry, zeros, intercepts, and so on) and know the values of the trigonometric functions of the numbers 0, pi/6, pi/4, pi/3, pi/2, and their multiples. Software Requirements:
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| AP Calculus - BC | This is a college level two semester course covering derivatives, integrals, limits, approximation, applications and modeling, and sequences and series. Required: TI 83 Plus Calculator Prerequisites: Before studying calculus, all students should complete four years of secondary mathematics designed for college-bound students: courses in which they study algebra, geometry, trigonometry, analytic geometry, and elementary functions. These functions include those that are linear, polynomial, rational, exponential, logarithmic, trigonometric, inverse trigonometric, and piecewise defined. In particular, before studying calculus, students must be familiar with the properties of functions, the algebra of functions, and the graphs of functions. Students must also understand the language of functions (domain and range, odd and even, periodic, symmetry, zeros, intercepts, and so on) and know the values of the trigonometric functions of the numbers 0, pi/6, pi/4, pi/3, pi/2, and their multiples. Software Requirements:
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| AP Physics - C | This one semester course introduces electromagnetism utilizing calculus. Topics include Coulomb's law, electric potential, electric current, capacitance, static circuits involving capacitors and resistors, magnetic fields and forces, circuits involving resistors, capacitors and inductors, general AC circuits, and electromagnetic waves. This course is one semester. Required: TI 83 Plus Calculator Prerequisites: Algebra II, Trigonometry, Physics, Calculus Software Requirements:
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| AP Physics - B | Physics is the science of matter and energy — how the universe is put together. This two semester course is a non-calculus survey course covering five general areas: Newtonian mechanics, thermal physics, electricity and magnetism, waves and optics, and atomic and nuclear physics. Students will get an understanding of the core principles involved and learn to apply these principles in the solution of problems. Required: TI 83 Plus Calculator Prerequisites: Algebra II, Trigonometry, Physics Software Requirements:
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| AP Biology | AP Biology is a two semester course taught at the same level as a first year college biology class. This course adheres closely to the College Board standards for AP Biology and will prepare students to take the AP Biology Exam. The two main goals of this course are to help students develop a framework for biology and to help them gain an even deeper understanding of science as a process. In this course, students will be developing higher level thinking in terms of biology rather than just memorizing terms and facts. Some major themes of study include: Prerequisites: Biology and Chemistry Software Requirements:
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| AP US Government | This one semester course will survey the complex subjects of U.S. government and politics. Students will analyze in some detail the processes and institutions (both formal and informal) through which the political system functions and policy decisions are made. This analysis will include the Constitutional structure of Government, participatory politics, the formal institutions of power, the extra constitutional influences on those institutions, and public polity and individual rights and liberties. Prerequisites: American Government. Also, school determination of eligibility based on grades and any other criteria Software Requirements:
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| AP US History | This two semester course covers all of the material outlined by the College Board as necessary to prepare students to pass the AP U.S. History exam. Students will:
Prerequisites: Two semesters of American History. Also, school determination of eligibility based on grades and any other criteri Software Requirements:
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| AP Art History | This two semester course is designed to foster in students an understanding and knowledge of architecture, sculpture, painting, and other art forms within diverse historical and cultural contexts. Students examine and critically analyze major forms of artistic expression from the past and the present from a variety of cultures. In addition to visual analysis, this course emphasizes understanding works in context, considering such issues as patronage, gender, and the functions and effects of works of art. Prior art training is not a prerequisite nor does the course cater exclusively to future Art History majors. This course was designed to meet the requirements of the Advanced Placement Art History requirements precisely. Prerequisites: School determination of eligibility based on grades and any other criteria Software Requirements:
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