+ AP ENGLISH LANGUAGE AND COMPOSITION

More challenging in the quantity and sophistications of its demands, AP Language and Composition covers the material in an accelerated and rigorous program with a heavy emphasis on expository, argumentative, and persuasive writing. Students read prose from a variety of periods, disciplines, and rhetorical contexts, and they will become skilled writers who are able to compose for a variety of purposes while being aware of audience expectations, writer’s purpose and subjects as well as the way literary devices and rhetorical modes contribute to effectiveness in both their reading and writing. This course helps students move beyond such programmatic responses as the five-paragraph essay. Students are expected to take the AP Language and Composition Exam in the spring.

Prerequisite: B or better in World Literature and Composition (Honors or CP) and teacher recommendation

Eligibility: 11th grade

+ AP ENGLISH LITERATURE AND COMPOSITION

This Advanced Placement course is designed to adhere to the standards of a beginning-college writing course and follows the curricular requirements described in the AP Literature and Composition Course Description. Intertwined with study of the fundamentals of rhetorical theory through critical readings of a variety of literature, students are taught numerous approaches of essay writing, including writing to understand, writing to explain, and writing to evaluate. Students develop their skill in timed writings, working toward exhibiting higher sophistication in both style and critical thinking.

Prerequisite: B or better in previous Honors, CP or AP class, teacher recommendation from former English teacher

Eligibility: 12th grade

+ AP European History

Students in this course must learn to view history thematically. The AP European History course is organized around overarching themes that serve as threads throughout the course, helping students to relate what is particular about each time period or society to a "big picture" of history. The themes also provide a way to organize comparisons and analyze change and continuity over time. Students will be expected to work on outside reading, learn to write SAQs, LEQs, and DBQs. Students are expected to take the AP European History exam in the spring.

Prerequisites: Grade of B or better in Introduction to Literature and Composition and teacher recommendation

Eligibility: 10th grade

+ AP U.S. HISTORY

This class is designed to provide the student with analytical skills and factual knowledge necessary to deal critically with the problems and materials of U.S. History. Students learn to assess historical materials and develop skills necessary to arrive at conclusions on the basis of an informed judgment. Students use books, simulations, projects, research, and the Bible. Students are expected to take the Advanced Placement exam in May.

Prerequisite: B or higher in previous history and English classes, and teacher recommendation

Eligibility: 11th grade

+ AP GOVERNMENT

This course provides students with an analytical perspective on government and politics in the United States. Students will gain an understanding of typical patterns of political processes and behavior and their consequences (including the components of political behavior, the principles used to explain and justify various government structures and procedures, and the political effects of these structures and procedures). Students will analyze and interpret basic data relevant to the U.S. Government and politics. Students are expected to take the AP Government and Politics exam in the spring.

Prerequisites: Grade of B or better in U.S. History, in English, and teacher recommendation.

Eligibility: 12th grade

+ AP MICROECONOMICS

(1 Semester) The purpose of AP Microeconomics is to give students a thorough understanding of the principles of economics that apply to the functions of individual decision makers, both consumers and producers, within the economic system. The course places primary emphasis on the nature and functions of product markets and includes the study of factor markets and the role of government in promoting greater efficiency and equity in the economy. Students are expected to take the AP Microeconomics exam in the spring.

Prerequisites: Grade of B or better in U.S. History, in English, and teacher recommendation.

Eligibility: 12th grade

+ AP CALCULUS AB

Calculus is the study of the rate of change of mathematical quantities. Limits, differentiation, and integration will be covered verbally, graphically, numerically, and analytically. This course covers the content outlined by the College Board for an AP Calculus AB course, but is not limited to that material. Students are required to take the AP Calculus AB exam in the spring. A TI-84+ calculator is recommended for this course.

Prerequisite: B or better in Precalculus or a C in Precalculus and an adequate score on the calculus readiness test and teacher recommendation

Eligibility: 11th-12th grade

+ AP CALCULUS BC

Calculus is the study of the rate of change of mathematical quantities. Limits, differentiation, integration, and series will be covered verbally, graphically, numerically, and analytically. Although we focus most of our study in the familiar rectangular coordinate system, we will also look at some topics in parametric, polar, and vector formats. This course covers the content outlined by the College Board for an AP Calculus BC course, but is not limited to that material. Students are required to take the AP Calculus BC exam in the spring. A TI-84+ calculator is recommended for this course.

Prerequisite: Successful completion of the first semester of AP Calculus AB or its equivalent and teacher recommendation

Eligibility: 12th grade

+ AP STATISTICS

This course is equivalent to a beginning college, non-calculus based statistics course. AP Statistics covers data explorations, probability, the planning of a study, anticipating patterns and statistical inference. AP Statistics is an effective preparation for college majors of engineering, psychology, sociology, health science, and business as well as science and math majors. Students are required to take the Advanced Placement exam in May. AP Statistics may be taken concurrently with Precalculus or Calculus with teacher approval. A TI-84+ calculator is recommended for this course.

Prerequisite: C or better in Algebra 2 H or B or better in Algebra II or C or better in Precalculus or concurrent enrollment in Precalculus

Eligibility: 11th-12th grade

+ AP COMPUTER SCIENCE PRINCIPLES

AP Computer Science Principles is a complete, full-year Adhesive course developed in partnership with the University of Texas at Austin’s UTeach Institute that focuses on the 7 “Big Ideas” in computer science using project-based approaches. This course will prepare students for the end-of-course AP Exam.

Prerequisite: Introduction to Computer Science or test for skill set

Eligibility: 10th through 12th grade

+ AP BIOLOGY

AP Biology is a second year of biology equivalent to a two-semester college introductory biology course. The course is organized around the four main overarching big ideas in biology. The course utilizes an inquiry-based approach recommended by the National Science Foundation to build the laboratory and scientific thinking skills required to be successful in STEM fields. The labs are both field and technology based incorporating techniques in biotechnology along with current digital sensors and data analysis equipment. Students are required to take the AP Biology exam in the spring.

Prerequisites: A or B in Chemistry and Biology

Eligibility: 11th or 12th grade

+ AP CHEMISTRY

AP Chemistry is a second year of chemistry taught at the college level. This course is a complete college chemistry course that emphasizes learning through laboratory experiments. The laboratory experiments not only focus on a thorough comprehension of the subject but also emphasize the use and mastery of laboratory techniques and writing. The course work in AP Chemistry aims to enable students to see the world from a chemistry standpoint, and explains how chemistry laws are an integral part of everyday events. Students are required to take the AP chemistry exam in the spring.

Prerequisite: A or B in Chemistry

Eligibility: 12th grade

+ AP PHYSICS 1

This is a fast-paced, rigorous course requiring intense study of the basic topics found in physics. Emphasis is placed on lab work and preparation for the AP Physics exam, which is required. A minimum of twenty labs will be done during the course of study.

Prerequisite: Grade of B or better in Precalculus and Physics or permission from the department

Eligibility: 11th-12th grade

+ AP STUDIO ART: DRAWING

The AP Studio Art portfolios are designed for students who are seriously interested in the practical experience of art. AP Studio Art is not based on a written exam; instead, students submit portfolios for evaluation at the end of the school year. The AP Studio Art Program consists of three portfolios — 2-D Design, 3-D Design and Drawing — corresponding to common college foundation courses.

Prerequisite: A or B in Studio Art

Eligibility: 11th or 12th grade