African American Studies
This course Is designed for advanced students capable of doing college-level work. It provides an in-depth study of the social, political, artistic, intellectual, and economic movements of African American History from the pre-Civil War era to modern times. Students are expected to take the AP exam in the spring.
Art History
A full-year introductory college course in art history, primarily Western art, with attention to the art of non-European cultures. View the grandeur of the Golden Age of Greece; be inspired by the sculptures of Michelangelo, and be intrigued by the paintings of Picasso. Research papers/projects required.
Biology
This course is equivalent to a two-semester college introductory biology course. Because content, inquiry, and reasoning are equally important in AP Biology, each learning objective combines content with inquiry and reasoning skills described in the science practices. The science practices capture important aspects of the work that scientists engage in, at the level of competence expected of the student. AP Biology is organized around the following principles: evolution, cellular processes (energy & communication), genetics & information transfer and interactions among living things.
Calculus
A full-year course, Calculus AB covers differential and integral calculus topics.
A full-year course, Calculus BC is an extension of Calculus AB and covers the calculus of functions of a single variable. Calculus BC uses the tools of differential and integral calculus to explore topics of infinite series, vector-valued functions and polar functions.
Both courses rely on the use of unifying themes of derivatives, integrals, limits, approximation, and applications and modeling, and they require a similar depth of understanding of common topics. These courses require the use of a graphing calculator.
Chemistry
A full-year introductory college course in chemistry with laboratory. Topics include stoichiomery, gas laws, quantum theory, electron configuration, bonding, molecular geometry, kinetics, equilibria, thermodynamics, nuclear and organic chemistry.
Computer Science Principles
This course offers a multidisciplinary approach to teaching the underlying principles of computation. The course will introduce students to the creative aspects of programming, abstractions, algorithms, large data sets, the Internet, cybersecurity concerns, and computing impacts. AP Computer Science Principles will give students the opportunity to use technology to address real-world problems and build relevant solutions. The curriculum
focuses on the innovation aspects of computing as well as the computational thinking practices that help students see how computing is relevant to many areas of their everyday lives.
English Language and Composition
A full-year course offered in 11th grade. This course engages students in becoming skilled readers of prose written in a variety of rhetorical contexts, and in becoming skilled writers who compose for a variety of purposes. Both their writing and their reading should make students aware of the interactions among a writer's purposes, audience expectations, and subjects as well as the way generic conventions and the resources of language contribute to effective writing.
English Literature and Composition
A full-year course offered in 12th grade. Students learn about literary genres, composition, analytical reading and literary technique. Students study American, English, and World literature. Students analyze literature, develop and strengthen their ability to think and read critically, and learn to write analytically.
Environmental Science
Students will cultivate their understanding of the interrelationships of the natural world though inquiry-based lab investigations and fieldwork as they explore essential concepts and ideas such as energy transfer, interactions between earth systems, interactions between different species and their environment, and sustainability. The AP Environmental Science course analyzes environmental concepts and processes to achieve understanding in order to propose and justify solutions to environmental problems. The course will teach students how to apply science to solutions to important social problems. It will also provide opportunities to practice applying scientific methods to real-life problems.
European History
A full-year course that includes the study of the social, political, artistic, intellectual and economic movements of European history from c. 1450 to modern times. The emphasis is on the intellectual-cultural, political-diplomatic, and social-economic history of Europe.
French
A college-level course intended for students in their fifth year of French. We will be using the three modes of communication (interpersonal, interpretive and presentational) as defined in the Standards for Foreign Language Learning in the 21st Century are the basis of this AP French Language and Culture course. We will continue to improve upon the grammar, listening, reading, speaking and writing skills that the students have acquired over their four years of French study.
Music Theory
A full-year course that develops a student's ability to recognize, understand, and describe the basic materials and processes of music that are heard or presented in a score. The course also addresses fundamental aural, analytical and compositional skills using both listening and written exercises
Physics C Mechanics
A full-year course which serves as the foundation for students who may plan to major in the physical sciences or engineering. Methods of calculus are used wherever appropriate in formulating physical principles and in applying them to physical problems. This course requires the use of a graphing calculator.
Statistics
A full-year course, students in Statistics develop major theories and techniques for collecting, analyzing, and drawing conclusions from data. Students will be exposed to four broad conceptual themes: exploring data, planning a study, anticipating patterns in advance, and statistical inference. Solving real-life problems that require the use of statistical inference and a combination of statistical techniques will be emphasized. Technology will be used to develop understanding, and work on large datasets. Students will present, defend, and critique statistical arguments. Students enrolled in this course are expected to take the AP Statistics examination in the spring. This course requires the use of a graphing calculator.
Studio Art: Drawing (juniors)
In this full-year course, students develop a body of work informed by drawing media, creative problem solving, and independent research. This is recommended for students who have demonstrated an ability to complete challenging work successfully at a demanding pace. Emphasis is placed on line quality, light and shade, rendering of form, composition, surface manipulation, the illusion of depth, and mark-making. Students will work with a variety of media including drawing, painting, printmaking, and mixed media. By May students will have a minimum of 12 accomplished artworks to choose from for the submission to AP Studio Art. Sketchbooks and Homework are required. It is strongly recommended that students in this course take the AP Drawing Exam in May.
Studio Art: 2D Design (seniors)
In this full-year course, students develop a body of work informed by 2-D design skills, peer dialogue, research of contemporary and master artists, big ideas, and essential questions. This is recommended for students who have demonstrated an ability to complete challenging work successfully at a demanding pace. The portfolio reflects two areas: sustained investigation and selected works. Each student defends the portfolio in a personal artist’s statement. By May you will have a minimum of 12 accomplished artworks to choose from for the submission to AP Studio Art. Sketchbooks and Homework are required. It is required that students in this course take the AP 2-D Design Exam in May.
Studio Art: Photography
AP Photography is a year-long intensive study of photography addressing more advanced film and digital photographic techniques and concepts. This is recommended for students who have demonstrated an ability to complete challenging work successfully at a demanding pace. The use of film, digital imaging, photo collage, image transfer, and other printing techniques will be explored. The portfolio reflects both a sustained investigation, based on inquiry questions, and selected works, demonstrating quality execution of artworks. By May you will have a minimum of 12 accomplished artworks to choose from for the submission to AP Studio Art. Sketchbooks and Homework is required.
United States Government and Politics
A full-year course that covers the following major content areas: constitutional underpinnings of U. S. government, political beliefs and behaviors, political parties, interest groups and mass media, institutions of national government, public policy, civil rights and civil liberties.
United States History
A two-year course offered in 9th and 10th grades covering American history from the first European explorations of the Americas to the present. Instructional experiences include lectures, term paper, comparison of conflicting interpretations, examination of documents, student presentations, and traditional recitation periods.