Advance Placement

AP Biology is an introductory college-level biology course. Students cultivate their understanding of biology through inquiry-based investigations as they explore topics like evolution, energetics, information storage and transfer, and system interactions.

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 different species and the environment, and sustainability.

AP Computer Science Principles is an introductory college-level computing course that introduces students to the breadth of the field of computer science. Students learn to design and evaluate solutions and to apply computer science to solve problems through the development of algorithms and programs. They incorporate abstraction into programs and use data to discover new knowledge. Students also explain how computing innovations and computing systems—including the internet—work, explore their potential impacts, and contribute to a computing culture that is collaborative and ethical.

This course surveys the structure and function of American government and politics that begins with an analysis of the United States Constitution. Students study the three branches of government, administrative agencies that support each branch, the role of political behavior in the democratic process, rules governing elections, political culture, and the workings of political parties and interest groups. The course emphasizes active participation and our scholars gain a deep understanding of both systems and opportunities that turn the wheels of American democracy.

In this course, students will devote themselves to the study of nonfiction and informational texts – from a range of disciplines and historical periods - focusing on the development of evidence-based analytical and argumentative writing, the rhetorical analysis of nonfiction texts, and the decisions writers make as they compose and revise. Students will examine the choices writers make and the techniques they utilize to achieve purposes and generate meanings. Careful reading and critical analysis of such works of nonfiction, historical fiction/narratives, along with digital media, selected locally by responsible educators, provide rich opportunities for students to develop an appreciation of the power of language and word choice, and how they inform our experiences, institutions, and social structures. Our scholars complete the year confident in their ability to analyze and organize their thoughts around challenges we face as a society in the 21st century.

The AP Spanish Literature and Culture course uses a thematic approach to introduce students to representative texts (short stories, novels, poetry, plays, and essays) from Peninsular Spanish, Latin American, and U. S. Hispanic literature. Students develop proficiencies across the three modes of communication (interpretive, interpersonal, and presentational) in the range of Novice, Intermediate, and Advanced from the American Council on the Teaching of Foreign Languages’ (ACTFL) Proficiency Guidelines. Through careful examination of the required readings and other texts, students work to hone their critical reading and analytical writing skills. Literature is explored within the contexts of its time and place, and students gain insights on the many voices, historical periods, and cultures represented in the required readings and other texts. The course also includes a strong focus on cultural, artistic, and linguistic connections and comparisons, which is supported by the exploration of various media (art, music, film, articles, and literary criticism).

An exciting course that studies the history of Afro-Eurasia and the Americans from the years 1200-2000. Students taking this course will learn about a variety of human experiences and developments, dating back to when the Silk Roads ran across Asia, the Aztecs ruled Mexico, and merchants crossed the Sahara by camels. The course covers complex topics such as political and industrial revolutions, class tensions, colonialism, technology, and human rights. Students will learn how to engage in historiography and build their own historical narrative based on a combination of empirical evidence and interpretation. The class will be grounded in critical theory and students will qualify to receive college credit depending on their AP exam score.

3D DESIGN: In this course students will focus on art to be viewed in the round. This includes sculpture, relief sculpture, mask making, installation, 3D printing, and more. They will explore a variety of techniques to build, mold, and sculpt.

SCENIC DESIGN: In this course, students will explore art that could be used for stage and film productions. This will include large-scale installation as well as small individual works and drawings.

SOCIAL JUSTICE IN ART: In this course, students will explore a variety of different art mediums through an exploration of artistic techniques and current events with a heavy emphasis on social justice. Students will have an opportunity to find their own voice and gain a strong understanding of how they can use studio art as a tool for Social Justice.

STUDIO ART: A survey course that covers a wide array of art making including but not limited to 3D sculpture, painting, drawing, printmaking, photography, and more. Students will use a wide array of materials to create these works.