Advanced Placement

The AP course in macroeconomics offers students a thorough understanding of economic principles that apply to an economic system as a whole. With an emphasis on the study of national income and price-level determination, the course also develops students’ familiarity with economic performance measures, the financial sector, stabilization policies, economic growth, and international economics. All students taking the course are required to take the Advanced Placement Macroeconomics examination that is administered at the end of the school year.

Credit: 5
Quality Point Group: III
Open to Grades: 11,12
Prerequisite: Minimum GPA requirement 3.50 and successful completion/concurrent enrollment in Hon. Precalculus, Calculus, or AP Calculus. Teacher recommendation.

The AP course in microeconomics provides students with a thorough understanding of the economic principles that apply to individual decision makers, both consumers and producers, within the larger economic system. The course primarily emphasizes the nature and functions of product markets as well as the study of factor markets and of the role of government in promoting greater efficiency and equity in the economy. All students taking the course are required to take the Advanced Placement Microeconomics examination that is administered at the end of the school year.

Credit: 5
Quality Point Group: III
Open to Grades: 11,12
Prerequisite: Minimum GPA requirement 3.50 and successful completion/concurrent enrollment in Hon. Precalculus, Calculus, or AP Calculus. Teacher recommendation.

The Advanced Placement Course in Computer Science is structured according to the guidelines of the College Board Advanced Placement Program. It is a rigorous course taught in the Java programming language. The course is intended for the mathematically able and analytical student who is able to demonstrate proficiency in the areas of problem solving, reading, writing and using math notation at the Algebra II level, and general writing skills. Students considered to take the AP course in Computer Science must be highly motivated to keep up with the fast-paced schedule of project deadlines. They must be interested in and capable of working through independent study assignments with guidance from the instructor. Topics to be covered include program design, implementation and analysis, standard data structures, standard algorithms, and computer systems.

Credit: 5
Quality Point Group: Group III
Open to Grade: 10*, 11, 12
Prerequisites: Minimum grade of B+ in Honors Intermediate Programming - C++ (CMP 200) and required placement test.

The Advanced Placement Computer Science Principles course is designed to be equivalent to a first-semester introductory college computing course and is the year-two course for students working within the Interactive Design/Computer Science Track for the PJ STEM program. APCSP is organized around the investigation of seven big ideas (Creativity, Abstraction, Data and Information, Algorithms, Programming, The Internet, and Global Impact), all of which are fundamental principles essential to thrive a variety of computing and STEM careers. It provides a pathway for becoming a well-educated and informed citizen who understand how computer science impacts people and society.

Credit: 5
Quality Point Group: Group III
Open to Grades: 9*, 10, 11, 12
Minimum grade: B+ (MAT101 or SCI100), or have taken MAT102, or MAT teacher recommendationPrerequisites: Students do not need to have prior computer science knowledge or experience. A strong foundation in basic algebraic concepts dealing with function notation and problem-solving strategies. Students should be able to use a Cartesian (x, y) coordinate system to represent points on a plane.
*Grade 9 students may enroll after successfully completing Innovations (SCI100)

This course is designed according to the guidelines of the Advanced Placement Program of the College Board. At the conclusion of the course, all students sit for the Advanced Placement examination in English Literature and Composition. A course in literary interpretation, AP Literature and Composition offers an intense study of the various genres in literature: poetry, drama, the short story, the novel and the essay. Through critical essays and class discussion, students consider the work’s structure, style, theme(s) as well as the use of figurative language, imagery, symbolism and tone.

Credit: 5
Quality Point Group: III
Open to Grades: 11
Prerequisite: Final grade of 87 in Honors English II or 97 in English II. Students in English II must take a placement test.

The AP English Language and Composition course teaches students to recognize and analyze a variety of rhetorical contexts and to write skillfully for multiple purposes and audiences. At the conclusion of the course, all students sit for the Advanced Placement Test in English Language and Composition. The course emphasizes the expository, analytical, and argumentative writing practiced by academics and other professionals as well as personal and reflective writing. Students will read primary and secondary sources carefully, synthesize materials from these texts in their own compositions, and cite sources using the Modern Language Association (MLA) conventions.

Credit: 5
Quality Point Group: III
Open to Grades: 12
Prerequisite: Final grade of 83 in AP Literature and Composition or 87 in Honors English III or 97 in English III. Students in English III must take a placement test.

AP Statistics is a college level course in statistics that introduces students to the major concepts and tools for collecting, analyzing, and drawing conclusions from data. Students are exposed to the four broad conceptual themes: exploring data; sampling and experimentation through planning and conducting a study; anticipating patterns through exploring random phenomena using probability and simulation; and statistical inference through estimating population parameters and testing hypotheses. Students who successfully complete the course and AP exam may qualify for college placement and earn credit for an introductory college statistics course.

Credit: 5
Quality Point Group: III
Open to Grades: 11,12
Prerequisite: Final grade of 93 or better in Accelerated Pre-Calculus OR 84 or better in Honors Pre-Calculus OR 84 or better in Honors Algebra II OR 93 or better in Algebra II/Accelerated, AND final grade of 84 or better in English II or III. AP Statistics may be taken concurrently with, but not as a replacement for, Honors Calculus, AP Calculus AB or AP Calculus BC.
Requirement: TI-84+ Graphing Calculator

AP Calculus is designed as a college level course. The course begins with a brief review of Pre-Calculus and progresses to the study of limits and continuity of functions, the derivative and its applications, the definite integral and its applications, and some basics of differential equations.

Credit: 5
Quality Point Group: III
Open to Grades: 11,12
Prerequisite: Final grade of 84 or better in Honors Precalculus, OR final grade of 93 or better in Accelerated Precalculus, OR 93 or better in Honors Calculus.
Requirement: TI-84+ Graphing Calculator

AP Calculus BC is a full year, college level course in the calculus of functions of a single variable. The course covers all topics presented in Calculus AB, some in greater depth, plus topics primarily related to polynomial approximations and series, improper integrals, vector, parametric and polar functions. The BC course is designed to qualify the student for college placement and credit that is one course beyond that granted for AB.

Credit: 5
Quality Point Group: III
Open to Grades: 11,12
Prerequisite: Final grade of 93 or better in Honors Pre-Calculus.
Requirement: TI-84+ Graphing Calculator

AP Physics 1 is an algebra-based, introductory college-level physics course. Students cultivate their understanding of physics through inquiry-based investigations as they explore these topics: kinematics, dynamics, circular motion and gravitation, energy, momentum, simple harmonic motion, torque and rotational motion. Students taking this course are required to sit for the AP Physics 1 exam in May.

Credit: 5
Quality Point Group: II
Open to Grades: 9
Prerequisite: 9th graders must successfully complete the AP Physics Summer Boot Camp and must be either concurrently enrolled in or have completed Honors Geometry or Honors Algebra II.

AP Biology is an introductory college-level biology course. Students cultivate their understanding of biology through inquiry-based investigations as they explore the following topics: evolution, cellular processes — energy and communication, genetics, information transfer, ecology, and interactions Students taking this course are required to sit for the Advanced Placement Biology examination at the end of the school year.

Credit: 5
Quality Point Group: III
Open to Grades: 11,12
Prerequisite: Final grade of 87 in Honors Biology or 93 in Biology and a final grade of 87 in Honors Chemistry. Highly recommend completion or concurrent enrollment in AP Statistics.

Advanced Placement Chemistry is the equivalent of a first year college general chemistry class; recommended for those students planning college studies in engineering or the physical sciences. The course is designed to provide the advanced science student with a deeper and more diverse background in chemistry, laboratory skills, and scientific reasoning skills.The course is comprised of 9 units: atomic structure and properties; molecular and ionic compounds; structure and properties; chemical reactions; kinetics; thermodynamics; equilibrium; acids and bases; and applications of thermodynamics.

Credit: 5
Quality Point Group: III
Open to Grades: 11,12
Prerequisite: Final grade of 87 in Honors Chemistry or 93 in Chemistry.

This algebra-based, introductory college-level course explores with mathematical rigor the principles of Newtonian mechanics (including rotational motion); work, energy, and power; mechanical waves and sound; and introductory, simple circuits. A conceptual understanding of foundational physics principles is gained through inquiry-based laboratory investigations and development of science practices. Students taking this course are required to sit for the AP Physics 1 exam at the end of the school year.

Credit: 5
Quality Point Group: III
Open to Grades: 10, 11,12
Prerequisite: Final grade of 93 in Honors Chemistry and 93 in Honors Algebra II (or concurrent enrollment in Honors Algebra II). OR Final grade of 93 in Honors Physics and 93 in Honors Algebra II. Ninth and tenth grade students must take placement exam.

AP Physics 2 is an algebra-based, introductory college-level physics course. Students cultivate their understanding of physics through inquiry-based investigations as they explore these topics: fluids; thermodynamics; electrical force, field, and potential; electric circuits; magnetism and electromagnetic induction; geometric and physical optics; and quantum, atomic, and nuclear physics. Students taking this course are required to sit for the AP Physics 2 exam in May.

Credit: 5
Quality Point Group: III
Open to Grades: 10, 11, 12
Prerequisite: Students should have completed AP Physics 1 (SCI501) or Physics (SCI401) or Honors Physics (SCI402). Students are required to have a science teacher recommendation.

AP World History is structured around the investigation of five course themes in six different chronological periods. Rather than simply collect and memorize facts, students must master key concepts for each historical period through the investigation of five overarching themes: (1) interaction between humans and the environment; (2) development and interaction of cultures; (3) state-building, expansion, and conflict; (4) creation, expansion, and interaction of economic systems; and (5) development and transformation of social structures. By focusing on these themes, students will develop historical thinking skills necessary to analyze change and continuity over time, identify global processes, compare and contrast societies, and explore the broad trends of world history. Students enrolled in the course are required to sit for the College Board Advanced Placement examination in World History. A satisfactory score on this examination can lead to college credit for the course.

Credit: 5
Quality Point Group: III
Open to Grades: 10, 11, 12
Prerequisite: For grades 10-12 a final grade of 87 in Honors World Cultures, Honors U.S. History I or II or a final grade of 97 in Regular World Cultures, U.S. History I or II. PJ 9th graders based on teacher recommendation and enrollment in Honors 8th Grade Social Studies. Other incoming 9th graders must take a placement exam.

AP European History is a comprehensive course tracing the development of European civilizations from the High Renaissance to the present. Major areas of concentration include the political, social, economic, and diplomatic development of the European nations. The intellectual and cultural history of Europe is also addressed along with a study of European literature, arts, and music. Students enrolled in the course are required to sit for the College Board Advanced Placement examination in European History at the end of the school year. A satisfactory score on this examination may lead to college credit for the course.

Credit: 5
Quality Point Group: III
Open to Grades: 10, 11, 12
Prerequisite: Incoming 10th graders: an 83 in AP World History, or an 87 in Honors World Cultures, or a 97 in World Cultures. Incoming 11th graders: an 83 in any AP Social Studies course, an 87 in Honors US History I, or a 97 in US History I. Incoming 12th graders: an 83 in any AP Social Studies course, an 87 in Honors US History II, or a 97 in US History II.

AP US History provides an accelerated and detailed study of the American Republic from 1491 to the present. The course focuses on research, critical reading and writing, and analysis of primary historical sources. Students enrolled in the course are required to sit for the College Board Advanced Placement examination in American History in May. A satisfactory score on this examination may lead to college credit for the course.

Credit: 5
Quality Point Group: III
Open to Grades: 11
Prerequisite: Final grade of 87 in Honors US History I or 97 in US History I.

The AP course in U.S. Government and Politics expands students’ understanding of America’s government and current domestic and foreign policy agendas. AP Government also looks at hot topics such as free speech, assembly, religion, and the death penalty as well as current elections. The course requires familiarity with the various institutions, groups, beliefs, and ideas that constitute US politics. Topics include the Constitutional underpinnings of the United States’ political beliefs and behaviors; political parties; interest groups; mass media; institutions of national government; public policy; and civil rights and civil liberties. Prerequisites for admission include 1) a brief persuasive essay that includes the student’s motivations for selecting this course; and 2) a contract, signed by both the student and parent, acknowledging that summer course work and a community service project are mandatory for passing the course. The student must take the AP U.S. Government examination in May. A satisfactory score on this examination may lead to college credit for the course.

Credit: 5
Quality Point Group: III
Open to Grades: 11,12
Prerequisite: Final grade of an 83 in AP US History, or an 87 in Honors US History I, or a 97 in US History II.

AP Comparative Government and Politics introduces students to the rich diversity of political life outside the United States. The course uses a comparative approach to examine the political structures and policies, and the political, economic, and social cultures of six selected countries: Great Britain, Mexico, Russia, Iran, China, and Nigeria. Additionally, students examine how different governments solve similar problems by comparing the effectiveness of approaches to many global issues. Students must take the AP Comparative Government examination in May. A satisfactory score on this examination may lead to college credit for the course.

Credit: 5
Quality Point Group: III
Open to Grades: 11,12
Prerequisite: Final grade of 83 in any AP Social Studies course, or an 87 in any Honors Social Studies course, or a 97 in US History I and II, or US Government.

The AP course in psychology introduces the systematic and scientific study of human and animal behavior and mental processes. Topics include the psychological facts, principles, and phenomena associated with each of psychology’s major subfields and the ethics and methods used by psychologists in science and practice. Students enrolled in the course are required to sit for the College Board Advanced Placement examination in Psychology in May. A satisfactory score on this examination may lead to college credit for the course.

Credit: 5
Quality Point Group: III
Open to Grades: 11, 12
Prerequisite: Final grade of 83 in any AP Social Studies course, a final grade of 87 in Honors US History II, or a final grade of 97 in US History II or Sociology & Psychology.

AP Human Geography introduces students to the systematic study of patterns and means that have shaped human understanding, use, and alteration of the earth’s surface. Students will employ spatial concepts and use maps to define regions and interpret the connectedness of places. This course emphasizes cooperative learning by employing geographers’ methods and tools. Students enrolled in the course are required to sit for the College Board Advanced Placement examination in Human Geography at the end of the school year. A satisfactory score on this examination may lead to college credit for the course.

Credit: 5
Quality Point Group: III
Open to Grades: 10, 11
Prerequisite: Incoming 10th graders: an 83 in AP World History, or an 87 in Honors World Cultures, or a 97 in World Cultures. Incoming 11th graders: an 83 in any AP Social Studies course; or an 87 in Honors US History I or II, or an 87 in Honors World Cultures.

The AP Spanish Language and Culture course emphasizes communication (understanding and being understood by others) by applying interpersonal, interpretive, and presentational skills in real-life situations. This includes vocabulary usage, language control, communication strategies, and cultural awareness. The AP Spanish Language and Culture course strives not to overemphasize grammatical accuracy at the expense of communication. To best facilitate the study of language and culture, the course is taught almost exclusively in Spanish. The AP Spanish Language and Culture course engages students in an exploration of culture in both contemporary and historical contexts. The course develops students’ awareness and appreciation of cultural products (e.g., tools, books, music , laws, conventions, institutions); practices (patterns of social interactions within a culture); and perspectives (values, attitudes, and assumptions).

Credit: 5
Quality Point Group: III
Open to Grades: 11,12
Prerequisite: Final grade of 87 in Honors Spanish IV and placement test.