The Advanced Placement Program was established by the College Board and is recognized nationally for its rigor in the core subject areas, thus preparing students for the rigors of college. Students who participate in challenging courses beyond the minimum requirement for a high school diploma are more prepared for life-long learning and a competitive career. I hope you find this website helpful and it helps you to make wise decisions in your course selections.
*Note that information provided on this website is subject to change.
What is AP?
AP Policies
The following are expectations of students taking any AP course offered at ACS:
Students and parents will sign a contract at the beginning of the course, agreeing to adhere to the AP policies. This contract and stipulations may be found in the guidance office or from the individual AP teacher.
*The school add/drop policy is followed with the following exception:
*Any student wishing to withdraw from an AP course before Labor Day may do so without any academic penalty.
*Any student who withdraws from an AP course after Labor Day will receive a 69 (failure) for the remainder of the year-long course.
*All students enrolled in an AP course will be required to take the national AP exam at the end of the school year, and payment for the exam is the responsibility of the parent.
AP Classes Offered at ACS
Click on each course to see course requirements, prerequisites, and a brief overview video from each AP teacher.
AP Biology
AP Biology
Course Description: The AP Biology course is designed to enable you to develop advanced inquiry and reasoning skills, such as designing a plan for collecting data, analyzing data, applying mathematical routines, and connecting concepts in and across domains. The result will be readiness for the study of advanced topics in subsequent college courses ? a goal of every AP course. This AP Biology course is equivalent to a two-semester college introductory biology course and has been endorsed enthusiastically by higher education officials.
Prerequisites: Biology, Chemistry
Teacher: Mrs. Taylor Poss, ta********@au**************.org
CollegeBoard Link: https://apstudent.collegeboard.org/apcourse/ap-biology
AP Calculus AB
Course Description: AP Calculus AB is roughly equivalent to a first semester college calculus course devoted to topics in differential and integral calculus. The AP course covers topics in these areas, including concepts and skills of limits, derivatives, definite integrals, and the Fundamental Theorem of Calculus. The course teaches students to approach calculus concepts and problems when they are represented graphically, numerically, analytically, and verbally, and to make connections amongst these representations. Students learn how to use technology to help solve problems, experiment, interpret results, and support conclusions.
Prerequisites: Students must complete the equivalent of four years of secondary mathematics designed for college-bound students, including two Algebra courses, Geometry, and a Precalculus course that covered Trigonometry.
Teacher: Mrs. Sarah White, sa********@au**************.org
CollegeBoard Link: https://apstudent.collegeboard.org/apcourse/ap-calculus-ab
AP English Language and Composition
Course Description: The AP English Language and Composition course aligns to an introductory college-level rhetoric and writing curriculum, which requires students to develop evidence-based analytic and argumentative essays that proceed through several stages or drafts. Students evaluate, synthesize, and cite research to support their arguments. Throughout the course, students develop a personal style by making appropriate grammatical choices. Additionally, students read and analyze the rhetorical elements and their effects in non-fiction texts, including graphic images as forms of text, from many disciplines and historical periods.
Prerequisites: none, but students should be able to read and comprehend college-level texts and apply the conventions of Standard Written English in their writing.
Teacher: Mrs. Emma Grace Milian, em*************@au**************.org
CollegeBoard Link: https://apstudent.collegeboard.org/apcourse/ap-english-language-and-composition
AP Government and Politics
Course Description: AP U.S. Government and Politics provides a college-level, nonpartisan introduction to key political concepts, ideas, institutions, policies, interactions, roles, and behaviors that characterize the constitutional system and political culture of the United States. You will study U.S. foundational documents, Supreme Court decisions, and other texts and visuals to gain an understanding of the relationships and interactions among political institutions, processes, and behavior. You?ll also engage in disciplinary practices that require you to read and interpret data, make comparisons and applications, and develop evidence-based arguments. In addition, you?ll complete a political science research or applied civics project.
Prerequisites: none, but students should be able to read a college-level textbook and write grammatically correct, complete sentences.
Teacher: Mr. Benson Crawford, be************@au**************.org
CollegeBoard Link: https://apstudent.collegeboard.org/apcourse/ap-united-states-government-and-politics
AP Human Geography
AP Human Geography
Course Description: AP Human Geography is an introductory college-level human geography course. Students cultivate their understanding of human geography through data and geographic analyses as they explore topics like patterns and spatial organization, human impacts and interactions with their environment, and spatial processes and societal changes.
Prerequisites: none, but students should be able to read a college-level textbook and write grammatically correct, complete sentences.
Teacher: Mr. Benson Crawford, be************@au**************.org
CollegeBoard Link: https://apcentral.collegeboard.org/courses/ap-human-geography
AP Precalculus
AP Precalculus
Course Description: AP Precalculus prepares students for other college-level mathematics and science courses. Through regular practice, students build deep mastery of modeling and functions, and they examine scenarios through multiple representations. The course framework delineates content and skills common to college precalculus courses that are foundational for careers in mathematics, physics, biology, health science, social science, and data science.
Prerequisites: Students must have completed Algebra 1, Algebra 2, and Geometry courses as well as have a familiarity in using a graphing calculator.
Teacher: Mrs. Sarah White, sa********@au**************.org
CollegeBoard Link: https://apcentral.collegeboard.org/courses/ap-precalculus/course
AP Psychology
Course Description: The purpose of the AP course in Psychology is to introduce the systematic and scientific study of the behavior and mental processes of human beings and other animals. Included is a consideration of the psychological facts, principles, and phenomena associated with each of the major subfields within psychology. Students also learn about the ethics and methods psychologists use in their science and practice. An introductory college course in psychology is generally one semester in length, with some variation among colleges. An AP course in psychology need not follow any specific college curriculum. Rather, the aim is to provide a learning experience equivalent to that obtained in most college introductory psychology courses.
Prerequisites: none, but strong reading/writing skills are required
Teacher: Mrs. Sarah White, sa********@au**************.org
CollegeBoard Link: https://apstudent.collegeboard.org/apcourse/ap-psychology
AP Statistics
Course Description: The AP Statistics course is equivalent to a one-semester, introductory, non-calculus-based college course in statistics. The course introduces students to the major concepts and tools for collecting, analyzing, and drawing conclusions from data. There are four themes in the AP Statistics course: exploring data, sampling and experimentation, anticipating patterns, and statistical inference. Students use technology, investigations, problem solving, and writing as they build conceptual understanding.
Prerequisites: Students must have taken second-year algebra before enrolling in AP Statistics.
Teacher: Mrs. Mary Beth Perpall email: ma*************@au**************.org
CollegeBoard Link: https://apstudent.collegeboard.org/apcourse/ap-statistics
AP US History
Course Description: AP U.S. History is designed to be the equivalent of a two-semester introductory college or university U.S. history course. In AP U.S. History students investigate significant events, individuals, developments, and processes in nine historical periods from approximately 1491 to the present. Students develop and use the same skills, practices, and methods employed by historians: analyzing primary and secondary sources; developing historical arguments; making historical comparisons; and utilizing reasoning about contextualization, causation, and continuity and change over time. The course also provides seven themes that students explore throughout the course in order to make connections among historical developments in different times and places: American and national identity; migration and settlement; politics and power; work, exchange, and technology; America in the world; geography and the environment; and culture and society.
Prerequisites: none, but students should be able to read a college-level textbook and write grammatically correct, complete sentences.
Teacher: Mr. Matthew Hill, ma*********@au**************.org
CollegeBoard Link: https://apstudent.collegeboard.org/apcourse/ap-united-states-history
Parents of AP Students
It can be exciting and intimidating to be the parent of an AP student. Here?s some quick advice on navigating through the year as a parent:
* Stay positive! AP courses are tough, and the positive outlook you maintain will help your student to remain motivated throughout the course.
* Allow growth! One of the goals of an AP course is to stretch students beyond the typical learning level. The courses are difficult, and that is to be expected.
* Provide encouragement! As you allow your student to struggle through the course, encourage him or her to do their best work, stay focused, and keep a good attitude.
* Trust the instructor! All AP teachers have undergone extensive training by the CollegeBoard and remain the authority on all the curriculum covered. You can trust your student is in good hands!
CollegeBoard Resource Page: https://apstudents.collegeboard.org/what-is-ap
The Exam
All students enrolled in an AP course will be required to take the national AP exam at the end of the school year, and payment for each exam is the responsibility of the parent.
College Board Exam Dates available here: https://apstudents.collegeboard.org/exam-calendar
Helpful Links
Collegeboard Student Page: https://apstudent.collegeboard.org/home
Kahn Academy AP Tutorials & Practice: https://www.khanacademy.org/
Which Math Should I Choose?
Which Math Should I Choose?
GPA Concerns Alleviated
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