Advanced Placement

This course is an introductory college level course in American Government that is designed to give students a critical perspective on government and politics in the United States. Major topics include constitutional foundations of government, institutions and the policy making process, citizen participation, the role of political parties, interest groups, and civil rights and liberties. The course is taught on the college level and includes investigations of pervasive governmental and legal issues as well as public policies that have impacted the historical development of the United States. If successful on the nationally administered AP examination for this course, the student may receive college credit. Infused into this course is Economics, a required course for graduation. Economic understandings and economic decision-making are emphasized. Basic concepts and understandings are introduced and reinforced so that all persons need to function effectively and intelligently as citizens and participants in the economy of the United States and the world. This AP course may be taken in lieu of the Participation in Government and Economics.

Prerequisites: Demonstrates strong ability to read and write across content areas; Student must have at least an 90% average in US 11

GRADE LEVEL: 12

40 WEEKS/MEETS EVERY DAY
EXAM: AP & LOCAL

This is a college level course in American History designed to prepare students for the examination given in May for college AP credit. A student who successfully completes this course can earn credit in hundreds of colleges and universities. The course has a heavy emphasis on lecture and note taking, college level reading, and college level papers. Successful completion of this course may release students from their college freshman American History requirements. This course may be taken in place of U.S. History & Government requirement providing the student takes the Regents examination and passes it.

Prerequisites: A final grade of 90% or better in Global History 10 or AP World; Students must have a pre-existing high level of reading and writing skills prior to the beginning of class; Completion of a summer reading assignment is also required

GRADE LEVELS: 11, 12

40 WEEKS/5 MEETINGS PER WEEK
1 CREDIT OFFERING: FULL YEAR
EXAM: AP AMERICAN HIST

AP Biology is college-level biology course. Students cultivate their understanding of biology through making connections as they explore the following topics: biochemistry, cellular processes, cellular energetics, cellular communication, heredity, genetics, natural selection and ecology. Students will also learn through experimental design, and using statistics to analyze data, so it is encouraged that students considering the course are both strong at math and writing. Students will learn to apply their knowledge to be able to interpret complex diagrams and data to demonstrate what they have learned. The course is recommended for superior biology students who plan to pursue a career in biology, or a biology related field. College policies for granting a credit for taking AP biology vary, but a grade of 3 or higher (on a scale of 1–5) on the AP Examination is usually accepted by colleges in lieu of the introductory course in Biology or counted as an elective course.

NOTE: Complete required summer assignment prior to school year. Check the school website for details.

Prerequisites: Students are required to complete a NYS Biology Regents course and are required of a 90% or higher on the exam and the course; Chemistry R/H is also highly recommended for success in the course, but not required; recommended 85% or higher on Algebra 1; Current science teacher recommendation is also required

GRADE LEVELS: 11, 12

This course is offered to students who desire a broad background prior to college chemistry. The course emphasizes modern chemical theory, mathematical problem solving, rational thought, experimental design, and scientific argumentation. The course will prepare the student for the AP Examination which may lead to college credit. This course should be considered by any student interested in pharmacy, veterinarian sciences, Physician Assistant, medicine, dentistry, engineering, or any career in physical, biological or chemical science. Non-science majors can use the AP program to satisfy the science requirement which many colleges demand for graduation. This course may be taken the same year as Physics. The AP s/b chemistry labs are inquiry-based and comparable to college chemistry labs.

Prerequisites: Successful completion of Regents or Honors Chemistry; Concurrent or passing Algebra 2

GRADE LEVELS: 11, 12

40 WEEKS/5 MEETINGS PER WEEK PLUS LAB PLUS TWICE PER 4 DAY CYCLE
1 CREDIT
EXAM: AP CHEMISTRY

This course offers students an introduction to computer science, covering the College Board’s Computer Science principles framework. Participants will be introduced to computation tools that foster creativity and build students’ awareness of the demand for computer specialists in all professional fields. Topics include app design, graphical user interfaces, internet security protocols for commerce and social media, intelligent machines, and visualizing data. This course may be taken as an elective or as part of a PLTW and/or five-credit sequence.

Prerequisite: DDP recommended

GRADE LEVELS: 10, 11, 12

40 WEEKS
1 CREDIT
EXAM: AP COMPUTER SCIENCE PRINCIPLES

This course is designed for the professionally minded student who plans on majoring in art at the college level. This course is extremely intensive and requires the submission of a portfolio of 24 high quality works to the College Board for successful completion. Upon the successful completion of this course the student may be eligible to earn college credit in two-dimensional design or drawing. Prospective AP students must submit a portfolio and a written proposal at the end of the junior year to the art department for approval.

Prerequisites: Studio in Art; Drawing & Painting; designated as a 5-credit art major
40 WEEKS
1 CREDIT EXAM: AP ART

AP English Language and Composition is essentially a college freshman English composition course. The focus will be on non-fiction writing and rhetoric, although some fictional literature will also be read. The reading in the course will focus on many essays by a variety of writers both contemporary and classic, and the intensive study of how writers create meaning, style, and a persuasive argument. Students will then incorporate these techniques into their own writing. Students will leave the course stronger readers and much better writers—the preparation will help them with the rest of their high school experience and into college. There will be a summer assignment.

Prerequisite: 90% or higher course average

40 WEEKS
1 CREDIT
EXAM: AP ENGLISH LANGUAGE AND COMPOSITION EXAM, REGENTS ENGLISH EXAM

This is a comprehensive course in reading, writing, and literary analysis for students who like to discuss both the form and content of imaginative literature novels, plays, and poetry. The curriculum is a survey of writers from the 16th to the 20th centuries, and includes a brief survey of literary criticism. The course will require frequent essays, outside readings, and a major paper each quarter, as well as summer reading. There will be a summer assignment.

Prerequisite: 90% or higher course average

This course follows the AP curriculum in Music Theory and should be considered by any student who plans to pursue music in college and as a career. More difficult harmonization is introduced along with melody writing and the analysis of more difficult music. Practical application is stressed through the use of keyboard and voice as well as original composition projects. Students will learn to Identify features of pitch, interval, scales and keys, chords, meter, rhythm, and other musical concepts in performed and notated music.

Prerequisite: Music Theory

GRADE LEVELS: 10, 11, 12

40 WEEKS
1 CREDIT
EXAM: LOCAL AND AP MUSIC THEORY

AP World History II is the second year of a two year college level course designed for students interested in the study of World History. Students who successfully complete the two-year course can earn credit for hundreds of colleges nationwide. Beginning with Pre-History, students will cover topics arranged chronologically through the 15th Century mandated by both the NYS Regents and the College Board. The course has heavy emphasis on critical thinking, lecture, note taking, primary source analysis, and seminar discussion. In addition, Students must have a pre-existing high level of reading and writing skills prior to the beginning of class.

Prerequisite: A final grade of 90% or better in World History I

GRADE LEVEL: 10

40 WEEKS/5 MEETINGS PER WEEK
1 CREDIT OFFERING: FULL YEAR
EXAM: AP WORLD HISTORY & REGENTS GLOBAL HISTORY

AP Calculus is a full-year mathematics course designed to prepare students to take the AP Calculus examination and obtain college credit. This course is equivalent to approximately 1.5 semesters of college calculus course and covers the theory, techniques, and applications of both differential and integral calculus, emphasizing properties of functions and their graphs (recommended course outline of The College Board). Most colleges require a student to take calculus in order to prepare for a career, not only in mathematics and engineering, but also in the sciences, psychology, economics, and business administration. Eligible for transferable Advanced Studies credit through SUNY Erie.

Prerequisites: Teacher recommendation; successful completion of Pre-Calc

40 WEEKS
1 CREDIT
EXAM: AP CALCULUS A/B & LOCAL PROJECT

This course is designed for students who are contemplating science as a major field of study in college, and will prepare students for the AP-C examination (mechanics). Strong emphasis is placed on solving a variety of challenging problems in statics, kinematics, linear and rotational dynamics, gravitation, work, and energy. Some problems require knowledge of calculus, but much of the required calculus is covered in class. Students will have the opportunity to perform virtual simulations of problems and gain hands-on experience with advanced laboratory exercises. This course may be taken the same year as Chemistry. The AP Physics Labs are inquiry-based and comparable to college physics labs. NOTE: Can be used for the third year of science credit.

Prerequisites: Successful completion of Regents Physics; Concurrent enrollment in, final course grade of 90% or better: Algebra 2 or science teacher recommendation

GRADE LEVEL: S/B 11, 12

40 WEEKS/5 MEETINGS PER WEEK PLUS LAB PLUS TWICE PER 4 DAY CYCLE
1 CREDIT
EXAM: AP PHYSICS-C AND LOCAL