Through Advanced Placement’s college-level courses and exams, high school students can earn college credit and advanced placement, stand out in the college admissions process, and learn from some of the most skilled, dedicated, and inspiring teachers in the world.
From the moment you enter an AP classroom, you’ll notice the difference—in the teacher’s approach to the subject, in the attitude of your classmates, in the way you start to think. In AP classrooms, the focus is not on memorizing facts and figures. Instead you’ll engage in intense discussions, solve problems collaboratively, and learn to write clearly and persuasively.
The AP Program currently offers more than 30 courses across multiple subject areas. Each course is developed by a committee composed of college faculty and AP teachers, and covers the breadth of information, skills, and assignments found in the corresponding college course. In AP classes, you’ll study fascinating topics and ideas that just might become the foundation of your future college major or career.
AP courses can help you acquire the skills and habits you’ll need to be successful in college. You’ll improve your writing skills, sharpen your problem-solving abilities, and develop time management skills, discipline, and study habits.
Most four-year colleges in the United States and colleges in more than 60 other countries give students credit, advanced placement or both on the basis of AP Exam scores. By entering college with AP credits, you’ll have the time to move into upper level courses, pursue a double-major or study abroad.
Visit CollegeBoard.com for more information on the Advanced Placement Program.
Advanced Placement English Literature and Composition
Open to Grade: 12
- Prerequisite: Previous honors courses recommended
- Length: 3 quarters
THE COURSE WILL offer students an in-depth coverage of English literature from its beginnings to modern writers, playwrights, and poets. It will build skills in critical analysis of works from all major genres within a historical period and across time. Students will write college level literary criticisms, explications, reviews, and research papers.
THE STUDENT WILL become adept at analyzing, organizing, evaluating, and developing generalizations regarding literature. In addition, each student will practice specific test taking skills in anticipation of the yearly administration of the AP English Literature test.
Advanced Placement English Language and Composition
- Open to Grades: 11, 12
- Length: 2 quarters
THE COURSE WILL focus on critical reading and writing. This course functions at the same level as a freshman college course; meaning, the students will not only be challenged by the content, but they will be challenged by the schedule as well.
STUDENTS WILL learn to read critically and annotate a text with marginal comments. They will also learn how to create a scratch outline which includes a summary of the text. Students will learn to write critically and use rhetoric.
In addition, each student will practice specific test taking skills in anticipation of the yearly administration of the AP English Literature test.
Advanced Placement Chemistry
- Open to Grades: 10, 11, 12
- Prerequisite(s): Biology, Chemistry, Instructor’s Consent, DC Approval, and/or Counselor Approval
- Length: 3 quarters
THE COURSE WILL cover a review of Chemistry 1 principles plus in-depth study of equilibrium, reaction rate, acid-base chemistry, and oxidation-reduction. In addition, principles of thermochemistry and organic chemistry will be presented. Although the themes are similar to Chemistry 1, the course is offered at an accelerated pace and rigor equivalent to a college level chemistry course. Additionally, there is a stronger emphasis on scientific writing than in Chemistry 1. Successful completion of this course may provide college credit towards an entry level chemistry course.
THE STUDENT WILL demonstrate knowledge of chemical principles through lecture, discussion, laboratory, and various evaluations. The student will gain greater experience using previously learned lab techniques and will learn new techniques, including qualitative and quantitative analysis and organic chemistry techniques. They will develop formal scientific writing skills that apply content knowledge and laboratory techniques. All students that complete the course will be expected to take the College Board Advanced Placement exam in Chemistry.
Advanced Placement Biology
- Open to Grades: 10, 11, 12
- Prerequisite(s): Biology, Chemistry, Instructor’s Consent, DC Approval, and/or Counselor Approval
- Length: 3 quarters
THE COURSE WILL cover the origin and characteristics of life, biochemistry, cell structure and function, genetics, evolutionary theory, taxonomy and classification, ecology and environmental issues, and organismal structure and function. Although the themes are similar to Biology 1, the course is offered at an accelerated pace and rigor equivalent to a college level biology course. Additionally, there is a stronger emphasis on scientific writing than in Biology 1. Successful completion of this course may provide college credit towards an entry level biology course.
THE STUDENT WILL demonstrate knowledge of chemical principles through lecture, discussion, and laboratory activities. They will develop formal scientific writing skills that apply content knowledge and laboratory techniques. All students that complete the course will be expected to take the College Board Advanced Placement exam in Biology.
Advanced Placement Art History
- Open to Grades: 11, 12
- Prerequisite: Instructor’s Consent, DC Approval, and/or Counselor Approval.
- Length: 2 blocks.
THE COURSE WILL provide a history of world art and architecture from prehistoric to modern times. This course will examine the relationship of art and artists to the world around them. Course goals are to develop an understanding of traditional arts and movements in world history, and to develop an ability to analyze art works and articulate historical understanding in writing. This course will prepare students for high school and college credit.
THE STUDENT WILL learn to describe, analyze, compare, and contrast major art pieces. He/she will learn to evaluate art works based on knowledge and aesthetics. The student will discuss and write about major art styles, movements, architecture, and artists.
ADVANCED PLACEMENT PSYCHOLOGY
Open to Grades: 11, 12
The AP Psychology course is designed to introduce students to the systematic and scientific study of the behavior and mental processes of human beings and other animals. Students are exposed to 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. Major content areas covered include: History and “Schools” of Psychology; Research methods; Biological bases of behavior; Sensation and perception; States of consciousness; Learning; Cognition; Motivation and emotion; Developmental psychology; Personality; Testing and individual differences; Abnormal psychology; Treatment of psychological disorders; and Social psychology.
Advanced Placement U.S. History
- Open to Grades: 11 and 12
- Prerequisite: Instructor’s Consent, DC Approval, and/or Counselor Approval
- Length: 3 quarters
THE COURSE WILL provide students with the analytic skills and factual knowledge necessary to deal critically with the problems and materials in United States history. AP U.S. History prepares students for college courses by making demands upon them equivalent to those made by year-long, introductory college courses.
THE STUDENT WILL learn to assess historical materials—their relevance to a given interpretive problem, their reliability, and their importance—and to weigh the evidence and interpretations presented in historical scholarship. Students will develop the skills necessary to arrive at conclusions on the basis of an informed judgment and to present reasons and evidence clearly and persuasively in essay format.
ADVANCED PLACEMENT HUMAN GEOGRAPHY
OpentoGrades 9,10,11,12
Length: 2 quarters The purpose of the AP course in Human Geography is to introduce students to the systematic study of patterns and processes that have shaped human understanding,use,and alteration of Earth’s surface. Students employ spatial concepts and landscape analysis to examine human social organization and its environmental consequences. They also learn about the methods and tools geographers use in their science and practice. By the end of the course, students should be able to: Use and think about maps and spatial data; Understand and interpret the implications of associations among phenomena in places; Recognize and interpret at different scales the relationships among patterns and processes; Define regions and evaluate the regionalization process; and Characterize and analyze changing interconnections among places.
ADVANCED PLACEMENT UNITED STATES GOVERNMENT
Open to Grades: 11, 12
A well-designed AP course in U.S. Government & Politics will give students an analytical perspective on government and politics in the United States. This course includes both the study of general concepts used to interpret U.S. politics and the analysis of specific examples. It also requires familiarity with the various institutions, groups, beliefs, and ideas that constitute U.S. politics. Topics include: Constitutional underpinnings of U.S. government; Political beliefs and behaviors; Political parties, interest groups, and mass media; Institutions of national government; Public policy; and Civil rights and civil liberties. Taught only as part 1 of a 2 semester sequence.
ADVANCED PLACEMENT CALCULUS AB
Open to Grade: 12
The course will provide students with differential and integral calculus. The scope and sequence will follow the current syllabus provided by The College Board for Advanced Placement Calculus AB. Prepare students to take the AP Calculus AB exam, which is required at Hamilton High School.
ADVANCED PLACEMENT STATISTICS
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.