AP Course Guide

Create a portfolio of original 2-D artwork that demonstrates your skill in a chosen medium — photography, graphic design, painting, printmaking, or mixed media. You'll develop a sustained investigation exploring a personal theme. This portfolio-based AP course lets you showcase your artistic vision and creative growth.

Build a portfolio of three-dimensional artwork — sculpture, ceramics, architecture, metalwork, or fiber arts — that shows your creative development. You'll explore materials, forms, and spatial relationships through a sustained investigation. This course is ideal for hands-on creators who think in three dimensions.

Study 250 works of art from prehistory to the present across global cultures and traditions. You'll learn to analyze visual evidence, understand artistic choices in cultural context, and write about art with precision. This course develops critical thinking and cultural literacy valued in law, design, media, and the humanities.

Create a portfolio of drawings that demonstrates your mastery of mark-making, line quality, composition, and creative exploration. You'll develop a sustained investigation into a visual idea using drawing as your primary medium. This course celebrates drawing as both a foundational skill and a powerful form of artistic expression.

Develop your understanding of musical structure, harmony, melody, and rhythm through analysis, composition, and ear training. You'll learn to read, write, and listen to music at a deeper level. Perfect for musicians who want to understand the 'why' behind the music they play and create.

Explore the rich history, culture, and contributions of African Americans from the origins of the African diaspora to contemporary movements for justice and equality. You'll analyze primary sources, literature, art, and political documents across multiple disciplines. This interdisciplinary course builds critical thinking and cultural understanding.

Explore how humans organize space — from population patterns and migration to agriculture, cities, and political boundaries. You'll analyze maps, data, and spatial relationships to understand why places look and function the way they do. A great introductory AP course that connects to economics, environmental science, and urban planning.

Learn how entire economies work — from GDP and inflation to fiscal policy, monetary policy, and international trade. You'll understand the forces that drive economic growth, recessions, and government decision-making. Essential knowledge for business, finance, policy, and understanding the news.

Study how individuals and businesses make economic decisions — from supply and demand to market structures, game theory, and market failures. You'll learn to think like an economist about incentives, trade-offs, and efficiency. Valuable for anyone interested in business, law, public policy, or entrepreneurship.

Explore the science of human behavior and mental processes — from neuroscience and perception to learning, memory, and psychological disorders. You'll understand why people think, feel, and act the way they do. A fascinating course for anyone interested in healthcare, counseling, marketing, or understanding people.

Dive deep into the science of life — from molecular biology and genetics to evolution and ecology. You'll design experiments, analyze data, and think like a scientist. This course is essential for anyone considering medicine, biotech, environmental science, or research careers.

Explore the structure and behavior of matter through atomic theory, chemical bonding, reactions, thermodynamics, and equilibrium. You'll develop lab skills and learn to think at the molecular level. This rigorous course opens doors to chemistry, medicine, engineering, and materials science.

Study the interconnected systems of Earth — from ecosystems and biodiversity to pollution, energy, and climate change. You'll analyze environmental problems using scientific data and propose evidence-based solutions. Great for students passionate about sustainability and the planet's future.

Explore the fundamental principles of mechanics, waves, and simple circuits through hands-on experiments and problem-solving. You'll develop deep conceptual understanding alongside mathematical reasoning. This algebra-based course is perfect for building a physics foundation without calculus.

Explore advanced physics topics including thermodynamics, fluid mechanics, optics, electricity, magnetism, and modern physics. You'll build on Physics 1 concepts to understand more complex physical phenomena. Ideal for students heading toward engineering, physics, or pre-med tracks.

Dive into electricity and magnetism using calculus — covering electrostatics, circuits, magnetic fields, and electromagnetic induction. You'll solve problems involving Gauss's law, Ampere's law, and Faraday's law with mathematical rigor. The most challenging AP science course, highly valued by top engineering programs.

Study classical mechanics at the college level using calculus — covering kinematics, Newton's laws, energy, momentum, rotation, and oscillations. You'll solve sophisticated physics problems using differential and integral calculus. This is the premier physics course for future engineers and physicists.

Master the foundations of calculus including limits, derivatives, and integrals. You'll learn to analyze rates of change and accumulation — skills essential for STEM fields. This course builds the mathematical thinking needed for engineering, physics, economics, and data science.

Cover everything in Calculus AB plus advanced topics like series, parametric equations, and polar coordinates. You'll develop sophisticated mathematical reasoning used in advanced STEM research. Most students who take BC earn both AB and BC sub-scores, giving you two AP credits.

Build a strong foundation in functions, trigonometry, and mathematical modeling that prepares you for calculus and beyond. You'll explore polynomial, exponential, logarithmic, and trigonometric functions in depth. This newer AP course bridges the gap between algebra and calculus.

Learn to collect, analyze, and draw conclusions from data using statistical methods and probability. You'll design experiments, interpret results, and make data-driven arguments. This course is increasingly valuable as data literacy becomes essential in every career field.

Develop advanced Chinese language skills in speaking, listening, reading, and writing while exploring Chinese culture, traditions, and contemporary society. You'll engage with authentic Chinese-language materials and practice real-world communication. Highly valued by colleges and employers in our increasingly connected global economy.

Advance your French language skills through authentic materials — articles, podcasts, films, and literature from the Francophone world. You'll develop fluency in speaking, writing, and cultural analysis. This course prepares you for real-world French communication and opens doors in international business, diplomacy, and the arts.

Strengthen your German language proficiency through authentic texts, audio, and cultural exploration of the German-speaking world. You'll develop skills in interpersonal and presentational communication at an advanced level. Valuable for careers in engineering, international business, science, and European affairs.

Develop advanced Italian language skills through authentic materials exploring Italian culture, history, and contemporary society. You'll practice real-world communication in speaking, listening, reading, and writing. A unique AP course that sets you apart and connects you to Italy's rich contributions to art, food, fashion, and science.

Advance your Japanese language abilities in speaking, listening, reading, and writing while exploring Japanese culture and contemporary issues. You'll work with authentic Japanese materials across all three writing systems. Highly sought-after skill for careers in technology, gaming, international business, and diplomacy.

Read and analyze original Latin texts from Caesar's Gallic War and Vergil's Aeneid — two of the most influential works in Western literature. You'll develop translation skills and deep understanding of Roman history, culture, and literary techniques. Exceptional preparation for law, medicine, linguistics, and classical studies.

Take your Spanish to an advanced level through authentic materials from the Spanish-speaking world — news, literature, film, and cultural texts. You'll develop confident communication skills in speaking, writing, and cultural analysis. One of the most popular AP exams with excellent pass rates, and incredibly useful in daily life.

Read and analyze masterworks of Spanish-language literature from medieval times to the contemporary era, including authors like García Márquez, Cervantes, and Sor Juana. You'll develop advanced literary analysis skills entirely in Spanish. The most challenging AP language exam, ideal for heritage speakers and advanced students aiming for literary fluency.

Compare political systems across six countries: China, Iran, Mexico, Nigeria, Russia, and the UK. You'll analyze how different governments handle power, legitimacy, and policy-making. This course develops your ability to think comparatively about global politics — a rare and valuable analytical skill.

Study European history from the Renaissance to the present, exploring revolutions, intellectual movements, imperialism, and modern political developments. You'll analyze primary sources and construct historical arguments about the forces that shaped Western civilization. Ideal for students fascinated by ideas, power, and cultural transformation.

Understand how American government works — from the Constitution and federalism to political parties, elections, civil rights, and the Supreme Court. You'll analyze real court cases, policy debates, and the balance of power. Essential for becoming an informed citizen and valuable for law, political science, and public service careers.

Journey through American history from pre-Columbian societies to the present, analyzing the political, economic, social, and cultural forces that shaped the nation. You'll develop skills in historical argumentation using primary and secondary sources. Essential for understanding American identity, government, and society.

Explore world history from 1200 CE to the present, examining how societies, empires, and global networks developed and interconnected. You'll analyze themes like trade, technology, cultural exchange, and power across civilizations. This course gives you a global perspective that's increasingly important in our connected world.

Learn the fundamentals of programming using Java, including object-oriented design, algorithms, and data structures. You'll build problem-solving skills that apply to any programming language. This course is the gateway to computer science and software engineering careers.

Explore the big ideas of computing — from how the internet works to the impact of data and algorithms on society. You'll create a program as part of your performance task and develop computational thinking skills. Perfect for students curious about tech without heavy coding experience.

Develop your skills in rhetorical analysis, argumentation, and synthesis writing by studying nonfiction texts from diverse authors and time periods. You'll learn to craft persuasive arguments and analyze how writers use language to achieve their purposes. This course transforms you into a stronger, more intentional communicator.

Read and analyze great works of fiction, poetry, and drama from diverse literary traditions. You'll develop skills in close reading, literary analysis, and interpretive writing. This course deepens your ability to understand complex texts and express nuanced ideas — skills valued in every profession.

Conduct an original, year-long research project on a topic of your choice, culminating in a 4,000-5,000 word academic paper and oral defense. You'll learn research methodology, academic writing, and how to contribute new knowledge to a field. The capstone of the AP Capstone program, demonstrating college-level research skills.

Develop critical thinking, research, and communication skills by investigating real-world issues from multiple perspectives. You'll work on team projects, write research-based arguments, and deliver presentations. The first course in the AP Capstone program, building the academic skills that make you a stronger student in every subject.