John H. Reagan High School
Advanced Academics Course Descriptions

ENGLISH LANGUAGE ARTS

English 1 (Pre-AP)
Grade : 9th
Prerequisite : Teacher/Parent/ Student Recommendation

English 1-PAP is designed to challenge students who show aptitude and achievement in English. It serves specifically as a preparatory course for English II PAP. Special emphasis will be placed on developing more sophisticated writing, vocabulary and critical reading skills. Because the student will qualify for additional grade points in the advanced course, a superior level of performance is expected. Students are required to complete a summer reading list prior to English II-PAP. Students who register for this course must be committed to remain in the class for at least one semester.

English 2 (Pre-AP)
Grade: 10^th
Prerequisite: Teacher/Parent/Student Recommendation

English 2 serves as a preparatory course for English III-AP and for the Advanced Placement Language and Composition Test administered at the end of the junior year.  This course challenges students with high aptitude and achievement skills in writing and reading skills. A superior level of performance and outside work is expected. Students are required to complete a summer reading list. Students who register for this course must be committed to remain in the class for at least one semester.

English 3 AP
Grade: 11^th
Prerequisite: English II-PAP and Teacher/Parent/ Student Recommendation

English 3 – AP is designed for the student who is capable of doing college-level work. It serves as a preparatory course for the AP Language and Composition Test administered at the end of the junior and AP Literature Exam administered in the senior year. A strong emphasis will be placed on major writers and their works in various genres and the development of writing skills focused on the critical analysis of literature. Because students qualify for additional grade points in the course, a superior level of performance is expected. Completion of a summer reading list is required. Students who register for this course must be committed to remain in the class for at least one semester.

English 4 – AP
Grade: 12^th
Prerequisite: English 3-AP or teacher/parent/student recommendation

English 4-AP course offers college level work to highly skilled and motivated seniors and prepares them for the AP exam in literature and composition which are administered in May. Students in this course will read advanced literature from all genres and periods of literature, discuss the reading in depth, and evaluate those readings in composition assignments that require critical analysis using types of literary criticism. In addition, students will study advanced vocabulary. Because students in this class qualify for additional grade points, a superior level of performance and motivation is expected. Students who register for this course must be committed to remain in the class for at least one semester.

Algebra 1 – PAP
Grade: 9^th
Prerequisite: Teacher/Parent/Student Recommendation

Algebra 1 is course designed to stress the theory of exponents and functions, properties of the real and quadratic equations and functions, properties of the real and complex number systems, the use of coordinate geometry, application of exponential and logarithmic function, study of polynomials and properties of sequences and series. Because the students will qualify for additional grade points in the advanced course, a superior level of performance is expected. Students who register for this course must be committed to remain in the class for at least one semester.

Geometry (PAP)
Grade: 10^th
Prerequisite: Algebra 1(PAP) and Teacher/Parent Recommendation

In addition to the topics of geometry, the course will develop concepts in trigonometry and analysis. It is intended for students who will ultimately take Advanced Placement in Calculus. Students who register for this course must be committed to remain in the class for at least one semester.

Algebra II (PAP)
Grade: 11^th
Prerequisite: Algebra 1(PAP) and Teacher/Parent Recommendation

This course is designed for students who will advance to pre-calculus and calculus. It covers the same material as Algebra II but with greater emphasis and depth on functional relationships and their graphs. Algebra II-PAP lays the foundation for preparing students for the Calculus Advanced Placement Exam. Students who register for this course must be committed to remain in the class for at least one semester.

Pre-Calculus (PAP)
Grade: 12^th
Prerequisite: Algebra II-PAP and Teacher/Parent Recommendation

This course is designed to prepare students to proceed to Advanced Placement Calculus-BC syllabus. It covers the same material as Pre-Calculus with greater emphasis and depth on elementary functions and their graphs, as well as considering vectors, polar coordinates and limits. Students who register for this course must be committed to remain in the class for at least one semester.

AB Calculus (AP)
Grade: 12^th
Prerequisite: Pre-Calculus and Teacher /Parent recommendation.

This course is designed for the student with a strong background in college preparatory mathematics that wishes to earn one semester of college credit in calculus. All students are encouraged to take the AP examination. Topics include analysis in function, graphs, limits, derivatives, and integrals. Applications for each of these topics will be explored. Students who register for this course must be committed to remain in the class for at least one semester.

Computer Science A (AP)
Grade: 11 or 12^th
Prerequisite: Computer Science 1 and 2 and Teacher /Parent recommendation.

SCIENCE COURSE DESCRIPTIONS

Integrated Physics and Chemistry – (PAP)
Grades: 8^th / 9^th
Prerequisite: Teacher/Parent Recommendation

This course is designed for students to experience science first hand through research and experiments covering topics such as: motion, waves, energy transformation, properties of matter, changes in matter and solution chemistry. Students who register for this course must be committed to remain in the class for at least one semester.

Biology 1(PAP)
Grade: 9^th
Prerequisite: Teacher/Parent Recommendation

The Biology – Pre-AP course is designed to improve process skills in biology with emphasis in current topics. In-depth lab experiments and detailed reporting of observations of integral parts of the course. Student who register for this course must be committed to remain in the class for at least one semester.

Biology II – (AP)
Grade: 11^th
Prerequisite: It is strongly recommended that students have taken Biology I – PAP and         Teacher Recommendation.

  The Advanced Placement Biology course is designed to prepare students with strong academic backgrounds for college study in the biological sciences. It includes an advanced study of selected topics with emphasis on laboratory experience and problem solving with living research as an integral part. Students are encouraged to take the College Board Advanced Placement Examination for college credit. Students who register for this course must be committed to remain in the class for at least one semester.

Chemistry 1 – AP
Grade: 11^th, 12^th
Prerequisite: Chemistry 1 – PAP; Teacher Recommendation

  Chemistry 1 AP is designed for college bound students and emphasizes problem solving and experimental design with current chemistry topics.  Students are encouraged to take the College Board Advanced Placement Examination forcollege credit. Students who register for this course must be committed to remain in the class for at least one semester.

Physics C – AP
Grade: 12^th
Prerequisite: Physics 1/Physics B/ Teacher Recommendation

This is a Calculus-based AP Physics. The students will be able to learn the concepts of Calculus theory which then will be applied to Physics. One goal of this class is to prepare the student for career areas such as Engineering, Medicine, and other areas needing higher math/science applications. A second goal is successful completion of the Advanced Placement examination. Students who register for this course must be committed to remain in the class for at least one semester.

SOCIAL STUDIES COURSE DESCRIPTIONS

AP Human Geography
Grade: 9th
Prerequisite: Teacher/Parent Recommendation

AP Human Geography is a two semester course. The purpose of the AP Human Geography course 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 environmental consequences. They also learn about the methods and tools geographers use in their science and practice. On successful completion of the course, students should have developed skills that enable them 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.

World Geography (PAP)
Grade: 9th
Prerequisite: Teacher/Parent Recommendation

This course is designed for those students who excel in social studies. Course work will include physical and cultural topics in World Geography and an in-depth study of those forces  which have shaped modern society. Students who register for this course must be committed to remain in this class for at least one semester.

World History (AP)
Grade: 10
Prerequisite: Teacher/Parent Recommendation

The purpose of the AP World History course is to develop greater understanding of the evolution of global processes and contacts in different types of human societies. This understanding is advanced through a combination of selective factual knowledge and appropriate analytical skills. The course highlights the nature of changes in global frameworks and their causes and consequences, as well as comparisons among major societies. It emphasizes relevant factual knowledge, leading interpretive issues, and skills in analyzing types of historical evidence. Periodization, explicitly discussed, forms an organizing principle to address change and continuity throughout the course. Specific themes provide further organization to the course, along with consistent attention to contacts among societies that form the core of World History as a field of study.
 

U.S. Government and Politics – AP
Grade: 12^th
Prerequisite: Teacher Recommendation

Designed to give students a critical perspective on government and politics in the United States. This course involves both the study of general concept used to interpret American politics and the analysis of specific case studies. It also requires familiarity with the various institutions, groups, beliefs, and ideas that make up the American political reality. Students are encouraged to take the AP Government and Politics exam for college credit. Students who register for this course must be committed to remain in the class for at least one semester.  

Micro Economics – AP
Grade: 12^th
Prerequisite: Teacher Recommendation

AP Economics is designed for the student who is capable for doing college level work. Course content will include the scientific study of people and their institutions from the point of view of how they go about producing and consuming goods and services, and how they face the problem of making choices in a world of scarce resources. A study of the American Free Enterprise systems is investigated from a micro-economics point of view. Critical thinking, outside readings and research skills are integrated with the study of such topics as investment, credit, international trade and the role of government, labor, business ad the consumer in the economy. Students are encouraged to the AP Micro Economics exam. Students who register for this course must be committed to remain in the class for at least one semester.

AP Psychology 
Grade: 11-12
Prerequisite: Parent Recommendation

The AP Psychology course is a two semester course designed to introduce the students to the systematic and scientific study of behavior and mental processes of human beings and other animals. Students who enroll in AP Psychology must commit to a full year. Students are exposed to the psychological facts, principles, and phenomena associated with each of the major subfields within psychology. Students learn about the ethics and methods psychologists are in their science and practice. Students prepare for the AP Psychology Exam by studying the following topics in depth: History and Approaches, 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.

AP ART HISTORY
Grade: 10-12
Prerequisite:Instructor Signature(s) required

AP Art History is designed to provide the same benefits to high school students as those provided by an introductory college course in art history. In the course, students examine major forms of artistic expression from the ancient world to the present and from a variety of cultures. They learn to look and analyze works of art within their historical context, and to articulate what they see or experience in a meaningful way. A meaningful way to experience works of art is learning to frame an understanding that relates how and why works of art communicate visual meaning.

It is highly recommended that students take at least one year of Art and/or AP World/European History. The student must be commited to studying artwork, reading assignments, summer work and independent research to insure their level of success in class.
 

AP STUDIO ART
Grade: 11-12
Prerequisite: Instructor Signature(s) required.   Minimum 2-3 credits of Studio Art classes.

The AP Studio Art portfolios are designed for students who are seriously interested in the practical experience of art. AP Studio Art is not based on a written examination; instead, students submit portfolios for evaluation at the end of the school year.

The AP Program offers three portfolios: Drawing, 2-D Design, and 3-D Design. The portfolios share a basic, three-section structure, which requires the student to show a fundamental competence and range of understanding in visual concerns (and methods). Each of the portfolios asks the student to demonstrate a depth of investigation and process of discovery through the concentration section (Section II). In the breadth section (Section III), the student is asked to demonstrate a serious grounding in visual principles and material techniques. The quality section (Section I) permits the student to select the works that best exhibit a synthesis of form, technique, and content.

It is highly recommended that students take at least 2-3 years of Art classes. The student must be committed and highly disciplined to succeed in class, with the ability to work independently. Student will choose the approach that they use in the portfolio, in regard to subject matter and medium.

FOREIGN LANGUAGE COURSE DESCRIPTIONS

Spanish III – AP
Grade:
Prerequisite: Teacher Recommendation

The goal of Spanish III AP is true communicative proficiency in speaking, reading, and writing.  Student should demonstrate ability in the language and an enthusiasm for continued study in a more vigorous, thorough, faster-paced context.  The class is conducted primarily in Spanish, with emphasis on a strong linguistic base.  Authentic Spanish language texts are used to strengthen student’s reading and writing skills.  Students who register for this course must be committed to remain in the class for at least 1 semester.

 Back to Parent page      Back to Main