What AP courses are available, and which ones align with my interests and career goals?
AP courses are Advanced Placement courses designed by the College Board. These classes are taught in high schools but allow students to gain college credits and/or improved college admission prospects. The material is covered at the college level, meaning AP classes are significantly more challenging than standard high school courses.
Available AP courses vary by school – there are 38 in total, but most schools lack the resources to present more than a dozen or so. Standard options include Computer Science Principles, Computer Science A, Statistics, Calculus, Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Humanities, and Social Science courses.
Students generally choose AP classes based on their interests and career goals, such as pursuing computer science, engineering, or a related field. Researching your options and talking to a teacher or school counselor is highly recommended while selecting the most appropriate AP courses.
Some schools offer specialized AP courses like Computer Science Principles, which provides an instrumental foundation in computer science concepts and skills. If you’re not lucky enough to attend a school offering the AP courses you’d like, you still have options. Many can also be taken online through accredited high schools, such as 2Sigma School, Stanza International Academy, and Laurel Springs. These institutions are authorized by the College Board to offer AP courses, and the credits awarded are equivalent to those from any other high school. Students must take an AP exam at a local school at the end of these courses since virtual (online) schools cannot offer the AP exam.