Delaware City Schools
Advanced Placement (AP) Program
2006-2007
The Advanced Placement (AP) Program offers college work in the comfort of a high school
setting. AP students thus have the opportunity to study one or more college-level courses and then,
depending on examination results, may receive advanced placement, credit, or both when they enter
college.
Explanations of each course and necessary prerequisites are on the following pages. Students
must apply for admission to any AP class by completing the attached application form which includes:
student information, GPA, parent permission, and a writing sample. Those will be due to the Guidance
Office by Monday, February 27th. It is recommended strongly that each student investigate thoroughly
each course before completing the application process prior to scheduling. After admission and scheduling
only under rare circumstances will a student be allowed to drop an AP course, and then only during the first
semester.
Hayes High School is proud to offer the following Advanced Placement courses:
Grades 11, 12
English Literature and Composition
Grade 12
Calculus
Grades 11, 12
European History, American History
Grade 12
American Government
Grades 11, 12
Biology Grades 11, 12
English Language and Composition
Next year’s examination fees are approximately $82.00 per course. Fee reductions are possible for
students with acute financial need. The individual course examinations, administered in May, are
approximately three hours in length each.
For more information please check with your counselor.
Advanced Placement English Language and Composition
Student Profile
Advanced Placement English Language and Composition is for students who have an interest in
language and strong writing skills they wish to improve and refine. In addition to intensive composition
work, students are responsible for independent reading assignments, vocabulary and grammar and usage
drills as needed. A 3.0 cumulative grade point average in English is suggested.
Course Details
Students read and analyze essays illustrating a variety of writing methods including
argumentation, comparison and contrast, cause and effect, description, narration, and exemplification.
Weekly writing assignments, timed or revised, demonstrate their skills in these modes of writing. In
addition to weekly assignments students produce a researched argumentation paper and a literature-based
research paper.
Vocabulary study, homework assignments based on reading, and AP multiple choice
comprehension tests are included each term. Grammar review may be included if needed.
Two novels are required summer reading.
Evaluation
Grades for each term are based on weekly compositions, homework checks, vocabulary quizzes,
and research papers (1st and 3rd terms).
Advanced Placement Literature and Composition
Student Profile
The student who selects this course should be an able reader and active participant in discussions.
He or she should be willing to write frequent essays and to be responsible for revisions. The ability to
demonstrate responsibility and maturity should be present. High motivation and high interest are desirable;
consequently excessive absence is not expected.
Completion of AP Language and Composition, of Grammar and Composition, of Advanced
Composition, or the equivalent with at least a 3.0 average is suggested.
Course Details
Three novels will be assigned in the spring of the student’s junior year to be completed before the
student’s senior year begins.
Shorter reading requirements will continue throughout the year, i.e. short stories, poetry, plays.
Essay writing based on the reading and discussions that follow will occur frequency in class under timed
conditions. Vocabulary drill and multiple-choice testing experience will also enhance the student’s
opportunity to score well on the AP exam in May and to succeed in college work.
Evaluation
The frequent essays are graded, with the privilege of raising the grade through revision. Short
recapitulations of authors studied will be required. A final three hour AP exam created and graded by
Educational Testing Service will result in an evaluation of college capability and possible college credit but
will not affect the grade in this course.
Advanced Placement Calculus
Student Profile
Students who have completed the Pre-Calculus math sequence with at least a 3.0 cumulative grade
average in math are eligible to take AP Calculus. Since it is not a subject easily learned on one’s own,
regular attendance and consistent study habits are extremely important. It is expected that students will set
aside time each day for assignments rather than expecting to devote large blocks of time on a irregular, less
frequent schedule. Persistence and the ability to cope with frustration when problems are not “exactly like
the examples” is necessary. Most importantly, students should enjoy doing math, not only for the sake of its
potential applications, but for the subject itself.
Course Details
Students will be introduced to the concepts of limits and two branches of Calculus known as
differential and integral Calculus. New material is introduced almost daily, and lectures supplement rather
than reiterate the text. The pace of the course is fast, though not as fast as college courses. As mentioned
above, problems in homework assignments and on tests are often of a non-routine type requiring more in
depth analysis, ingenuity, and persistence. (Often times the problems become quite long which then
requires neat, organized work habits). Use of proper mathematical notation is stressed, and justification of
procedures or conclusions requires writing explanations in complete sentences. Students will need a
graphing calculator for this course. It is required for the May exam.
Evaluation
Grades will be determined by a process agreed upon by teacher and students, however, the major
part of grade will be based on tests and quizzes. Tests follow the format of the AP exam which students
will take in May: part multiple choice, part free response. A cumulative semester exam is given at the end
of the second term.
Advanced Placement Biology
Student Profile
If you apply for this course, you should have a love and appreciation for science and have
completed biology with grades A or B, or be enrolled concurrently in chemistry.
Course Details
There are several required laboratories. At times these labs may involve student free time. At
least 2 of these labs require after school participation. The pace of this course is accelerated.
The content is divided into three areas of study:
1.
Molecular and Cellular Biology
a.
Chemical Basis of Life
b.
Cells and Cell Division
c.
Enzymes
d.
Photosynthesis/Respiration
e.
Chemical Nature of the Gene
f.
Origin of Life
2.
Organismal Biology
a.
Plant Structures and Function
b.
Plant Reproduction and Development
3.
c.
Structure and Function of Animals - Dissection
d.
Animal Reproduction and Development
Population Biology
a.
Heredity - Breeding of Fruit Flies
b.
Evolution
c.
Ecology
d.
Behavior
e.
Social Biology
Evaluation
The grade average is based on lab work, quizzes and tests. Scientific essay writing is stressed.
The quality of the work is evaluated at the college level. The AP examination is given in May.
Advanced Placement European History
Student Profile
The first priority for students considering this course should be a great enjoyment and appreciation
of history. In addition, a record of academic success in the subject area is expected. Due to the extensive
amount and the nature of the material covered, reading, writing, note-taking and analysis skills - as well as
good study habits - are important. Since many of the topics will be “unknowns” to students and the pace of
the class is brisk, regular attendance is imperative. Both the test and primary source collections used are
college level. Juniors and Seniors with at least 3.0 average in history may elect this course.
Course Details
European History covers that time period in modern Europe from 1450 into the 1980’s. The areas
are varied and comprehensive: social/cultural and economic developments, as well as the usual politics and
diplomacy are studied.
A tiny sampling of topics includes:
The Renaissance
The Reformation
Dynastic Development and Warfare: Valois, Tutors, Habsburgs, Bourbons
Revolutions; English, French, Russian, Industrial, Intellectual
Napoleonic Europe
Nationalism, Unification of Italy and Germany
New Imperialism: Asia and Africa
The Rise of Fascism
The Cold War
Evaluation
Grade for each term will be based on announced quizzes, writing exercises, essay-type exams and
4 topical papers.
Advanced Placement United States History
Student Profile
The first priority for students considering this course should be a great enjoyment and appreciation
of history. In addition, a record of academic success in the subject area is expected. Due to the extensive
amount and the nature of the material covered, reading, writing, note-taking and analysis skills - as well as
good study habits - are important. Since many of the topics will be “unknowns” to students and the pace of
the class is brisk, regular attendance is imperative. Both the test and primary source collections used are
college level. Juniors and Seniors with at least 3.0 average in history may elect this course.
Course Details
A.P. American History covers that time period from colonialization to the Mid 1970’s. The areas
are varied and comprehensive: social/cultural and economic developments, as well as the usual politics and
diplomacy are studied.
A sampling of topics includes:
Colonialization through American Revolution
Federation - Era to War of 1812
Rise of Jackson in Democracy
Manifest Destiny to Civil War
Rise of Industrialization and Reform
Populist Movement to Progressivism
Rise of the US as World Power
Impact of New Deal
World War II to Cold War
Civil Rights - 50, 60, 70’s
Vietnam War
Evaluation
Your grade will be based on essay-type exams, announced quizzes, homework, class participation,
a clippings file of relevant articles, and a 3-5 page paper each nine weeks. After the AP exam, class
presentations and activities may be assigned as well.
Advanced Placement United States Government & Politics
Student Profile
The first priority for students considering this course should be a great enjoyment and appreciation
of government and the political process. In addition, a record of academic success in the area of social
studies is expected. Due to the extensive amount and the nature of the material covered, reading, writing,
note-taking and analysis skills - as well as good study habits - are important. Since many of the topics will
be “unknowns” to students and the pace of the class is brisk, regular attendance is imperative. Both the test
and primary source collections used are college level. Seniors with at least a 3.0 grade point average in
history may elect this course.
Course Details
This course is about the American political system. We will discuss political ideology, the
development of the political system and our democratic institutions. Students will be able to evaluate the
role of the national government and its relationship to the concept of liberty in a pluralistic society. The
discussions will emphasize the changing political culture of American society and its effect on voting
patterns, trends and the processes of government. In doing so we will examine certain critical elections in
American history as well as recent political movements. The main thrust of the course, however, is to be
able to apply an understanding of our political system to contemporary events.
The following five major topics will be covered: (1) The constitutional underpinnings of
American government, (2) political beliefs and behaviors, (3) political parties and interest groups, (4)
institutions and policy development and, (5) civil liberties. At the conclusion of the course students should
have a more sophisticated understanding of majority rule democracy, constitutionalism and civil liberties.
Students will also be able to see the relationships and distinctions between formal and informal institutions
and the public policies that are developed as a result of these relationships.
Evaluation
Your grade will be based on essay-type exams, announced quizzes, homework, class participation,
a clippings file of relevant articles, and a 3-5 page paper each nine weeks. After the AP exam, class
presentations and activities may be assigned as well.
2006-2007
Delaware City Schools
Advanced Placement Course Application
Due to Guidance Office by February 27, 2006
Name:
Home Address:
Grade:
Phone:
AP Course requested:
I.
Current cumulative grade point average:
II.
Prerequisites:
Please list previous courses taken (or those in which you are currently enrolled) that are required
for the course you are requesting (see individual course descriptions for details):
Course
IV.
Final Grade
Received
Teacher
Parent/Guardian Permission:
If he/she meets the stated requirements for the above AP class, I grant
permission to enroll in this class. I understand that part of the curriculum is taking the AP test in
May. If for any reason the AP test is not taken, the course will not count as an AP course toward
valedictorian/salutatorian status. The grade will not be weighted.
Examination fee is approximately $82.00 per course. Limited scholarship help is available through the
principal’s office.
Date:
V.
Signature:
Please complete the following writing sample typed, on a separate paper and
approximately 250 words in length. There is no writing sample needed for AP Lit. & Comp.
Your attached typed response is a part of evaluating your application.
IDENTIFY ONE OF YOUR FUTURE GOALS AND EXPLAIN HOW THIS CLASS
WILL HELP YOU ACHIEVE IT.
This completed application for 2006-2007 scheduling is due in the Guidance Office no later than Feb. 27th.
**The AP test fee may be deferred until the end of the first semester**