Academics: Advanced Placement/Dual Enrollment
Advancement Placement Program
St. Francis DeSales High School participates in the College Board's Advanced Placement Program. Juniors or Seniors, who qualify, may elect to take the Advanced Placement Exams for college credit the first two weeks in May. To participate in the exams, the student must notify the Advanced Placement Coordinator by March 1. Courses in which students have successfully gained college credit are: American History, Biology, Calculus, Chemistry, English Language and Composition, English Literature and Composition, European History, French Language, French Literature, Latin Vergil, Psychology, Physics, Spanish IV/V, Studio Art, and U.S. Government & Politics. Listed below are all of the AP courses offered at St. Francis DeSales High School.
ENGLISH
Senior AP English - Literature and Composition
AP English Literature and Composition is an intensive examination of British, American and world literatures. The course includes analysis of several literary styles, emphasis on the writing process and the further development of critical thinking and research skills.
Junior AP English - Language and Composition
AP English Language and Composition is an intensive reading and writing experience. The focus of the course is on learning to read critically, with an understanding of how writers create meaning. The students will be exposed to a variety of fiction and non-fiction writing across cultures and time periods.
WORLD LANGUAGE
French IV AP/French V AP
French IV/V AP includes a fast-paced review of French grammatical structures as well as extensive reading, writing and speaking components, which include an introduction to Francophone literature. The course will be conducted exclusively in French.
Latin IV AP
In Latin IV AP, students will study Vergil's Aeneid, becoming familiar with the history and culture of the time in which the epic was written.
Spanish IV AP/Spanish V AP
The course will include a review of language structure as well as extensive reading and writing activities. Students will be expected to communicate exclusively in Spanish.
MATHEMATICS
AP Calculus I--AB
AP Calculus I AB is approximately equivalent to two quarters of college calculus. The course of study follows the Calculus AB exam preparation.
AP Calculus II--BC
AP Calculus II BC is approximately equivalent to two quarters of college calculus. The course of study follows the Calculus BC exam preparation.
SCIENCE
AP Calculus-Based Physics
Advanced Placement Calculus-Based Physics focuses on the topics for the AP Physics C (Physics with Calculus) Mechanics exam. Motion, force, energy, momentum, rotation, universal gravitation and harmonic motion are explored.
AP Chemistry
The AP Chemistry course consists of a two-semester sequence. Foundations of Inorganic Chemistry, the focus of semester one, develops a student’s understanding of the theoretical aspects of chemistry through a problem-solving approach. Semester two, Introduction to Organic, Biochemistry, and Physical Chemistry, covers the chemistry of hydrocarbons and biomolecules, and the physical chemistry topics of equilibrium, kinetics and electrochemistry.
All students will take the AP Chemistry exam in May.
SOCIAL STUDIES
AP European History
AP European History will focus on the time period from 1350 to the present. The course is a year long survey class with goals to develop an understanding of the principal themes in European History, skills to analyze historical evidence, and an ability to express historical understanding in writing.
AP U.S. Government & Politics
This full-year course will give students an analytical perspective on government and politics in the United States. Additionally, students will prepare for and participate in the Ohio Mock Trial Competition.
AP U.S. History
This full-year course will cover American History from the pre-Columbian era to the present. The course will focus on social, political, intellectual, technological and economic developments through this time period.
AP Psychology
This full-year course is an in-depth approach to Psychology. The class follows the American Psychological Association’s national standards for the teaching of high school psychology. Emphasis will be placed on developing reading, writing, and critical thinking skills in preparation for the AP Psychology exam in the spring.
Prerequisites for AP classes are listed in the school’s Course Description handbook.
Dual Enrollment Program (Project Jumpstart)
In addition to the Advanced Placement courses offered, college credit can also be gained by participation in the Dual Enrollment program (Project Jumpstart) with Ohio Dominican University. The following classes are offered on our campus for college credit: AP Calculus I, Calculus Based Physics, AP English IV, Advanced Accounting, Personal Finance and AP Psychology.
Please contact Rob Dvorak at 614.267.7808 ext. 230 or rdvorak@cdeducation.org with any questions.
