There are many places that offer AP courses for homeschoolers, including:
Free self-study AP courses
- Monterey Institute (example: AP Biology)
- Virtual Virginia (AP Art History, AP Biology, AP Calculus AB , AP Calculus BC, AP Chemistry, AP Computer Science A, AP English Language and Composition, AP English Literature and Composition, AP Environmental Science, AP European History, AP French Language, AP Government and Politics: Comparative , AP Government and Politics: U.S. , AP Human Geography, AP Latin: Vergil, AP Physics B, AP Psychology, AP Spanish Language, AP Statistics, AP U.S. History, AP World History )
4370 Advanced Placement Biology Course Description
Advanced Placement Biology is designed to be the equivalent of a first year introduction college biology course. Students should have successfully completed foundation courses in biology and chemistry. This course aims to provide students with the conceptual framework, factual knowledge, and analytical skills necessary to deal critically with the rapidly changing science of biology. Primary emphasis of the course is on developing an understanding of concepts rather than on memorizing terms and technical details. As part of the course work, students will participate in a variety of hands-on and virtual labs that meet the laboratory objectives for Advanced Placement Biology as required by the College Board. Local school science educators will supervise hands-on laboratories. Student work will be required outside of class time.
Lab Format: The lab component of the Virtual Virginia Advanced Placement Biology course consumes approximately 25% of the coursework and consists of a combination of virtual and hands-on "kitchen labs." Due to the nature of the course, the twelve required Advanced Placement Labs have been modified so that students can complete them by using safe substances rather than the original chemicals. The "kitchen labs" are modifications of the original lab and meet the same objectives. When a "kitchen lab" is not available, virtual labs are used to meet the objective of the laboratory component of the course. The virtual labs are interactive and ensure correct and comprehensive learning. When possible, both virtual and hands-on labs are used to complete a laboratory exercise. A third approach to teaching the laboratory objectives is data analysis activities, from which students read, interpret, graph, and make conclusions on sample data.
Prerequisites
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Required - successful completion of at least two laboratory sciences including Biology I and Chemistry I with a demonstration of mastery of skills in both courses
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Required - successful completion of Algebra and Geometry
3177: Advanced Placement Calculus AB Course Description
Course Description
Advanced Placement Calculus AB develops the students’ understanding of the concepts of calculus and provides experience with its methods and applications. The course emphasizes a multi representational approach to calculus, with concepts, results, and problems being expressed graphically, numerically, analytically, and verbally. Four years of secondary mathematics including courses in which algebra, geometry, trigonometry, analytic geometry, and elementary functions are taught. These functions include those that are linear, polynomial, rational, exponential, logarithmic, trigonometric, inverse trigonometric, and piece-wise defined. Student work will be required outside of class time.
Prerequisites
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Required - successful completion of four years of secondary mathematics including Algebra I, Geometry, Algebra II/Trigonometry
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Recommended – Pre-Calculus/Mathematical Analysis
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Students must be familiar with the properties of functions, the algebra of functions, and the graphs of functions. An understanding of the language of functions (domain and range, odd and even, periodic, symmetry, zeros, intercepts, and so on) is essential. The values of trigonometric functions and their common angles (0, II/6, II/4, II/3, II/2...) must be known.
3178 Advanced Placement Calculus BC Course Description
Calculus BC is a full-year course in the calculus of functions of a single variable. It includes all topics covered in Calculus AB plus additional topics. Both courses represent college-level mathematics for which most colleges grant advanced placement and credit. The content of Calculus BC is designed to qualify the student for placement and credit in a course that is one course beyond that granted for Calculus AB.
Prerequisites
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Required - successful completion of four years of secondary mathematics including Algebra I, Geometry, Algebra II/Trigonometry
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Recommended – Pre-Calculus/Mathematical Analysis and Advanced Placement Calculus AB
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Before studying calculus, students must be familiar with the properties of functions, the algebra of functions, and the graphs of functions. Students must also understand the language of functions (domain and range, odd and even, periodic, symmetry, zeros, intercepts, and so on) and know the values of the trigonometric functions of the numbers 0, pi/6, pi/4, pi/3, pi/2, and their multiples.
4470 Advanced Placement Chemistry Online Course Description
Advanced Placement Chemistry is designed to be the equivalent of the first year college course in Chemistry. Students will attain a depth of understanding in the fundamentals and competence in dealing with chemical problems. This course will contribute to a student’s ability to think clearly and express their ideas both orally and in writing with clarity and logic. The topics will emphasize chemical calculations and mathematical formulation of principles. The online laboratory experience will be equivalent to that of a typical college course. As part of the course work, students will participate in a variety of hands-on and virtual labs that meet the laboratory objectives for Advanced Placement Chemistry as required by the College Board. Local school science educators will supervise hands-on laboratories. Student work will be required outside of class time.
Prerequisites
3185 Advanced Placement Computer Science A Course Description
The purpose of AP Computer Science A is to lay the foundation for object-oriented programming. The course aims at teaching the students computer science concepts. Java is used as the vehicle to teach them. The focus is more on the concepts and abstract ideas rather than on the syntax. The course is about design of classes, algorithms, programming techniques and introduction to data structures like arrays and array lists. Students will spend 2 to 3 days a week studying the course materials and the textbook and the rest of the week working on the lab. Student work will be required outside of class time.
Prerequisites
1196 Advanced Placement English Language and Composition Course Description The focus of Advanced Placement English Language and Composition is rhetorical analysis and argumentative writing. Students will be trained in analyzing texts for tone, purpose, syntax, rhetorical strategies, diction, and figures of speech. At the same time, students will analyze persuasive speeches and essays for their validity in reasoning and effectiveness in persuasion. Student will become skilled synthesizers of information, utilizing a variety of sources to support an assertion. One of the benchmarks of the course is the researched argumentative research paper. The course will emphasize nonfiction, since this is the genre that appears on the College Board’s examination. However, novels will also be used to aid students in linguistic analysis. The desire to read and research current events will be helpful to any student enrolled in Advanced Placement Language and Composition. Advanced Placement Language & Composition is an intensive writing course that prepares students for the type of argumentative and analytical writing that is expected of them at the college level. Student work will be required outside of class time.
Prerequisites -
Required - successful completion of English 9 and English 10
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Students should enjoy reading and must exhibit an advanced vocabulary and knowledge of the mechanics of language. Students must have a strong background in history, display an interest in current events, show initiative and demonstrate the ability to work independently. A mastery of the skills learned in previous English courses is essential.
1195 Advanced Placement English Literature and Composition Course Description Advanced Placement English Literature and Composition is designed to challenge the student’s ability to think critically, to analyze and evaluate literature and its literary devices, and to write analytical essays effectively. The course draws from a diverse selection of literature from various genres, eras, topics, themes, and authors from an array of backgrounds, ethnicities, and cultures. In addition, information concerning cultural, historical, philosophical, and psychological influences is addressed. The genres include the epic, drama, novel, novella, short stories, and a major focus on poetry. Advanced Placement English Literature and Composition aims to refine and improve the student’s writing style, voice, grammar, mechanics, organization, and expression. Students will analyze literature both independently and collaboratively with classmates using an array of synchronous and asynchronous technological resources. In addition, each student will prepare a research paper on literary criticism using the current MLA standards and the use of electronic sources. Projects and other assignments incorporate multimedia to enhance the student’s modern literacy skills, including the multimodalities of textual, visual, auditory, verbal, kinetic, and participatory communication methods. The Advanced Placement English Literature and Composition course prepares students for the College Board Advanced Placement English Literature and Composition Exam. Student work will be required outside of class time.
Prerequisites -
Required - successful completion of English 9 and English 10 or AP English Language and Composition
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Students should enjoy reading and must exhibit an advanced vocabulary and knowledge of the mechanics of language. Students must have a strong background in history, display an interest in current events, show initiative and demonstrate the ability to work independently. A mastery of the skills learned in previous English courses is essential.
4270 Advanced Placement Environmental Science Course Description Advanced Placement Environmental Science is designed to provide students with the scientific principles, concepts, and methodologies required to understand the interrelationships of the natural world, to identify and analyze environmental problems both natural and human-made, to evaluate the relative risks associated with these problems, and to examine alternative solutions for resolving or preventing them. Student work will be required outside of class time.
Prerequisites -
Required - successful completion of Algebra I
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Recommended – successful completion of two years of high school laboratory science – one year of life science and one year of physical science (Biology or Chemistry)
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Recommended - successful completion of Earth Science
2399 Advanced Placement European History Course Description The study of European history since 1450 A.D. introduces students to cultural, economic, political, and social developments that played a fundamental role in shaping the world in which they live. Without this knowledge, we would lack the context for understanding the development of contemporary institutions, the role of continuity and change in present-day society and politics, and the evolution of current forms of artistic expression and intellectual discourse. In addition to providing a basic narrative of events and movements, goals of the course are to develop a) an understanding of some of the principal themes in modern European history, b) an ability to analyze historical evidence and historical interpretation, and c) an ability to express historical understanding in writing. Student work will be required outside of class time.
Prerequisite 5170 Advanced Placement French Language Course Description The AP French Language Course is designed to prepare students to take the AP French Language Test in May. The course is a rigorous college level course equivalent to that of a third year course in college. Students should have a strong knowledge of grammar and vocabulary as well as good listening, speaking, reading and writing skills. All instruction, written and verbal communication will be conducted almost exclusively in French. A variety of authentic audio, video and written texts are included. Students will listen to songs, narrations of newspaper and magazine articles, dictations, news reports, movie reviews and other types of sound recordings. Written texts include literature and newspaper and magazine articles. Students will develop speaking skills through verbal interaction with the instructor. Speaking activities include role-plays, oral reports, speeches and picture story telling. Writing a variety of compositions, answering essay questions on assignments and tests and journal writing will enhance writing skills. Students who are enrolled in a Virtual Virginia World Language course will be required to take a nationally recognized examination in their language as part of this course. Student work will be required outside of class time.
Prerequisite -
Required - successful completion of French I, II, and III
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Recommended – successful completion of French IV
2450 Advanced Placement Government and Politics: Comparative Course Description
Students are introduced to fundamental concepts used by political scientists to study the processes and outcomes of politics in a variety of settings. The course aims to illustrate the rich diversity of political life, to show available institutional alternatives, to explain differences in processes and policy outcomes, and to communicate the importance of global political and economic changes. This course does NOT substitute for U.S. Government under the Virginia Standards of Learning. Student work will be required outside of class time.
Prerequisites
2445 Advanced Placement Government and Politics: U.S. Course Description
Advanced Placement Government is designed to present students with an analytical perspective of government and politics in the United States. The course involves both the study of general concepts used to interpret U.S. politics and the analysis of specific case studies. The course will include the various institutions, groups, beliefs and ideas that constitute U.S. political reality. The course will cover these basic areas:
- Constitutional Basis
- Political Beliefs and Behaviors
- Political Parties, Interest Groups, and Mass Media
- Institutions of National Government
- Public Policy
- Civil Rights and Civil Liberties
Student work will be required outside of class time.
Prerequisites
2212 Advanced Placement Human Geography Course Description Advanced Placement Human Geography introduces students to the systematic study of patterns and processes that have shaped human understanding, use, and alteration of the Earth's surface. Students will study diverse peoples and areas organized around concepts that include location and place, scale, pattern, spatial organization, and regionalization. They will also learn about the methods and tools geographers use in their science and practice. Student work will be required outside of class time.
Prerequisites 5380 Advanced Placement Latin: Vergil Course Description
This college level course prepares students to take the AP Latin Vergil examination. Students develop the ability to read, translate, understand analyze and interpret the required selections of the Aeneid. Students who are enrolled in a Virtual Virginia World Language course will be required to take a nationally recognized examination in their language as part of this course. Student work will be required outside of class time.
Prerequisites -
Required – successful completion of Latin I, Latin II, Latin III
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Recommended – successful completion of Latin IV
4570 Advanced Placement Physics B Course Description The course focuses on providing students with a survey of the major areas of physics – mechanics, fluids, waves, optics, electricity, magnetism and modern physics (atomic and nuclear). Students learn to think like scientists: making predictions based on observations, writing hypotheses, designing and completing experiments, and developing conclusions based on the analysis of data derived from these experiments. In addition, students apply what they learn in class to their personal experiences. The course provides guided inquiry and student-centered learning activities to foster critical thinking.
In each unit, students learn the basic physics terminology, discuss concepts, practice problems, perform virtual labs and complete computer simulations. They are quizzed and tested in each unit using a mixture of multiple-choice and free-response questions. Each week, students attend a web conference session with the instructor where he or she discusses problems from the College Board site and goes through the grading rubrics. As part of the course work, students will participate in a variety of hands-on and virtual labs that meet the laboratory objectives for Advanced Placement Physics as required by the College Board. Local school science educators will supervise hands-on laboratories. Student work will be required outside of class time.
Prerequisites - Required – successful completion of Algebra II, Math Analysis or Trigonometry
- Recommended - successful completion of introductory Physics or Honors Physics
2902 Advanced Placement Psychology Course Description
Advanced Placement Psychology provides an overview of current psychological theory and practice. Students will explore the systematic and scientific study of the behavior and mental processes of humans and other animals. Students will be exposed to the principles, concepts and phenomena associated with major subfields within psychology, including biological bases of behavior, cognitive and emotional processes, and diagnosis and treatment of psychological disorders. In accordance with the driving principles of current psychological practice, this course will emphasize scientific method and procedure, ethical standards in research, and critical thinking skills. Student academic performance is expected to meet or exceed the rigorous requirements of an introductory-level college survey course. Student work will be required outside of class time.
Prerequisites - Recommended - successful completion of Psychology (semester course)
5570 Advanced Placement Spanish Language Course Description Advanced Placement Spanish Language students practice perfecting their Spanish speaking, listening, reading, and writing skills. They study vocabulary, grammar, and cultural aspects of the language, and then apply lessons in extensive written and spoken exercises. By the end of the course, students will have an expansive vocabulary and a solid, working knowledge of all verb forms and tenses. The equivalent of a college-level language course, Advanced Placement Spanish Language prepares students for the Advanced Placement Exam and for further study of Spanish language, culture, or literature. Students who are enrolled in a Virtual Virginia World Language course will be required to take a nationally recognized examination in their language as part of this course. Student work will be required outside of class time.
Prerequisite - Required – successful completion of Spanish I, Spanish II and Spanish III or equivalent native fluency
- Recommended - successful completion of Spanish IV
3192 Advanced Placement Statistics Course Description Advanced Placement Statistics is a college-level, non-calculus based course in introductory statistics. This course is designed to present strategies for collecting, organizing, analyzing, and drawing conclusions from data. Students will work on projects involving the hands-on gathering and analysis of real world data. They will learn to interpret and judge the statistical information in the world around them. Computers and calculators will allow students to investigate and explore statistical concepts. Effective communication skills will be developed through regular written analysis of real data. Student work will be required outside of class time.
Prerequisites - Required – successful completion of Algebra II
- Recommended - successful completion Pre-Calculus/Mathematical Analysis and mathematical maturity and quantitative reasoning ability
2319 Advanced Placement U.S. History Course Description Advanced Placement U.S. History is a college level course that combines learning factual knowledge with developing analytical skills. Emphasis is given to developing interpretive writing skills while assessing historical material according to relevance, reliability, and importance by weighing the evidence presented in historical scholarship. Heavy emphasis is given to essay writing and developing superior writing skills. The course includes materials from discovery and settlement to present day America. A rapid pace of study must be maintained. Students enrolled in Advanced Placement U.S. History should exhibit above average reading comprehension, writing, and time management skills. They should have a desire to delve into history beyond the basic level of understanding. Student work will be required outside of class time.
Prerequisites - Recommended - successful completion of World History
You may want to google and be surprised at the options!
last updated: 2/5/2010
