Transcript Parent Information Evening - San Ramon Valley High School

SRVHS
AP & HONORS
PARENT INFORMATION
EVENING
FEBRUARY 25, 2015
ACCELERATED &
ADVANCED COURSES
Different than regular college prep classes:
• Pace
• Depth and complexity of assignments
• Higher standards of evaluation
No weighted grade for Accelerated Algebra 2,
Accelerated Biology, Advanced English 10 ,
Advanced Art 5
HONORS COURSES
Specialized content with extended workload
Weighted grade
Honors Classes at SRVHS:
 Chemistry
 Physics
 Anatomy and Physiology
 Pre-Calculus
 World Languages: French 4 & Spanish 4
ADVANCED PLACEMENT
 College Level
 Access with Multiple Measures (prerequisites, tests, prior
course grades, teacher recommendations)
 Weighted Grade
 Possible college credit w/ College Board’s AP Exams in
May
 Go to SRVHS.net for Common Course Descriptions
WHY TAKE AP COURSES?
Challenging curriculum
Preparation for college work
Potential to earn college credit
SRVHS EXPECTATIONS FOR
AP STUDENTS
Highly motivated
Self-discipline and self-motivation
Perseverance
Try to avoid “over scheduling”
Computer savvy a big plus
Take AP Exam in May
VISUAL AND
PERFORMING ARTS
• Music Theory AP
• Studio Art AP
AP STUDIO ART
• 11th-12th grade
• Independent projects
• Complete a portfolio for AP exam:
• Drawing
• 2D
• Minimum of 18 pieces
MUSIC THEORY AP
 Develop the student’s ability to
recognize, understand and describe
the basic materials and processes of
music that are heard in a score.
 Junior or Senior standing
 Ability to read music and consent
of instructor.
 See Ms. Glass for information
regarding the summer study packet
between June 1st-June 4th. .
ENGLISH COURSES
• English Language AP
• English Literature AP
AP ENGLISH LANGUAGE
• Junior Year
• Superior skills in reading comprehension, analysis,
and writing
• Course emphasis on: rhetorical analysis, argument,
and synthesis writing and close reading of fiction
and non-fiction texts.
• Summer Assignment
• Entrance Guidelines:
• A in S1 English 10
• B- or better in Adv. English 10
• OR Placement Exam on March 5 and 6. Sign up with your
English teacher.
AP ENGLISH LITERATURE
• Senior Year
• Superior reading comprehension and writing skills
• Intensive study of select World Literature
• Entrance Guidelines:
A S1 English 11
B- or better in AP Lang
OR placement exam March 5th and 6th. See
English teacher to sign up.
MATHEMATICS COURSES
AP Calculus AB
AP Calculus BC
AP Statistics
Accelerated Algebra 2
See course description
guide for detailed Math
Course Selection Guide.
AP CALCULUS AB
11th-12th grade
Equivalent to one semester of college
Calculus
Homework daily: 0.5-1 hour/day
Entrance Guidelines:
Test average honors pre-calc = B
or test avg pre-calc =A
AP CALCULUS BC
12th grade
Equivalent to a year-long
college Calculus course
Entrance Guidelines:
Successful completion
of Calc AB
ADVANCED PLACEMENT
STATISTICS
11th-12th grade
Analytical Skills and
Logical Reasoning
Graphing Calculator
Homework: 30-45 minutes
per day
Entrance Guidelines:
 B or better in Algebra 2
ACCELERATED ALGEBRA 2
 Rigorous fast paced course.
 Covers Algebra 2 and advanced
trigonometric concepts
 Prepares students for AP Calculus
AB and BC
 Not a weighted grade
 Placement Criteria
 Course Grade
Algebra 1 A/Geometry A And 85% on Mastery Readiness
Exam. Less than above, requires 90%
on Mastery Readiness Exam

WORLD LANGUAGES
Honors Spanish 4
Honors French 4
Spanish 5 AP
French 5 AP
SPANISH LANGUAGE
AND CULTURE AP
 11th-12th grade
 Course entirely in Spanish
 Students to have oral and written fluency
 Homework is at least 20-30 minutes per
evening
 Entrance Guidelines: Spanish 4 Honors with a
“B” or better
 AP exam emphasizes real-life communication
and focuses on Spanish Language and Culture.
FRENCH LANGUAGE
AND CULTURE AP
11th-12th grade
Class entirely in French
Solid skill level in writing and speaking
AP exam emphasizes real-life communication
and focuses on French Language and
Culture
Homework: 20-40 minutes per night
Entrance Guidelines: French IV Honors with
“B” or better
SOCIAL STUDIES
 European History AP
 Human Geography AP
 U.S. History AP
 Psychology AP
 Economics AP
 American Gov AP
 Comp Politics AP
HUMAN GEOGRAPHY AP
11TH and 12TH grade
In depth study of
political, cultural,
population geography
Strong reading, writing,
math and computer skills
EUROPEAN HISTORY AP
 10th grade
 Students need accelerated
reading, comprehension,
note taking, and writing
skills
 In-depth look at European
History
 Homework: extensive
reading, 4-7 hours per week
U.S. HISTORY AP
 11th grade
 Study of American History
from the pre-Columbian
era to the present
 Strong reading
comprehension, critical
thinking and writing skills
 Homework: 5-7 hours
reading and writing per
week plus research
papers and projects
PSYCHOLOGY AP
 11th-12th grade
 Comprehensive study of
general psychology
including research and
clinical psychology
 Strong reading
comprehension and
critical thinking skills
 Homework: 30-45 minutes
per night
AMERICAN GOVERNMENT AP
 12th grade
 Analytical skills, essay
writing, critical thinking
skills, factual recall ability
 Exams, quizzes, essays,
presentations, and
research project
 Homework: approximately
6 hours/week
 Semester Class
GOVERNMENT AND POLITICS:
COMPARATIVE AP
 12th grade semester class
 Satisfies government requirement
 Strong reading and writing skills
 Online publication of news analysis and essays
MICRO AND MACRO
ECONOMICS AP
 12th grade
 Strong math and
analytical skills
 Homework is 1 hour
every night with one
test a week
 Semester Class
SCIENCE
 AP Physics C
 AP Biology
 AP Chemistry
 AP Environmental Science
AP PHYSICS C
 Students must be concurrently




enrolled in Calculus AB or BC
AP
Intended for students with an
interest in engineering, science
or the medical field
Includes topics in both classical
and modern physics
Newtonian mechanics covers:
Kinematics, Newton's Laws,
Energy, Collisions, Uniform
Circular Motion & Oscillations.
Homework approximately 5
hours per week
AP BIOLOGY
 Prerequisite: Completion of Biology with an B Completion of
Chemistry with a B or better
 For students who want to major in the life sciences in college or for
students wishing to test out of life science breadth requirements in
college
 Emphasis on integrating lab inquiry and reasoning and quantitative
skills in lab activities
 Students need to be independent learners with computer skills,
reading at college level (heavy emphasis on writing and reading 12 chapters per week
 Encouraging use of podcasts instead of lecture to free up more time
in the lab.
 Uses Campbell’s 9th Edition Biology: College Book
CHEMISTRY AP
 Prerequisite: Completion of
Biology and Chemistry with an B
or better or Honors Chemistry
with a B or better, completion of
Alg 2 with a B or better
 In order to cover all of the
material demanded by the AP
exam, mandatory work, such as,
reading and problem
assignments, may be required
over school breaks and vacations.
 Homework requirement – approx.
6 hours per week.
ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AP
 Prerequisite: B or better of Bio and
Chem, concurrent enrollment in Alg 2
 Equivalent of a one-semester,
introductory college course in
environmental science
 Interdisciplinary course embracing topics
from chemistry, biology, earth science,
population dynamics, environmental
quality, resource policy and management,
and the environment and society
 Summer Assignment information
forthcoming
 Homework– approx. 5 hours per week
PLACEMENT AGREEMENTS
Please select courses carefully
Have up to 6 weeks to drop the
course without a grade appearing
on the transcript
No guarantee that a substitute
course is available
CONTACT INFORMATION
Counseling Office: 925-552-3016
 Jenifer Levy-Wendt (A-Doe)
[email protected]
 Nancy Conti (Dof-Ko)
[email protected]
 Melissa Bergstedt (Kp-Ob)
[email protected]
 Emperatris Vega (Oc-Sca)
[email protected]
 Cady Scharff (Scb-Z)
[email protected]
KEY DATES
Parent Meetings, 6:30pm in the Commons
March 3th -- To be 10th grade
March 4th -- To be 11th and 12th grade
Online Registration March 13th – 20th