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Prepare with Pre-AP

A stronger AP program starts before students enroll in AP. Pre-AP gives your school a way to build the confidence, habits, and academic skills more students need to succeed in advanced coursework later.

Recommended Courses and Why They Work

Pre-AP courses help students practice the kinds of thinking they will need next: evidence-based writing, close observation and analysis, higher-order questioning, and academic conversations. When these skills become part of students’ earlier coursework, AP becomes a more natural next step.

Expanding your course offerings within this set of Pre-AP courses helps make readiness a consistent part of your school’s advanced coursework strategy. Across these courses, students engage in skills development, not just content coverage.

Academic DepartmentPre-AP CourseSkills and TopicsAligned AP Courses
EnglishPre-AP English 1
  • Reading closely
  • Developing evidence-based interpretations
  • Writing and revising texts
  • Language and style
  • Research and inquiry
  • Participating in academic conversations
  • AP African American Studies
  • AP English Language and Composition
  • AP English Literature and Composition
  • AP Seminar
 Pre-AP English 2
  • Analyzing increasingly complex texts
  • Argumentation and evidence-based writing
  • Language analysis
  • Research
  • Synthesis of ideas
  • Discussion and communication
  • AP English Language and Composition
  • AP English Literature and Composition
MathematicsPre-AP Algebra 1
  • Linear, exponential, and quadratic functions
  • Mathematical modeling
  • Multiple representations
  • Problem solving
  • Quantitative reasoning
  • AP Calculus AB
  • AP Calculus BC
  • AP Computer Science A
  • AP Precalculus
  • AP Statistics
 Pre-AP Geometry with Statistics
  • Measurement and data
  • Geometric reasoning
  • Congruence and similarity
  • Two- and three-dimensional measurement
  • Statistical analysis, probability and interpretation
  • AP Calculus AB
  • AP Calculus BC
  • AP Precalculus
  • AP Statistics
 Pre-AP Algebra 2
  • Modeling with functions
  • Algebra of functions
  • Function families
  • Trigonometric functions
  • Matrices and applications
  • Mathematical modeling and analysis
  • AP Calculus AB
  • AP Calculus BC
  • AP Precalculus
  • AP Statistics
SciencePre-AP Biology
  • Ecological systems
  • Evolution
  • Cellular systems
  • Genetics
  • Scientific investigation
  • Evidence-based explanations of biological phenomena
  • AP Biology
  • AP Environmental Science
  • AP Psychology
  • AP Research
 Pre-AP Chemistry
  • Structure and properties of matter
  • Chemical bonding and interactions
  • Chemical quantities
  • Chemical transformations
  • Scientific modeling and experimentation
  • AP Chemistry
  • AP Environmental Science
  • AP Physics 1
  • AP Physics 2
  • AP Physics C: Electricity and Magnetism
  • AP Physics C: Mechanics
Social StudiesPre-AP World History and Geography
  • Geography and world regions
  • Historical developments from ancient to contemporary eras
  • Global interactions
  • Patterns of continuity and change
  • Disciplinary historical thinking
  • AP European History
  • AP Human Geography
  • AP Comparative Government and Politics
  • AP United States History
  • AP World History: Modern
Fine ArtsPre-AP Dance
  • Observation and interpretation
  • Movement practice and experimentation
  • Research and creation
  • Reflection and evaluation
  • Revision and performance sharing
  • AP Art History
 Pre-AP Music
  • Listening and analysis
  • Music creation and performance
  • Experimentation
  • Musical traditions and styles
  • Reflection, revision, and artistic communication
  • AP Music Theory
 Pre-AP Theatre
  • Performance and interpretation
  • Creative experimentation
  • Collaboration and creative decision-making
  • Reflection and critique
  • Revision and presentation of theatrical work
  • AP Art History
  • AP English Language and Composition
  • AP English Literature and Composition
 Pre-AP Visual Arts
  • Observation and interpretation
  • Artistic experimentation
  • Research and making
  • Reflection and evaluation
  • Revision and presentation of visual artwork
  • AP 2-D Art and Design
  • AP 3-D Art and Design
  • AP Art History
  • AP Drawing

Let us show you how this approach can help support your school's goals. Request information.

How These Courses Can Work in Your School

Replace, not rebuild: Swap an existing course with its Pre-AP equivalent, using the staff, schedule, and structures you already have. 
Extend what you offer: Add a Pre-AP course(s) before an existing sequence in math, social studies, computer science, or English.

What These Courses Enable

  • Alignment: Stronger connection between your Pre-AP offerings and your school’s goals 
  • Coherence: A shift from isolated AP experiences in your master schedule to a program where specific skill-building shows up early through Pre-AP
  • Availability: Opportunity for more students to build skills through the Pre-AP courses right for your school

Why This Matters

The strongest AP programs begin before AP, and Pre-AP gives schools a practical way to prepare more students for what comes next. 

Complete the AP course interest form to get connected and explore more approaches to start or expand your AP program.

Resources

Download

Flyer: Prepare with Pre-AP Overview

A stronger AP program starts before students enroll in AP. Pre-AP gives your school a way to build the confidence, habits, and academic skills more students need to succeed in advanced coursework later.

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Let us help you identify the best approach to support your school’s goals.

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