Start with One AP
Recommended Courses and Why They Work
One well-placed AP course in grade 9 or 10 can open advanced coursework to more students earlier, while strengthening the access to rigor reflected in your school’s accountability goals.
These courses have no or minimal prerequisites and can support a broad range of learners. They also build skills students will use across AP courses—working with data, evaluating evidence, and building arguments—so students are better prepared for what comes next. Because each AP course stands on its own, schools can start with one and add others over time.
When at least one of these courses is available early, AP becomes a realistic first step for more students.
| Course | What Students Learn | Why It Works as a First AP Course |
| AP Business with Personal Finance | How businesses grow and compete—and how to manage money, credit, and personal finances | Connects to real career skills and everyday financial decisions |
| AP Computer Science Principles | How technology, like AI, works—and how to build, program, and create with it | Opens access to advanced coursework for students interested in STEM pathways |
| AP Human Geography | How to use maps, landscapes, and data to explain geographic connection and change | Builds early experience with data, spatial thinking, and real-world analysis |
| AP Seminar | How to investigate questions, evaluate evidence, and build arguments | Builds skills used across all AP courses |
| AP Seminar: English | How to read literature and nonfiction critically, analyze evidence based arguments, and build writing and communication skills | Opens access to advanced coursework through familiar English Language Arts content and skills |
| AP Spanish Language and Culture | How to communicate, connect, and explore cultures across the Spanish-speaking world | Expands access to advanced coursework while strengthening real-world communication skills and cultural fluency |
| AP World History: Modern | How people, ideas, conflicts, and innovations shaped the modern world | Strengthens the thinking, reading, and writing skills used across AP |
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 AP equivalent—using the staff, schedule, and structures you already have.
- Extend what you offer: Add an AP course following an existing sequence in social studies, computer science, English, world languages, or career and technical education.
What These Courses Enable
- Alignment: Strengthen alignment between your AP program and your school’s accountability goals.
- Program Coherence: Move from limited entry to advanced coursework to a connected program where key skills are introduced early with AP
- Availability: Help more students find an early on-ramp to advanced coursework.
- Growth Strategy: Focus growth in advanced coursework by adding the AP courses that are right for your school.
Why This Matters
Students are more likely to begin AP when they can start with one course early, rather than taking several at once later. Design your AP program with that early entry point in mind, and you'll have a practical way to expand access to advanced coursework.
Complete the AP course interest form to get connected and explore more approaches to start or expand your AP program.
Resources
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Flyer: Start with One AP Overview
Students are more likely to begin AP when they can start with one course early, rather than taking several at once later.
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Flyer for Families: The Power of Starting Early with Just One AP Course
Many students start early in high school with just one AP course to explore an interest, challenge themselves in a manageable way, and see what they’re capable of.