Loyola College Prep offers multiple honors and AP courses. We encourage all students who qualify to consider participation in one or more. In comparison to College Prep courses, honors and AP courses are much more rigorous and demand a higher level of performance both in and out of the classroom. The AP program offers students the opportunity to pursue college-level courses and potentially earn college credit while still in high school.
The following are considered when determining enrollment eligibility for AP courses:
All students enrolled in AP courses are required to take the AP exam(s) in May, or the student’s grade will be lowered two letter grades. AP test date(s) are set by College Board and are not negotiable by school administration.
The syllabi for AP classes are approved by College Board through the AP Audit. The Advanced Placement Program (AP) of The College Board, provides curriculum guides for 31 college-level courses in 18 subject areas. For more information, visit www.collegeboard.org.
English Language & Composition is offered to qualified and interested juniors. The writing focus is essay answers, AP Language and Composition essays, critical analysis essays, persuasive essays and a persuasive research paper. Literature includes a concentration on American literature as a sense of historical presence as well as its literary merits and continued exploration of terminology as it relates to comprehension as well as insight.
English Literature & Composition is offered to 12th grade students interested in careful reading and critical analysis of imaginative literature. A Critical Approach to English Literature and two other texts are used in this course. Fifteen selections from world literature are studied and written analyses are required for all. Additionally, seven book analyses from outside reading and a 10 to 15 page research paper are required.
U.S. History presents an organized picture of American history from 1450 to the present. This more challenging curriculum demands rigorous outside reading and writing.
European History, an alternative to World History, offers an extensive thematic overview of political, economic and social events that formed European civilization from 1300 through the present. This more challenging curriculum demands rigorous outside reading and writing.
Calculus (AB) and (BC) are first and second semester college calculus courses. The College Board dictates the curriculum for each course. AP Calculus students must be mathematically able. Good math scores on the PSAT, high grades in previous math courses, and the recommendation of the student's math teachers are required for admission into the courses.
Physics follows the College Board's syllabus for Physics-C and uses a calculus based college textbook. With appropriate scores on the AP exam and a college's approval, students may receive credit for the first semester of college physics. AP Physics-C is the only type of advanced placement physics credit that colleges allow for science majors. Students use the same computer interfacing, videotape analysis, and simulations as the regular physics course but solve more complex problems.
Chemistry follows the College Board's syllabus and uses a college textbook. With appropriate scores and a college's approval, students may receive credit for one or two semesters of college chemistry. AP Chemistry continues Chemistry I and examines more complex math problems, chemical concepts and laboratory experiments. Additional topics include thermochemistry, spontaneity of reactions, chemical equilibrium in gaseous reactions, solubility equilibria, acid-base equilibria, electrochemical cells and cell voltages.
Biology is designed for students planning a career in the biological sciences such as nursing, medicine, veterinary medicine, dentistry, medical research or pharmacy. Students study organic chemistry, biochemistry, cellular biology, genetics, zoology, physiology, anatomy, histology, and botany. Labs accompanying this course follow the College Board's requirements and include additional computer based labs on heart rate, respiration rate, and EKG. Extensive microscopic tissue studies are included as well.
French is designed to prepare students to perform well on the AP French Language exam. Emphasis is placed on composition, vocabulary, speaking, and listening comprehension. Students present short exposes and write several compositions each quarter.
Spanish covers the material equivalent of a third-year college course in advanced Spanish writing and conversation. It encompasses aural/oral skills, reading comprehension, grammar, and composition and emphasizes the use of Spanish for active communication. The course objectives are for students--1) to comprehend formal and informal spoken Spanish; 2) to acquire vocabulary and grasp structure that will allow the easy, accurate reading of newspaper and magazine articles as well as modern literature in Spanish; 3) to compose expository passages; and 4) to express ideas orally with accuracy and fluency. Students will take the Spanish Language exam.
Psychology covers the broad areas of psychology usually found in college freshman level psychology classes. Psych I and II are pre-requisites. The course is research-centered.