48
This course is designed to provide the student with an understanding of the basic principles of physics and the
attendant laboratory skills necessary for further study in the physical sciences. The laws of mechanics and
electricity/magnetism will be studied in a variety of situations ranging from sub-atomic particles to galaxies.
AP Physics, Advanced Placement Grades 11-12 (34570) (Calculus based) Full Year, One Credit
Prerequisite: Completion of Physics I, and concurrent enrollment in Calculus AB and/or BC.
This is a single, college-level physics course designed to prepare the student for the Advanced Placement C Physics
exam. The primary emphasis is on classical mechanics.
14. SOCIAL STUDIES
Three years of social studies are required for graduation with a standard diploma from high school in the state of
Virginia: World History, Virginia and U.S. History, and Virginia and U.S. Government. These courses are generally offered
respectively at grades 9, 11, and 12. Students are also required to take Economics and Personal Finance, generally
offered at grade 10. A fourth social studies course is needed for the Advanced Studies diploma. In addition, the Social
Studies Department offers a variety of elective courses. Students may opt to accept their 8
th-
grade credit in World
Geography for their fourth Social Studies requirement. See the note of caution in the Middle School section
Economics & Personal Finance Full Year, one credit (22212)
This course explores the general scope of economics.
Students review the American free-enterprise system and its relation to land, people, innovation, technology,
organization, and government. The course explores economic principles, laws, supply and demand, business behavior of
corporations, labor and industry, the Federal Reserve System, and government fiscal policies. Economic systems of
major countries and economic philosophies are compared to develop an understanding of the impact of global trade.
In the personal finance portion of the course, students learn how to navigate the financial decisions they must face and
to make informed decisions related to career exploration, budgeting, banking, credit, insurance,
spending, taxes, saving, investing, buying/leasing a vehicle, living independently, and inheritance. Development of
financial literacy skills and an understanding of economic principles will provide the basis for responsible citizenship and
career success. The Economics and Personal Finance course will include blended instruction with at least 1/3 of the
course taught digitally. Additionally, students will have the opportunity to take the WISE Financial Literacy Test at the
end of the course.
Successful
completion of the course and a
passing
score on the WISE test will earn the following
graduation requirements:
ü 1 Standard Credit of Economics and Personal Finance (Standard and Advanced Diplomas)
ü 1 Career and Technical Education Credential (Standard Diploma)
ü 1 Online Course Requirement (Standard and Advanced Diplomas)
VA/US History Full Year, One Credit (22360)
VA/US History is organized around the theme of perspectives. The course
objectives focus on the significant people, places, and events in American and Virginia history whose influence, position,
and point of view have affected geography and environment, the democratization process, the development of
enterprise, the evolution of global interaction, the impact of scientific and technological developments, and the meaning
of the American Dream. This course will prepare students to take the U.S. History Standards of Learning exam.
VA/US History AP Full Year, One Credit (32319) Prerequisite: Recommendation of social studies teacher
This course
is part of the Advanced Placement Program of the College Entrance Examination Board that makes demands on
students that are equivalent to those of an introductory college course. Students electing this course in place of the
regular Virginia and United States History are expected to read extensively, give time to abstract concepts and thoughts,
and deal with various topics in American History. The Advanced Placement syllabus gives a complete course description.
Students selecting this course should be those who have the ability and interest in the subject matter as it is expected
that they will work with both primary source materials and texts on an advanced level. Generally, students in this course
will take the Advanced Placement Examination in American History for the possible attainment of college credit.
VA/US Government Grade 12 Full Year, One Credit (22440)
This course is organized around the theme of power. The
objectives focus on the sources from which American governmental institutions derive their authority to function, and
the applications of this authority to critical processes, procedures, and systems. The influence of various groups and the
patterns of other world government are also studied. The key concepts for study are the foundations of government,
rights, responsibilities, liberties, institutions, political processes, public programs, policy making, and comparative
political and economic systems.