AP Workload Information

Advanced Placement classes require a significant time commitment outside of school, as the workload for an AP class is intended to be
comparable to a college course. Students who wish to take multiple AP classes should consider the time needed to do the work for
each of the classes with respect to the time needed to pursue other after-school interests. The following information is intended to help
students and their families make well-informed decisions and healthy choices with regard to the student’s academic and extracurricular
pursuits. Most of these classes require a summer assignment.

Homework Major Other

Biology 1 hr of homework per class. Assessments include: 8 labs that are Students do not have to be strong in
This includes 30 min of either written up in the form of a formal math to succeed in this course. In
Mastering Biology homework one-page lab report or presented to the addition, AP students have reported
(on line) and 30 min of class, 9 comprehensive unit tests, 9 back to me that of the three, this is the
re-copying notes that you took chapter quizzes easiest AP Science course.
in class.

Calculus AB 1 hr of homework per class. During the first three quarters there will The class involves sequential learning,
be two unit tests per quarter. There will so frequent absences can be
be quizzes between the tests. Fourth challenging.
quarter will be focused on practice AP
tests.

Calculus BC Approximately 1 hr of Generally we have 2 tests and 3-4 The class involves sequential learning,
homework per class, 4-5 hrs quizzes per quarter for the first 3 so frequent absences can be
per week total. quarters. There is a major project challenging.
assigned after the AP Exam has been
taken.

Chemistry 1 hr of homework per class Daily quiz or lab with lab report, 2 tests The class involves sequential learning,
(problem sets). This might per quarter for first 3 quarters, full so frequent absences can be
become 1.5-2 hrs per class if practice test and lab practicum fourth challenging.
student is absent and is quarter
making up work.

Computer There is an effort to assign a Fall - 8 hour in-class research This course is intended to be realistic
Science minimal homework load. Much assignment, includes making a poster for people who have no previous
Principles of the work is done in class as and writing 750 words on a new programming experience. There are
a series of experiences. technology. Spring - 12 hour in-class sample questions that map to the
programming assignment, includes spring assessment throughout the year
writing a computer program, making a that are done as either an in-class or
short video, and writing about your homework assignment.
program. May - Multiple choice AP
exam.

English 1-3 hrs of homework per Midterm exam, vocabulary test every The course is designed for students
Language class. Each missed class fifth week, one paper per week, scholar who have mastered the conventions of
and dramatically reduces a pack cards, book talks (requires reading Standard Written English in the areas
Composition student’s chances of two complete nonfiction books) of grammar, spelling, and punctuation.
mastering the complex The students for whom these courses
material contained in the are recommended are those who have
English AP curriculum. spent a good deal of time reading
widely and deeply in both fiction and
non-fiction genres.
English Typically 1-2 hrs of homework Two to four major writings/tests and/or This course is suited for students who
Literature per class, consisting of projects each quarter, two or more have an interest in reading,
and reading, writing or studying. quizzes each quarter, occasional short discussing and writing about significant
Composition Periodic writing conferences or informal writings, regular AP test literary works. Previous experience with
with teacher outside of class. practice (objective and essay) expository writing and challenging texts
Occasional project is strongly recommended. In class
collaboration (in person or participation is essential to one's
online) outside of class. success in AP Literature and
Composition. In addition, students are
expected to manage complex
assignments outside of class.

Modern Weekly reading assignments, Each quarter involves at least one This course is content-heavy and
European ranging from 50-75 textbook DBQ, bi-monthly concept assessments, requires strong analytical skills in the
History pages as well as primary and graded reading- areas of reading and writing.
source excerpts. based discussions every class

Music 30 min of written and/or ear Assessments include: 13 chapter tests, Students who are taking or have taken
Theory training homework per class. 4 aural tests, quarter tests (first and other AP classes considered this
third), 2 full practice tests prior to AP among the hardest due to the large
exam listening component.

Physics 1: 45-60 min of homework per Classes are comprised of homework The class involves sequential learning,
Algebra- class, assuming students are review and notes, quizzes, lab work, so frequent absences can be
Based present for notes and example and tests. There are usually 3 tests per challenging.
calculations. Homework time quarter.
is doubled for missed classes.

Spanish 1 hr of homework per class. Daily AP style tasks, 1-2 essays per It is assumed that students have a high
Language Occasionally (approx. 5 times quarter, April vacation homework level of mastery of grammatical
and Culture per quarter) presentations will assignment is to complete 1 full practice concepts before entering the course.
require up to 1.5 hrs. Style of exam, after April vacation students Course resources (listening and
tasks vary and depending on complete 1 practice exam in class reading selections) are all sources that
personal strengths and are intended for native speakers. Much
weaknesses. Students may class work is done in pairs, so missing
spend less or significantly class can result in making up work
more time on specific tasks. without the benefit of a partner.

Statistics 30-45 min of homework per Larger projects: week long project at Students should have completed
class. the end of the year. Small projects: 2-3 Honors Algebra 2 in order to take the
per quarter (given 2-3 days to course.
complete). Unit tests: 1-2 per quarter.
Quizzes: 4-6 per quarter.

US History 5-6 hrs of homework per Per quarter: 2 exams (covers multiple, Most written work is completed in class.
week. 4-5, chapters), 2 journals (3-4 hrs each
to complete thoroughly)

World 5-6 hrs of homework per Major assessments: projects; unit This course is content-heavy and
History week. Homework is reading exams (6 units); writing (both long requires superb analytical skills,
and writing intensive. essays and short answer especially in the areas of reading and
questions--much like AP US history) writing. It also mimics the skill-set of
the professional historian while
maintaining college-level expectations