Advanced Placement Courses
Advanced Placement courses – commonly referred to as AP courses – are courses taken in high school that can be counted for college credit. Most serve as intro-level college courses with a year-end exam. Results of that exam determine if college credit has been earned, though different colleges may have different score requirements. Passing an AP course is a sign that a student is capable of college-level coursework.
Students may also sit for exams at Pius X in any AP course, even if the course is not offered at Pius X.
Courses
AP English Literature
AP Statistics
AP Calculus
AP Calculus (PACE)
AP Environmental Science
AP Biology
AP Physics (PACE)
AP Human Geography
U.S. History
AP American Government
AP Pre-Calculus
Course Descriptions
AP English Literature
Grades: 12
Length: Year
This course is designed to mimic the rigor and style of a college level English course. It is organized around the theme of The Other, using various critical lenses such as Post-colonialism, Gender, Historical, Futuristic, etc. to examine the ways in which Otherness and privilege are prominent in both literature and society and are impacted over the course of time. This class explores various authors from the 18th century to the early 21stcentury, with authors including Achebe, Miller, Wiesel, Austen, Shakespeare, O’Brien, and Huxley. Poetry, short stories, and non-fiction documents are incorporated into each unit with a novel or play as the central text. One independent choice novel is also read each semester. AP test prep will be incorporated into the class for those wishing to take the exam in May. During the semester, daily reading assignments, class participation, analytical papers, and a multi-genre project are required elements of this course. In order to take the AP exam, students must enroll in both semesters.
AP Statistics
Grades: 11, 12
Length: Year
This course introduces students to the major concepts and tools for collecting, analyzing and drawing conclusions from data with the goal of understanding the fundamental concepts of statistics. Practical applications are emphasized. Students will design, conduct, and report on their own studies. The AP Statistics exam will be offered in May. Daily homework should be expected. Graphing calculator required.TI 83+ or TI 84 series is recommended.
Pre-Requisites: Differentiated Algebra II
AP Calculus
Grades: 11, 12
Length: Year
This course covers the topics of first-semester, college Calculus and also includes a review of Pre-Calculus. Students will learn the concepts, rules, and applications of limits, derivatives and integrals. Students may choose to take the AP Calculus AB exam or check with their college regarding the potential to start in the second semester of college Calculus. Daily homework should be expected. Graphing calculator required. TI 83+ or TI 84 series is recommended.
Pre-Requisites: Pre-Calculus (11th grader only with teacher permission)
AP Calculus (PACE)
Grades: 11, 12
Length: Semester
AP Calculus (PACE) is equivalent to first and second semester college calculus courses and includes the study of limits, derivatives, integrals, and series. This course will prepare students to take the AP Calculus BC exam for possible college credit. Students in this course may register for dual credit through Southeast Community College or Nebraska Wesleyan University. Daily homework should be expected. Graphing calculator required. TI 83+ or TI 84 series is recommended.
Pre-Requisites: Pre-Calculus (11th grader only with teacher permission)
AP Environmental Science
Grades: 11, 12
Length: Year
AP Environmental Science is a one-year course that will follow the Advanced Placement curriculum. The course will provide students with the scientific principles, concepts, and methodologies required to understand the interrelationships of the natural world, to identify and analyze environmental problems both natural and man-made, to evaluate risks associated with these problems, and to examine alternative solutions for resolving or preventing them. Laboratory work, lectures, readings, class discussions, research, case-studies, and field trips will be utilized throughout the course. At the end of the year, students will have an opportunity to take the AP Environmental Science exam to earn possible college credit. Taking physics prior to, or concurrently, is strongly recommended.
Pre-Requisites: Chemistry and Algebra II
AP Biology
Grades: 12
Length: Year
AP Biology will follow the Advanced Placement curriculum including interaction and energy use in biological systems, genetics and evolution. Laboratory work, lectures, discussions, field trips, and out of class reading will be utilized. At the end of the year, students will have the opportunity to take the AP Biology exam to earn possible college credit. Taking physics prior to, or concurrently, is strongly recommended.
Pre-Requisites: Teacher Permission
AP Physics (PACE)
Grades: 12
Length: Year
AP Physics (PACE) is equivalent to two one-semester calculus-based college physics courses and includes the study of motion, forces, energy, momentum, electrostatics, circuits, and magnetism. Students will complete several major projects and will compete in the Pius X Machine Contest. This course will prepare students to take the AP Physics C exams for possible college credit and is recommended for students planning to specialize or major in one of the physical sciences or engineering. Graphing calculator required. TI 83+ or TI 84 series is recommended. Taken concurrently with AP Calculus (PACE).
Pre-Requisites: Physics and Pre-Calculus
AP Human Geography
Grades: 10, 11, 12
Length: Year
This full year course will introduce students to the systematic study of patterns and processes that have shaped human understanding, use, and alteration of Earth’s surface. Students employ spatial concepts and landscape analysis to examine human social organization and its environmental consequences. Methods and tools geographers use in their science and practice will be studied. This course will meet the Social Studies elective and the World Geography requirement.
U.S. History
Grades: 11
Length: Year
This course is a chronological study of U.S. History from its beginnings until present day. This survey course emphasizes the synthesis of historical concepts and how we might learn to relate present problems to the lessons experienced by past Americans. This course is required for all juniors. There is an AP section of this course which is available with Teacher Permission.
AP American Government
Grades: 12
Length: Semester
This course is designed to help students gain a critical perspective on government and politics in the United States. It involves both the study of general concepts used to interpret American politics and the analysis of specific case studies. It also requires familiarity with the various institutions, groups, beliefs and ideas that make up the American political system. This course will fulfill the senior social studies requirement and is designed as an Advanced Placement course.
AP Pre-Calculus
Length: Year
Department: Math
AP Pre-Calculus is a college-level high school course designed to prepare students for future math and science courses by building on algebra and geometry skills. It covers topics such as polynomial, rational, exponential, logarithmic, and trigonometric functions, focusing on a deep understanding of functions and their applications. Students can earn college credit or placement by taking the AP Exam at the end of the course. It is highly recommended that students have at least an A average in each semester of Differentiated Algebra II, as well as an A on each semester’s final exam, in order to be successful in AP Pre-Calculus. (New in 2026-27 school year)