A guaranteed and viable curriculum (GVC) ensures that all students have an equal opportunity to learn (OTL). Each student will have access to an effective or highly effective teacher, and access to the same content, knowledge and skills in each section or class. ~Robert Marzano
What is Pre-AP?
The Pre-AP Program is a program offered to schools by College Board (the organization that designs AP courses and exams as well as the SAT). The program offers 11 Pre-AP courses in five disciplines: English, math, science, history, and the arts. Pre-AP courses deliver grade-level appropriate instruction through focused course frameworks, instructional resources, learning checkpoints, and collaborative educator workshops. Participating schools receive an official Pre-AP designation for each course. This designation signals consistent, high standards in focused courses that help build, strengthen, and reinforce students’ content knowledge and critical thinking skills.
Does Pre-AP mean Honors or Advanced Track?
No. These are on-grade-level courses designed for all students.
Then why are they called Pre-AP? Not every student will take an AP Course.
Every student should be prepared for college-level work. The skills and knowledge they’ll learn in Pre-AP courses will help them through high school—whether they take AP courses or not—and after graduation in college and career. College Board requires schools that offer Pre-AP courses to confirm that we will offer them to all students.
What makes Pre-AP Courses different from other courses?
Pre-AP courses focus on the most important content and skills that students need to learn in the course. The courses devote more time to fewer concepts so that students have time for deep learning. And all Pre-AP courses, no matter what the subject, ask students to do these things:
observe closely before starting to explain, analyze, or solve
respond to questions that challenge them to think critically
take part in discussions with their peers to learn more about a topic
write using evidence from sources, texts, and observations, and so on.
Building these skills will help students succeed through high school and beyond.
Will Pre-AP courses prepare my child for the state tests he or she has to take?
Arkansas Arts Academy will continue to teach the topics and skills that Arkansas standards require. Pre-AP isn’t a program that replaces our school’s curriculum. Pre-AP provides a framework for each course—a blueprint for instruction that schools and teachers can use with various instructional materials. The program also provides other classroom resources—assessments and model lessons— and professional development for teachers and leaders.
Does my child have to do anything special to prepare for Pre-AP courses?
There’s just one action your child has to take to enroll in their Pre-AP course(s). They need to create an online College Board student account (if they don’t already have one) at preap.org/register. This account will let them sign into PreAP Classroom, where they’ll join their class section and find class resources. It’s a good idea for them to get familiar with the platform early in the school year.
Your child will use their College Board student account in the future—when they take an AP course; check their PSAT 8/9, PSAT 10, or PSAT/NMSQT scores; register for the SAT; or create a college list on BigFuture. It’s the same account they’ll use for all College Board programs.
For more information about the Pre-AP program, check out College Board's resources linked here.
Pre-AP English 9
Pre-AP English 10
Pre-AP Algebra I
Pre-AP Geometry w/Statistics
Pre-AP Algebra II
Pre-AP World History and Geography
Pre-AP Biology
Pre-AP Visual Art
AP English Language and Composition
AP English Literature and Composition
AP Calculus AB/BC
AP Physics I
AP Physics C
AP Biology (alternating years)
AP Chemistry (alternating years based on interest)
AP US History
AP World History
AP Studio Art Drawing
AP Studio Art 2D Design
AP Music Theory (based on interest)
7-12 English Curriculum
Houghton Mifflin Harcourt: Into Literature -- strong curriculum with print and digital resources for teachers and students. Focus is on analysis of a wide variety of fiction and nonfiction works building toward college level reading and writing. Built in supports for ELL students and differentiation strategies. This curriculum is used for Grades 7-8.
Springboard -- This proprietary curriculum developed by the College Board aligns with Pre-AP instruction and is designed to foster a deep understanding of literature and its connections to a variety of other subjects. Springboard focuses on developing strong writing, critical reading skills, and deep connections to literature.
7-12 Intervention Programs:
iReady Individualized Pathways: Targeted interventions for specific skills highlighted by iReady diagnostic assessments. Students can work through lessons tailored to their specific reading needs.
Lexia PowerUp: The follow up to Lexia Core5, focuses on building reading fluency for struggling secondary readers.
7-12 Supplemental ELA Programs:
Learning Ally (audiobooks)
7-12 Math Curriculum
Illustrative Math: fully aligned 6-8th grade curriculum including accelerated pathway for students planning to take Algebra I early. Includes digital and print resources, designed to help students talk about math and build solid mathematical foundations for upper level courses.
Springboard -- This proprietary curriculum developed by the College Board aligns with Pre-AP instructional strategies and prepares students for success in AP math courses as well as the math needed for college and career. Springboard focuses on helping students build a deep understanding of math concepts and how they connect to their lives.
7-12 Intervention Programs:
Muzology: Currently used for intervention in 7th grade, will be expanded to all pre-algebra and Algebra I courses in 2022-2023.
iReady Individualized Pathways: Targeted interventions for specific skills highlighted by iReady diagnostic assessments. Students can work through lessons tailored to their specific math needs.
7-12 Science Curriculum
StemScopes Science and Technology: Provides print and digital resources, assessments to use for student understanding, videos, articles, and hands on inquiry activities to help build a solid foundation in critical and creative thinking.
NSTA District Partnership: The National Science Teachers Association District partnership provides teachers access to lesson plans, activity guides, expert guidance, leading science education journals and suggested resources.
7-12 Social Studies Curriculum
Discovery Education Social Studies TechBook: Provides digital and print resources for all levels of social studies. Builds citizenship skills and research capability. Provides access to primary and secondary sources and builds writing skills.
Visual art teachers and students have access to Davis Digital Art for eBooks, digital images, videos, and Portfolios.
For more information, click here.
We are proud to announce our partnership with RPM, Revolutionary Principles of Movement who will be providing dance teacher training and guidance for instruction for our dancers.
Find more information here.
You can find a compendium of all pacing guides for AAA curriculum located here: AAA 2022-2023 Pacing Guide Organizer