Advanced Placement (AP) and Dual Credit

Advanced Placement (AP)

BCHS offers a wide variety of Advanced Placement (AP) courses. AP courses provide students with an opportunity to earn college credit while also fulfilling existing graduation requirements. These courses immerse students in a rigorous curriculum designed to foster mastery of content and critical thinking skills. AP students also develop study habits and time management routines that will prove invaluable when they transition to college.

 

Students taking AP courses have an opportunity to earn college credit. This credit is awarded to students who earn a qualifying score on the annual AP Exam for each course. These exams are designed by the College Board and are typically administered in May of each school year. The College Board does charge a fee for each AP Exam. However, students who qualify for free and/or reduced lunch are exempt from these AP exam fees.

  • AP Biology

  • AP Calculus AB

  • AP Calculus BC (online)

  • AP Computer Science A

  • AP Computer Science Principles

  • AP English Language and Composition

  • AP English Literature and Composition

  • AP Studio Art- 2D Design

  • AP Studio Art- Drawing

  • AP U.S. Government and Politics

  • AP United States History

  • AP Research

  • AP Seminar

  • AP Statistics 

  • AP World History

AP Capstone logo

The College Board’s AP Capstone is an innovative college-level program based on two courses—AP Seminar and AP Research—that complement and enhance discipline-specific AP courses. The program gives students a chance to practice core academic skills they need to complete college. The ability to think independently, write effectively, research, collaborate, and learn across disciplines is essential for success in college, career, and beyond. 

Students who earn scores of 3 or higher in AP Seminar and AP Research and on four additional AP Exams of their choosing receive the AP Capstone Diploma™. This signifies their outstanding academic achievement and attainment of college-level academic and research skills. Students who earn scores of 3 or higher in both AP Seminar and AP Research but not on four additional AP Exams receive the AP Seminar and Research Certificate™.

AP Seminar - Grades: 10-12

Prerequisites: None

AP Seminar is a foundational course that engages students in cross-curricular conversations that explore the complexities of academic and real-world topics and issues by analyzing divergent perspectives. Using an inquiry framework, students practice reading and analyzing articles, research studies, and foundational literary and philosophical texts; listening to and viewing speeches, broadcasts, and personal accounts, and experiencing artistic works and performances. Students learn to synthesize information from multiple sources, develop their own perspectives in research-based written essays, and design and deliver oral and visual presentations, both individually and as part of a team. Ultimately, the course aims to equip students with the power to 

analyze and evaluate information with accuracy and precision in order to craft and communicate evidence-based arguments. College credit is earned with a qualifying score on course projects combined with an AP exam.

AP Research - Grades: 11-12

​Prerequisites: AP Seminar

AP Research allows students to deeply explore an academic topic, problem, or issue of individual interest. Through this exploration, students design, plan, and conduct a year-long research based investigation to address a research question. In the AP Research course, students further their skills acquired in the AP Seminar course by understanding research methodology; employing ethical research practices; and accessing, analyzing, and synthesizing information as they address a research question. Students explore their skill development, document their processes, and curate the artifacts of the development of their scholarly work in a portfolio. The course culminates in an academic paper of approximately 4000-5000 words (accompanied by a performance or exhibition of product where applicable) and a presentation with an oral defense. College credit is earned with a qualifying score on the research project.

Dual credit courses

In collaboration with post-secondary institutions such as Western Kentucky University, Murray State University, and Southcentral Kentucky Community and Technical College, Barren County High School is able to offer a variety of Dual Credit courses to meet the needs of students planning to pursue higher learning after graduation. In many cases, these courses fulfill high school graduation requirements while also providing students with the opportunity to earn college credit. College credit is awarded to students who earn a passing grade in the course.

Dual Credit Courses Offered Through murray state university
AGR 100- Animal Science
AGR 182- Introduction to Veterinary Science

Dual Credit Courses Offered Through Western Kentucky University

*Dual Credit courses offered by WKU may vary from semester to semester. For example, some courses are only offered online and may only be offered during a certain semester of the year. Please see WKU’s Dual Credit website for additional details on current course offerings.

​CHEM 105/106 - Fundamentals of General Chemistry with Lab
CHEM 107/108 - Fundamentals of Organic Chemistry with Lab
EDU 250 - Intro to Teacher Education
HIST 101 - World History I
MATH 116 - College Algebra
MKT 220 - Basic Marketing Concepts
SOCL 100 - Introductory Sociology
THEA 151 - Theater Appreciation

Dual Credit Courses Offered Through South central Kentucky Community and Technical College (SKYCTC)

* BCHS and the ATC offer a wide range of SKYCTC Dual Credit courses, a selection of which are listed below. Please contact a guidance counselor for additional information regarding SKYCTC course offerings.

BIO 137/139 - Human Anatomy and Physiology with Lab
CIT 105 - Computer Literacy
CUL 100/101 - Introduction to Culinary Arts
ENG 101 - Writing 1