Advanced Programs

Advanced Placement (AP) classes allow students to take college-level courses while still in high school, with the support of College Board-trained teachers who understand the learning needs of their students.

• All AP courses must meet rigorous College Board standards, ensuring an equitably rigorous academic experience nationwide.
   
• ​​In May of each school year, AP students take an Advanced Placement exam in their subject area - free of charge for Tacoma School District students. Students who pass the AP exam may earn college credit and/or be able to skip introductory courses once in college. This can add up to thousands of dollars in savings in books and tuition.

Anyone! If you are curious and like a challenge, you are likely to find AP courses rewarding.

Stadium High School fully stands by College Board's philosophy that AP courses are accessible for ALL learners, regardless of socioeconomic, ethnic, racial, sexual, or religious background or identity. We want our AP courses to reflect the diversity of the Stadium student body.

Students' first experience with Advanced Placement courses at Stadium is generally during the sophomore year with AP World History. Thirteen (13) other AP courses in a wide variety of subject areas are available, traditionally during students' junior and senior years.

• Improve likelihood of being accepted into college or university of one's choice
• Students study subjects in far greater depth and breadth than traditional high school courses
• Better preparation for college
• Develop strong analytic skills and study habits
• Earn college credit, placement in upper-level courses in college, or both

​You do not need to be a "straight A" student to succeed in Advanced Placement courses.

Take rigorous courses as a freshman and sophomore, including any pre-requisites for AP classes.

Develop a strong work ethic.

Develop a growth mindset:

• focus on learning more than grades;
• develop resiliency and perseverance;
• understand that the brain is like a muscle in the body: exercise makes it stronger!

Intelligence can be developed with time and hard work!

(this list is subject to change)

• AP Calculus AB #
• AP Calculus BC
• AP Chemistry
• AP Computer Science Principles
• AP English Language & Composition
• AP Physics 1 #
• AP Research*
• AP Seminar*
• AP Spanish Language & Culture
• AP Statistics #
• AP Studio 2D Art
• AP United States Government and Politics
• AP United States History
• AP World History

*for more information about AP Research and AP Seminar, please see the AP Capstone section of Advanced Programs.
# Co-delivered with College in the High School - students can earn college credit by paying and registered for the credit.

College in the High School (CiHS) is a dual-credit program that allows students to earn high school credit and college credit simultaneously while staying in high school. CiHS courses are taught by Stadium instructors who are certified by the college that is awarding the credit. ​Students who register and pay for College in the High School courses will automatically start an official college transcript with the institution of higher education regardless of student performance in the course. College credit earned upon successful completion may count only as elective credit when transferred to another institution of higher education. To request college transcripts, contact the college/university directly.

CiHS courses are open to all high school students who want the challenge of a college-level course. Students should have a strong work ethic and a growth mindset based on curiosity and thinking beyond the situation. Students should be strong writers and be able to work independently. Please check with your instructor on the registration deadline.

For University of Washington courses, it is recommended that students have earned a strong grade in their prior course.

For Central Washington University credit, students must take a placement test based on the Accuplacer/Compass exam.

AP Capstone is an innovative program that equips students with the independent research, collaborative teamwork, and communications skills valued by colleges. AP Capstone cultivates curious, independent, and collaborative scholars and prepares them to make logical, evidence-based decisions. AP Capstone was developed in response to feedback from high education. The core of the AP Capstone program is the Seminar and Research class.

Students who earn scores of 3 or higher in AP Seminar and AP Research and on four additional AP Exams of their choice will receive the AP Capstone Diploma.

Students who earn scores of 3 or higher in AP Seminar and AP Research will receive the AP Seminar and Research Certificate.

See colleges that endorse AP Capstone

Stadium has a rich tradition of valuing academic excellence which has been driven by its offering of Advanced Placement courses in over 12 subject areas.

Stadium has believed that the rigor of AP will prepare students for their future beyond high school.

The AP Capstone diploma is recognition of the culmination of students challenging themselves academically.​

Fosters the research, argumentation, and communication skills that are at the core of college readiness and essential for life-long learning.

It offers a unique learning environment where students research a subject of their own choosing.

It offers students a unique opportunity to distinguish themselves to colleges and universities.
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For more information, check out the AP Capstone Overview on College Board's website​.
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