Academic Resources

Program of Studies Course Catalog

This Program of Studies Guide and the Course Description Catalog were prepared to assist students and their parents in selecting appropriate courses that lead to a high school diploma, as well as provide the academic preparation for postsecondary education or the workforce.

Download the SHRHS Program of Studies Course Catalog

Advanced Placement (AP) Course Information

Shepherd Hill Regional High School encourages students to pursue challenging courses and to strive to achieve their academic potential. Advanced Placement (AP) courses afford students the opportunity to experience the rigor and rewards of college-level coursework. A student who enrolls in and pursues AP courses with purpose and determination will receive an enriching experience, as well as excellent preparation for post-secondary education.

Although the Shepherd Hill administration and guidance departments believe strongly in the value of AP courses, we offer the following guidelines and conditions for enrollment in these courses, as well as an explanation for them:

Mandatory requirements:

1. Students will not be scheduled for any AP courses until the Shepherd Hill Regional High School AP contract is signed by the student and a guardian and returned to the student’s guidance counselor.
2. For the 2026-2027 school year, students will not be allowed to drop an AP course after May 1, 2026.
3. Students enrolled in each AP course are required to pay for and take the national AP exam. The current fee for an AP exam is $99.00, however, that cost could increase per the rate College Board sets for the upcoming school year. Students who qualify for free or reduced lunch can receive a reduction in cost. (Families must apply for free/reduced lunch and be deemed eligible.) For the 2026-2027 school year, AP Exam fees are due by October 30, 2026. Do not pay until next year.
   1. The AP Exam is an important part of the AP experience. The test and the preparation leading up to the test simulate the experience of college exams. Students who refuse or fail to take the national AP exam will incur a substantial negative impact to their Term 4 and final grades, as they will receive a zero as their final exam grade.
4. Parents of students who select 3 or more AP courses in a given year must meet with a guidance counselor before the student’s selections will be approved.

Important Guidelines:

1. Students will be assigned “summer work.” These assignments will be graded and included in the calculation of the Term 1 grade. It is very important that students complete this work, as failure to do so will not constitute a reason to drop the course.
2. Teachers will be available for consultation during the summer for students who require assistance. Direct contact between the AP teacher and student is strongly recommended if a problem arises or additional support is needed.

In order to be successful in an AP course, a student will have to devote significant time for completion of assignments and studying. Taking more than one AP course is particularly challenging and should not be undertaken without serious consideration. 

Shepherd Hill Regional High School AP Course Offerings

• AP Biology AP Environmental Science
• AP Calculus AB AP Physics C: Electricity & Magnetism
• AP Calculus BC AP Physics C: Mechanics
• AP Chemistry AP Precalculus
• AP Computer Science A AP Research (year 2 of AP Capstone)
• AP Computer Science Principles AP Seminar (year 1 of AP Capstone)
• AP English Language AP Spanish
• AP English Literature AP Statistics
• AP European History AP United States History

Once course requests are compiled (after students meet with their guidance counselors) the Shepherd Hill administration and guidance department begin to create a "master schedule" that will allow the school to offer enough sections of each class to provide appropriate class sizes. Once the master schedule has been finalized, we are unable to accommodate most requests for schedule changes.

Download the SHRHS AP Contract

Peer Tutors are available starting in late September. Students looking for tutoring services are required to stay for extra help with their teachers twice before a peer tutor is assigned. Peer tutoring can take place either during study hall or after school on Tuesday’s in the library depending on the student and tutor schedules and availability.