High School Specialized Programs
Advanced Placement Program
The Advanced Placement Program is a cooperative educational program between high schools and colleges/universities. AP courses use college-level curricula to prepare students for a national AP exam, which is offered in May of the school year. A student who earns a score of 3 or better on an AP exam will generally receive credit for the equivalent course at one of the 2,000 colleges and universities that give credit for AP exams. The Sioux Falls School District expects students to take the AP exam as a part of the AP course. The following AP courses are offered at the three traditional District high schools. The District encourages all high school students to consider taking one AP course during their high school program.• Computer Science – AP Computer Science
• Language Arts – AP English Language and Composition, AP English Literature and Composition
• Music – AP Music Theory
• Science – AP Biology, AP Chemistry, AP Physics, AP Environmental Science
• Arts – AP Studio Art
• Mathematics – AP Statistics, AP Calculus AB
• Social Science – AP World History, AP Human Geography, AP Macroeconomics, AP United States History,
AP Government, AP Psychology
• World Languages – AP French, AP Spanish
Click here to see a video about AP Courses.
Academy of Finance
The Academy of Finance (AOF) is one program affiliated with the National Academy Foundation. It is a two or three-year program available to sophomores, juniors and seniors. This national program is designed to prepare students with practical skills to enter the world of business and finance. The academy is offered at Washington and Roosevelt High Schools and includes a partnership through the University of South Dakota.AOF students have the opportunity to earn 17 college credits while in high school. A paid summer internship and field trips to Minneapolis and the University of South Dakota campus are part of the program. Citigroup and an advisory board of students, teachers, parents, administrators and business partners support AOF financially.
To learn more about the Academy of Finance, contact the AOF Facilitator.
Click here to see a video about AOF.
Click here to see a slideshow featuring 2012 AOF Sponsors and Interns.
Career and Technical Education Academy (CTE Academy)
The Sioux Falls School District operates the CTE Academy to provide students an opportunity for hands-on, advanced training in a variety of career areas. Academy programs are available to 10th, 11th, & 12th grade students, while introductory level courses are available to 9th grade students at their regular high school. A student attends the CTE Academy for a 2-hour block during their regular daily schedule. The student's enrollment remains at their home high school and students continue all extra curricular activities through their home high school. Optional transportation for students is provided by the district.Programs offered at the academy include: Media Production, Health Science, Biomedical Sciences, Carpentry, Hospitality & Tourism, Culinary Arts, Engineering, Auto Tech., Auto Body, Manufacturing, Welding, and Human Services. All programs are state CTE approved courses that fulfill certain graduation requirements.
Junior Reserve Officer’s Training Corp Program (JROTC)
The JROTC program is located at Lincoln High School (Marine) and Washington High School (Army). The program provides young cadets an opportunity to learn leadership traits, citizenship, respect for authority, goal setting, be familiar with the American military history in relation to the United States development, demonstrate the ability to market oneself for a job, and demonstrate a high level of self confidence. Students have no military obligation associated with the program. Weekend activities, weeklong summer camp, drill team and color guard are optional.Learners to Leaders
The Sioux Falls School District has developed a post secondary initiative which supports a hands-on, interactive learning environment. Students select a program in identified career pathway with the goal to complete their high school diploma and Associate in Applied Arts Degree or Diploma Program through Southeast Technical Institute. Students apply during their 11th grade, complete a summer academy, and in their 12th grade spend half of their day at their high school, and half of their day at Southeast Technical Institute. The program is financially supported through an annual grant from Smithfield Foods, Inc. parent company of John Morrell. To learn more about Learners to Leaders, contact the Learners to Leaders Facilitator.Click here to see a video about Learners to Leaders.