We are excited to announce that starting in the Fall 2025 semester, VHS Learning will offer AP® African American Studies as part of our extensive Advanced Placement® catalog. This full year interdisciplinary course will provide learners with the opportunity to engage with African American history and culture through thoughtful encounters with rich and varied sources.
A Valuable Addition to Our AP® Course Catalog
With the addition of AP® African American Studies, VHS Learning will now offer 30 unique online AP® courses. Our growing AP® course catalog is a fundamental part of our commitment to expanding educational opportunities for high school students across the globe, providing more equitable access to high-quality curriculum.
By making AP® African American Studies available to VHS Learning students everywhere, we hope to open doors for young scholars to explore an important component of American history and culture that is often underrepresented in traditional curricula and media.
What is AP® African American Studies All About?
The new AP® African American Studies course represents a significant step forward, connecting schools with a valuable opportunity to engage students in African American history and culture. This thoughtfully-designed course was developed by the College Board through the examination of over 100 college syllabi from a national sampling of collegiate-level African American Studies courses and the feedback of nearly 300 college faculty.
In AP® African American Studies, learners go beneath the surface of African American history to dive into rich sources, discover diverse perspectives, and critically examine. Students engage with primary sources daily in order to explore key topics that extend from early African kingdoms to the ongoing challenges and achievements of the contemporary moment. The interdisciplinary course incorporates elements of literature, art, political science, sociology, and history, requiring students to participate in research, literary and visual interpretation, and data analysis.
Why Students Should Consider Taking AP® African American Studies
The AP® African American Studies curriculum reflects the diversity of human experiences and perspectives that students will encounter as they progress through higher levels of education, in future careers, and throughout their lives. Whether preparing for college or simply expanding their understanding of the world, students who take this course will benefit from a deeper appreciation of African American contributions to society and will develop critical thinking skills essential for future success.
Students who take AP® African American Studies will also benefit from the opportunity to explore topics that extend beyond their school’s standard core curriculum. Course participants will gain fresh insights into historical events and cultural movements, developing a nuanced understanding of the ways African Americans have shaped society, science and technology, the arts, and politics.
Through course content that highlights the work and accomplishments of activists, visionaries, artists, innovators, and other historical figures, students will find themselves deeply engaged with the complex histories this course addresses. As students become equipped with new knowledge and a wealth of perspectives, many will choose to apply what they have learned as they interpret the curriculum in their other classes and among their interactions with peers.
Finally, like other Advanced Placement® courses, AP® African American Studies can lay a foundation for students to accelerate their pursuit of a college degree. The course reflects the academic rigor of introductory college courses in the field, and qualifying exam scores in AP® African American Studies may earn students equivalent credit or prerequisite qualifications for similar courses at a diverse range of universities.
Celebrating Black History Month: Honoring Legacies and Inspiring Futures
Celebrated each February, Black History Month serves as a powerful reminder of the experiences, contributions, and resilience of African Americans. Black History Month provides a platform for institutions and individuals to promote the diverse narratives of African Americans who have helped and continue to help shape the nation. By learning about and acknowledging Black history in the U.S., we not only recognize and honor the past but also contribute to a more inclusive and equitable future.
As we look forward to the upcoming launch of AP® African American Studies, we also appreciate the significance of Black History Month and the interconnected history they both honor. By providing AP® African American Studies online for high school students, VHS Learning hopes to promote more inclusive educational opportunities that connect students with underrepresented perspectives and diverse narratives.
Join Us in Fall 2025
At VHS Learning, our mission and vision is to provide students and teachers with collaborative and engaging learning opportunities that prepare students to be successful in college, careers, and life. Our new AP® African American Studies course brings us closer to these goals, connecting students with a high-quality curriculum that will encourage them to expand their knowledge and perspectives.
AP® African American Studies is a full year paced course, offered for the first time in the 2025-26 school year. Registration for the 2025-26 school year opens on May 8th, 2025 and classes begin on September 3rd, 2025.