Mr. Zhao’s AP Biology students compare heart rates while studying the effects of exercise on the cardiovascular system.
Advanced Placement at Westbury Christian
Casey Burton
MarTHA LoVE
B.S. - Texas A&M University: Psychology and English Pre-AP English Expressive, Pre-AP English, AP Psychology
B.S. - Louisiana State University: Industrial Engineering AP Calculus, AP Statistics AB
After graduating college in 2006, Miss Burton began teaching at Westbury Christian School. She also attended the Glasscock School of Continuing Studies at Rice University for specific training to teach Introduction to AP Psychology and Advanced AP Psychology. She has taught AP Psychology for 5 years and was recognized in 2009 as the WCS Upper School Teacher of the Year.
Mrs. Love has been teaching for the past 14 years and has a wide range of professional experiences. She developed a love for teaching as a 6th grade Math teacher. She has taught Calculus AB and BC for four years and AP Statistics for three years. Mrs. Love received Calculus AB, Calculus BC, Statistic Advance Training from Rice University’s Glasscock School of Continuing Studies. She coaches the competitive math team and enjoys sharing her excitement about math with others.
DAVID ESPARZA B.A. - University of Houston: Psychology and Spanish AP Spanish Mr. Esparza is a native Spanish speaker, experienced Spanish teacher, and the preacher for the Spanish congregation at Westbury Church of Christ. He attended the Glasscock School of Continuing Studies at Rice University for specific training to teach AP Spanish course.
JASON SKINNER B.S. - Texas Tech University: Electrical Engineering with a minor in Mathematics Pre-AP PreCalculus Mr. Skinner attended Texas Tech University where he focused on digital integrated circuits. He was also a missionary in Asia for two years. While there, he was a teacher and a mentor to college students.
Anila Gill B.S. - University of Karachi, Pakistan: Chemistry (Honors) Ph.D. - Georgia State University: Analytical Chemistry M.S. - Georgia State University: Analytical Chemistry M.S. - University of Karachi, Pakistan: Physical Chemistry AP Chemistry Dr. Gill has publications in leading peer-reviewed journals. She has taught Chemistry courses and conducted labs at Georgia State University, Atlanta, GA. Dr. Gill teaches Chemistry at WCS at various academic levels.
Donna Strom B.S. - University of Houston: Education AP Human Geography Mrs. Strom has been a professional educator for 11 years teaching a variety of different subjects. She has experienced firsthand some of the cultures taught in the AP Human Geography course during her travels to Europe and the Middle East. She has AP Human Geography and AP Human Geography Advanced Training from Rice University’s Glasscock School of Continuing Studies.
KAREN KEESE B.A. - Oklahoma Christian University: Commercial Art AP Art Mrs. Keese has taught Art courses for WCS since 2002 and has taught the AP Art course for the past 9 years. She consistently has students from her courses earn awards at TAPPS, TCSIT, and the Houston Livestock Show & Rodeo art competitions. For specific training to teach the AP Art course, she attended the Glasscock School of Continuing Studies at Rice University. For seven years, part of her summer includes heading up the arts and crafts program for a Harding University affiliated camp in Arkansas.
David M. Lacey B.A. - Harding University: History M.A. - Duke University: History J.D. - University of Texas School of Law M.Ed. - Houston Baptist University: Educational Administration AP Microeconomics, AP Macroeconomics, AP U.S. Government & Politics Dr. Lacey has served as an AP Reader scoring the tests for AP U.S. Government & Politics. Prior to teaching at WCS, Dr. Lacey was a law clerk to United States District Judge Jack Roberts (Austin, Texas) and practiced trial law in Harris and surrounding counties in both federal and state courts for 19 years. AP Training: Texas Christian University - AP Macroeconomics and AP Microeconomics; Rice University - AP U. S. Government & Politics, Advanced Topics study in AP U.S. Government & Politics, and Advanced Topics study in AP Macroeconomics.
Catherine Tinkler B.A. - Lubbock Christian University: English M.Ed. - Texas Tech University: Higher Education Administration AP Literature and Composition Before focusing on administration, Mrs. Tinkler studied English at the graduate level through Texas Tech. Her work experience includes extensive research and writing as the Director of the Institutional Research, Institutional Effectiveness and Strategic Planning offices at Lubbock Christian University. She also attended the Glasscock School of Continuing Studies at Rice University for specific training to teach the AP English Literature and Composition course.
Chandler Vester B.A. - Lipscomb University: History/ Political Science AP World History Prior to coming to WCS, Mr. Vester attended Lipscomb University in Nashville, TN where he focused on studies in History and Political Science. He has also attended Rice University’s Glasscock School of Continuing Studies in preparation for the AP World History course offered at Westbury Christian.
Nathan Wagner B.A. - Harding University: English AP Language and Composition Mr. Wagner has attended the Glasscock School of Continuing Studies at Rice University for specific training to teach the AP Language and Composition course. He was also named the 2010 WCS Upper School Teacher of the Year.
Mike White
Wen Zhao
B.A. - Harding University: Social Science M.Ed. - Texas Southern University: School Counseling AP U.S. History
B.S. - University of California, Davis: Microbiology and Biotechnology M.S.E. - University of Pennsylvania: Engineering Biotechnology & Molecular Cell Biology Pre-AP Biology, AP Biology
Before being named Director of Guidance, Mr. White served as the Campus Minister and Assistant Dean of Students. He was also a full time Social Studies teacher before entering administration. Mr. White attended the Glasscock School of Continuing Studies at Rice University for specific training to teach AP U.S. History.
PRE-AP and AP Courses Offered AP Art : 2D, 3D, Drawing
Grade: 11 and 12
Pre-AP English
Credit: 1
This college level course offers an accelerated curriculum that prepares students to submit portfolios for the AP Art exam for possible college credit. Critical and creative thinking skills are developed through the production and critical analysis of 2D and 3D art.
Pre-AP Biology
Grade: 8, 9, or 10
Credit: 1
Pre-AP Biology strives to help students become familiar with the logistics of an AP course. Their laboratory activities will reflect concepts covered in AP labs and they will learn to write formal laboratory reports in a format acceptable in an AP course, including writing a hypothesis, identifying sources of error and building visuals from data. Biology concepts covered include: cell structure and function, energetics, genetics, evolution and creation, classification, animal behavior, plant structure and function, human biology, and ecology.
AP Biology
Grade: 11 or 12
Credit: 1
Prerequisite: Successful completion of Biology Biology concepts covered include: cell structure and function, energetics (metabolism, photosynthesis, and cellular respiration), genetics, evolution and creation, classification, animal behavior, plant structure and function, human biology, and ecology. Students will conduct field and laboratory investigations with opportunities to apply critical thinking and problem solving skills using appropriate scientific methodology.
Pre-AP PreCalculus
Grade: 11 or 12
Credit: 1
Prerequisite: Successful completion of Algebra II This course combines PreCalculus and Trigonometry. Students examine the following topics: the real number line, field theory, relations and functions, graphing techniques, sequences and series, parametric equations, circular and trigonometric functions, vectors (in the plane in space), polynomial functions, conic sections, polar coordinates, and exponential functions.
AP Calculus
Grade: 12
Prior to teaching at WCS, Mr. Zhao was a research assistant at a microbiology lab at The University of Pennsylvania and The California National Primate Research Center. He also attended the Glasscock School of Continuing Studies at Rice University for specific training to teach the AP Biology course. He was named the 2011 WCS Upper School Teacher of the Year.
Credit: 1
Prerequisite: Successful completion of Pre-AP PreCalculus This college-level course introduces students to practical applications. With this foundation, more formal definitions and procedures are derived, with extensive use of graphing calculators. Students will receive preparation for the AP Calculus AB.
Grade: 10 or 11
Credit: 1
This course solidifies the students’ advanced English foundation by building on the skills students have acquired in Pre-AP English Expressive and requires them to perform increasingly more sophisticated tasks in their reading, writing, and thinking while sharpening critical and creative thinking skills through a thematic analysis of literature and writing styles, including a yearlong poetry study.
AP U.S. Government & Politics
Grade:12
Credit:1
(Fulfills Government Requirement) This course includes both the study of general concepts used to interpret U.S. politics and the analysis of specific examples. Topics include constitutional underpinnings of the U.S. government; political beliefs and behaviors; political parties, interest groups, and mass media; institutions of national government; public policy; and civil rights and civil liberties.
AP Human Geography
Grade: 10 or 11
Credit: 1
Grade: 11 or 12
Credit: 1
Grade: 12
Credit: 1
(Fulfills World Geography Requirement) Human Geography introduces students to the systematic study of patterns and processes that have shaped human understanding, including the use and alteration of Earth’s surface. Students employ spatial concepts and landscape analysis to examine human social organization and its environmental consequences. They also learn about the methods and tools geographers use in their science and practice.
AP Language and Composition
Prerequisite: Successful completion of English II or Pre-AP English Students in this college-level course engage in becoming skilled readers and writers with a thorough knowledge of rhetoric in mind. The body of their reading provides them with ideas and models for their own writing, and serves as an introduction to the rhetorical choices of fiction writers and a brief overview of American Literature. Class work involves both lengthy reading passages that often require revisiting and writing assignments that reflect the process of planning, prewriting, composition, and revision for success on the AP exam.
AP Literature and Composition
Prerequisite: Successful completion of AP Language and Composition This course is designed to develop skills at a level comparable to a second semester freshman in college beginning with a study of the different forms of literary analysis to aid in sharpening their own analytic ability including the capacity to write their own critical responses to literature. Students will read different novels and plays, prose passages, and poems allowing opportunities for literary interpretation. A lengthy research paper is assigned to assist in the transition to collegiate course work.
AP Macroeconomics
Grade: 11 or 12
Credit: 1/2
Prerequisite: Successful completion of Chemistry Topics of study and advanced laboratory investigations cover atomic theory, properties of matter, chemical reactions, kinetics, equilibria, and thermodynamics. Upon completion of the course, students will be prepared to take the Advanced Placement Chemistry Exam.
(Fulfills Economics Requirement) Macroeconomics provides students with a thorough understanding of the principles that apply to an economic system as a whole, covering basic economic concepts, measurement of economic performance, national income and price determination, economic growth and international finance, and exchange rates and balance of payments. Students will use knowledge and critical-thinking strategies to create models for economic problem-solving.
Pre-AP English I Expressive
AP Microeconomics
AP Chemistry
Grade: 11 or 12
Grade: 9
Credit: 1
Credit: 1
In this course, advanced reading and writing skills are nurtured utilizing Pre-AP strategies, as students shift from concrete to abstract thinking and reading. The course requires students to incorporate higher diction, more complex syntax, and efficient organization of ideas while evaluating essays to achieve optimal writing. Students evaluate a variety of genres and styles throughout the year.
Grade: 11 or 12
Credit: 1/2
(Fulfills Economics Requirement) Microeconomics gives students a thorough understanding of the principles that apply to the functions of individual decision makers, both consumers and producers, within the larger economic system. Students will study basic economic concepts, the nature and functions of product makers, factor markets, efficiency, equity, and the role of the government.
AP Psychology
Grade: 11 or 12
Credit: 1
The AP Psychology course is designed to introduce students to the systematic and scientific study of the behavior and mental processes of human beings and other animals. Students are exposed to the psychological facts, principles, and phenomena associated with each of the major subfields within psychology. They also learn about the ethics and methods psychologists use in their science and practice.
AP Spanish Language
Grade: 11 or 12
Credit: 1
AP Statistics
Grade: 11 or 12
Credit: 1
Prerequisite: Successful completion of Spanish III and/or Spanish IV Students will continue the emphasis on speaking, listening, reading, and writing in a variety of formats while acquiring additional vocabulary and sophistication in their use of the Spanish language. Upon completion of the course, students will be prepared to take the Advanced Placement Spanish Language Exam.
AP U.S. History
Grade: 9, 10, 11 or 12
Credit: 1
This course will provide students with the necessary analytical skills and factual knowledge required to conduct a critical evaluation of the problems and events in United States history. AP U.S. History will prepare students to enter intermediate or advanced college courses by placing demands on students equivalent to those made by full year introductory college courses.
AP World History
Grade: 10, 11 or 12
Credit: 1
(Fulfills World History Requirement) The study of AP World History explores common threads of humanity over time: trade, religion, politics, society, and technology. The course is designed to help students construct and evaluate arguments, as well as use historical evidence.
Prerequisite: Successful completion of Algebra II Students who enroll in this course should expect a much more rigorous and accelerated program than in a regular class. Emphasis will be on conceptual understanding and interpretation of various statistical models. Four major themes covered will be exploratory analysis, planning a study, anticipating patterns in advance, and statistical inference.
Ingrid Guan Class of
2010
The College Board recognizes several levels of achievement based on student’s performance on AP Exams. Yingge “Ingrid” Guan, qualified for the National AP Scholar Award by earning an average score of 4 or higher on a five-point scale on all AP Exams taken, and scores of 4 or higher on eight or more of these exams. During her time at Westbury Christian, Ingrid represented the model student excelling academically, spiritually, and socially. She was a member of the varsity golf team, yearbook staff, and was named the Class of 2010 Salutatorian. After being accepted by several prestigious universities around the country, including Georgia Institute of Technology, and The University of Texas, Ingrid decided to attend Carnegie Mellon University in Pittsburgh, PA.
What is Advanced Placement? Pre-AP and AP courses are offered to serious and disciplined students. Pre-AP courses include specific content and activities designed to prepare students for success in college-level Advanced Placement courses. The content coverage for AP courses is developed by the College Board and is design to provide college-level studies for high school students using college-level materials and strategies. The amount of material covered requires students to read and/or write extensively outside of class.
Percentage of WCS graduating classes taking an AP class, the AP exam, and scoring a 3 or above on at least one exam: Class of Class of Class of Class of Class of
2007 - 32% 2008 - 34% 2009 - 21% 2010 - 24% 2011 - 31%
WCS offers Open Enrollment in AP courses. Students may choose to challenge themselves and enroll in these courses without having to pass a qualifying exam. Students are encourage to visit with WCS Director of Guidance, Mike White to choose courses that best match the student’s academic goals and objectives.
WESTBURY CHRISTIAN SCHOOL 10420 HILLCROFT HOUSTON, TX 77096 713-551-8100
www.westburychristian.org