Board approves three new courses for 2026–27 including AP Seminar for 10th grade and AP African‑American Studies

The Suffolk Public Schools Board approved three new course proposals for the 2026–27 school year during its Aug. 14 business meeting.

The courses approved were: AP Seminar (offered to 10th‑grade students as an advanced inquiry‑style English 10 substitute), AP African‑American Studies (moved from online-only delivery through Virtual Virginia to an in‑person offering), and Sports & Entertainment Marketing (a career and technical education course in the hospitality and tourism cluster).

Supervising staff said the district advanced the proposals through building‑level review, a division‑level committee that included human resources, finance and curriculum specialists, and final approval by the chief academic officer and superintendent before presentation to the board. Dr. Angela King, coordinator of school counseling, said AP Seminar “helps students build foundational writing, collaboration, research, and presentation” skills and noted it can fulfill the English 10 requirement when approved at the student’s school.

Board action: the motion to approve the three courses passed unanimously on a voice vote at the Aug. 14 meeting.

Why it matters: AP Seminar and AP African‑American Studies provide advanced academic opportunities designed to improve college and career readiness and to expand in‑person curriculum options for students who had previously accessed some AP content online. Sports & Entertainment Marketing is intended to expand CTE pathways and workplace learning opportunities with local business partners.

Next steps: the district will update the program of studies and include the new offerings in student scheduling for fall 2026 registration.