Applied Learning

High School Applied Learning

In 2012, Concordia pioneered the High School Applied Learning (AL) program, offering college-level experiential courses alongside AP courses. We offer 11th and 12th grade students a variety of Applied Learning courses that are patterned on classes normally only available in higher education settings. These courses encourage academic vitality by asking students to identify and deepen their passion for a subject, allowing them to discover unique connections between their studies and real-world endeavors. These specialized classes focus on academic rigor that values depth over breadth. Students employ higher order thinking and processing skills directly related to a field of study and practice the skills essential to a particular career field. They experiment with creative solutions to challenges and cultivate resilience in the face of new challenges or failure. In short, they learn by doing. All of our High School Applied Learning courses have an authentic application, which provides open-ended challenges that focus on deliverables and real-world benefits for audiences beyond the classroom. These courses adopt a flexible curriculum which responds to student input. They place an emphasis on interdisciplinary learning experiences not found in the traditional classroom, which enables students to apply knowledge and skills in novel settings.

Real-world Experience

Applied Learning Curriculum

High School Course Selection Guide 26-27 Cover

Check Out All AL Courses In Course Selection Guide

Innovative courses have been developed by our faculty who have expertise in various areas such as Social Entrepreneurship, Big Data Analysis, and Business & Finance.

Some of the AL courses offered in 2026-2027:

AL Creative Writing and the Writer's Craft
AL Social Entrepreneurship
AL Business and Finance
AL Big Data Analytics
AL Aerospace Engineering
AL Synthetic Biology
AL Engineering
AL Graphic Design
AL Fashion & Textile Design

Our Stories