Island Pacific Academy students are delving into history through a powerful new lens this year with the school’s first-ever AP African American Studies course. One of the College Board’s newest Advanced Placement offerings, the class gives students an interdisciplinary look at the history, culture, and contributions of African Americans—beginning with the rich heritage of the African continent.
Since AP African American Studies is a Social Science, the College Board allows schools to house this brand-new course within multiple departments and across multiple disciplines. At IPA, AP African American Studies is in the English Department, and students can take this course for English credit during their sophomore year.
“Island Pacific Academy is the most diverse campus I’ve ever stepped foot on, and it only makes sense that we would welcome this important and historic course into our secondary curriculum,” shared Davinia Lau, Secondary English teacher.
The course is divided into four units of study, and Unit 1, “Origins of the African Diaspora,” explored the histories of African civilizations, the movements of peoples across the continent, and the beginnings of the transatlantic slave trade.
“Not only did we study the history of African civilizations and then the beginnings of the transatlantic slave trade, students read poems and essays written by award-winning African authors, and also primary documents written by people who survived the gruesome journey on slave ships,” Lau explained.
To conclude the unit, students honored the traditions, symbols, and artistic styles of specific ancient African kingdoms by creating their own inspired masks. This Ancient African Mask Project invited students to connect culture and creativity while gaining a deeper understanding that the study of African American history must begin with the African continent.
The project, AP African American Studies Students’ Take on Ancient African Masks, encouraged students to think critically about how cultural traditions are preserved and reimagined across time and place. It also gave them an opportunity to connect rigorous research with personal expression—an approach that reflects IPA’s mission to prepare students as thoughtful global citizens who understand and respect diverse cultures.
AP African American Studies joins IPA’s robust Advanced Placement offerings across the sciences, mathematics, humanities, world languages, and the arts. With more than a dozen AP courses available, IPA students are able to challenge themselves academically while discovering subjects that inspire their curiosity and prepare them for success in college and beyond.
As one of the first independent schools in Hawaiʻi to offer AP African American Studies, Island Pacific Academy is expanding opportunities for Secondary students to engage deeply with complex histories and perspectives while strengthening the skills they will carry into college and the wider world.
