Physics in US secondary school. Middle school (Grades 6–8) and high school physical science follow the Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS); the advanced tier is AP Physics — the College Board courses that colleges give credit for, and the closest US equivalent to A-level.

NGSS writes high-school physical science by core idea rather than by year, so the high-school courses below are organized that way (forces, energy, waves, matter & nuclear), each gathering the standards from across Grades 9–12.

Middle school (ages 11–14)

1. Middle School Physical Science (Grades 6–8)

High school — NGSS (ages 14–18)

1. High School: Forces & Motion (PS2)
2. High School: Energy (PS3)
3. High School: Waves & Electromagnetic Radiation (PS4)
4. High School: Matter & Nuclear (PS1)

AP Physics (advanced)

1. AP Physics 1
2. AP Physics 2
3. AP Physics C: Mechanics
4. AP Physics C: Electricity & Magnetism

Start with Middle School →