Quick Answer for Busy Parents
CHAI, or Campbell Hall Advanced Inquiry, is a set of college-level courses that replaced certain AP courses at Campbell Hall, beginning in fall 2018. CHAI covers roughly the same subjects but trades AP test preparation for more discussion, research, and depth. Campbell Hall still offers AP courses that fit its inquiry mission, mainly in math and world languages.
What Is CHAI?
Campbell Hall designed CHAI courses to engage students in authentic, rigorous, college-level study of a discipline. The school’s rationale is consistent across subjects: AP courses spend weeks on review and exam preparation, and removing that pressure frees time for inquiry-based labs, long-term projects, and student-designed research.
Which Subjects Use CHAI and Which Keep AP
| Type | Count | Examples |
| CHAI (Campbell Hall Advanced Inquiry) | 13 | English Language and Literature, Art History, Human Geography, Modern World History, Race and the American Experience, U.S. Government and Politics, U.S. History, Psychology, Biology, Chemistry, Environmental Science, Physics with Calculus |
| AP | 10 | Computer Science A, Calculus AB and BC, Macroeconomics, Statistics, Music Theory, Chinese, French, Japanese, Spanish |
| Honors | 16 | English, math, science (including Neuroscience Honors), and Chinese, French, Japanese, and Spanish |
Campbell Hall retained AP courses that serve its inquiry model well, such as those in math and world languages, and redesigned advanced courses in history, English, and science.
Wondering How CHAI Fits Your Child?
We help families understand curricula and plan high school course choices.
What CHAI Asks of Students
Campbell Hall is upfront that CHAI courses require more work and time than standard courses. They demand intrinsic motivation, independence, a strong work ethic, and highly developed time management. Students demonstrate mastery through a comprehensive final exam, portfolio presentation, or culminating project.
- Analyze issues from multiple perspectives
- Build evidence-based arguments collaboratively
- Conduct research on complex topics
- Make real-world and cross-curricular connections
What It Means for Your Child
For a curious student who loves discussion and research, CHAI can be a highlight of high school. For a student who prefers clear test targets, it’s a shift worth preparing for. Thoughtful course choices, balancing CHAI, AP, and Honors, matter.
Thriving in CHAI
We help families prepare students for the habits CHAI rewards, with academic coaching when the workload grows.
Let’s Talk About Campbell Hall
Talk with an advisor about fit, testing, and the interview.