With A.P. courses becoming more popular, students are questioning the effect of these rigorous classes.
Increased difficulty for acceptance to prestigious colleges has students searching for the best path to take for their future.
The A.P. program has been accepted by a majority of high schools as an option for students to engage in advanced curriculum, and gain college credit if they choose to take the A.P. exam at the end of the year. For this reason, many students tend to rely on these courses when applying to colleges.
Students participating in extracurricular activities after school are faced with the conflict of managing A.P. classes while staying on top of other activities. The amount of time that needs to be allocated for A.P. courses per night commonly leaves these students with minimal free time. Chris Brugger, defensive lineman for the Woodside Wildcats, agrees to these issues.
“I am taking two A.P. classes currently,” junior student Chris Brugger told The Woodside World. “Balancing these classes with Varsity Football is certainly not easy, but all I can hope is that it will help me get into a respectable college.”
One question constantly asked about the A.P. program is whether the classes are fit for high school students. From hours of homework nightly, to tests covering chapters of material, opposing views can be seen on whether High School students should take advantage of this program.
“You shouldn’t take an A.P. class because you think it will help you get into college”, Lisa Camera, A.P. Literature teacher at Woodside High School, said. “You should do it because you are passionate about the subject.”
Ms. Camera has been teaching at Woodside for 26 years, and teaches both standard and A.P. courses for English. She believes standard courses in High School should not be dismissed as a smart choice for students, and that those taking A.P. should be able to handle the load.
“An A.P. Class is a college course,” she said. “I do think success in an A.P course helps you get into college, however it’s not the right place for certain students.”
Stefan Touhey, a sophomore at U.C. Davis, graduated Woodside High School with a G.P.A. of 3.8, and passed four A.P. exams. He also played for Woodside’s golf team.
“I applied to five Universities in California,” Stefan said. “I was only accepted into one.”
Both teachers and students agree to the standards of an A.P. program, and student sign papers committing their effort and time. While they add to a college resume, the load that comes with it does not fit everyone.
“If I could change something about the A.P program,” Ms. Camera commented, “I would find a way to make all levels of English exciting and interesting. I would do this so kids do not feel the need to push for A.P.”
