May 15, 2018

Multiple choice questions, practice tests, FRQs, long reading assignments, note cards, and the irrational fear of the month May are all things that resemble the life of enrolling in AP classes. Many students at Central Kitsap High School have taken and are familiar AP classes, but other than a tough challenging class what is an AP class and what are the benefits?

AP classes are advanced placement classes which provide students the potential to receive college credits while in high school. These classes are usually equivalent to undergraduate college classes that students take in there first two years.

AP classes allow students with the option to take a test at the end of the course. These tests are graded on a 1-5 scale 5 being the highest possible score. Generally colleges will allow a student that receives a 4 or 5 on the test for credit which would wave the need to take certain classes. Certain colleges will provide students credit for a 3 on certain tests. AP classes can be useful because the price of taking an AP test (which average around 94 dollars) is cheaper than paying for an entry level “gen ed” class at a college. In addition to providing students with financial benefits, taking AP classes can also save a student collegiate time by allowing them to skip undergraduate courses and focus on taking classes that will benefit them on a possible career path.

“I honestly believe that is the most beneficial aspect of taking AP classes” stated senior Susuanah Terry.

“AP classes allow students the ability to eliminate the requirements to take some entry level English, science, and math in colleges. This is super beneficial because it would allow a student to focus on their major and take classes that benefit them and are not just required,” stated Terry.

Being considered a large school Central Kitsap High School provides students with a good variety of AP classes to choose from.

“I think CK does a good job of providing a lot of options. It appears as if there is a lot of choices to take classes in subjects of your choice and interest. There are AP classes for math, Science, English, Art, Music, pretty much everything,” stated senior Evan Van Pelt.

“I have tried to challenge myself and  take a wide variety of AP classes. I’ve been able to take AP Bio, AP Lang, AP lit, AP Comp Sci, AP French, and AP Chem” stated Van Pelt. 

Others schools in the district just don’t offer same amount of AP classes. Solely based on number AP courses offered, there is a large difference between the amount of classes offered in the district. In schools such as Olympic, Klahowya, and Central Kitsap.

This wide variety of AP classes brings a certain stigma and idea that AP classes are the more academically useful and that you will learn more in AP classes than regular core classes.

“Yes the pace is faster for sure so you do cover more content, but it depends on the class. Some classes are almost too fast to retain all the information. I’m sure it varies from student to student,” stated Van Pelt.  

A difference between AP classes and regular classes is the overall pace of the class. Notoriously AP classes have a stigma for being faster paced. The amount of information that needs to be covered is more broad and all information needs to be covered by May (the month of AP Tests).

“Some students thrive in faster paced and more independent environments so they would excel in AP classes, but other students do not. This doesn’t mean a student is necessarily learning more through,” stated Van Pelt.

Alongside the academic stigma of taking AP classes there is a social stigma as well. Rather than the academic gain of taking AP classes there is additionally a social status that goes along with enrolling in AP classes.  

A Senior at Central Kitsap High School stated that “AP kids are more supported and praised because they are taking AP classes due to their advancement ability. It makes students who don’t have the same natural academic ability to feel inferior,” stated Senior Susannah Terry

“As much as I would love to say that there isn’t a stigma I believe there is. Unfortunately at CKHS we are are mico-community in our macro-world and we try really hard to get away from stigmas, but it exists. I think there is a stigma. There is a ranking that happens and it unfortunate,” Expressed an Adult at Central Kitsap High School that wished to stay anonymous.

On the other hand rather than pressuring students to take AP classes teachers and counselors help kids determine the best options for students personal academic interests whether it involves AP classes or not.

“I don’t think there is a stigma assigned by teachers. I wouldn’t judge a kid if they took AP Stat or Financial Math, but unfortunately, but I do believe there is a peer assigned stigma,” stated teacher Jessie French.

Additionally there are other factors that come into play while helping a student choose their classes.

“Counselors try their best to be thorough while getting to know a student. We try and be in constant conversation about students capacity and interests. It is beneficial because this will show where a student could possibly thrive academically,” stated an anonymous individual in the Central Kitsap High School community.  

Van Pelt speculated that  “For some students it is the best option academically to take AP classes, but some students don’t like the fast pace of AP classes. Sometimes though the regular classes don’t challenge them enough so I feel as if Honors classes would be the perfect compromise,”

At CKHS there is a gap between regular classes  and AP classes. Sometimes students fall into the middle where a regular class doesn’t challenge them enough academically, but AP classes are too fast and don’t mesh with their personal schedule.

“I feel like as a school Central Kitsap does a good job hitting the high and the low, but I think we could do a better job hitting the middle,” stated French.

While the school does offer a few ‘Honors’ and Pre-AP’ level classes, many seem to agree that CK could do a better job of bringing in more of those. Included in this narrative is the growth of trade or arts programs, such as the potential return of the Auto Shop program and the Theater program next year. While AP classes are geared to set up students for success in four-year universities, others may decide that that path isn’t for them. For those who want to pursue trade school or fine arts degrees, having outlets for them to study that in school now is very important.

“[When choosing classes] there’s a range of what we see in the counseling office. For some students it’s based on their identified pathway,” said an anonymous CKSD counselor, “Students are very aware it seems to me of within that pathway what they need to accomplish, not only for their learning, but also in trying to establish their learning/academic profile.” 

This profile can lead students to pursue education at four-year institutions, at community colleges, trade schools, or to join the military. Either way, having classes to help set up students of all academic profiles is key to ensuring that any and all students can succeed.

Some might say that the current lack of class variety may be due to CK’s discernible reputation. As a school that has set certain precedents regarding higher education, CK struggles with finding a balance between offering classes that meet the reputation it holds while also allowing for growth of students pursuing other post-high school options.

“Not only do we have pathways that we’re trying to offer and fulfill with that diploma requirement…we also have standards that are set by us for students who are seeking a college opportunity,” stated an anonymous source, “So we do have freedom in what we offer, but we also have constraints.”

It’s undeniable that there are certain stigmas surrounding kids who choose to take AP classes and kids that choose not to. Whether that comes from the reputation Central Kitsap High School holds, its availability of classes, or from outside pressure to pursue a certain pathway, one thing is for certain. In the end, those stigmas don’t mean anything. What’s really important is understanding that each and every student is different and that they deserve each and every opportunity to succeed as much as the next person. This is absolutely attainable but must start with getting rid of any judgement or predispositions about ‘AP kids’ and ‘non-AP kids’. Any pathway a student chooses to take is valid and should be respected by their peers and mentors. So next time you’re registering for school and picking your classes, remember that you have the freedom to choose what is best for you. Don’t be ashamed or afraid to sign up for a class that will ultimately be in your best interest. As long as you work hard and stay dedicated to excellence, the reward in the end will be great.