Dropping AP classes

Administrators encourage students to stay in AP classes

Jen Hulen

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Once enrolled in an AP class this school year, it was difficult to drop. If a student signed up for one and no longer wanted to be in it anymore, they had a conference with a counselor after having a conference with an administrator to get out of it.

 Assistant principal James Wheeler said this strategy helps students in the future and throughout life.

“Kids who have more AP classes in high school are statistically more college ready than those who do not take those advanced courses,” said Wheeler.

            Wheeler said he makes sure that there are valid reasons for students dropping the class because most students end up dropping challenging classes to get into either easy classes, or classes with their friends.

 “We want to talk to our students about dropping because there’s a lot of times when they just want to drop because their friends aren’t in that class,” said Wheeler.

Staying in AP classes makes students tougher because it helps them learn to push through tough situations and not give up, according to Wheeler. He said administrators encourage students to stay in AP classes to make them stronger in college and to not give up in hard situations.

            “We’re trying to build some grit and endurance to have our kids be able to get tougher and buckle down that course work. Even though you may get a B instead of an A, you still took that chance and took a harder class,” said Wheeler.

            Even though some students want to drop AP classes, some students realize that it’s important to take them.

“It encourages students to work harder, and it prepares you for college, and also you get college credit and weights your GPA,” said AP student Logan Perrin.

            Students who are in at least one AP class usually tend to do better in college.

“Students who take at least one AP class usually are more successful at the college level. Those courses are designed to expose students to college expectations,” said counselor Jennifer Grossman.