Search
Advertising

At-a-glance
Embed Article Print Article Share Article Short URL for Sharing
Students Call for AP Classes
Thursday, December 16, 2010 By Astrid Alonzo
Advertising

 

Many students here at SJHS have questioned the lack of Advanced Placement classes in this school. Advanced Placement (AP) classes are classes that allow students to be challenged and learn at a college level while still in high school, and it can earn them college credits. Sounds good, doesn’t it? Then why can’t we have them? What’s stopping us?

The answer is simple. In order to be able to offer AP classes, SJHS must take into consideration certain fees attached to the program that mainly have to do with the AP exams taken in May of each year. Also, teachers need additional certification to teach these AP courses.

Of course, many students aren’t thinking of these factors. Most just think about how great it would be to have college credits and to learn at a college level while still in high school. When asked about how they felt towards AP classes, many students were enthusiastic.

Junior Hannie Jean-Gilles stated, "I think we should have [AP classes] because it will get us to work harder." Fellow junior Tamra Boodie agreed. "We need them because I feel so behind in some classes. All my friends have them so when we talk I feel so left out. I think we’re falling behind."

Sophomore Sarah Farma felt similarly saying that we could gain more knowledge and experience with these classes and that, without them, we are not able to become advanced.

However some students feel that AP classes don’t really seem necessary. Junior Amanda Andrew stated, "AP classes aren’t necessary because not everyone learns at the same pace and might feel left out."

Still, the administration hopes to introduce Advanced Placement classes soon to SJHS. Principal S. Joan Gallagher stated, "We have looked into AP classes but there are other variables that have to be worked through such as class size, etc."

Back to the articles list

20 COMMENTS - Add your comment below

1/25/2011 5:54:12 PM by Mr. Vuong    
For the students who concur that AP classes should be offered at SJHS, would they like to solve a monthly AP-level problem that I would post on the Mathematics Department's door for each of the offered topics: Algebra I, Geometry, and Algebra II/Trigonometry?
1/5/2011 9:25:31 AM by Priscilla Matzer    
I believe AP classes should be added into this school. Some students work really hard and advanced placment classes would be really good for them. Colleges look at those kinds of things and it would really help us. Maybe it woulod help students to stive more in their school work knowing they have something to look foward to.
1/5/2011 8:25:01 AM by chanel Taveras    
I would agree, that AP classes should be considered. It would be great to gain some college credits while still in high school. I agree with Tamra because when i speak to some of my other friends, that attend other schools, they do take them, and one does feel left out. But i also agree with Amanda, not many people will be able to take these courses and people dont learn at the same pace. There are also colleges that have courses for highschool students. They can look to this, just as the students from the year before us have.
1/5/2011 8:19:54 AM by Gabrielle Barkley    
I think AP classes are a good idea because it gives new challenges for the student to face It would make the student more alert and focus on lerning the new and harder lesson instead of laid back and knowing everything in the regular class. Ap classes push students into being the best that they were always meant to be.
1/5/2011 4:19:39 AM by Elizabeth M.    
I agree with Astrid, SJHS should allow its students to have AP classes because those classes look good on college transcript, its a betterment for the students. Also, some students learn faster than others, its not cause their smarter its just they memorize it faster and better, so those teens should be able to be in another class so the teacher can work on students who need more time on the lesson, and those who understand move on to another lesson with a different teacher, then forming an AP class =] AP classes are important but its up to the school board to decide that. in my opinion, it'll be great to have them, because that stands out on college transcripts and also job resumes, and its just a bonus on yor academic level.
1/4/2011 10:59:40 PM by Ariel B    
Let's hope for the future that we may have the opportunity. Who knows the might be AP after I graduate in 2012.
1/4/2011 10:52:16 PM by Ariel Benoit    
Personally, it really doesn't matter to me whether the school enlist AP classes or not. There are other ways to achieve college credits. Also, even if our school doesn't have AP classes it's not the end of the world. However, if the school does have it, I think students who graduate should receive a diploma. All in all I'm in between having AP classes.
1/4/2011 10:24:06 PM by Valiette Guillaume    
I feel as though we should have these AP classes to test our skills. We should also test our knowledge on a college based level. Although, it' ll take a process in doing so we get to benefit our minds to these classes. I love a challenge. As a result, I'm all for the AP clases.
1/4/2011 9:54:58 PM by Hannah Jean-Gilles    
I agree with this article because there are people that is not taking AP classses and we need the AP classes to help us and gain some college credits before we even start college. If we had some Ap classes and had gotten some college credits, it would be nice.
1/4/2011 9:22:33 PM by Sara Weiss    
I think that this school should have AP classes because there are some classes that are two easy for me. I feel like that there are some classes that I need to be challenged in. AP classes look good on your college applications. I Think that juniors and senoirs should be able to take AP classes.As a jounior I think that by next year we should have AP classes so that when I get into college I will already have credits.
1/4/2011 9:20:05 PM by Tamra Boodie    
Astrid's article was great. As you have read I was one of the juniors who made a comment about AP classes. I agree with the article. I have always wanted AP classes. Yes, not everyone would be in them, but at least it would be something they could work toward getting into. I feel students who are advanced are being held back in regular classes. AP classes would be a great addition to the school. I am leaving next year, but I hope when I come back and visit there will be AP classes for students.
1/4/2011 8:30:24 PM by Zari Havercome    
I comletely agree with the article. As a person who takes higher grade courses I think it would be better to have AP classes. Instead of being a freshman in a junior class she would be a freshman in an AP freshman class, and wouldnt technically be finished with a high school subject her junior year. Also by AP i hope it doesnt just mean faster pace but also harder work.
1/4/2011 8:30:14 PM by Shanick Milord    
I feel that there should be AP classes because it will get us to work harder and have something to make our college applications look more advanced than average schools. I also feel that AP classes would explain the subject in more depth and take it to another level. AP classes might be able to give us a better explanation as to career goal. It is also unfair that many public schools that offer AP classes offer the students opportunities to moving at a faster pace even though we are in the same grade as them. AP classes would be great because of the many opportunities it can bring.
1/4/2011 7:58:05 PM by Columani Stoney    
I agree with the students of SJHS that we should have AP classes in school. I feel that AP class will help students become even more advanced in their studies. Many of my friends that go to other schools have AP classes and they tell me its a great challenge. Yes, AP classes may make some people feel left out but I feel that students who learn at a slower pace will have the teacher's attention more and have a better chance to learn while the students who learn at a faster pace will be in a separate class. I have always wanted AP classes in school and I hope that I will have a chance to be in one before I graduate.
1/4/2011 3:55:27 PM by Alia Basley    
I agree with this article and feel that there should be Advanced Placement Classes in this school because it would gives us a chance to expand our knowledge on several subjects such as mathematics, social studies, science, etc. Several high schools have AP courses for their students and it would allow us to learn multiple subjects on a college level and get further ahead of the established high school curriculum. Advanced Placement Courses would also make us feel more prepared for courses we'll be taking in college as well. Advanced Placement Course would also make students work twice as hard because all the work you're doing would be converted into college credits. Since everyone learns at different paces, AP courses will help students who don't feel challenged in their current classes and want to learn more advanced material. If certain students would like AP courses then those students could pay a small fee for them since not every student would like these courses.
12/21/2010 11:37:21 AM by Nkenge    
I wish there were AP classes because some people do not learn at the same pace as others, and they might feel bored in that class. AP classes look good on your college applications. I feel it's not fair that only seniors have the oppurtunity to have AP classes.
12/21/2010 11:34:04 AM by Crystal G.    
Astrid did so good. I think we do need AP classes to pick up our learning skills and get credits.
12/20/2010 10:30:47 PM by Niamani Charran    
i think AP classes would be great becasue it could show students potential and could also push students. this could create a healthy competition to get higher grades.
12/20/2010 8:14:03 PM by Leslie Chevere    
I agree with this article i think they should have more AP classes. I think they should have more AP classes because if the students get the material in regular classes and understand it they should get work thats harder and because it looks good on there transcript.
12/20/2010 2:41:34 PM by Catherine M.    
Astrid did a really good job with this article. As a senior, i feel that the lack AP classes, it hasnt really affected me, but i do think is needed because it looks better in college applications and ive noticed how most of the high schools my friends attend to, offer AP classes and it gives them more opportunities. I also noticed that when it comes to people deciding what high school to go to, AP classes make a big defference.
ADD YOUR COMMENT
Name
Email
Comments, recommendations or suggestions.
Submit

Staff View

Show

Carmen Mauriello

Advisor
Email Me

Astrid

Editor-in-Chief
Email Me

Heidi

News Editor

View PDF's

Show

Online Archives

Show
There are currently 17 editions on-line. Click on edition name to view articles.
The Parmentier St. Joseph High School Brooklyn, NY
Issue Date: Wednesday, February 06, 2013 Issue: 2012-2013 -- Issue #2 Last Update: Wednesday, February 13, 2013
Click to download a PDF of this edition
Live Conditions from Brooklyn, NY - USA
Current Conditions Mostly Cloudy
Temperature: 60 °F
Wind Speed: 2 mph S
Gusts: 8 mph S
Rain Today: 0 "