Students stress over Advanced Placement classes all the time but do they actually help students? People think that if you’re in AP  classes you have a better chance of getting into a “good” college. If students pass the class in high school then they get a credit for high school and after that they take the AP exam. The scoring rubric ranges from 1 to 5, 5 being the highest and 1 being the lowest. Most colleges take 3 and up but some colleges take 4s and 5s as a worthy credit or to be placed in the class in college. Doing “bad” on the AP exam doesn’t count you out for college admission you just wouldn’t get credit for the course. The college might make you retake the course if they feel it’s necessary.

Pros and Cons are in everything but for AP classes, the pros and cons vary on the student. Students that have the work ethic and motivation to keep their grades up in AP classes then go for it. If you’re a student that doesn’t care for school or just squeaks by with your grades then don’t take an AP class unless you are truly interested in the subject. Students with extracurricular activities such as athletics, clubs, or band/orchestra should consider how much they like the activities and possibility of dropping that activity if you are serious about an AP course.

Overall if you want to increase your resume for colleges, want a challenge in school or really enjoyed a subject that is available as an AP course then go ahead and try it. Some advanced classes available at JCHS are AP Language/Composition, AP Government, AP Biology or Chemistry, and Trigonometry. AP classes are rigorous courses but if you’re serious about the subject or wanting to boost your resume for college then take an AP course. When you’re stressed out over the course just think about why you are doing the course and then succeed in the course.