By: Advika Anand

Graphics Editor

AP classes are college-level courses offered to high school students that cover university material. They are developed by the College Board and culminate in a standardized exam, where high scores can lead to college credit, potentially giving a student an edge in admissions. In recent years, the pressure to take AP courses as early as possible has grown immensely. Since colleges view the most significant high school years to be sophomore and junior year, this puts intense pressure on students through classes, extracurriculars, and grades, often overlooking vital things such as sleep, a well-balanced diet, and exercise. LGHS should only offer one Advanced Placement course for sophomores so they can acclimatize in a single, difficult class rather than drowning in multiple advanced courses.

During sophomore year, 15 and 16-year-olds are building foundations of problem-solving skills, language abilities, and the capacity to grasp complex ideas such as morality, politics, and historical causation. Chad Fegley, a World History teacher, emphasized the executive functioning skills necessary for success in an AP class. He noted that students must also learn to prioritize demands and make decisions about how to allocate their energy and focus. “Executive functioning is the biggest thing,” he explained, “You’re juggling a lot of different classes and expectations.” These developing cognitive and organizational skills mean that taking on more than one AP course at this stage can overwhelm students. By limiting sophomores to a one AP class, it allows them to strengthen these habits without the stress that accompanies multiple advanced courses.

AP European History teachers Stephanie Pearson and Thomas Hughes share observations about the challenges sophomores face when taking on their first AP class. Both affirmed that while sophomores are capable of analytical thinking, they often underestimate the time and discipline the course requires. Ms. Pearson pointed out that many students initially “struggle to balance the workload and need consistent guidance to manage the heavy reading and essay writing.” Mr. Hughes added that although the class encourages deep thinking, the “level of rigor can easily become overwhelming for students still adjusting to high school expectations.” Sophomores benefit most from one AP class that challenges without overwhelming them. Limiting them to a single course keeps learning meaningful rather than mechanical.

Focusing on just one AP class allows sophomores to build confidence, develop critical thinking skills, and approach challenges without overwhelming pressure. Prioritizing depth over quantity will help students grow into capable, well-prepared learners. LGHS’s AP selection for sophomores provides students with the opportunity to intellectually grow throughout their high school years.