“Fountain Valley High School is committed to maximizing the learning, growth and development of every student.”
It is the not-so-well-known mission statement of Fountain Valley High School, and while it may not be famous, the staff here at our school has done its best to follow through.
At Fountain Valley, there are over 20 different Advanced Placement courses offered, and with a district-high of 52 classes each day, it’s obvious the school supports higher-level students. Upon closer inspection AP courses may not be as great as they may first appear.
On AP courses, Principal Herzfeld responded, “I think it’s a great opportunity for students to get a taste of college-level coursework, the highest level curriculum that we can offer, and to see just how many students can manage that and maximize their growth and their learning development.”
The darker side has been spotted by students, however. It seems as though AP courses do not focus on learning; rather, AP courses are being geared more and more toward test-taking.
Kevin Nguyen (’13) complains, “The students are not learning, but merely cramming for tests only to forget about it with the approach of another test. This process does not allow students to achieve their full potential, to be creative, to explore and learn.”
Travis Allison (’12) remarks, “AP teachers mainly teach for the AP test. They don’t necessarily teach for learning, but so that you remember the information that will be on the test.”
So how could AP courses “maximize the learning” of every student if they do’t actually focus on learning? If not for the sake of learning, then why do students bother to enroll in AP courses at all?
“Most kids in AP classes take them for the G.P.A. boosts, for the college admissions and applications, because everyone knows that it’s extremely competitive,” says Kaitlyn Ha (’13), adding, “It’s kind of sad to think that kids have to sometimes take classes they don’t exactly want to take, you know?”
Students enroll in classes so that “AP” can be printed on their transcripts. These classes should perhaps be referred to as gilded classes. While it is true that they do provide some benefits to students, there is a cost.
According to AP Spanish 4 teacher, Mr. Yarnton, “This year alone we have a record number of teacher referrals for students to the support specialist where kids are just overstressed.”
Perhaps it is not the courses which need to be fixed, but the idea itself. Students can end up applying so much pressure on themselves to succeed, without actually realizing what it means to succeed. What is more valuable, getting a good grade in an AP test or expanding your knowledge in a class you enjoy?
There is still time in our lives for us to do pointless things instead of learning. It is definitely not the time to burn ourselves out with college-level courses before entering college.
Mr. Yarnton reminds us all, “You’re kids, you’re supposed to be kids, you’re supposed to go out and have fun.”
Ask yourself what college professors teach for because they have a final too, and its just about all your grade… Don’t rely on school to teach you, teach yourself.