Latinx students make up 24% of the student body at SPHS, yet only 17% of Students taking AP classes. We want to help change that.
To read this article from Propublica click here. Vecinos de South Pasadena wants to help Latinx students navigate their way to successful AP class enrollment. We’ve put together this guide so that Latinx students and parents can fully understand all the options that are available to them and to help students enroll in their first AP class in tenth grade, if they so wish.
We hope once students undergo the process of enrolling in their first AP class and experience success in it, they’ll be encouraged to take more AP classes in their junior and senior years.
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A Word About AP Classes in General
If you view SPHS’s AP Night Presentation (link is at the very bottom on the right) you might notice a majority of the presentation is wisely spent warning students not to take too many AP classes. Some of the students’ regrets came from those who took five AP classes as seniors and had little time for anything else. Other regrets were from those who took a lot of AP classes in subjects they had no interest in, just to “squeeze in a few more APs”. The one positive student is the one who took APs in subjects he was interested in. We urge students to challenge themselves, but strike for a good balance between schoolwork, down time and extra curricular activities (e.g., clubs, sports, part-time jobs, etc.). More importantly, however, students will find AP classes more rewarding if they take them in subjects they’ve enjoyed in the past, or have a genuine interest in. This not only challenges the student intellectually, but might help the student discover if this subject is a passing fancy or something they want to continue pursuing.
- For an estimate of amount of homework hours per class, view the core course list with homework estimation time per week here, then complete a weekly time management planner here.
- College credit is not guaranteed. Key factors are: what score the student received on the final exam and the individual policy of the college. For more on this we suggest reading this article by the Progressive Policy Institute.
- Because AP courses are more standard across the country, this gives college admissions counselors a better point of reference for the rigor of your class, even if you do not take the AP test or don’t score 3 or above.
- How many AP classes? This is going to vary by student and by what college that student is wishing to attend . As we’ve read, some students take five APs in their senior year alone and regret it. At SPHS three AP classes per year is considered most challenging. The Los Angeles Times wrote in “A parent’s guide to AP classes: “For highly selective schools such as Ivy League schools, Stanford, and public universities like UCLA and UC Berkeley, it’s common for accepted applicants to take about eight AP classes throughout high school, though that number can range from five to 13. There are many colleges, though, that don’t ask for that many AP classes and offer a very good education, even though they’re not in U.S. News & World Report’s top 30 schools. Students can get into a four-year school with just one AP, and in some cases, with none. Students with a high school degree can also attend community college without any AP classes, and then transfer to a four-year school.”
- Since AP Courses can be dependent on current staffing, it’d be wise to check the current AP courses being offered by SPHS.
9th graders wishing to take an AP Class at SPHS
According to the SPHS Course Curriculum Catalog 9th graders are permitted to take (and have space on their schedules) for a LOTE (Language other than English). Currently those are: AP Chinese, AP French, AP Spanish. As a rising 9th grader you would need to test into these.
10th graders wishing to take an AP Class at SPHS
A SPHS sophomore’s default classes are usually: English, Math, World History, PE, Science, LOTE (Language other than English) and Study Hall.
According to the SPHS Course Curriculum Catalog students are not allowed to drop Study Hall, except for the following: Academic Coach, Aide Positions (Counseling, Library, Office, or Teacher), Athletic Teams, Business Management (ASB), Choir, Color/Winder Guard, COPA, Credit Recovery (Edgenuity), Drama, Instrumental Classes (Percussion, Jazz, Advance Orchestra, Marching/Concert/Symphonic Band), Intermediate Art, Internship Program, Leadership, PCC Dual Enrollment Courses (Audio, Radio, Single Camera, TV Production), PLTW Biomed (for students who began the pathway with Principles of Biomed or Biology), PLTW Computer Science (for students who began the pathway as freshmen taking CSP), Tiger, Varsity Virtual Enterprise).
However, also noted in the SPHS Course Curriculum Catalog Students are allowed to take AP classes starting in tenth grade, but the options are limited and we’ve noticed the courses they’re allowed to take varies from year to year, becoming more limited, not more available.
Given that you make space on your schedule, the following are available: AP Computer Science, AP Chem, AP Statistics, AP Calculus AB, AP Physics Course 1. In the past AP Art Drawing and AP 2D Art Photog were also available to sophomores, but the current SPHS Course Curriculum Catalog, doesn’t reflect this.
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AP Comp Sci: Because college-bound SPHS tenth graders don’t have an elective spot on their schedule, you’ll need to do some work on your end to open one up. You do have some options: One is easy, but pricey, the other is free, but requires a bit of work on your end, just depends on your preferences. They both require summer school between ninth and tenth grade. Follow the section below for opening up a spot on your schedule for tenth grade.
In addition, since the current SPHS Course Curriculum Catalog doesn’t indicate 10th graders are permitted to take this course, you will need to advocate for yourself, show a port
AP Chem:
- Since a science slot is already available in your schedule, in that regard your path is easier. They do stipulate two recommendations, however:
- They highly recommended that you be strong in math and have completed Math II+. To have completed Math II+ by the start of 10th grade, you would have had to successfully completed Math II+ in 9th, meaning you would have had to successfully completed Math 1+ in 8th.
- Completion of Chem Honors is preferred.
- Ninth graders are typically programmed to take Biology for their science slot. If you think you might be interested in this path, begin thinking and planning early, you’d have to request 9th grade Honors Chem, when the SPHS counselors meet with SPMS 8th graders. This is a good option if you are doing well in Math 1+ in 8th grade and ready for the challenge.
- You could take Chem Honors over the summer through SPEF between ninth and tenth grade at the current cost of $540.
AP Art Drawing: Because college-bound SPHS tenth graders don’t have an elective spot on their schedule, you’ll need to do some work on your end to open one up. You do have some options: One is easy, but pricey, the other is free, but requires a bit of work on your end, just depends on your preferences. They both require summer school between ninth and tenth grade. Follow the section below for opening up a spot on your schedule for tenth grade.
Additionally, although this course has previously been available to 10th graders, the current the SPHS Course Curriculum Catalog does not reflect 10th graders being able to take this course. So, students will have to advocate for themselves, show their art portfolio, and be resilient problem-solvers.
AP 2D Art Photo: Because college-bound SPHS tenth graders don’t have an elective spot on their schedule, you’ll need to do some work on your end to open one up. You do have some options: One is easy, but pricey, the other is free, but requires a bit of work on your end, just depends on your preferences. They both require summer school between ninth and tenth grade. Follow the section below for opening up a spot on your schedule for tenth grade.
Additionally, although this course has previously been available to 10th graders, the current the SPHS Course Curriculum Catalog does not reflect 10th graders being able to take this course. So, students will have to advocate for themselves, show their art portfolio, and be resilient problem-solvers.
Opening up a spot on your schedule for the 10th grade
The free path: We have written a comprehensive guide on how to enroll in 100% free summer school, you can find the guide here.
The easy path: Take World History through SPEF summer school. Because SPEF has an agreement and uses pre-approved SPHS curriculum, you do not need prior approval from your counselor and the Assistant Principal of Curriculum to take this course for SPHS credit. The drawback is the cost: $540 for World History.
Students who receive free or reduced lunch may apply for a grant ranging from 25 to 50% of tuition, but applying doesn’t guarantee an award since SPEF funds are limited. To apply complete this paperwork and wait for a reply. Another alternative: if you register and make a deposit with SPEF early in the year (Feb or March) you are allowed to do a payment plan with subsequent payments in April, May and June. The six-week course typically begins mid-June.
How to Enroll in APs
- First thing you need to do is attend the AP Exploration Meeting. You will receive an email from the counseling department in January with a list of classes they are offering for which grades for the fall. They will list all the times the Exploration Meeting (aka, “info meeting”) will take place, the first step is to attend this info meeting. Here is the list info meetings from this past January. Per the SPHS AP webpage “Students considering taking AP/Honors level classes must attend AP/Honors virtual meetings in order to understand the full scope and expectations of each course. Attending a meeting does not commit a student to enroll in an AP/Honors class and, conversely, AP/Honors classes can only be selected after attending the meetings and completing an AP/Honors contract. If you have a “C” grade in your current class, you must submit a Skills Mastery form that has been signed by a teacher and your parent/guardian. Email request for Skills Mastery form to sphstesting@spusd.net
- Complete a Skills Mastery form, if needed (see above)
- If you miss the AP meeting of the class you’re interested in, you can “attend” (watch) a previously recorded one and that will count, please ask your counselor for the link to the info meeting on the class you’re interested in, if you missed the in-person meeting.
- Complete the Advanced Placement (AP)/Honors Course Contract and submit it to your counselor.
- Enroll in summer school to make room in your fall schedule. We have a complete guide on how to enroll for free summer school, you can find the guide here.
- Once you complete your summer school class, take measures to ensure your transcript is sent to your counselor before classes begin in the fall.
Additional FYI: Instead of taking World History over the summer you may wish to take P.E. to create the same effect of opening up a slot, however, please note that Opportunities for Learning does NOT offer PE for a full 10 units in the summer, if you prefer to take PE over the summer, you will need to do it with Method or some other school that allows a full 10 units over the summer. This may be preferable if you’d rather take World History in the fall at SPHS.
Links to useful SPHS Publications
