Advanced Placement classes (often shortened to AP) are offered to high school students by the College Board. Many feature an end-of-course exam and are promoted as college-level courses. The AP Program has seen widespread growth, and according to the College Board, between 2014 and 2024, there was a 32.8% increase in those who have taken at least one exam.
With such a large increase and emphasis on taking these classes, there is no wonder enrollment is up. Although the students who do take an AP are a minority, most opt to only take one or two, accounting for 69.2% of AP students globally. Those who are more academically involved end up taking 3-5 per year, accounting for 24.2% of AP students.
Although many students at Miami High acknowledge the benefits of these Advanced Placement classes, they may be scared off by the low passing rate statistics, the worry of an AP Exam, or perceived difficulty they see at first glance. But if AP students can do it, it isn’t impossible. So what differentiates these people from the rest? Are AP classes as difficult as many non-takers believe?
Junior Diego Mejia described the “long sleepless nights” that AP classes come with and perceives them as very difficult. He cited the major commitment and focus he says the classes need as the reason he hasn’t taken a course. He also wants to pursue other hobbies like wrestling. Other juniors, such as Justin Casanueva or Enrique Sandoval, simply just do not see the reward over the risk of a bad grade, calling it “difficult” or “too intense” compared to Honors or Regular classes.
On the other hand, some juniors taking the AP courses that other students call difficult have different ideas. Danny Davila, within his class of AP United States History, called it “hyped up”, and “not meeting expectations,” suggesting that the class was easier than what many teachers and other students implied.
This idea of APs requiring commitment is not anything new. Some AP teachers shared the same sentiment. Mr. Cid, a teacher in the history department who teaches both regular and AP U.S. History and A.P. Government, noticed two major common factor that differentiate each level. AP students were observed to have higher work ethic and a higher reading level.
Similarly, Ms. Evran, who teaches both regular and AP English Language to juniors, said, “Some regular students get by with the bare minimum [effort applied], while many AP students aim for the maximum,even wanting to do extra.” Ms. Evran also acknowledged that many students prefer one subject over another. If it clicks with them, they are more likely to be fully committed and have a good work ethic.
In fact, not all AP classes are the same. Within Miami High, AP Spanish Language is seen as one of the easiest because of the prominent Hispanic culture in Miami. On the opposite side of the spectrum, AP Physics is seen as one of the hardest classes.
Bryan Lopez, a junior who is taking Advanced Placement Calculus AB, described being in an Advanced Placement Course as a “privilege”, and advises people to treat it as such. To him, that means staying dedicated, on top of work, and paying attention to the best of your ability to understand content.
As a person who has passed several AP courses during 24-25 school year (Seminar, Chemistry, Spanish), and is taking 4 of them for the 25-26 school year (Calculus AB, US History, Research, English Language), I can not emphasize enough that time management is important.
The more difficult your classes are, the more time you need to put in; and if you’re disorganized, it can be a challenge to balance everything at once. Life constantly throws unexpected circumstances your way, and using your time wisely can be a very beneficial way to overcome adversity.
