Honors and AP: Helping Students Succeed

Taking advanced and honors classes has its pros and cons, but there is no question it prepares students for college academics.

Since the year 1876, Christian Brothers has been challenging its students with rigorous and challenging courses to prepare students for the difficulty of college. But for the students who seek even more of a challenge, CB offers a wide variety of Honors and AP classes to better prepare for higher level college courses.

“AP classes are designed to be college level courses, which is why if students pass it, they potentially can earn college credit. It’s supposed to be equivalent with a college level course,” explains Ms. Melissa McClellan, the college guidance councilor here at CB.

“Colleges want to see, especially senior year, that students are taking classes that are preparing them for the rigors of college,” she adds. “By taking AP and Honors, they can know what they can expect when they hit college.”

The added bonuses to these courses also comes with added work loads, as students are expected to go above and beyond on a daily and nightly basis.

“I would say there’s at least a couple extra hours worth of homework every night” comments Ms. McClellan. “It’s not just the amount of work, but it’s the expectation of better quality work too.”

Daniel Kever (’15) has answered the call for high level classes, and he is currently enrolled in five different AP and honors courses, as well as being a member of the prestigious KBFT video production program.

“When you do have large assignments, it can be very time consuming because you have to make sure that your work is constantly at the highest level you can make,” remarks Daniel.

Daniel also adds that “some of the AP Calculus and Physics can be hard to understand, a lot of very complicated concepts, and history homework can take a long time.”

The junior ultimately believes, however, that taking these classes will pay off in the long run.

“It isn’t easy, but I think it’s worth it,” he says.

The extra classes appear to be worth it for those who can handle it, especially considering that the Washington Post recently named Christian Brothers as one of the top 50 most challenging schools in the nation.

For those of us not currently in these high level classes, fear not; plenty of students in normal classes find success during college, and CB enjoys seeing over 95% of its students continue their academic career into college.

Honors and AP courses are open to everyone, as CB is committed to seeing all of its students excel, regardless of what classes they take.

If you’re thinking about if these classes are for you, Ms. McClellan has some advice.

“If you’re doing well in your college prep courses, maybe the next year take the extra step and challenge yourself with maybe one AP or honors course in an area you’re really good at or are interested in,” the counselor says.

The Christian Brothers community is always looking to challenge its students and ensure that all students excel in the environment that suits them best, and the Honors and AP courses here are one of the many reasons why CB the place to be.