Feature Photo By: Amor-Leigh Wilson – The Curious Writer by Bruce Ballenger (left) is required for taking English and Composition, which is offered to juniors and seniors. The AP English Resource Handbook (right) is required for taking AP Language and Composition/AP Literature and Composition, which is also offered to juniors and seniors.
In the process of entering high school, many students confess to worrying about what classes they should take.
“I couldn’t decide if I wanted to take AP Language or CCA (Community College of Aurora) Composition my Junior year,” according to junior Lauryn Bradley. “I heard that CCA Composition and AP Language are the ones that get you college ready and everything. I just didn’t really know the difference between the two so I ended up taking AP Language, anyways.”
For many people, there is a list of differences between AP Language and Composition and CCA English Composition. Students have admitted to struggling when it comes to choosing between the two classes.
There are a few things that can help educate high school students about the variety between classes that Rangeview offers.
AP Language and Composition teacher Kelly Bakersky says, “AP is a class that gives students high school support to teach college level content.”
This requires students to develop college level habits in an environment made for high school students.
Bakersky also adds, “Some kids have the misconception that CCA is an easy pass compared to AP but that is not true. If you are a student that just thinks you are going to get an easy pass with taking CCA or AP then you don’t realize the amount of grit it takes just to be in the class.”
Both classes are meant to make you work for the awarded credit and according to Mrs. Bakersky, neither is going to be an easy pass.
Junior Cheyanne Boe stated, “I recommend AP Language and Composition to students that are ready to work hard and manage their time well. I recommend AP Language because my writing skills have already improved and the school year only just began a few weeks ago. I can predict that this year is setting me up to be successful for the future.”
Not only is AP Language and Composition said to improve life skills, but Bakersky also added, “AP [Language and Composition] really prepares students for college curriculum… [and] sets students up for college admissions.”
For most students, looking to go to college after their high school career is over, Bakersky believes taking AP versus CCA is the way to go.
To a few students and teachers alike, it appears as though AP Language and Composition is the way to go, unless the aspiration to have both AP and CCA credit awarded is more desired.
“With AP Language there are such high risks since you have to pass the class and pass the ap test [in the spring], just to get a college credit,” Tyler Gohl believes. “Then, depending on what college you end up going to and what score you get on the test is how you know if you earn the college credit or not.”
Gohl elaborated on the fact that with an AP class, there is always an AP exam that follows. To pass the test, a score of three or higher is needed out of a total score of five. As some colleges change requirements for transferring credits, it is less likely students are even rewarded with college credit for passing the ap test with a three or higher.
Bakersky recognizes the risks there are when taking the AP test by stating, “Some colleges may consider the AP pass score as an expectation and will not appoint college credit for it.”
Before signing up for classes, many students need to assess themselves; does the risk of not getting college credit for hard work outweigh the fact that an abundant amount of lifetime skills are earned?
High school is said to be an extremely diverse place filled with several different types of people. Some students plan on going to college afterwards, while others are going straight into the workforce.
All in all, it depends on what type of student is ready for the rigor when it comes to taking AP or CCA classes during high school. Remember to start getting a feel for what is required of each class, and communicate with counselors and teachers for more help.
