Many students struggle with AP classes, but are qualified for more advanced learning and need a certain level of difficulty. Next school year, these students will be provided with an honors level class, rather than just AP, to give them a chance at learning at their own level.

This year, the English committee wanted to give students another class that would help students challenge themselves, but would require them to have to take the AP test in the spring. To be in Honors English, a student needs a 90% grade or above average in their current English class. A student is also required to have a MAPS score of at least 227 in reading and a 225 or above in language. To determine these scores for entry, the English committee got together and looked at the top scores of students that have the skills to make it into an advanced class and they drew a cut-line score based on the data of the MAPS testing that the students took last fall.

“I think kids need some options of electives. We encourage kids to do well on their MAPS so that they can use those scores to help them figure out which classes they need. The worst thing would be to want in a class, but not have the MAPS score. So focus, study, and work hard on those MAPS scores to improve them. Listen to your lessons and do the best you can. Don’t just take it as a light test. It’s pretty heavy and it means a lot to your future.” Ms. Smith, the 11th grade English teacher, stated.

Not only are more English classes being added next year, but 10th grade English teacher, Mr. Wurdeman, has worked on adding on a new English elective: American Western Literature. This class will be split up so that there will be one class per semester.

“When the east was expanding to the west, there were some people who lived on the frontier and had some pretty cool stories that not a lot of people know about,” Mr. Wurdeman said.  

This class includes reading stories as well as watching movies that describe the theme or tone of the types of stories that they will be reading.

“My favorite part about this class is just being able to teach kids about the outdoors and how people lived off the land and survived. I just think that today we are consumed with technology and I think if more people got outside, put their phones away and enjoy the outdoors, then it’d be better.” Mr. Wurdeman said.

With Honors English and American Western Literature being added next year, students who enjoy English will have a more broad selection of classes to take.