As of the 2024-2025 school year, two new courses have been added to the curriculum: AP European History and Physics C. Although highly advanced, both classes branch off from their original subject and display a more specific and detailed curriculum, helping students master categories they already know. This can prove beneficial for students’ college applications and future careers.
Physics C, taught by Jonathan Wyllie, is a calculus-based physics class that is considered more challenging than algebra-based physics. The Physics C class is highly beneficial for students who plan on going into science and engineering careers.
“AP Physics C would benefit the students that want to major in STEM-related fields because if you get a 3, 4, or 5 on the AP Physics C exam, that would translate to a university-level calculus-based course so that it would fill that credit,” said Jonathan Wyllie, physics teacher.
Anyone planning on majoring in a STEM field will likely have to take a Physics class at some point in their academic career, as it provides essential knowledge in mechanics. AP Physics C gives high school students a great opportunity by making this readily available to juniors.
“It combines stuff that you’ve learned in a different class, Calc AP, so I guess it helps with applying what you’ve learned to other classes, which is something that you have to do in college but haven’t had to do in high school,” said Shane Bringhurst, senior.
AP Euro History serves a similar purpose for students. This course focuses primarily on the history of Europe, with in-depth lessons and historical context about events, people, and advancements.
“It is an AP History class, so it does give those AP credits as well as that 5.0 A when you are doing the class itself, but it also gives a more in-depth understanding of things like art and the events that happened in the English Civil War,” said Kaylea Burstinski, history teacher.
Burstynski also believes that it can give students a more significant appreciation for their country, rights, and how the nation got to where it stands today. Not only can this course be academically beneficial, but it may also help students’ perception of the overall world by showing all sides of the story.
“We always look at things through the lens of the United States; we don’t see other people’s perspectives, and it’s important to understand the perspectives of everybody in history because you can’t understand the whole picture without seeing every side of the story,” Burstynski said.
