AP chemistry added to Laguna High options

Ten Laguna Beach High School juniors are eligible to enroll in AP

chemistry next year, the first of what Asst. Supt. Steven Keller

hopes will be several years the course is offered at the school.

The high school has offered only honors chemistry in the past,

which Keller said is less rigorous and not aligned to the AP exam. AP

courses, unlike most honors courses, can be applied toward college

credit at some universities.

“It’s an offering for qualifying students at this time with the

goal of increasing enrollment in future years,” Keller said. “It’s

important to allow students access to AP offerings.”

The class is restricted to seniors under the current plan, but

Keller said at Tuesday’s school board meeting that he and staff would

look into considering underclassmen as well.

The school board unanimously passed the motion to include the

class in next year’s curriculum, but it’s still considered under

discussion for potential modifications.

“Our high school teachers have been exemplary with AP offerings in

the past,” Keller said, “and we expect that to continue with

chemistry. We’re constantly striving to increase students’ access to

classes.”

-- Mike Swanson