photo/ LIZZY GORDON
By DELANEE BOGAN
Sitting in a room crammed with more than 30 students in two different Advanced Placement classes a day, junior Reagan Robins has trouble focusing.
“It’s harder to get one-on-one work with my teacher. I have trouble focusing because there are so many kids. Everyone is always talking,” Robins said.
Robins is enrolled in AP Psychology and AP Language and Composition and feels like having so many peers in her AP classes is too much of a distraction to learning.
Since they are not required to graduate, the standard class size amendment rule does not apply to AP classes.
Compared to other schools in Orlando, Boone’s AP participation is lacking. In 2012-13 Timber Creek administered 2476 test, Boone administered 1215. Freedom, Dr. Phillips, Olympia, University, West Orange and Winter Park also administer more AP tests.
Because of low participation numbers compared to other schools in Orlando, Boone is working on increasing the number of students in AP’s. This is why most AP classes have large numbers of students in them.The largest AP class in AP Art History has 35 students.
“The class is very loud and crazy. There are so many people it is hard to focus. Mr. Overton has to stop class multiple times to talk to misbehaving students. It takes nearly 10 minutes just to do attendance, which takes away from him preparing us for the AP exam,” senior Xena Abudalah said.
Abudalah does not like the amount of peers in her class.
“There are too many people. It can be distraction for both teachers and students,” Abudalah said.
Assistant principal Kelli Marlo has a positive view of the rising number of AP students.
“It is positively [affecting Boone]. More students are accepting the challenge and are becoming more prepared for college and universities,” Marlo said.
Administration is aware of the class sizes and are making plans for next year. For this year, unless students transfer to another AP class, the numbers will remain the same.
“We are growing the AP program, so with growth we are planning next year to offer more sections as more students request their classes,” Marlo said.