Currently, underclassmen are busy scheduling for next year’s classes. Rising seniors have many choices, considering most of their graduation requirements have been completed.

However, when deciding what English class to take, their choices are limited to AP Language and Composition, AP Literature English and Composition, English 12 Merit, and English 12 Directed.

What’s missing?

 English 12 Honors.

There has been increasing pressure for students to take advanced placement classes. It looks good on college transcripts, it looks good for the school, and it can provide credit for college.

But, for those who aren’t ready or don’t have the desire to take a college level course, it is a bad idea to force them to take the class. Yes, a student can greatly benefit from a challenge, but limiting the decision to advanced placement is asking too much.

While only offering AP and not honors may seem like it is encouraging students to challenge themselves, it can actually create the opposite effect.

For example, a student who has traditionally taken merit classes throughout his or her high school career may feel he or she can move up one level for senior year.

However, under the current system, students are unable to do this. They have no choice but to remain at their current level of merit.

The main motivation for completing an AP class is to eventually take the exam and receive college credit. Otherwise, someone may end up repeating the same class in college (in this case, English 101), and paying far greater than $86.

This is potentially extremely beneficial for those who pass the exam. However, someone who did not want to take the class to begin with would certainly hesitate to spend $86 on the exam.

An English 12 Honors course is the proper fit for many seniors; adding it would solve the current problems that exist. After all, students are required to take four years of English (unlike subjects like social studies and science), and should feel comfortable in their final English class.