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By Lena Pearson 

For the Clemmons Courier

Every student has their preferred style of education, with some students excelling in advanced courses while others succeed on the standard level. West is home to a variety of classes of staggered difficulty, giving students the opportunity to learn comfortably at their own pace or to give themselves a challenge. Out of the several class choices on the standard, Honors and Advanced Placement (AP) level, many Titans value AP courses for their rigorous curriculum that allows for a deeper understanding of complex concepts. Due to these benefits, West recently earned a spot on the AP School 2024-2025 Honor Roll along with four other Winston-Salem/Forsyth County schools.

This honor roll, announced by College Board, recognizes 5,061 high schools across the nation, awarding platinum, gold, silver and bronze levels of distinction. The award celebrates schools whose AP programs are “delivering results for students while broadening access to advanced coursework,” for which West earned a silver award. The silver distinction was earned by 10 percent of eligible schools across the country as they all met certain criteria in order to qualify for the honor roll. West received a silver award as 40 percent or more of the graduating class took at least one AP exam during high school, 25 percent or more scored at least a 3 on an AP exam, and 2 percent took five or more AP exams during high school. West’s position on the honor roll is not only a result of the effort shown in the classroom, but a testament to the significant advantage of taking the elaborate AP courses.

For many students, myself included, AP classes have proven to be some of the most valuable courses one can take in high school. Despite the heavier coursework and immense preparation for the exams in May, AP classes are worth the effort in the long run. The benefits are endless and only continue to help as students further their educational careers in college. When students enroll in AP classes, they immediately have the chance to raise their grade point average, as APs are weighted differently on the GPA scale. APs allow students to develop a deeper understanding of subject matter and to utilize critical thinking, ultimately preparing them for the complex nature of college education. 

AP classes also benefit students by counting as college credits with each exam passed. The exams are graded on a 1-5 scale, with 3 and above counting as a passing score. Most colleges accept these passing scores and transfer them into credits that are put towards a student’s degree, contributing to the required amount of credits needed to complete it. The amount of credits given varies depending on each course, but as exams are compiled, it makes a significant impact. APs give students the opportunity to get ahead of the curve and essentially work on their college education while still in high school.

Although they may seem daunting, AP classes are an extremely useful resource that any student can learn to navigate. West offers various options ranging from AP Environmental Science to AP Statistics, guaranteeing a helpful course for each student depending on their interests or future studies. The educators and students in AP classes ensure a classroom environment where questions can be asked, ideas can be shared, and new topics can be explored. 

Congratulations to West on being awarded a spot on the AP Honor Roll and to everyone who worked hard to make it happen.