Riya Kulkarni

Students Have Academic Discussions in the Classroom

Both students and teachers alike have raised concerns about the huge divide in academic content at LT. For many classes, students are only limited to picking on level or AP. Many say the lack of options for advanced students makes it difficult for students to fully challenge themselves and prepare for competitive college programs,

Currently, Lebanon Trail offers only a select number of advanced classes, which slowly dissipate into the catalog, dominated by the ultimatum of on-level and AP classes. For many students wanting to challenge themselves without being in all AP Classes, opportunities can fall short.

“I look at the course list and realize that I don’t want to be in 8 AP Classes. But I also don’t want to take an on level class where I know that I won’t learn anything or be reviewing content I’ve already learned in another higher-level class,” junior Tatiyana Kar-Roy said.

Students like Tatiyana say they often feel limited by the course catalog, especially when it comes down to choosing between AP and on-level classes.

“I spend around 2 hours a night studying for 1 of my AP classes. Now imagine like 6 of them,” Kar-Roy said.

Teachers also share in the frustration. Several say they would love to see an expansion of advanced programs but face challenges like staffing shortages, scheduling conflicts, and district budget limits.

“We have to ensure that classes have enough students to justify running them; however, I do know that a lot of students in my classes would’ve taken an advanced physics class if that were possible. Physics is often the one that gets dropped in the tradeoff,” Mr. Glenat said.

Despite these barriers, students remain hopeful and inquisitive about further opportunities in education, where their needs will be met.

“I want to see if I can participate in more advanced classes. If we had more instead of APs, I would probably be compelled to take those. I think it’s the right amount of rigor for me,” Kar-Roy said.

At Lebanon Trail High School, both staff and students alike have expressed interest in Advanced Classes. But what actually contributes to the lack of middle-level classes?

“The reason we don’t have advanced classes is that the College Board began charging for the Pre-AP label. It just wasn’t sustainable,” Mr. Glenat said.

Administrators acknowledge the issue but point to enrollment numbers and district funding rules as major constraints. Advanced classes have been an integral part of school rigor. However, though bringing them back might let an entire category of students be matched with rigor that benefits them, the final verdict depends on both the district and student’s interest.