Double-science option being denied to sophomores

By Mahan Carduny,
Bluedevilhub.com Staff–

Sophomore Jasper Murphy and many other students decided to try to take double sciences, which is an option not often thought of to Davis High scheduling. Murphy, among others, desired AP Chemistry and Physics Honors. In order to take the courses, the sophomores needed to appeal the prerequisites.

Months after passing the appeals process, the students disappointingly received a letter saying that they cannot take AP Chemistry due to requesting two sciences.

“I wanted to double science and I was accepted into both AP Chemistry and Physics Honors; but during the summer, I was informed that because I was doubling science they would not let me take AP Chem,” Murphy said. “It was very last minute… right before the school year started… I ended up having scheduling issues with other classes,” Murphy said.

Murphy says that the decision forced him to take unwanted classes as well as make him recreate a new four-year high school plan.

The majority of school officials, such as DHS counselor Courtenay Tessler, discourage students from taking two AP/honors science classes.

“Its unrealistic; you don’t need a ton of AP/Honors classes to be successful… unfortunately, there are also students who sign up for them, so if you sign up for five, that’s five hours of homework. There is not enough time in the day,” Tessler said.

Sophomore Sheehan Selim was upset the school would not allow him to take AP Chemistry due to him requesting two sciences.

“I already prepared for AP chem. Regular chemistry is too easy. I fall asleep in class, most of the time; yet I find myself doing well on the tests,” Selim said.

Junior Thomas Zheng took five AP/honors classes as a sophomore, including AP Chemistry, Physics Honors, AP Calculus BC, Spanish 4 Honors and Essentials of Music Theory Honors.

“The classes need a lot of hard work, but you need to be accustomed to a hard schedule prior to entering into high school. A good work ethic from junior high is necessary,” Zheng said.

Zheng also believes that students should be allowed to take multiple AP/honors classes, but that double sciences should be reserved for juniors and seniors.

The College Board reports that students who “succeed in rigorous coursework such as Advanced Placement” are more likely to receive their college degrees on time. The number of students who have taken those AP classes have doubled throughout the decade.

Junior David Wang took AP chemistry,  Physics Honors and AP Calculus AB as a sophomore. “The courses were definitely challenging, but people can handle them. If there is an issue with space I think that people who don’t have a science should be prioritized over people who want to take two sciences,” Wang said.

Wang also says that the school should have told the sophomores prior to the appeals process that it would be unlikely for the school to grant them their requests.

“Most sophomores taking AP classes usually do a ton of preparatory work before the summer ends. It seems a little unfair to deny them after all that, ” Wang said.

In spite of this discontent, current sophomore and future DHS students will like have to continue to make do without a double science schedule their senior year.