Students do have the power to make new classes happen at Aragon. A student initiative for a new class takes some talking with administration, a teacher willing to teach the course, and students who are willing to sign up for it, but it is possible. This year, some juniors and sophomores have spoken up about their interest in having an AP Physics C class next year, which has led to a petition to implement the course next year at Aragon.
Because of the fact that AP Physics C is principally calculus-based physics and therefore less accessible to students, Aragon has not historically offered this class. AP Physics B is algebra and trigonometry based, so it does not require as advanced math to understand. If the class is approved, Mr. Ratto, who currently teaches AP Physics B, will teach AP Physics C as well.
Mr. Ratto said that two years ago, a different strategy happened to implement an AP Physics B course. The administration asked for kids to sign up and this finally came to fruition last year. Ratto says, “I do the best I can to help the students get the class started. Right now the effort has about 18 kids, which is not enough for a whole class. We need about 25 for administration to consider the class for next year.”
Bruce Zhang, a junior, was the student who initially started this petition. He states, “I hate AP Bio, and APES is a waste of time. Physics and chemistry are the only sciences that are fun, but I already finished both APs. But more importantly, I have noticed that we have some bright students that love math and physics which seemed like a perfect opportunity to make our school look better with an additional AP Class.”
Zhang first had to go to administration with his idea for the petition and get some support from the school. He says, “The administration mostly thinks it’s a good idea. They always want to have more APs provided by the school, and it is a good thing. They just said to make sure Ratto is up for it.”
“The petition started because I felt like making one,” says Zhang. Since this course is an AP course, college credits are earned, and many of the students taking this class are planning on taking something involving physics in college. Zhang says, “[I am taking] an Engineering Major.” Jaehee Park, a junior, says, “I plan on taking physics in college.”
Park, who signed up for the list, says his interest in physics is the biggest reason why he signed up for the course. “I signed up for the class because it sounded pretty interesting and new to the high school curriculum.”
Both Park and Zhang plan to take AP Physics C next year, but if it does not become a class, there are alternatives. Zhang comments, “If the class is not approved I’ll go to CSM and take the class. However, that is assuming that the self-study is also not approved.”
An alternative to the class being held on a daily basis is a self-study option. Zhang explains, “Self Study is when you only show up for tests. We get credits and a grade but the teacher doesn’t teach us anything unless you have an appointment. In other words, no class.”
If all these options are not passed, Park says, “I will take AP Physics B instead.”
Another alternative for an AP science traditionally offered at Aragon has been AP Chemistry. However, individuals have speculated that part of the impetus behind the desire to implement the Physics C now is the desire not to take AP Chemistry. AP Chemistry has had a reputation as being very hard, and has turned some students in a different direction because of the difficulty.
Junior David Koshy says, “AP Chem’s reputation as one of the hardest, if not the hardest, class at Aragon was a factor in my decision but my decision was mostly based on the fact that I find physics more interesting than chemistry.”
Koshy’s interest in the AP Physics C class is based on a couple factors. He says, “Because I’m taking Calc and Physics right now I thought that AP Physics C would be a good way to go deeper into subjects that I already found I had an interest for.
