Student Rallying for Advanced Chemistry Course

With the 2025-2026 school year approaching, students are determining what classes to take next year.  A minimum of 30 registered students is needed to offer a class and due to lack of interest previously, AP Chemistry was not available for students to take this year.  Junior Axel Castro is advocating for the class and has started a petition to make AP Chemistry appear in the official course catalog for next year.

“When I took chemistry, my sophomore year, I just had a connection to it,” Castro said.  “I don’t know how to explain it, but it just felt easier for me than compared to my peers or classmates. They would always struggle. But for me, it would just- it just clicked.”

Castro seeks to attend college and possibly major in a sector of chemistry, specifically analytical chemistry.

“Personally, I want to be a chemist, so I just want to– I want to go into college having that credit and not having to take basic chemistry,” Castro said.  “And basically having college credit, like just saving money– and then if I take AP Chem in high school, they teach it to me as a high schooler, but if I take it in college…it’s probably going to be more challenging.”

The AP Chemistry course consists of a university-level curriculum offered by the College Board in their Advanced Placement program. It includes working mathematical calculations and covering chemistry-based investigations such as atomic and molecular structure, chemical reactions, kinetics, equilibrium, and thermodynamics. 

”If you look at degree plans, like if you’re going into nursing– anything medical– biology is not a part of the degree plan; chemistry is,” STEM and AP Physics teacher Lindy Arbuckle said.  “So if you’re trying to get college credit, take AP Chemistry.”

Revealing his large interest in chemistry, Castro believes there is great benefit in taking AP Chemistry during your high school career. He advises many to take this class now since it has a chance of being reintroduced.  

“If you’re interested, sign up on the sheet in Ms. Arbuckle’s room,” Castro said.  “Your name and lunch ID number.  It’s that easy.”