North Battleford residents, Alyssa Denton and Thomas Fransoo, are stretching their horizons as they pursue post-secondary education in Calgary, Alta. and Saskatoon, respectively.
Both students graduated from John Paul II Collegiate this past June, and took part in the Advanced Placement Calculus 30 and ELA B30 classes. While the classes were challenging, and added to an already stressful load of common Grade 12 classes, Denton and Fransoo felt AP was worthwhile and they explained the many benefits they felt the classes offered.
According to Fransoo, "AP is the only chance a high school student has at having a taste of what university has in store for them before university starts."
Fransoo says he felt it was the first time, as a high school student, that he was truly pushed to see where his true abilities were at.
"It [AP] teaches necessary study habits at the same time that it forces you to stay on your feet and think for yourself."
Denton added, "I joined the course so I could get a head start in my education, simply to get the university credit and be that much more ahead of the game. Little did I know after starting [AP] that it would challenge me in away I never imagined."
Both former JP II students say they felt the courses offered more than just Advanced Placement credits. While Denton agreed it was nice to get a head of the game with university credits, she said an added benefit was that she learned to "trust my instincts, and enhance my problem solving skills."
She says she felt the confidence gained was helping her with her current university studies.
Fransoo agreed the AP credit was a benefit, but added the class itself went beyond academics and became a "community of support." The atmosphere of the classroom itself was motivating, he explained in that "every student in the room is just as committed as the next, and this forms a bond between the students as well as the teacher the environment fosters success as well as many friendships."
While AP classes are most definitely challenging, academically, neither Denton nor Fransoo regret the extra effort.
Fransoo says, "I know at least that for me that they were not only the most rewarding classes I ever took, but they were also the classes I was most happy and proud that I completed."
Denton concluded, "I would highly recommend this course to anyone and everyone."
