The counseling office has a new process for leveling down out of Advanced Placement and pre Advanced Placement classes.

“The administration felt like we wanted to make sure students were placed accurately,” said Michelle Roach, a counselor at the school. “A lot of times kids get into the a class, like a Pre-AP or AP class, and the first week of school they decide that they don’t want to be in it, and so they just jump out of it.”

Key changes include a meeting with the teacher, a success plan and a longer  time in the class before a student is allowed to switch out.

“We changed the format in that we make them stay in the class for six weeks, it used to be three weeks,” Roach said. “We are also asking them to fill out a success plan with their teacher, and really what that does is help the kids communicate with the teacher and they can work together to help that student succeed as opposed to just getting out of class really quick.”

This new process is supposed to ensure that students work with both their teachers and their parents to make the right decision for their situation.

“We really feel if the kids know that they have their parents’ support, and they have their teacher’s support, they all work together to help that student be successful,” Roach said.”Most of the time they’ll be able to stay in that Pre-AP or AP class, and that’s really what we want.”

Students can still level down at semester following the same process as leveling down at six weeks.

“The two times are at six weeks and end of semester,” Roach said.”Same process at semester, everybody works together.”