While seniors are starting to think about graduation and the start of their new lives as college students, juniors are stressed with the thought of SATs and APs looming.  Sophomores and freshmen, on the other hand, seem to have little to worry about. Academic planners were given out at the beginning of this week, so everyone could begin planning what their next year’s schedule will look like. A few initiatives have been taken to diversify our rigorous academics.

The Social Sciences department is providing students with more options by making both the Comparative Government AP class and the US Government and Politics AP class half-year courses. This way, students can be prepared to take 2 AP exams in May while only having to take one of the courses per semester. Valeria Balza, a junior who is planning to take both of these classes next year commented, “I am happy that they made this change. Now, I can take both AP classes but only have to worry about one per semester. And, if I decide to take another social science course, it would be as if I was only taking two classes, but I would take 3 AP exams at the end of the year”. If you feel that taking both the Comparative Government AP class and the US Government and Politics AP is too much, not to worry; PC will continue to offer the option of taking either class as a full-year course.

The English department added two brand new half-credit classes: Realism in Drama and Playwriting. Junior Louis Browne is planning on taking both of these classes and explains that as a developing actor, both of these classes will be great opportunities to expand his acting repertoire. He adds, “With Interpreting Drama, I get to explore the fundamental aspects of theater, and with Playwriting, I can see my potential for talent as a writer”. These classes will give those students wanting to pursue a career in writing or those who just want to expand their knowledge of the art of playwriting, a glimpse of what it takes to write plays and how to interpret them. “Mrs. Ortega is a genius teacher with passion for education and all forms of dramatic literature,” Louis adds, “This class will definitely be one that adds a new bonus to the perks of being a senior at PC”.

These are only some of the changes that PC students will see this year in their planners.  End of the year stress is just starting to kick in, as students try to hand in their planners as quickly as possible and teachers try to fill their new classes. If you want to try something different and want to challenge yourself, consider trying one of the new courses that PC has to offer.