Exploring the NPHS Pathways
Introduction
As 8th graders become freshmen, freshmen become sophomores, and so on, the terms IB, AP, and dual enrollment are tossed around without much understanding as to their meaning. Although many wish there could be one path designated as the best route to success for every student, that is just not the case. It all depends on the student, and while one path is not going to simply lead to failure, another is not going to solely guarantee success. It is the work, the effort and the challenges along the way that make the different paths unique and beneficial to a certain student’s needs.
International Baccalaureate
According to the California Department of Education, the International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma Program is a two-year comprehensive and rigorous pre-university curriculum leading to an IB diploma. Successful IB candidates are often granted advanced placement credit at many colleges. The IB curriculum establishes requirements of study that is composed of three core elements that aim to broaden students’ educational experience and challenge them to apply their knowledge and skills. The three core elements are Theory of Knowledge (TOK), the extended essay (EE), and creativity, activity, and service (CAS) hours. Students must test in six core subject areas: language and literature, language acquisition, individuals and societies, sciences, mathematics and the arts.
For Megan Huang, NPHS graduate, choosing the full IB pathway felt like the next best step to take since she had always been in honors classes throughout her education. “IB is really important even if you fail the test because IB not only gives you the chance to get college credit but also the mentality, community and rigor needed for it is so unique that it’d be a shame to not take it, especially [with] how lucky our school is to have it,” Huang said. “However, I feel like getting the IB diploma doesn’t really matter if you’re applying for a university within the United States, especially for UC schools. Nowadays, it’s much more important to build up your portfolio and even your application on your personal story rather than just only your grades.”
Distinguishing the differences of AP and IB can be challenging, but for Linnea Trotman, full IB graduate, IB classes were not necessarily harder, just required more analysis and deep thinking. “Full IB was fairly hard. It takes a lot of time doing work and asking questions and just having to do homework. But, I wouldn’t say that the classes were necessarily hard, it was just quite a bit of work and then that all piled up,” Trotman said. “The biggest difference between AP and IB tests is that AP is much more memorization based, like certain dates and what happened at these dates, meanwhile IB in general is much more critical thinking based where on a lot of tests, you had to explain why you got that answer or why you think it’s correct.”
Although the Full IB pathway is certainly a rigorous program, Deborah Dogancay, IB coordinator, knows that the students who want to make it happen, will make it happen, and will have help along the way from teachers here at NPHS. “Full IB is designed to help all students become lifelong learners and even better people. The whole idea is always bringing in a global perspective and different points of view. IB is not the old school tradition: here’s a bunch of facts that I know, you need to memorize them, learn them and write them down on the test. It’s not that at all. It’s really about thinking, researching and communicating. And because of that, it helps students develop as individuals,” Dogancay said.
As students compare the pros and cons of full IB, the major concern is the idea that taking full IB means no social life. “It wasn’t that we were complete shut-ins. A lot of us were able to have a lot of fun, but we had to be willing to do more work on Fridays in order to have freetime on the weekend,” Huang said. “But then, there were people who procrastinated and that’s why they didn’t have a social life. Others also had social lives in the day but they just pulled all-nighters to do homework. It really depends on the student as a person, whether they’re willing to do everything spread out or are they going to let it procrastinate and then have so much work in the end that they just can’t hangout with friends.”
Full IB is not for every student, and that is why NPHS has so many diverse programs that can fit any level of interest. “Full IB is a demanding program in terms of the time commitment that it requires,” Dogancay said. “And so if somebody is feeling so much stress or anxiety because they feel like they have to do full IB and it’s the only way to success, I know it’s not the only way because other students take more of a mix of things, a mix of CP and AP, and still get into great colleges. Every individual is unique and I think there’s a lot of possible pathways that are the best option for that student.”
Since Full IB is a relatively newer program, the process of transferring credits is not completely perfected and often does not equally compare to the amount of rigor in the program. “There’s no such thing as AP in overseas so of course IB is just like their AP credit and IB is what you need to get into overseas schools, but within the United States, most people don’t really know about IB so they get really confused when you ask them about it,” Trotman said. “AP credits, 8 times out of 10, are accepted more even though there is such a level difference in the workload, because it’s the standard for most schools to take AP credit since it is for the US while IB is for international schools.”
Before college, many students hope to knock a few classes out of the way by gaining college credit in high school, however IB is not the easiest way to do so. “If you’re looking for the easiest way to get college credit, then dual enrollment is the easiest way, then AP, and then IB is the hardest way. But I feel IB is the most genuine, authentic way that you’re also getting something out of the experience,” Dogancay said.
Although Full IB is a great opportunity for students, there is no shame in dropping out. The attempt and the courage to try are all that matters, and if the program is not the perfect fit, then it is not the perfect fit. “It’s okay to drop out of full IB because I know a lot of students push themselves to stay in it and even though that’s okay and they still pass, I’d say do IB if you’re really committed but it’s okay to be uncertain and change your mind,” Huang said.
Advanced Placement
Advanced Placement courses follow a universal curriculum in preparation for the US wide tests taken in May. They are rigorous classes that count for college credit, preparing students for higher level education. The AP program gives students the opportunity to take one or more college-level (equivalent) high school courses — and to receive college credit if they receive a score of 3, 4, or 5 on the AP test.
Although choosing a difficult class may not always be ideal, Zoe Idea, NPHS graduate, reflects on the challenges presented and her experience. “I really love taking AP classes. The classes are kind of difficult, but in general, it’s a really great learning experience. And you’re often surrounded by like-minded individuals who also have a passion for learning. For me, the classes were great because I was able to get college credit for a few classes so I’m ahead now,” Idea said.
Having been in college for a bit now, Alex Ross, NPHS graduate, feels many college classes are easier than AP classes. “Colleges want to see that students challenge themselves to the best of their ability and take as many difficult classes that they can but it’s important not to go overboard,” Ross said. “AP classes influenced a lot of the way I think, how I approach my life, and also influenced the way I approach my schoolwork.”
According to Joanne Hernandez, UCSB admissions counselor, there is no bias from the university as to which pathway students should take. “We don’t have a preference between IB, AP, or dual enrollment. We know that every student has different interests and different passions and opportunities available to them, so there is not one that we like over the other, everything is equal,” Hernandez said. “There is not one certain thing we are looking for in a student. Everyone’s different and I think that is what we see in students. Seeing how everyone is unique and seeing how everyone is going to fit into our campus.”
Due to AP classes being a year long class compared to the two year IB courses, students have noticed that there are differences regarding how the classes are designed. “AP classes are scheduled and structured because we have to get through a certain amount of material in a certain amount of time, since the classes must be at the same pace throughout the United States. So IB classes felt a little less structured in that way and I felt that in my IB classes I had the opportunity to speak and discuss more,” Ross said.
As the AP test in May looms closer, the anticipation builds up and often tends to overwhelm students, but studying the months before is the golden ticket to scoring a five. “The difficulty of the AP test honestly depends on who the student’s teacher was and how the teacher prepared you for the test. If they give you good practice tests and if they show you how the test is going to be throughout the year, then there really won’t be any surprises,” Idea said. “In comparison to the IB test in May, AP typically has one test over one day that’s like four hours long but IB splits the test up into like three to four days.”
Though multiple choice questions have a reputation for being easy, this is not always the case in AP tests. The MCQ section within AP tests often requires students to think critically about the material and apply it to given stimuli. “They’re challenging and in some tests you take in school it’s pretty clear which choice is the answer. But in AP tests, I found that a lot of the answers are kind of ambiguous, or it feels like there are a couple of them that could be good for multiple choice,” Ross said.
Fear of doing bad or not understanding the material often holds students back from a higher class, when truly it shouldn’t. Taking the risk shows courage and many colleges hope to see students trying their hardest. “It’s way better to challenge yourself and have a rough time and get through the learning curve, than be in a class where you’re not pushed at all. We should take advantage of the educational opportunities that school can give us,” Idea said. “If there’s an AP class that you want to take, but the only thing keeping you back is being scared of how hard it’s going to be. Just go for it. If it’s that bad, then you can drop out. It’s better to get into that hard class and drop out if it’s awful.”
Dual Enrollment
Dual enrollment has become a popular choice among NPHS students, as the classes lead to a weighted GPA and earning college credits without having to take AP or IB tests. Students are also able to choose from a wider range of subjects. Most of these classes are either hybrid or completed online through Moorpark, Oxnard or Ventura College. Many dual enrollment students take off-periods during the standard school day, so they can focus on these classes.
Since dual enrollment classes take place over a short amount of time compared to regular classes, they tend to be very fast paced. “High school teachers guide students along more and reach out to them if they notice the student is struggling. With dual enrollment, it’s very different. You’re expected to be responsible for yourself. So teachers give you an assignment or the syllabus with a whole list of assignments for the whole semester and you’re expected to take accountability for yourself and get those assignments done,” Idea said. “And if you don’t get those assignments done and you don’t study for the test, then they’re not going to reach out and help you or let you retake it. It’s all your responsibility.”
At Moorpark College, Ross took several dual enrollment classes, including writing and English courses. “The classes were even a little bit easier than AP classes, and they were valued just as much,” Ross said. “The classes help you get used to how college works, college environments, and semesters, and how there’s certain weeks where things need to be turned in. And then the class structure is really similar to college.”
The ability to take the classes online allows for more flexibility for students with busy schedules. Ben Kreinces, senior taking dual enrollment, has enjoyed the freedom the classes have given him. “[Taking these classes] has allowed me timewise to pursue other ventures much more thoroughly and really just freed up my schedule and allows for flexibility not only in what classes I’ve taken, but what I can do outside of school,” Kreinces said.
Sergio Gonzalez, Moorpark College director of dual enrollment, acknowledges the bonus of being guaranteed college credit when taking dual enrollment, something that is not assured with AP classes. “Dual enrollment can likely waive the course at the high school level, give the student the credit at the college level, and there is no need for an exam. Additionally, the course can be anywhere from 8 weeks to 18 weeks and not a fiscal year to complete for the credit,” Gonzalez said.
When students go the extra mile, it does not go unnoticed and many college admissions value students who take college level courses in highschool. “Taking dual enrollment shows the universities you’re applying to that you can handle that type of work and shows you care about your education since you went out of your way to take a class that wasn’t even offered from your school,” Ross said.
Whether students are interested in taking a class their school does not offer, or are simply wanting to gain college credit, dual enrollment is a great option with many benefits. “Dual enrollment is a really good option. You just need to make sure you can take accountability and be organized because if you’re taking dual enrollment and doing high school classes at the same time, it can get to be a lot. So you have to stay on top of your assignments and I think dual enrollment is the best way to go if you’re looking to get college credit,” Idea said.
