Advanced Placement (AP) at ORCA: The Benefits, Difficulty, and What It Entails

All high school students at ORCA are given the opportunity to take Advanced Placement (AP) courses after completing their sophomore year, increasing academic rigor and strengthening their transcripts for potential colleges and employers.

ORCA offers six AP options, varying in difficulty and spanning all four core subject areas. These courses are taught with the understanding that students who successfully complete the coursework receive a weighted grade on a 5.0 GPA scale, rather than the standard (4.0), and honors (4.5) scale, which means a greater boost to your GPA. Students also have the opportunity to take the College Board-administered AP exam in the spring. 

Some ORCA AP classes are also available for dual credit, meaning students can register through an authorizing community college partner to earn college credit without passing the AP exam. However, passing the AP exams earns credit through College Board and some colleges are more likely to accept AP credit compared to dual credit (some schools only accept higher AP tests scores for transfer credit). ORCA AP classes with dual credit options include AP Literature and Composition, AP Statistics, AP Calculus and AP US History.

** AP exams must be taken at a brick-and-mortar testing location, often a local high school. To learn more about the registration process, read this article.

The benefits of taking AP courses are numerous, but perhaps the most notable is the opportunity to earn college credit before ever stepping foot in a university classroom.

However, while there are many advantages, there are also drawbacks. AP courses typically require a significant time-commitment, entailing more hours of work per week than honors or standard weighted courses– an undertaking that should not be underestimated.

Are you up to the challenge? Here are your options at ORCA.

AP Environmental Science - Difficulty Level: 7/10

Shawn Bundy, who teaches the advanced version of Environmental Science, describes the course as one in which students explore how human actions impact the natural environment and how all life on Earth is interconnected. “You will see how we can create a more sustainable and prosperous future for all living beings as we explore the resources in each of the following environments: freshwater, oceans, forests, underground and in our atmosphere,” Mr. Bundy says.

Because ORCA does not offer an honors version of Environmental Science, the primary advantage of taking the AP course is the opportunity for deeper thought and analysis through more complex projects. Mr. Bundy explains that while the overall content is fairly similar between the standard and AP courses, the advanced class explores select topics in greater depth. Additionally, students in APES create projects that are later used in the standard Environmental Science class.

Mr. Bundy’s favorite topic to teach is oceans, as he moved to Oregon to study fisheries and marine ecosystems. Although he enjoys all of the course projects, he finds the agroforestry project especially engaging as an environmental enthusiast. In this assignment, students select a real plot of land for sale in Oregon and determine how they would design and manage an agroforest on that property. “[The] project really allows for a lot of student flexibility to figure out what sort of crops, trees and animals would do well on their particular piece of land.”

Students in the standard course complete a similar project, but they focus on crops or animals rather than analyzing the dynamic relationship between both. This added depth and integrated analysis represent one of the greatest benefits of the APES course.

“I hope that students take away an interest in exploring the world around them,” Mr Bundy continues. “There are so many interesting things in the world and I just want students to find joy in exploring them to figure out how things work or how something can be improved.”

When asked why he would rate the APES course as a seven out of ten in difficulty, he explains, “The projects require some significant research and thought in constructing, but nothing is terribly difficult if you find the projects interesting.”

AP United States History - Difficulty Level: 9/10

Taught by Casey Comstock, Advanced Placement United States History not only meets state standards and explores content more deeply than the honors version of US History, but it also places students in a truly college-level academic environment, preparing them for postsecondary success.

“On the first day of class, I'm going to tell you that you need to memorize the major people, events, and laws from 1491 to the present, and you're going to think I'm nuts,” Ms. Comstock says. She believes that by approaching the course step by step, students will accomplish exactly that, and go on to sweep U.S. History Jeopardy categories for the rest of their lives.

One of her favorite units to teach focuses on the Great Depression and the Dust Bowl. “Because the government hired photographers to document life during the crisis (and to put people back to work),” she shares, “we now have an incredible collection of images that show what life was really like.”

When asked why she rated the class a nine out of ten in difficulty, Ms. Comstock replies, “A significant amount of college-level reading and writing is required.” While the workload may feel demanding, the level of preparation for college makes the course well worth the challenge.

Whether students choose to take the AP exam or enroll in dual credit through a partnership with an Oregon college, they will develop critical thinking skills, learn to articulate complex ideas clearly, and organize evidence in ways that extend beyond the typical high school curriculum.

“I hope [students] take away a feeling of confidence from having tackled something truly challenging and succeeded.”

AP Language and Composition - Difficulty Level: Student-Dependent

Stephanie Imig teaches both AP Language and Composition and Honors LA12. She praises both as strong options for students who want to challenge themselves by reading a greater quantity of more complex texts and developing more sophisticated writing skills. Because both courses offer the opportunity to earn college credit through ORCA’s dual credit program, the advantage of taking the Advanced Placement course depends largely on a university’s credit-awarding policies and whether a student intends to take the College Board AP exam.

Additional work required of AP students includes focused preparation for the AP exam, developing proficiency in the style of analysis required for the multiple-choice section, and practicing the three different essay formats included on the exam. Each semester, students also complete an independent reading project. Ms. Imig adds, “AP Language is focused on understanding how writers use language in all different contexts and disciplines to achieve their purpose.”

When asked about her favorite units, she explains that it is difficult to choose just one, so she separates her answer by semester. In Semester A, she enjoys reading short memoirs as mentor texts and reviewing students’ personal narratives– pieces that often serve as the foundation for their college application essays.

In Semester B, her favorite unit explores how language is evolving and how technology is shaping that change. As part of the unit, students complete a persuasive project in which they advocate for or reject a shift in language. They analyze the rhetorical situation and determine how to structure their argument for an audience of their choice, using a medium they also select. “It's just so fun to see the creativity and specific voice in the projects,” she adds.

One of the most significant benefits of taking AP Language is the development of analytical reading and writing skills that transfer across disciplines, preparing students not only for postsecondary education but also for future careers.

Ms. Imig does not assign the course a specific difficulty rating, explaining that it depends largely on a student’s comfort level with challenging material and their relationship with Language Arts. While the course is more demanding than both the honors and standard versions, she emphasizes that more rigorous does not necessarily mean better for every student. She encourages those who do not plan to take the AP exam to consider enrolling in the honors option instead.

Many assignments in AP Language are designed specifically to prepare students for the AP exam, and without the intention of taking the test, some students may find those assignments less purposeful.

“I also think there is always something to be gained from stepping up to a challenge, and learning that you can do hard things!”

AP Literature and Composition - Difficulty Level: 9/10 First Semester

One of the greatest benefits of taking AP Literature & Composition is the exposure to authentic college-level coursework, says Kelsey Stone, who teaches the class. The curriculum is fully aligned with two college English courses: students complete English 106 (Poetry) during the first semester and English 104 (Fiction) during the second.

English 106 explores how poems truly function, examining not only language but also sound, structure, and meaning.

“It’s a fantastic class for poets, but even students who don’t think they “like” poetry end up gaining a whole new way of seeing texts—and ideas—in complex, abstract ways,” Ms. Stone adds.

During the second semester, aligned with English 104, students shift their focus to short stories. They read across genres, literary movements, and time periods. Ms. Stone creates opportunities for students to explore what genuinely interests them while still mastering required course content.

Her favorite unit is the poetry covered in the first semester, when the class reads a wide range of poets, from Edgar Allan Poe and Sylvia Plath to contemporary voices like Ocean Vuong and Ross Gay. Students engage with works that explore trauma, identity, love, joy, wit, and deeply human experiences.

“But my absolute favorite moment of first semester is when a student finds that poem—the one that hits them in a way poetry never has before. Watching that shift happen is incredible.”

Ms. Stone acknowledges that the first semester is demanding, but she hopes students persevere and leave with the confidence that they can tackle unfamiliar and challenging material. While poetic devices may not directly apply to every future career, the ability to navigate obstacles and wrestle with uncertainty certainly will. Learning to ask for help and push beyond previous limits is one of the many rewards of the course.

The second semester feels lighter by comparison, as students have adjusted to the expectations of college-level work. Ms. Stone especially enjoys the final unit, when students analyze a short story they love and “completely nerd out over craft, structure, symbolism, and meaning in a story they genuinely care about.”

She rates the first semester between an eight and ten in difficulty but emphasizes that no student is expected to manage the workload alone. Success, she says, depends largely on a student’s willingness to communicate and work through moments of uncertainty.

Although the second semester still requires a significant time commitment, the content often feels more manageable after completing the rigorous first term. At the end of the year, instead of requiring a traditional final essay, Ms. Stone offers students the option of participating in a one-on-one conversation about their chosen story, a unique alternative for those enrolled in the AP course.

AP Literature and Composition is a class where curiosity, discussion, and discovery take center stage. While it challenges the way students read, think, and write, it equips them with the tools to analyze texts deeply and approach literature with a fresh perspective.

“If you like thinking, discussing ideas, exploring meaning, and occasionally having your brain hurt in a good way—AP Lit might be your class.”

AP Calculus - Difficulty Level: 7/10

Carl Yao, the teacher of both AP Calculus and AP Statistics, is a strong advocate for the more challenging version of the class. It goes deeper than honors and standard-level math courses, pushing students to practice procedures while focusing on the why rather than just the how.

Students who elect to take AP Calculus will concentrate on how ideas connect and how to communicate their mathematical thinking clearly. The course carries college-level expectations, and throughout the year, students must develop stronger problem-solving skills, mathematical reasoning, and persistence.

A major benefit of the course is the free college credit offered through the College Now program. Students who complete the requirements can receive college math credit without taking the AP exam. Not only does this save money for those planning to attend a post-secondary institution, but it also saves time, clearing courses students would otherwise need to take before earning their degree.

One of Mr. Yao’s favorite units is the application of derivatives. Students use calculus to analyze real-world situations and gain an understanding of how calculus can inform decision-making, rather than just being a collection of abstract formulas. Real-world examples include optimizing costs, maximizing profit, or understanding motion– tools that are applicable to nearly every field.

“More than anything, I hope students leave these courses with confidence in their ability to think analytically,” Mr. Yao states. The ability to interpret data, model situations, and justify conclusions can apply to STEM fields, social sciences, business, healthcare, education, and many more career paths. Even for those not pursuing careers that typically require mathematical thinking, skills like evaluating risks or making informed financial decisions can be incredibly valuable.

He rates AP Calculus a 7/10 in difficulty due to the challenging coursework and consistent effort required. However, he believes it is manageable for students who keep up with their practice and aren’t afraid to ask questions.

“Success is much more about persistence and mindset than about being ‘naturally good at math.’”

AP Statistics - Difficulty Level: 7/10

Mr. Yao rates AP Statistics a similar difficulty to AP Calculus, challenging those who elect to take the course to employ strong problem-solving skills and become comfortable thinking deeply rather than simply memorizing steps.

AP Stats emphasizes thinking, explaining, and making connections instead of racing to get the answer quickly. “Students should come in ready to work consistently, but also know they’ll be supported and will gain skills that truly carry forward beyond high school,” he adds. The skills learned in both Advanced Placement math courses help students become critical thinkers in addition to being good test-takers.

In AP Stats, his favorite unit is statistical inference, where students learn how data supports (or doesn’t support) claims. He particularly enjoys confidence intervals and hypothesis testing. “It’s exciting to see students realize they now have the tools to evaluate studies, news headlines, and everyday claims using evidence rather than intuition.” Students should expect to interpret data, reflect on their work, and write about their mathematical thinking.

Deciding between AP Statistics and AP Calculus depends on a student’s interests and future career plans. If you wish to receive deeper guidance on which course would best support your academic goals, discuss it with your advisor to determine which aligns most closely with your learning path.

Though AP courses are a great way to impress colleges and future employers, and to challenge yourself with a higher-level class, they’re not the end-all-be-all.

Many junior and senior year honors courses offer dual credit, providing another opportunity for students to earn college credit without the full commitment of an AP class.

Sometimes, taking the standard or honors course is the right choice, giving you the best chance to excel and grow as a student. AP rigor doesn’t define your worth; remaining consistent while developing your skills and understanding in your academic journey is far more important.

High school offers many opportunities to grow as a learner and as a person, and Advanced Placement is just one of them. For more information about signing up for the 2026–27 school year or connecting with a teacher, speak with your advisor.