Three or higher: Galt High School earns high marks in fairly new program

Just a few years ago, Galt High School had little to offer students seeking more challenging classes that could earn them college credit. But results earlier this month showed nearly a quarter of the graduating Class of 2008 took one of 16 tests at the end of the school year required to earn that credit and earned a three or higher. Three is passing.

Not only do the students who pass the examinations receive recognition for earning college credit in high school, they save money, since they don't have to take as many classes or prerequisites once they get to college.

"These are results that students, parents and our entire staff can be truly proud of," said Alex Bauer who teaches Advanced Placement Government and politics.

Last May, the school administered 465 tests in 16 subjects to 265 sophomores, juniors and seniors. According to the College Board, 214 tests earned a score of three or higher, which is a passing rate of more than 46 percent.

In Lodi Unified School District, 1,375 students took AP examinations with 47 percent receiving passing scores. Of those, 459 were from Lodi High and 427 from Tokay High. About 56 percent of the students at Lodi High received a three or higher, while 52 percent at Tokay High did.

Galt students earned 43 scores of five, the highest possible score, with 70 scores of four and 101 scores of three, considered a passing score by many colleges and universities. Similar information was unavailable for Lodi schools.

Additionally, according to Bauer, the school's percentage of passing scores in some subject areas — including economics, government, English and Spanish — exceeded the national average. Although it varies from subject to subject, 61 percent of the nation's students who took AP English literature, for example, received a passing grade of a three or better.

Galt High Senior Cindy Chagolla, who has taken two AP classes in the past, is currently enrolled in AP English, AP government, AP economics and AP German. She signed up for the chance to receive college credit if she passes the examinations in the spring.

"These AP classes look good on your college applications," she said. "Also, I wanted take on a challenge by taking these classes and learn more in depth in a particular subject, such as history."

While AP English has been a curriculum staple for some time, the AP program at Galt High took off in all school departments in 2003, according to Bauer, who enjoys hearing about former students' success.

"The culture of the school changes when students take the initiative and work hard under the AP curriculum," he said. "It is extremely rewarding to see the students succeed on the exams. They put in all that work and unlike the STAR tests, the students actually have a direct stake in the outcome. There is a satisfying sense of accomplishment for both the students and teachers."

Tokay High School has more students enrolled in AP classes this year than any other, according to Assistant Principal Martha Dent.

The school offers two AP courses in English (language for juniors and literature for seniors), two in math (calculus and statistics), three in science (chemistry, biology and earth science), four in social science (human geography, European history, U.S. history and U.S. government/micro-economics, and one in Spanish.

Environmental science is brand new this year, while next year the campus will be adding AP physics, as well, Dent said.

Similar classes in 12 subjects are available at Lodi High as well, according to Principal Bill Atterberry.

Currently, Galt High students can choose from 13 AP classes. The school's enrollment policy for these classes is open, and students willing to put in the hard work required in these challenging college-level classes are encouraged to enroll, Bauer said.

Chagolla, however, admits that taking this many college-related courses is time consuming because of the additional required reading.

Galt High Senior Nancy Lui would know. She's taken five AP courses and is enrolled in four more this school year. "They show a student's dedication to hard work, which will work in my favor during college applications," she said of the classes.

"The workload can get pretty intense at times, especially if you're taking more than one AP course in a given year. Class always moves on, whether you miss a day or not, so falling behind is never an option."

Lui also participates in kung fu and kickboxing when she's not studying. "It's a nice break from a rigorous workload from school."

AP students are expected to do more reading than their counterparts and engage in more critical thinking, Bauer said.

Senior Kayla Cole, who is taking AP economics, AP government and AP English at Galt High this school year and took two classes last year, said AP classes are not that different from other classes, "except the expectations the teachers have and the workloads. But other than those few things, it's easy and fun."

Contact reporter Jennifer Bonnett at jenniferb@lodinews.com.