Every year it seems that Advanced Placement (AP) class acceptance lists grow longer. This higher rate of acceptance is reassuring for many students, but it does not actually benefit anyone. Larger AP class sizes make both learning and teaching more difficult in already challenging classes.

Although AP classes are college-level courses, they are still taught in a high school setting. With this in mind, one would expect AP teachers to maintain a high school atmosphere, including class sizes conducive to a certain level of personal attention for each student. True, it is up to students to be self-motivated in advanced classes, but it is still up to the school to create an environment in which students can thrive.

Large class sizes also go against school policy. There is supposed to be a limit to the number of students in certain class, though the exact cap varies from department to department. The school established these caps for the benefit of teachers and students, and their purpose is to maintain class sizes that make it easier for teachers to control and interact with students. Although teachers are trying to give as many students as possible the opportunity to take an AP class, they are actually doing themselves a disservice in swelling class sizes.

With so many high-achieving students at Gunn, it may be difficult for teachers to make cuts when creating AP class rosters. However, the practice of overcrowding AP classes must end. If the current, supposedly rigorous, standards for admittance to AP classes are no longer limiting class sizes, perhaps it is time to raise those standards higher. It may seem unfair, but in the end smaller class sizes will benefit teachers and students.