The concept of tracking at MHS, as well as at other competitive high schools, has proven to be a highly controversial issue. Tracking is the process in which academically gifted students take on a more advanced course load. Considering the hysteria and pressure associated with being admitted to elite colleges, students often feel the need to enroll in all of the honors and AP classes that are available to them. The controversy surrounds mostly one question: in what grade should AP classes first be offered?

As it currently stands at Mamaroneck High School, students are permitted to take honors math and language classes beginning in ninth grade. Neighboring districts such as Chappaqua allow students to take at least one AP during their sophomore year, with additional advanced classes available as students get older. This makes the transition to more AP’s at once easier because students have already been exposed to the nature of an AP class at a younger age.

At MHS, however, at the beginning of junior year, many students jump right into taking two AP’s at once, not to mention some of the most difficult AP’s offered, and two honors classes, many having not experienced the intensity of an accelerated class before. The changes in the workload and atmosphere of the classroom are not necessarily easy to acclimate to.

Thus, one AP class should be made available for students to take during their sophomore year of high school. Freshman year is too early for students to enter very high level classes, as ninth grade students need time to adjust to a new school environment. However, if one AP class is offered sophomore year, students who want to challenge themselves will be able to start earlier on, and they will be ready for the stress and workload that a difficult junior year schedule can bring.

Students should be able to take an AP during an earlier year of high school to gain experience. If only one AP were to be offered, there would not be students with an overwhelming workload during their beginning high school years, but they would learn the skills needed to tackle a tougher workload in their more challenging years of high school.