This week, many students at Webb has been revolving their lives around reviewing and preparing for the AP exams. AP Exams, short for Advanced Placement Exams, are tests designed by College Board that examine students’ level of mastery on skills and content of corresponding AP courses.
Although the AP Exam—covering a wide range of subjects from the Humanities to STEM—is a sophisticated testing system, Webb has decided to gradually cancel its AP courses and replace them with Advanced Studies classes, Webb’s own academic course system. This year is the first year where students at Webb no longer take AP languages courses, as well as AP Biology. As of next year, Webb will be canceling the last of AP classes, such as AP Calculus, Statistics, Chemistry, and Physics.
“I think the reason for cancellations of the AP courses is because College Board lays out curriculum that teachers have to follow strictly for the entire year,” said Alex Lee (‘26), a student who is taking three AP courses this year. “Webb really emphasizes creating its own unique curriculum, therefore wants to deviate from the set courses of College Board.”
Some members of the Webb community think positively of the change from AP to Advanced Studies courses, as there will be less pressure on both teachers and students to complete the curriculum that finishes before May, leaving time to review for the big exam.
“I like [the change] very much, and the teachers have responded very well,” said Michael Kozden, chair of the world languages department. “I haven’t heard of a single criticism from either teachers in my department or the students. All positive things.”
There are many students who agree with Mr. Kozden, like Alex.
“I like it, because Webb already does not emphasize too much on the exams,” Alex said. “[The cancellation of AP courses] lifts some stress off of us.”
In addition, without the deadline of the exam, teachers are given more freedom with time in class, so more creativity and customization are allowed.
“I think it’s super personalized,” said Dr. Joseph Martin, science department faculty, when talking about his new Advanced Studies Biology curriculum. “It’s about our campus and what we have to offer. We also get an entire extra quarter, so students can utilize and explore the beautiful campus we have.”
On the contrary, Webb students like Yichen Sun (‘27) does not like the change as much.
“The AP curriculum offers a nice structure that I feel comfortable studying,” Yichen said. “So I feel uncertain losing these training wheels. I also think the time of the tests gives you an extra month to study for other finals.”
“Nevertheless, I look forward to creative changes after the cancellation, which I think could work well if implemented effectively,” Yichen said.
The end of this year puts an end to AP courses and exams at Webb. As the Webb Schools officially become one school next year, its students also embark on an exciting journey with these unique and customized courses.
