Atlanta Adventist Academy: The lack of advance placement classes

Atlanta Adventist Academy: The lack of advance placement classes

By: Ronal Sorto

Seniors of Atlanta Adventist Academy may be surprised with a skimpy college application because the school does not offer Advanced Placement classes and only has a few dual credit options. This may be devastating for some as it can jeopardize a students their acceptance into a competitive school. Students lose money for classes that could have been completed in high school.

 

Atlanta Adventist Academy student Amber Durand filling out her College application in Duluth, Georgia on Friday. November, 21, 2014. (Ronal Sorto) 

The academy bringing together students from afar into a single classroom with innovative video technology. AAA stand out as one the top educational institutions of the Southern Union conference of Seventh-day Adventists. The school offer the basic english, math, science and history courses required by the state of Georgia. Each student is required four credits in those subjects and four Bible credits to graduate. Electives such as choir, bells, yearbook, journalism, art, debate and music production are offered alongside a few dual college credit options, such as Teachings of Jesus and Comp 101.

While the school is a pioneer in distance learning. Those who decided to attend a non Seventh-day Adventist institution might find acceptance into their dream school intricating. The lack of AP classes has caused senior Cristal Pizarro to feel embarrasses about her school transcripts.

 “It’s just been a disadvantage”  she said adding that when she was asked by colleges about her AP credits she felt that AAA, “makes us look like stupid seniors.”

Senior Jayvon McKinley agreed and said that when ever he is asked about AP credits he feels kind of, “dumb when I haven’t taken any.” McKinley said that he believes that he is at a disadvantage when applying to colleges since, “we are just stuck with our basic classes.”

Atlanta Adventist Academy student Calies Van Philips fills out her college application for Savannah College of Art and Design in Atlanta, Georgia. Friday. November, 14, 2014. (Ronal Sorto) 

The lack of AP and dual credit classes are due to shortages of qualified instructors to teach these classes. However, the last year the school welcomed new staff who meet the qualification to teach college credits. This shows that the school is acting on the situation. But are school members doing all that they can to provide the best education?

The biggest investment for a school whose “education connects” is spent on  the technology to connect schools to each other. But the amount of money and time experience sometimes seems to be more important than the education itself. Senior, Evan Davidson regards that AAA spends too much time on technology that fails to works half the time, while more could have been used to provide better instruction. Could this play a role on why AAA struggles when it comes to offering accelerated programs?

The addition of these classes would not only benefit students but would give AAA a higher enrollment rating at a top college. All they need is to greater invest on accelerated programs that would achieve tremendous results.

Atlanta Adventist Academy student Amber Durand filling out her college application checking to make sure she has all her information. Duluth, Georgia on Friday. November, 21, 2014. (Ronal Sorto)