Freshman Loren Nienajadlo already has started to prepare for taking Advanced Placement Chemistry next year.

“Chemistry is really interesting to me and what I want to do in college. I’ll need chemistry to do that,” Nienajaldo said. ”It’d behoove me to get ahead on chemistry because I need to do it anyway.”

AP Chemistry is designed to be the equivalent of a college-level introductory chemistry course. It is different from regular and honors chemistry due to the textbook used, the depth and range of topics covered and the time and effort that must be put in.

Sophomore Conner Miles, who currently is enrolled in the course, is happy to offer insight.

“In some ways it can be challenging but overall it’s not that bad,” he said. “Definitely do the homework as it’s assigned and keep up with studying. “

AP Chemistry takes up two periods because it requires more than one period to perform some of the labs in the curriculum. Because of the two-hour block, those who take the course receive credit for both AP Chemistry and Chemistry 2 Honors.

“It’s nice to know how the world works and the properties of elements,” Miles said. “I thought it’d be a good idea to take AP Chem the year after I took honors instead of waiting awhile like some kids do.”

Students who have an interest in the course should contact instructor Carolyn Horst with questions.

By Cayman Alford