As the School year goes underway, many students weigh the challenges of honors coursework against its potential rewards for college and personal growth.
By: Jack Post and Ahbram Marquez
With the 2025-2026 school year underway, Redwood students are deciding whether the extra workload of honors classes is worth the benefits.
Taking an AP class can be worth it for many students, as it demonstrates academic rigor to colleges, can provide college credit, and develops important skills like time management and critical thinking.
For some, like Sophomore Kadence Hetherington, ’28, the advanced courses push them to reach their full potential.
Hetherington is a Redwood Student who is always involved and has two honors classes, and strives to be at the top.
Hetherington said, “Being in an honors class puts you in a different aspect, like a different environment that pressures you to improve and comprehend what you’re learning.”
Honors classes are generally considered worth it because they can improve your college prospects, boost your GPA with weighted grades, and prepare you for the academic rigor of college
A Magician and an honors student, Maximillion Maryanow, ’28, loves to challenge his brain, and takes these classes as he doesn’t really feel challenged.
Maryanow also says, “I’ve never been in a regular class, so I don’t feel a difference between honors and regular, but I do feel a big difference between AP and regular. I feel like colleges really look at that.”
Catherine Taylor, ’28, a student taking all honors classes and an AP class, wants to take her learning to the best of her capacity.
Taylor says, “I feel like being in honors is only worth it for the GPA boost, and that is what colleges look at.”
Mr. Rojas, an AP Bio and normal Bio teacher says, he loves teaching both classes, but especially honors, as he guides the students and sees them grow as individuals. Teaching them about the physical reality we live in, how it has so many components that are moving for us to be able to function and live.
Mr. Rojas says, “Honors classes build a lot of good study habits, and they develop you as a person. You take the time to set up your schedules so you have enough time dedicated to that specific course. Highly encourage you to take AP Bio, if you are looking for a challenge, and you want to grow as a person and as a student, and get ready for college.”
Jack Post
Ahbram Marquez
Tags: #A.P, #college, #future, #honors, #lifestyle, #rangers, #redwood, #redwoodrangers, redwood gigantea, redwood high school, redwood journalism, rhs, visalia ca
