AP classes are incredibly important for college admissions and college readiness. They are both interesting and challenging due to their content, pace and end-of-year exam. At Mount Pisgah–and at a variety of other private schools–the number of AP classes one can take is limited due to the desire to preserve students’ mental health and a manageable workload.
At MPCS, the AP limit is typically one for freshmen, two for sophomores and four for juniors and seniors. However, particularly ambitious students desire to go beyond these limitations, aiming to challenge themselves and better their college admission chances. Is the school administration harming these driven students by placing a cap on AP classes? Or are they protecting them from overwhelming amounts of stress?
“I think it is important to remember what an AP course is. It is a college-level class. When we offer them to high school students, we have to remember that four AP courses, or four college courses at once, make you a full-time college student,” said Diane Nardella, Upper School counselor. “But we are also going to ask you to stay in school from 8:30-3:00 and take bible, electives and participate in sports teams and the arts. If you were a true college student, you would only have class for a few hours a day, and you would have time to go back to your dorm, go to the library, and study or rest.”
Supporters of the cap argue that it promotes balance. High school is not solely about academic rigor; it is also a time for extracurricular involvement, leadership, and personal growth. By limiting AP courses, the administration encourages students to pursue athletics, arts, service and other meaningful activities that colleges value just as much as, if not more than, a highly challenging transcript. In this view, the cap is protective rather than restrictive, ensuring that students avoid burnout and maintain genuine engagement in all facets of their lives.
“I am a believer that even if you score a little lower in the [AP] course than you normally would, taking the course and preparing for the exam helps prepare you for college. Statistically, students who have sat for at least one AP exam have higher college GPAs later,” said Nardella.
On the other hand, critics contend that the policy may unintentionally disadvantage highly motivated students. For those who thrive under academic pressure and have strong time management skills, the cap can feel restrictive of their potential. These students may worry that they are less competitive compared to peers at other schools with more freedom, especially in an increasingly selective college admissions process.
“Admissions officers want to see that you challenged yourself in high school, but they also want to see strong grades. At the end of the day, to quote Mr. Morrison on this, ‘GPA is king.’ So you need to have a balance,” said Nardells. “Some colleges value rigor more than others. I can think of one more selective flagship university in the state next to us that has become really popular in the last 10 years, and they do not care whether you ever take an AP class. But you’d better have a decent GPA, and you’d better have a high ACT or SAT. Oftentimes, admissions officers filter a first pass through GPA and test scores. So, if you don’t make that first pass, they never even see if you have AP courses. Many schools vary in what they are looking for, so balance is the most important thing.”
Ultimately, the question comes down to what education should prioritize: maximum academic achievement or a more balanced, sustainable experience. While ambitious students may feel constrained, the policy reflects an effort to support the well-being of the entire student body. Perhaps the best path forward lies in flexibility, allowing exceptions for students who demonstrate readiness, while maintaining safeguards to ensure that challenge does not come at the cost of their overall health.
“Students always think multiple APs sound great in March the year before. But when they are in the thick of it, it isn’t so great anymore,” added Nardella. “We limit them for you so that you do not get in over your head, and since we have been at this a long time, we can see that coming, when sometimes the student can’t.”
