Clear Lake High School offers several Advanced Placement (AP) courses to give high school students a head start on college. AP classes consist of standardized high school courses that are roughly equivalent to undergraduate level college courses. These classes require the type of critical thinking and problem solving encountered in college.
Studies show that AP students are better prepared for college, have an increased eligibility for scholarships, have higher college graduation rates, and spend less money on their overall college education. “Earning a three or higher on the Advanced Placement Exam may entitle students to skip entry level college classes,” school Principal Steve Gentry added. “In addition, many colleges offer credit for AP classes which saves the student, and family, time and money.”
Juniors have the option of taking AP U.S. History, Language Composition, and/or Biology. Seniors may take AP Language and Literature, Calculus, and/or Biology. Approximately 45 students, 25 percent of the juniors and seniors at CLHS, enroll in an AP class each year. Gentry continues, “We’re very proud of all our AP students. Many of them take two or three AP classes per year.”
Oscar Dominguez has been teaching AP Biology at CLHS for over 14 years. He inspires his students by making the subject matter as approachable and fun as possible. Dominguez said, “At a minimum I want to prepare my students for the exam in the spring. It’s my personal goal that students learn to see, and frame questions, in a way that makes them testable. It’s important that they learn to fit answers into bigger ideas and concepts.”
The AP Biology class recently visited UC Davis where they collected and analyzed the DNA of tree leaves, toured the Genome Center, and viewed grafting projects from advanced plant geneticists and horticulturalists.
“A lot of class time is spent in the lab where we learn from both successes and failures,” Dominguez pointed out.
Former AP biology student Darcy McCarrick is currently enrolled at Brigham Young University as an Ecology major. “I’m so grateful for my time spent with Mr. Dominguez,” she said. “His AP Biology class gave me a general understanding of biology and a necessary foundation to build upon.” Dominguez, and other AP teachers, mimic the college environment by allowing students to work autonomously. McCarrick added, “College classes move fast. High School AP classes move more slowly. I was better prepared for college because of my AP classes.”
AP students also participate in the Clear Lake Water Chemistry Program, lectures at the Berkley Museum of Paleontology, and labs at the Marine Mammal Hospital in Sausalito. Dominguez concluded, “I consider myself very fortunate to have been doing what I love for over 22 years. I work with an exceptional group of colleagues; Steve Gentry is a great principal and we have LEEF and Boosters that support activities to help our kids enjoy real science.”
All students interested in attending a college or university should consider taking an AP course. For more information about the AP classes offered at CLHS call 707-262-3010.
