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Students ask board to preserve AP Physics 2 next year, say course is critical for STEM pathways
Summary
Two New Albany High School students told the board that 10 juniors are registered for AP Physics 2 and urged the district to guarantee the class in 2025'026 even if enrollment is below a conditional threshold.
Two New Albany High School juniors spoke during public participation at the Feb. 24 Board of Education meeting to urge the district to offer AP Physics 2 in the 2025'026 school year.
Jack Goodman and Eric Jacoby told the board they represent 10 students registered for AP Physics 2 next year and that most plan to pursue rigorous STEM programs in college. They said AP Physics 2 is an algebra-based continuation of AP Physics 1 covering thermodynamics, electricity and magnetism, optics and modern physics and that the in-person labs required make virtual alternatives inadequate.
Why it matters: The students said cancellation would leave eight of the 10 without critical exposure to topics they expect before college and that an external college-credit option would present scheduling and engagement challenges.
Key remarks
- "On behalf of the 10 students registered for AP Physics 2 next year, we strongly advocate for the course to be offered in the 2025 to 2026 school year," Jack Goodman said. "We want to ensure scheduling, staffing and funding approvals occur even if the class does not meet this conditional size."
- Eric Jacoby said: "I purposely plan my high school courses to include this class. It'll be very unfortunate if New Albany is unable to provide me with my choice with science class for my senior year. If AP Physics 2 is not offered, I will not be able to take a science class because there are no other physical science classes left for me to take."
Administration response and next steps
No board action was recorded during public comment. The students asked the board to preserve scheduling and staffing decisions that would allow the course to run even if enrollment is marginal; district staff did not provide a class-specific decision during the meeting.
Ending
The students closed by asking that the district "treat [this year's possible AP Physics 2 offering] similarly" to past exceptions for low-enrollment advanced classes and to consider the impact on their college-preparation plans.
