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Students warn that AP course cuts at Mankato West will reduce access to rigorous coursework
Summary
Multiple Mankato West students told the board that planned cuts to AP courses — students cited six AP sections that will not run next year — will shrink rigor, push students toward PSEO/concurrent enrollment and complicate graduation planning; administrators said low in‑school enrollment and staffing constraints drove the decisions.
Several Mankato West students urged the school board on April 6 to reconsider planned cuts to Advanced Placement courses that they said will reduce access to rigorous in‑school college‑level coursework.
Students described a mix of causes and consequences. Lily Pipes (junior) said AP offerings are “undeniable[ly] important” to school culture and warned that many AP sections have been cut for next year. Olivia Jarrett and Ivan Wilson, also juniors, echoed those concerns and said some students have planned their high school tracks around courses such as calculus and chemistry. One student described six AP courses slated for removal next year — a change she said would reduce the district’s AP offerings from 17 this year to 11 next year.
Students and board members said two drivers are clear in staff comments: lower in‑school enrollment for some AP classes (staff cited example enrollment counts around 12–22 students for certain AP sections) and a shift of some students into PSEO or concurrent enrollment options that occur outside the high school schedule. Administrators said cutting a course can be a staffing decision when low in‑person enrollment makes in‑district sections difficult to staff, and that some students elect PSEO because it is more convenient or offered as a half‑semester option.
Board members and administrators discussed communication and the potential fiscal effects: members asked whether more robust outreach or schedule/prerequisite adjustments could maintain AP enrollment, and asked principals to analyze whether increased PSEO enrollment would materially affect district attendance and revenue. Students said some will be forced to pursue PSEO or online options to meet graduation requirements.
Why it matters: AP offerings provide in‑district access to rigorous coursework and college credit for many students; removing sections can reduce equitable access for students who cannot or do not want to travel for PSEO or concurrent enrollment.
What’s next: Board members urged administrators to review prerequisites, schedule options and outreach to see whether some AP sections can be retained; staff said some scheduling and staffing constraints may limit options but that the district will examine the concerns.
