Here at South, students get to pick the classes they want from a wide array of options. Some of those classes can be a breeze, others can be exciting or interesting, and a few can be extremely challenging.

As a veteran student here at Bloomington South, I will be offering my input on some of the classes rumored to be quite difficult. I will also be summarizing each class as well as grading some of its aspects, such as the difficulty of tests and quizzes, clarity of lessons, the amount of work given, etc. 

Chemistry Honors: 

Many students take this class during their sophomore year. In Chemistry Honors, you do a lot of labs and it’s where you start writing formal lab reports. Homework is assigned on a weekly basis as well as graded on accuracy. However, it is not the homework that students complain about, but rather it is the difficulty of the tests given, especially in the first trimester of the class. During the second trimester, the tests get easier, but what makes the first tri harder is that it is more conceptual and less math-heavy. 

Grading System 1-10 (1 is very easy or not very helpful and 10 is extremely challenging or very helpful). 

• • Amount of Work: 4 
  • The Difficulty of Tests & Exams (first tri, second tri): 8,6

• • Helpfulness and Resources: 6
  • Clarity of Lesson and Teacher: 6

AP Physics C: 

AP Physics C is usually filled with juniors and seniors that already have taken physics honors and Calculus AB. The content is split into two sections: Mechanics as well as Electricity and Magnetism. While both sections of the class are difficult, E&M is by far the most brutal. AP Physics also has extremely challenging tests and quizzes, but Kara Parker makes up for it by giving a generous curve. Additionally, the homework and labs that are assigned in the class are mostly based on completion, so that should help your grade.

Grading System 1-10 (1 is very easy or not very helpful and 10 is extremely challenging or very helpful). 

• • Amount of Work: 2
  • The Difficulty of Tests & Exams: 10

• • Helpfulness and Resources: 5
  • Clarity of Lesson and Teacher: 8

AP Euro: 

Mostly sophomores and seniors take this class. AP Euro is riddled with lots of work. There are lots of short answer responses to write, multiple-choice quizzes to take, as well as a few essays to submit. Moreover, like any other history class, AP Euro gives you a lot of information to take in, and it can sometimes be overwhelming when a test is coming up. However, Matt Hoagland is a great teacher. Senior Alex Straube said that, “Mr. Hoagland makes it a lot of fun, while also being very thorough.” What makes it challenging to do well on the AP exam for this class is the fact that AP Euro is only offered for the first two trimesters when the exam is at the end of the year. 

Grading System 1-10 (1 is very easy or not very helpful and 10 is extremely challenging or very helpful). 

• • Amount of Work: 9
  • The Difficulty of Tests & Exams: 7

• • Helpfulness and Resources: 6
  • Clarity of Lesson and Teacher: 10

English 10 Honors with Bogdan Rakic: 

This class is known to be one of the most challenging English classes at South, and it is taken by ambitious sophomores. Student Thomas Joyce mentioned this class “was difficult, yet meaningful.” 

“Going into the class, you know that it will take a lot of hard work, but if you put in the effort, you are guaranteed to become a better reader and writer,” added Joyce. 

While Rakic can be a fun teacher, Joyce explained that his class “certainly is not a time to take your afternoon snooze.” 

Also, the main complaint of students about this class is the dreaded Grammar Wednesdays each and every week. 

Grading System 1-10 (1 is very easy or not very helpful and 10 is extremely challenging or very helpful). 

• • Amount of Work: 9
  • The Difficulty of Tests & Papers: 10

• • Helpfulness and Resources: 6
  • Clarity of Lesson and Teacher: 8

AP Calculus BC: 

This is the highest math class in South, which should make it quite challenging for students who take it. However, if you pay attention in class, do your homework assignments, and go over the reviews that Kevin Raney offers, you should be fine. This is because the tests and quizzes in Calculus BC are easier than the homework assignments and closely resemble the reviews. Also, senior Zach Stewart believes one of the main successes of the class is Raney making “the class fun and enjoyable.” On the other hand, if you procrastinate in class, you can get lost pretty quickly since the class moves fairly quickly through the material. 

“The good and the bad things are the same. It is only a two-trimester class, which means you get a break but that leaves it up to you to study for the AP exam,” said Stewart.

Grading System 1-10 (1 is very easy and not very helpful & 10 is extremely challenging and very helpful). 

• • Amount of Work: 7
  • The Difficulty of Tests & Exams: 5.5

• • Helpfulness and Resources: 8
  • Clarity of Lesson and Teacher: 8.25