This year, the English and math departments are using SpringBoard, an Advanced Placement (AP) readiness course designed to help students prepare for AP classes and exams in their upcoming years.

Sophomore Chester Castro likes the strategy and thinks it is a big step for education.

“I think that this should’ve been around years ago,” Castro said. “I actually get nervous even thinking about the AP exams and how difficult they are said to be.”

Schools across the county are applying Common Core to the English and math curriculums. The textbooks that are provided to freshmen and sophomores aren’t up to date with the newer testing systems which is where Springboard comes in handy.

English teacher Paul Viskanta utilizes Springboard to the utmost ability in his ninth and tenth grade classes.

“I’m hoping to use (SpringBoard) every day,” Viskanta said. “I will use novels to supplement some units, but it is my textbook.”

SpringBoard textbooks are up-to-date with the newer tests and provide students with the necessary knowledge to pass the tests, such as the Common Core exams. The text keeps up with the newer high school curriculums and is made to help students succeed.

Principal Deb Smith thinks highly of SpringBoard and believes it will be around after this year.

“We plan on keeping it as well as looking at increasing the grade levels it will affect,” Smith said.