In a room full of juniors and seniors, RHS sophomore Nuha Hamid is one of two underclassmen taking AP Computer Science A (APCSA).

At RHS, a few students have been taking APCSA and other AP classes at grade levels younger than normal. Teachers have grade level restrictions in place for a reason. APCSA teacher Geoffrey Clarion said, “Sophomores tend to perform not as well compared to a senior just because of maturity issues, study habits and test taking skills.”

However, exceptions are made. After Hamid participated in a coding competition called CodeWars last year, Mr. Clarion asked her to join his class instead of taking the recommended one. These suggestions are made to students who participate in CodeWars to encourage them to pursue computer science.

At first, Hamid was unsure about joining the class and wanted to follow the designated pathway. After taking the leap to join the class, Hamid realized that she was one of only two sophomores in the class. That scared her, and made her wonder if she “was doing something wrong.”

Mr. Clarion said one of the reasons for grade level restrictions is that the “administration would prefer that seniors who have not had a chance to take the class and who may have been turned down in previous years should have the opportunity to take the class before leaving high school.”

In general, even when classes may be mentally difficult for younger people, some younger students will be fine. In fact, they may get benefits. For example, younger students are exposed to the message that they need to work harder to succeed as much as everyone else, leading to a better work ethic.

Hamid herself performs well in the class despite the academic challenges. Even though her stress “has gotten a bit more” due to fast-paced work, she still enjoys the class. “I wasn’t too worried, because I really enjoy programming. Challenges are something I welcome when it comes to that.”

Her stress in the class is not constant, however. “I feel like it’s going up and down. It sort of went up at the beginning, and now it’s slowing down. I think it’ll just depend on how hard the work is,” Hamid said.

Sophomores Rohitjeyan Kulanthaivel and Nathaniel Knolle both wanted to take APCSA along with Hamid. Unlike Nuha, they both did not participate in CodeWars. They were both denied entry by the counselors because they were too young to take the class. They currently take APCSP.

Kulanthaivel “wanted a challenge” from the class. “I do feel like APCSA would be more challenging,” he said.

He also does not find much sense in the age restrictions. “I feel like I should get into any class I want, as long as it’s not too hard for me,” he said. Kulanthaivel says that without age restrictions, people can “learn their boundaries and see what they’re capable of.”

Knolle also wanted a challenge. “I heard that AP Computer Science Principles was pretty easy, but APCSA would be a lot harder.” He also wanted a better tool for game development, using the programming language the class uses.

Knolle said he somewhat understands the age restrictions. He knows that “the school might have other reasons why there is an age limit.” However, he agrees with Kulanthaivel that “the student should be able to decide how difficult a class he wants to take.”

Both Knolle and Kulanthaivel know the possible academic and mental challenges of being in the class. Kulanthaivel knew that there would be “a bit of a heavy workload because this is meant for students that have taken two years of computer science in the past.” Knolle said that classes are “always manageable” and that he would survive without much difficulty.

Kulanthaivel said he has always been interested in computer science. “I think I started computer science around five or six,” he said. He wants to take APCSA because he heard that APCSP is “one of the easiest” AP classes. He wants a challenge, and he hopes that APCSA will help him next year.

Knolle enjoys computer science and he thinks that taking the class would be “actually pretty fun” for him. Even though he has to take the previous course, Knolle still wants to take APCSA next year.

Even though Hamid is one of the only sophomores taking the class, she still has fun with other classmates. “I’m kind of glad that there are new people in my classes this year because I’m meeting people who are also interested in the things I’m interested in, which is really fun,” she said. She takes the class alongside people “who are into computer science, math, and physics.

Mr. Clarion agrees that motivation is “one of the major factors” to succeed in a hard AP class, academically and mentally. He also says that to succeed in the class, people need “soft skills and being able to work in a group, skills that are typically developed as students grow older.”

The whole point for Hamid to take the class is that she wanted “something challenging,” and she got what she wanted. “AP Computer Science A has really fulfilled that for me.”