A team of North Dallas High School students are creating a legacy of excellence and inspiring classmates to challenge themselves.
“Speaking from personal experience, there was a lot of stigma toward AP classes –that they were only for the smart kids,” Grace S. said. “These classes are challenging, but you can push yourself.”
Bernardo Velez Rico, AP English Language & Literature teacher, jumped at the chance to be involved when district leadership approached North Dallas High School about organizing a mentorship program. Inspired by his own academic journey, Rico said he wanted to make sure students were as prepared for college as they could be after graduation.
“I was a first-generation college student and from an immigrant family. I went to Stanford University, which was great. But I had a lot of imposter syndrome because I didn’t feel prepared for that kind of rigorous education,” he said.
Making sure students are ready for life after high school is the end goal of the AP Ambassador program, Rico added.
“Getting students to college is one thing, but what happens after graduating high school is another,” he said. “We are helping students feel prepared, so if and when they go to college, they are confident that they belong and can succeed there.”
For the student ambassadors, that starts with educating their peers about the AP courses and encouraging them to sign up for them.
“It’s never too late to join an AP class,” said Rocio H. “It’s a really good way to challenge ourselves and see that we are capable.”
As a way to challenge herself and earn college credit, Rocio started taking AP classes freshman year. Now a junior and AP Ambassador, she said she’s learned other skills, like time management, that will help her in college, and beyond. This year, there are 12 AP Ambassadors at North Dallas High School. The team is represented at orientation and academic events with plans to partner with AP teachers to host study sessions.
Ambassadors also want to travel to middle schools in the area to talk to younger students about their options in high school, ensuring a lasting legacy at North Dallas.
“Starting with younger students first is really important because it establishes the importance of AP courses,” Grace said.
Many ambassadors say they didn’t know about the opportunities for taking AP classes until they heard from their teachers. They now view the ambassadorship as a way to bridge the gap and be a person their peers can rely on for advice and guidance as they take their education to the next step.
Coming from an immigrant family and drawing from her experience, Helen A. said many parents at North Dallas High School want their children to take every opportunity in their educational journey but aren’t always aware of what those are. Often, they learn about the AP courses at the same time as their children and encourage them to sign up.
“They help motivate us and push us forward,” Helen said.
Helen, a junior and AP Ambassador, said her older brother encouraged her to take AP classes.
“He was in college when I was in 8th grade, and he knew how far I wanted to go in life,” she said. “I did some research and saw how much they could help me out in the future.”
Their leadership is already making a difference. This is only the second year of the program, and the number of students registering for AP classes is already increasing. More freshmen are opting in to take AP classes.
“It speaks to the culture shift that they’ve helped to create in our school,” Rico said. “They’ve made taking AP classes cool.”
This year, the team wants to partner with alumni who took AP classes while at North Dallas High School who can bring real-life experience about how the courses helped them in college.
Sheriff J., a senior, said he also wants to see more parent engagement.
“Adults are better at pushing these classes than we are,” he said. “If the parents and teachers are constantly talking about AP classes and their benefits, students will be curious and want to learn more.”
His advice to fellow students is to seriously consider taking AP classes.
“College readiness is a big thing,” he said. “If you’re planning on going to college, these classes will give you a look into what you will experience.”
