Honors classes at Benilde-St. Margaret’s are a common way for students to challenge themselves academically. While popular, there is still a lot unknown about honors classes. What is their purpose, and how do they impact the BSM community?

Honors classes are fast-paced, engaging classes for students who are often passionate about that subject. Heidi Wessman, a college and career counselor at BSM, encourages all students to take an honors class at BSM. “Any student who is motivated, who wants to be challenged…or wants to be pushed should consider taking an honors class,” Wessman said.

Honors courses at BSM also hold great value in the college admissions process. One aspect that college admissions officers look for in an application is schedule rigor. Honors classes provide students with this rigor in their schedules. Wessman states the importance of having honors classes in your schedule. “When college reps… are looking at applications and transcripts… honors [classes] then add just that extra amount of rigor,” Wessman said.

Anne Marie Dominguez, an English teacher at BSM for over thirty years, teaches Honors English 10. Dominguez believes that honors courses help students challenge themselves academically. “Honors classes provide an opportunity for students to challenge themselves… either reading more books, having a chance to do more complicated formulas, being more advanced in algebra… whatever it is [they’re taking],” Dominguez said.

Dominguez also points out that there is more student participation in honors classes. She notes as well that this increase in student participation is correlated with the students’ desire to take the honors class. “If a student takes the class on his or her own volition… that translates to the classroom as active participation. You don’t have to pull teeth to get them to respond or to discuss in class… they welcome that level of interest,” Dominguez said.

Moreover, taking honors classes could help improve different academic skills. Audrey Broglio, a junior at BSM, describes the skills she has acquired from taking honors classes at BSM. “[I’ve learned] a lot of skills… good studying habits and note-taking skills… It’s kind of put me ahead in other classes, and made me able to take AP classes, which are really good for preparing me for college,” Broglio said.

Students at BSM may be hesitant to enroll in an honors class and may look for advice from older students to determine what they want to do. Broglio recommends that younger students at BSM take honors classes. She highlights the importance of taking them for the future, while touching on personal anecdotes about her experience taking honors classes. “It’s worth the work… it’s gonna help you more in the future… I’m happy I took Honors Chemistry last year because we did some really fun labs… A lot of my honors math classes… have been really fun and interesting to me,” Broglio said.