These classes demonstrate to college admissions and scholarship staff that students who successfully complete them can do college-level work.

Some years are smaller and some are larger. I don’t have an explanation for that. They’re like athletes – some classes are just a little sharper than others.

One thing that helps a little bit here is that it’s kind of ‘in’ to be academic. We love our sports too, but here you’re not looked down on if you’re striving academically. I think...

I always tell them that the colleges do read transcripts, so they should take as tough a load as possible, especially their senior year.