Many students want to take AP classes, but Chapman does not offer every AP course.

This means some Chapman students go to Landrum to take courses that are not available here.

Three of those students are seniors Parker Gramling, Hawken Smith and Sam Williams.

Gramling is taking AP U.S. History with Michelle Pope. Smith and Williams are taking AP Macroeconomics with James Farnham.

All three said they have had a good experience this year.

“Dr. Pope is probably one of the most interactive teachers I have had,” Gramling said. “Her classroom is full of memorabilia. It’s pretty cool. There’s a newspaper about when JFK was shot and when Elvis died.”

Smith said he also appreciates his teacher for similar reasons.

“He’s really one of my favorite teachers I’ve ever had,” he said. “He likes to have a very interactive class, even though AP Macroeconomics is kind of a boring subject. He runs his class very nicely.”

Williams agreed about Farnham.

“He’s definitely one of my favorite teachers now,” he said. “I’ve only had him for macroeconomics, but he has very quickly moved up in the rankings. He actually sits down and walks through it with you.”

Gramling said the people at Landrum have been very welcoming.

“The principal is always in the rotunda and is very nice,” Gramling said. “He talked to me and commented on my music taste at one point. Everybody is very nice.”

Williams agreed and said fitting in among Landrum students has been easy.

“They’re very talkative, and they’re very welcoming,” Williams said.

One of the challenges of taking classes at Landrum is that students have to transport themselves.

But these students have welcomed the change of pace.

“I think it’s been nice to kind of, I don’t know about get away from Chapman, but it’s something different,” Smith said. “That part has been kind of refreshing.”

Gramling said Pope has been accommodating to him and junior Adam Horton, the other Chapman student in that class.

“Dr. Pope makes it very good, and for the last 15 minutes of class, they’ll just kind of work on makeup work and stuff like that,” Gramling said. “She gives us time, and we can just kind of slip out.”

All three students said Chapman students considering a Landrum course should sign up.

“I would say if it’s a class you’re passionate about, I would say it’s worth your time,” Gramling said.

Smith said that passion is important, but not necessary. The experience is worth it in and of itself.

“I would say it’s worth it, for sure,” he said. “More people should do it.”