If AP scores are lower this year, some teachers say it might be because of the lunch schedule.

A select few fifth-period AP classes were assigned to take second lunch. Second lunch splits the fifth period into two parts that are 26 minutes long.

According to Vice Principal Nancy Kurty, there is no lunch preference given to AP classes.

“Obviously, it can be less optimal to have second lunch which interrupts any class, not just AP classes,” she said. “To make this fair to all teachers, we rotate this schedule each year.”

However, the main issue is not that the AP classes have been assigned second lunch, the problem, according to teachers, is that no accommodations have been made for mandatory timed testing. A typical AP essay takes 40 minutes with no interruptions.

According to a few staff members, fifth period AP classes have traditionally been assigned first or third lunch as to not interfere with regular timed testing given to the AP students in order to practice for the testing in spring.

“I want to create a genuine test-like situation, this is tough to do when you have 20 minute breaks,” said one teacher who wishes to remain anonymous.

Without time to practice for the test, AP teachers and students fear they won’t be sufficiently prepared for the exams in May.