ROCHELLE — The goal of the administration at Rochelle Township High School is to prepare students for their tomorrow. The school has made many changes the last few years to accommodate students entering the work force and for those pursuing higher education.
The science department has seen an increase in advanced classes to give students a head start prior to pursuing a career in science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) majors.
“The science department’s goal was to provide students the opportunity to take upper-level science classes which would allow them to be better prepared to pursue STEM majors and careers after graduating from RTHS,” RTHS principal, Jason Harper, explained. “It’s one thing to say a school is going to attempt this, but it is really to our science teachers’ credit for achieving this goal by being committed to helping our students master these challenging topics and skills.”
Three years ago Scott Campbell came to RTHS to teach science and immediately worked with the administration and science department to advance the program. Previously, the department offered chemistry, honors chemistry and the option of a second year of chemistry which included a dual credit with Kishwaukee College.
The honors chemistry curriculum was changed to provide a more challenging course for sophomore students.
The class overview reads, “This course is designed for students intending to go to college and study science, technology, engineering, math or healthcare. The coursework and extensive lab activities focus on developing observation skills, analyzing experimental findings, and exploring the nature of the universe through the science of chemistry.
Topics covered include: measurement, matter and energy, atomic structure, electron arrangement, mole relationships, the periodic table, bonding, formulas, chemical reactions and equations, gas laws, liquids and solutions, equilibrium, thermochemistry, and acid/base chemistry.
In addition, development of college-level study habits and independent thinking are stressed in order to prepare students for the challenges of a four year college. Students will be expected to complete assignments outside of class (homework, lab reports, and assigned readings) in order to be successful in this course. Algebra is used extensively in this course, which helps students relate mathematical ideas to real-world problems. A grade of “B” or higher in Algebra I (or the most recent math course taken) is highly recommended.
This course can be taken as a single chemistry course in high school, or can serve as the first year of the two year AP Chemistry sequence for students intending to go on to AP Chemistry as juniors or seniors.”
An AP chemistry class was also added that year for juniors and seniors.

“AP Chemistry is the equivalent of the first two semesters of college chemistry, and students can earn up to 8 college credits depending on their score on the AP Chemistry exam in May and the college they attend. This course is a very challenging, interesting, intensively hands-on second course in chemistry (for students who have completed Honors Chemistry).
Students will continue to explore the topics covered in Honors Chemistry, but in more depth. These include chemical reactions, thermochemistry, gas laws, acid/base chemistry, and equilibrium.
In addition, students will learn about electrochemistry and chemical kinetics. Independent learning is emphasized, in order to prepare students for independent work in college, which includes a semester research project or lab activity in any area of chemistry of interest to the student, designed and performed entirely by the student.
This course relies heavily on advanced algebra skills, and students should have an A or B (or teacher recommendation) in their most recent math class. Students should also have done well in Honors Chemistry (A, B or teacher recommendation), and in general have good study habits.”
“The first cadre of students to go through that new sequence beat the national average on the AP Chemistry exam by almost a full point, out of 5 points,” Campbell added.
RTHS has seen the students succeed both in the classroom and in competition since starting the rigorous courses.
That group of students swept the top three positions in the regional WYSE competition and beat traditional rival Sycamore. This year, they again swept the regionals for the WYSE competition in Chemistry, and earned the top score of all schools participating, beating out DeKalb and the other schools that were in a different “class” based on larger school size.
A second change was made this fall to provide a more rigorous physics program to the curriculum. The department changed the physics class to AP Physics C (physics with calculus) creating a college level class for high school students.
“Advanced Placement (AP) Chemistry class and an AP are fast-paced, college-level classes that ask students to master challenging chemistry and physics concepts while still in high school. The classes call for students to ‘do’ science through labs and other inquiry-based projects,” explained Harper.
“The changes in curriculum allow our STEM-focused students the opportunity to engage and master college-level science concepts and skills while in high school. The high school environment is much more supportive than many first-year science courses. Many of these students are able to earn college level credit by the end of the classes. No matter what, our students are better prepared for the rigor of college-level science coursework by taking these classes.”
RTHS is one of approximately 150 schools in Illinois to offer AP Physics C.
Science students saw the challenge of the classes and stepped up to further their college education before high school graduation. Seven students are enrolled in the inaugural year for AP Physics C.
“Despite the more difficult sequence of courses, once word got out about the more challenging courses our enrollment in the upper track of chemistry, honors chemistry, more than doubled this year,” stated Campbell.
“As expected, our students have been excited and committed to being successful in these challenging, college-preparatory science classes. It is not uncommon to see students working with teachers and peers before or after school, working through labs a second time, or happy to report on their successes,” Harper added. “Our enrollments in each of these classes have increased annually which shows our students’ willingness to be challenged. Without this type of mindset from our students, these classes would not be the same.”
Thanks to the dedication of RTHS staff, students not only have the option for the college credit, but will also enter college a step ahead of their collegiate peers in the STEM field.
Campbell explained, “By objective measure, and this may be a biased viewpoint, but RTHS has vaulted to the top regional school for chemistry and physics, and for science in general.  These kids were given a tough curriculum challenge, and rose to meet it and then some.  We have amazing students at Rochelle and Rochelle is looking very, very good because of them. And Mr. Harper and Mr. Craven have been incredibly supportive of the more rigorous curriculum in chemistry and physics, including making a significant investment in equipment, books and supplies for the new courses.”
RTHS is seeing more students enrolled in the advance science classes and the skills acquired in the classes are showing throughout the school year as they excel in regional and sectional competitions for both the WYSE team and the scholastic team.
Along with the students stepping up and excelling in the advance science classes, teachers have also rose to the occasion.
“I am proud of our all of science teachers. They have been innovative, dedicated, and supportive of our students throughout this entire transition,” stated Harper.