Are AP classes available at every high school and do colleges care if my school doesn't offer them?

So I'm a bit stressed because I've heard how important AP classes are, but do all high schools offer AP classes? If not, will colleges take it into consideration if my school doesn’t offer APs?

It's perfectly normal to worry about this, but you can rest assured that not all high schools offer AP classes. Colleges definitely take into account the context of your high school when evaluating your transcript. Admissions officers look at your academic rigor within the opportunities provided to you. So if your school doesn't offer AP courses, they won't penalize you for not taking any.

Instead, they'll focus on how you've maximized the course offerings at your school. If your school offers honors classes or dual enrollment options with local colleges, those can serve as excellent alternatives to AP classes. A proactive step you could take is exploring online courses or community college classes to supplement your high school’s offerings, if feasible. Colleges appreciate students who go above and beyond to challenge themselves academically, even when their schools have limited resources.

Remember, the quality of your coursework is much more important than just the label 'AP.' So focus on excelling in the most challenging classes available to you, and perhaps even seek out additional academic challenges outside of the high school setting if possible. Keep up the great work, and don't hesitate to speak with your school counselor for personalized advice and options available to you. They can also assist you in explaining your school's context in the 'additional information' section of your college applications, if needed.