@Mwfan1921 So, to clarify, self-studying and passing the exam would not be seen as taking four years of a language to college admissions?
First off, what is your high school’s graduation requirement? If it’s 2 years, self studying may not be sufficient.
But for colleges, although the self studying aspect may throw a monkey wrench into it, passing the exam would generally fulfill the requirements, but it is a unique situation, so you are better off asking your target colleges directly. That said, colleges generally prefer you take an actual class rather than self studying.
Your story, as you are telling it, just does not make sense. So you need to find out their logic.
Other users have already made the suggestion, but your current Spanish teacher is not the final say. There is a department head, an assistant principal, a principal, etc. Get your parents involved, since it’s their tax dollars or tuition that in play here… There is an easy solution here, and it’s not self studying - it’s getting to take a class which is the next in progression and for which you are (presumably) prepared.
Job 1 is to fulfill high school language graduation requirements. If it’s two+ years, forcing you to take a year in between those classes is nonsense. If the Spanish teacher thinks you are not ready for AP Spanish now, it will be even worse when you get to junior year after having had no Spanish in 15 months.
You and your parents have to understand this rationale (from principal/superintendent/head of curriculum—Not your counselor, not the dept head) as @skieurope states. The goal is to take AP Spanish soph year, so ask what do we have to do to make that happen. Ask how can you be expected to succeed in AP Spanish junior year after having no Spanish for 15 months? If you are still denied, ask what is the path for appeal… Maybe the board of education, maybe the superintendent. Advocate in a fact-based, non-emotional manner. I highly recommend your parents assist you.
I am in the camp that self-study AP may not be the best path, in our local high school AP Spanish is Year 5, so I think it would be hard for you to succeed in a self-study situation unless you have a tutor and/or someone to practice conversation with.
Regarding college requirements, I doubt you have target colleges in mind yet. Maybe start with your state flagship’s FL requirements, understand those from their website and then reach out to admissions to ask about your specific situation. If you have other target schools, no harm in repeating this process, but again, make sure you know the basic requirements listed on their websites before you contact admissions. Good luck and keep us updated!
@Mwfan1921 @skieurope Regarding language requirements, my school has a two year graduation requirement, unless you entered above a level 3, in which case you have completed the requirement. As for colleges, most of the colleges I’m aiming for require or highly suggest 4 years.
I will discuss talking to the school board again with my parents.
Thank you all again!