High School courses aren’t taught in a vacuum.
Students who take “regular” courses are sometimes grouped for projects; there is a division of labor. The team has to present a topic and earn a grade while working cooperatively.
Job prospects want students who know and can work independently and in group settings. Groups work is presented throughout the high school years and is part of the coursework. The GPA can reflect that group work in biology labs, physics labs, english classes, history and art classes, etc.
When you have a low GPA, it is very telling.
If you only want to be judged by AP scores then something is going on, and the colleges will want to know what and why.