DS18 wanted to take all of the math and science APs offered at his HS by graduation, and I feel like we found the perfect progression for him. This is what we did.
9th - Honors Algebra II, Honors Bio
10th - Pre-calculus, Honors Chemistry, AP Physics 1
11th - AP Calculus AB, AP Bio, Anatomy (current year)
12th - AP Calculus BC, AP Chemistry, APES (next year)
I like this progression because he was always able to take the AP recommended pre-requisites prior to taking the AP class. AP Physics 1 was done first because AP didn’t suggest the need for a HS level physics class first, just Algebra II. AP Bio recommended HS level biology and chemistry first I believe. YMMV, but DS has been breezing through it so far without struggle. Obviously this is not what every student would want to do, too STEM heavy for some.
Somehow CC didn’t place a checkmark on my much earlier post. As a Chemistry major eons ago (after an “integrated science” program in pre AP days) I can easily see why an introductory course before AP Chemistry would be needed and desirable. There are so many lab basics to learn and other info to be able to jump into AP Chemistry. Unlike this AP Physics is commonly done by some at son’s HS without a regular course preceding it.
btw- knowing the material and doing well in a class can be two different things. Gifted son apparently disliked the way the AP chemistry taught the course- he took the AP exam in May and finished the course/senior year in June. Got a 5 on the AP exam and a C that semester. Went on to take honors math and physics in college- no more chemistry. Labs were fun in chemistry.
I think you need to talk to the guidance counselor or AP chemistry teacher. At D’s school, you absolutely have to take the prior courses because of the way the school approaches the AP classes. D’s school uses the pre-classes to build on the fundamentals for the APs. However, she has a friend at another school in which the honors science classes are rigorous to the point where there isn’t much difference between them and the APs except for a couple of outside projects.
At my kids’ HS, no one gets into AP Chemistry without first completing Honors Chemistry I with at least a B. There are no waivers, for anyone. By contrast, you can take AP Bio without taking an intro biology course (although many do take the intro course), and AP Physics is an alternative to the basic Physics course. Kids who got As in Honors Chemistry I work their butts off and often struggle in AP Chemistry. Almost everyone gets a 5 on the AP exam, even kids who didn’t get an A or even a B in the course. The course is just not taught as an introductory course and it cannot be done without a good background in chemistry (including chemistry labs) - and while our middle school science courses teach some chemistry, it’s not enough. At my nephew’s HS, OTOH, you could take AP Chem without having an introductory chemistry class. Both courses prepare one for the AP exam, but they are in no way the same course.
One would hope that the high schools know their AP courses and how they’re taught and set the prerequisites accordingly. If a waiver is available (as it sounds like it is for the OP’s child), then I would assume an intelligent child with a decent science background can handle the course. If no waiver is available, I’d take that as a sign that you really need the intro course.