It seems that most prep schools have a designated prep course for 9th grade science, sometimes biology, but more often an introductory physics or just a “prep” course. It also seems that many schools will let advanced students to jump directly into an upper level course that is normally only open to 10 or 11+ graders.
What I couldn’t well figure out with web/curriculum search and communications with the schools is that how often is this practiced? I can see that it would be easier to place an advanced student in math, as it is more linear. But science seems more complex.
It depends on the school. For the ones I know about, some are rigid and all 9th graders take the same science (Lawrenceville) and some are very flexible and 9th graders can take almost any science (Andover). This was a major plus for Andover for my son.
@gungablue; Thanks. That’s how I figured out with Lawrenceville and Andover as well. Any insight on other schools that are very flexible, and that students are actually taking advantage of the flexibility?
Most schools test students to determine aptitude and placement as courses previously taken elsewhere are hard to evaluate. The best answers will come from directly querying the schools you are interested in.
Schools will vary. At Andover most 9th graders take intro bio. If you have certain level of math you can take intro Chem instead. Some of the advanced science classes (like Advanced/AP Physics which is calculus based) have math requirements too.
At my kids’ school, everyone defaults to intro Bio. Doing any other track is not an advertised option. But if you read the fine print on course requirements, you find that those who meet the math requirement could theoretically start in Honors Physics.
If you express an interest, a discussion will ensue: The bio course is another point of common ground for the freshmen, and is meant to provide an introduction to critical inquiry in the sciences… is your child prepared to be an outlier (both missing the freshman common experience, and in being the only freshman in their science class)? do they already have some science background?
Sounds like under 1% of freshmen pursue this option (under 10% of those who have the math for it?).
But those who’ve done it have been happy with it, and it goes to show that it doesn’t hurt to ask what a school will be flexible on.
The difficulty we have here is that she is planning her Spring semester, but without slightest hunch as to which, or any school will accept her. Some schools teach Biology while the others Physics to freshmen. She avoided the conflict by taking Intro Chemistry instead. She ended up liking intro level lab science and wants to do more in the level. Continuing into General Chemistry 1A is way beyond her ability.
In the Spring, she might take first half of yearlong Intro/Algebra Physics, semester length Intro Biology, or even both. Perhaps she could just take what she likes and let the boarding school figure out what to do with her next Fall. Physics has Algebra II prerequisite, but she learned some of it and community college math placement test has generous standard.
She is used to be the only child in college classes. But now wants to be “in the group.” She will be in the group with other classes such as English, World History and Algebra II. We are trying to figure out what to do with Science. She completed major requirement for an AA degree in Visual Art. But highly achieved musician, artists and dancers seems to be more common in selective boarding schools so I don’t worry about that.
As an Female Asian with FA, she is applying to many schools and will be very happy if any of them accepts her with money, including less competitive schools. For precise planning there are too much variation among schools that she is “interested.”
As I think you mentioned above it is hard to align with boarding schools, since they have different options. We are finding that with day schools too (kid 2 does not want boarding school). Take what works best for her now. Boarding schools are used to having kids come from a variety of background and they make it work. Math and foreign language are typically subjects with variation, but it can happen with science too.
Exeter was very flexible with science for my D. Some of the initial science placements depend on math level (which is determined by SSAT score, current math teacher recommendation, and placement test if needed).
Only one life science and one physical science are needed to meet diploma requirements, but most students take at least 3 years of science. Advanced preps usually start with physics first term, thereafter they are tracked into advanced science depending on interest and aptitude. Preps without advanced math usually start with biology.
It is possible to take 4 years of POST AP science at Exeter, as well as 4 years of post-AP math. That was a big draw for us. My D had already taken some AP science before beginning 9th grade, and it wasn’t that unusual. Exeter has strengths in college level molecular genetics (in collaboration with Stanford), ornithology, astronomy (in collaboration with NASA) and many post-AP physics classes.
@2prepMom, it sounds amazing. My D won’t need post AP science. Ideally she can skip intro courses and take 4 AP science classes in each area.
Seems both Exeter and Andover are more open for advanced placement for lower grade students, even compare to other equally selective schools. I noticed Exeter’s huge Post AP offerings in humanity too, where my D would benefit more since she took AP level Psychology, Studio Arts, Art History and U.S. History.
All that eventually had us to add Exeter to our list, even though Exeter is coed, doesn’t have rock climbing team, and could be too challenging.We are going to visit it during D’s winter break. Hopefully we won’t find its atmosphere cut-throat competitive for current students, unlike as it clearly is for applicants.
Why are you worried about cut-throat competitive? Obviously, your D will be better prepared than most students, ANYWHERE. Since you have been very successful in challenging your D, does she even NEED a prep school? I am serious about that question.
@maxusa, D isn’t going to a prep school for academic challenge or help in college admission. She is planning to slow down a bit. She wants to be close to many age peers who are smart and well-bred, independent from parents. She says that she wants to enjoy her teenagehood and make it cherishable. I am concerned because I won’t have much control once she leaves home. I am sort of looking for a Goldilocks spot where she is well challenged, but not too challenged so that she can handle it without my guidance, without receiving too much stress to hinder her from enjoying the experience.
@jwalche, I think I’ve told you before that you need another “hobby”! But then, who am I to talk - sometimes, I find myself obsessively looking at the website for my kids’ school, hoping some trace of them will appear…
This is where Choate excels – the Choate webcam!!! Choate parents can bring up the webcam in a window on their work desktops and stalk the school all day. The cam is pointed at the main walkway in front of Maher field. Your kid is BOUND to cross at least once a day because that path leads to the SAC/mailroom. FormerCK would call me occasionally and say, “Quick, StalkerMom, bring up the webcam! I just picked up your package and I’m walking by. I’ll wave.” It’s really great because it doesn’t require your kid to initiate or even be there. You can peek in on campus, see the weather, and occasionally freak your kid out. Once, in the middle of a conversation, I said, “Hey, why are they using brooms to clear snow off Maher field?” He happened to be in sight of the field and almost lost it thinking I was somewhere behind him. I took advantage of his momentary confusion to remind him that he also needed to pick up all those clothes on the floor of his room (didn’t need a webcam to know about THAT).
@twinsmama I became an expert in identifying corner of back of my kid’s head in photos with hundred other kids in them.
I also started to identify others’ kids in group photos (one was from West Point in full armor showing only parts of face and I found the kid) when they post photos on social media. Maybe I could start working for FBI or something.
@payn4ward , Impressive! My son is a redhead so easy to spot. Daughter is tougher, but she showed up on the main Mercersburg webpage yesterday, so my obsessive staring at the screen was rewarded. @ChoatieMom , lucky Choate parents!
“I am concerned because I won’t have much control once she leaves home. I am sort of looking for a Goldilocks spot where she is well challenged, but not too challenged so that she can handle it without my guidance…”
Honestly, if this is how your relationship has been with your D for the past few years, an AO may pick up on that and may not find your D independent or self-motivated enough to invite her to join their community at a BS. You still have time to step back a bit and let her take the reins. As far as YOU are looking for a perfect fit for her, isn’t that HER job? After all, SHE is the one who will be living and studying there. She needs to find a good fit. Your concern is the tuition bill and, that’s pretty much where you get off the train. “handle it without my guidance…” again, an AO will be happy to have the door close behind you and your D if he/she feels that your D needs THAT MUCH guidance.
I am not trying to be mean or offensive, but, I think you need to rethink a few things if BS is in your D’s future. Best of luck.
@mexusa, that is a good point and I will keep it in mind. Thanks. I am kind of doing it with her as her school counselor though since I am homeschooling her. I am hoping that her bs counselor would take over that job and give class choice advices to her. She can still make her own choices even if I help her with collecting info and give her tips, I think.
She doesn’t have any other adult to consult like schooled kids. I am the only one and she is still only 12. She consult for my advices on school and class choices, and I think she will need it from her bs counselor once she leaves home.
Ok I am not sure what I am trying to say. Your point is valid and I should stop justifying.
But then, who am I to talk - sometimes, I find myself obsessively looking at the website for my kids’ school, hoping some trace of them will appear…