<p>Hi - our school requires the subject level science class to be taken before the AP class. AP class requires at least 2 years lab science before taking class. School requires at least concurrent or completion of Algebra II & Trig before taking Physics - regular or Honors - not AP.
Special Permission can help students get more Science APs if requested. D has class mate who is taking AP Physics this year as a sophomore because the students who take AlgebraII/Trig as Freshman take Honors Physics if they have honors science placement, all other freshman take Biology ( Cellular or Environmental). This student received permission to take AP Physics & Honors Chemistry while taking Honors Pre-Calculus. He’s not taking History this year because it’s only required Freshman & Junior years. I guess that students could choose to take an AP Science course each year after Freshman year it just gets tricky because Jr year they have to take US History and many of these students would take AP Calculus which requires more class time at our school. </p>
<p>Finally, remember that students do take and score well on AP exams without taking AP class.
Another classmate of dear daughter’s took honors Pre-Calculus as Freshman last year and self-studied Calculus. He scored a 5 on the AP Calculus BC test and now is taking an Honors Senior Class called Advanced Topics in Mathmatics which follows BC class. I guess it’s on to University math classes for him.</p>
<p>However, colleges which give subject credit and placement for IB math HL usually give the same subject credit and placement as AP calculus BC.</p>
<p>
</p>
<p>Being three years ahead should be an indicator that he is one of the top math students, even if he is even better at other subjects. Indeed, would a better alternative have been to take BC in 10th grade (which is typically easy for students that advanced in math), then be done with high school math, freeing up 11th and 12th grade high school schedule slots for other courses of interest (or empty periods if the ECs really are time-crushing)?</p>
<p>Oh - forgot to say that the AP Physics Class is the C version so it’s more advanced than those classes that prepare for the B version of the test.</p>
<p>Before taking any AP class, ask the GC to let you see the numbers. As in how many kids under that teacher are getting what scores on the AP exam. That will tell you how well the material is being taught. I wish someone had given me that advice. D took AP Bio as a freshman (had a good background). The teacher was fabulous and my D loved every minute. He had a 60% pass rate (there are always kids who take the course but really don’t give a darn). Based on my D’s great experience in AP bio, she signed up to take AP Chem sophomore year. First year AP teacher. He did not teach, they did two labs the entire year and out of 35 kids only two passed (both with 3’s). After that experience, I made sure I knew the numbers! For instance the French teacher has never had a student pass AP French with the exception of two kids whose first language at home is French and were privately tutored all through middle and high school. Get those numbers and factor that into your decision.</p>
<p>Hey, UCB and mathmom, stop ganging up on EastGrad!</p>
<ol>
<li><p>Kid’s ivy may give no credit for AP or IB classes. My D, at Yale, gets no credit for her 5s in her 8 AP classes; can only choose to start at higher level class. </p></li>
<li><p>D’s HS, AP calc AB and AP calc BC are specifically taught in sequence and the material covered in the class is adjusted for this. The math faculty at D’s private HS are all Cal Tech graduates (MS, PhD), and they chose to sequence it this way, so it can’t be all that bad; and yes, our HS sends kids into STEM majors. </p></li>
</ol>
<p>I second Walker’s suggestion about getting the success rate of the previous years class. D is taking a History AP this year (Sophomore) and teacher is in 2nd year. Her pass rate last year was 98% of all 60 students (grade of 3-5). I’d like her to have given a more detailed break down of scoring but at least for a first year teaching the class it seems quite good. The previous teacher retired and that could really change things if a teacher takes over the AP class for a first time. </p>
<p>Chemistry AP v Biology AP - I want d to choose this class along with AP Physics based on what she likes best but if its the first time taking the subject it may be difficult to choose. Also, the quality of the teacher is usually paramount in course selection. Is that a possibility to get advance scouting on which subject has best teacher?</p>
<p>Thanks for your spirited defense, YoHoYoHo. You’re right: S will not get credit for his AP courses, though he will have advanced standing and be able to take higher-level courses. Also, though BC Calc and HL IB Math may count as the subject credit, they cover different material. </p>
<p>When I see your piratey name pop up in a few years, I will PM to let you know how the Honors Physics in 9th grade turned out, along with the rest of the sequence. The administration at this new science school is enthusiastic and the teachers are marvelous. They are genuine experts in secondary science and math curriculum, so we’re expecting good things.</p>
<p>Cheers–good luck finding the right science balance for your child.</p>
<p>In our school kids take either AP or regular. When there is an AP class there is never an honors class in the same subject. So DS1 took AP Bio freshman year, AP Chem sophomore year, AP Physics (B) junior year and AP Environmental Science senior year. DS2 who is not a math or science kid took Bio freshman year, Chem sophomore year and Physics junior year. No science for him senior year. At this high school anyone can take an AP class, no testing or recommendations required.</p>
You’re right: S will not get credit for his AP courses, though he will have advanced standing and be able to take higher-level courses. Also, though BC Calc and HL IB Math may count as the subject credit, they cover different material. </p>