Missed opportunity to double up on science?

[skieurope]

@mathyone

I wish people on this site would not simply say AP physics because those two classes are very substantially different in difficulty level.

Agree that I wish posters would be more specific, but there are actually 4 classes: 1, 2, C:Mech, and C:E&M. Usually, but not always, the C: Mech and C: E&M are combined and offered as a single course. And I assume that if one is asking about taking AP Physics that it’s not AP Physics 2. But clarity helps.

@coolweather

I guess students received low scores in AP Physics 1 because of wrong teacher expectation.

There are many reasons for this, several of which @MYOS1634 mentions above. Additionally, some teachers may have taught AP Physics 1 assuming it was just AP Physics B cut in half. It’s not. AP Physics 1 is more theoretical and less plug-n-chug than Physics B was.

@MYOS1634

Honors Physics is actually a better preparation for the SAT Physics test since it covers more topics.

Agreed. Too many schools, IMO, drank the Kool-Aid that the CB was serving, and eliminated Honors Physics to add AP Physics 1. This is a disservice to students in many respects.

@collegemom3717

Actually, for some schools your plan could have a negative in terms of college apps: if you read the fine print some actually say that they particularly look at the rigor of senior year - b/c they are watching out for people who load up junior year and then coast.

While rigor certainly counts for senior year, the comment above assumes facts not in evidence. One AP science + Italian IV, if the balance of the schedule is sufficiently rigorous, is more than adequate from a rigor standpoint. But since it’s the GC that quantifies rigor, it’s another question the OP’s son can ask when he meets him/her.