No lab science this year for STEM student - help with last-minute schedule meltdown

Parents Forum
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Over the summer, my kid got back into their competitive sport. Their training is such that they can’t be in school much during the day. The current school is public, but independent study, so each subject gets one 75-minute class per week. An extra class for AP science lab work is also scheduled. Homework is handed in monthly.

Since March 2020, classes were remote. My kid took extra science and math classes because sport was sidelined and there was no commute to campus. The plan was to do as much school as possible, to be flexible for the future.

On-campus learning resumes August 30. Due to not being able to be in class consistently in person, lab sciences are out this year. Not good for a student interested in Engineering for college.

Student is somewhat advanced track, entering Sophomore year/Grade 10, technically. Courses already completed:

Math: Int. Math 1 Ad; Int. Math 2 Ad; Int. Math 3 Ad; Pre-Calculus Hnrs

Math (community college dual enrollment): Math 150 (Calc w/ Analytic Geo I); Math 151 (Calc w/ Analytic Geo II)

Science: Adv. Biology 1,2; Chemistry Hnrs 1, 2; Physics 1,2

Social Sciences: World History & Geography 1/2 (Renamed Identity & Power Around the World)

English: English 1/2 Cluster

World Languages: French Year 2 (3/4); French Year 3 (5/6); Spanish Year 2 (3/4); Spanish Year 3 (5/6); Spanish Year 4 (7/8)

The goal is to get through this year and see if training will continue at a full-on level. That should be apparent by next June. Options on the table:

-Stay at current school with reduced course load for the year
-Find an online high school option

The biggest issue this year is lab science attendance. Student was going to take AP Physics (only one AP Physics offered at this school), then AP Chemistry next year.

New, revised schedule for Soph/10th:

-Math - dual enrolment classes: Semester 1 - Linear Algebra; Semester 2 - Discrete Math
-Social Science - dual enrolment classes: Semester 1 - Intro to Poly Sci; Semester 2 - similar thing

(both these classes will be entirely remote learning, apparently)

-English 3/4 (ie. 10th grade)
-AP Spanish - assignments are online; teacher is willing to work with the student
-Photography (2 semesters, fulfills VAPA requirement)
-Phys Ed 3/4 (fulfills final year of P.E.)

-NO SCIENCE COURSE!
(Spoke to the principal - student can’t be in the AP sciences due to the lab requirements, no online option for the district unless student does entirely online schooling with all courses.)

After this year, the student will still require the following to graduate: U.S. History, English Lang/Comp, English Lit - presumably all APs. And an AP Science or two, Physics and Chemistry most likely.

The current thinking is that this year is a test year/hail Mary for the sport. If it works out, then a complete change of schools to online learning will happen (still have to figure out the lab science component for that one).

If it doesn’t, student returns to school and continues with their general course load.

My kid wants to continue training at a serious level. My concern is that after the past two years of a fairly rigorous course load, the schedule for sophomore year looks wonky without a science class.

Not sure what to do at the moment about the lab science. Worried that it will be a transcript issue for colleges.

Any insights/brainstorms are appreciated!

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Why not dual enrollment for science? My daughter did an online dual enrollment science class and used a home lab kit that came with the course.

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Having completed math through single variable calculus, all three of biology, chemistry, physics, fourth year Spanish, and third year French while just about to enter 10th grade is more than “somewhat” advanced.

Even if no science course is available for 10th grade, there should be plenty of room in 11th and/or 12th grade to take science courses. Also note that the student has already completed all three of biology, chemistry, and physics, so it is not like the student is in danger of being “behind” on science courses.

Also, what about taking college or dual enrollment science courses if there is no availability at the high school?

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Agreed, this student is way ahead of the curve and still has plenty of time for lab sciences.

If the concern is that this year isn’t “STEMmy” enough without a lab science, how about an intro CS class instead? That would pair very well with linear algebra and discrete math.

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Thank you for the responses - your insights are greatly appreciated. The school changed counsellors and they won’t start until a few days before school starts.

From what I understand, in the past, students in grade 10 and 11 weren’t really allowed to do official dual enrollment until 11th and 12th grades. (However, another girl from the same school started doing college courses in 8th grade - gifted and smart student, picked what she liked - and had earned about 90 units by high school graduation. She applied to MIT, earned admission, and went. Enjoyed freshman year despite all the upheaval of the past year and-a-half. The journey fit her academic needs and ended well.) So I am still trying to get a better picture with our school as to what could work for my kid.

I’ve been working with our principal - my kid was able to add an Engineering drawing class that suits their needs for this fall semester. The suggestion to try an Intro CS class is a great one. Although my kid is really leaning towards mechanical given their interests, some CS classes are kind of de rigueur for many students these days. Spring semester?

A math (3 unit), poly sci (3 unit) and drawing course (2 unit) is still short of the “under 12 credit” limit imposed by the college. But with science absent, perhaps it could be an option. Next year might be too busy to do comp sci courses.

Right now, my kid could possibly graduate after next year. Or not. We’re trying to be flexible about this while picking interesting courses that also meet requirements for strong STEM applicants. (And hey, there’s arts and community service that my kid’s interested in, too. Only so many hours in a day and kids also need their down time.)

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