When I began high school, I was much more STEM-focused than I am now. I took engineering courses (PLTW stuff) and lots of math and science courses. Here’s my science class history:
Note that my school does not offer honors or AP versions of these courses. Of course, we’re only required to take four science classes to graduate, but after sophomore year, I stopped taking any science classes at all. I’m a junior now, and I’m not taking any science stuff. Next year, though, I’m moving to a better school (sadly) that offers all the AP science courses. Should I include one in my senior schedule? I’m not really passionate about science (I’m going to major in art history lol), so is it really necessary to take an AP science?
When will you take at least a high school level physics course (that typically depends on high school level math, unlike a middle school physical science course)?
@bopper It really depends on the school. Some schools give the option for students to take Physical Science their 8th grade year, but it really depends. OP should check with their middle school to see if they took it as a high school credit or just at the middle school level.
Definitely take physics and a computer science course too, if you can fit it. These are useful things to be exposed to and you might find you have a great knack for them.
I guess all I’m missing is physics. I’ll look into taking it, but I may not be able to fit it into my schedule next year. I plan to take APUSH, AP Lit, AP Calc AB, French IV, and dual enroll in another art history course.
Plans can change—keeping science is good for a more well-rounded background. Physics might open an interesting world for you. My S loved it. D had no exposure to it
You’re changing schools. Will the new school count the class taken in 8th grade? It doesn’t matter if it shows on the transcript from the first school, you will be graduating from the new school. What are the graduation requirements at the new school? Also look at the admission requirements for the colleges where you expect to apply. Even if you’re not planning on a STEM major, they still might prefer to see a physics course.
If you don’t want to take physics look at other science options. For instance a girl in my daughter’s class took honors bio and chemistry, AP chemistry then her senior year she took honors forensic science. She got into Cornell though not for a STEM major. Actually the majority of people in our high school take honors forensic science (which is a lab science class) not physics and get into all levels of colleges even as STEM majors…
I agree with checking, not assuming, an 8th grade class will count at your new school for graduation and I would also check with colleges your interested in how they view it esp. if you don’t plan on taking more science classes.
A lot of kids at my kid’s HS take Physics at the local junior college because it fits into their schedule better or they didn’t want to deal with the rigor of AP Physics. Classes in the late afternoons or evenings.