In order to fit it into my schedule, I can either take chemistry online through FLVS or in school with an easy teacher. I am planning on taking AP Chemistry next year, and I want to be prepared. I study a lot, and I would be committed to my online class. Will the online class be a sufficient alternative to chemistry honors in school?
Take the course in your high school with a teacher
I’d have to sacrifice French IV then and stay in French III. Language and science are both things that I am very interested in. What is bad about chemistry online?
For college, I am aiming to major in a biology field or an engineering/computer field in the future. I have AP Biology, AP Computer Science Principles and A, AP Calc BC, and AP Physics planned for my senior and junior years. I have AP French Language next year or sophomore year.
AP French Language next year or junior year**
I don’t know much about how online Chemistry works, but I can’t imagine that it could possibly be as good as a handon course. You are a freshman taking French 3 now? It seems like it should be possible to get to AP French even if you have to tread water in French next year.
I am considering advancing to French IV this year, I am already advanced and in French III.
But, in order to move up, I’d need to switch chemistry around to the teacher who doesn’t teach well. I am considering online would be better?
My daughter took Honors Chem through VLACS, which buys some of its courses from FLVS. She had a teacher that was available through email and live sessions, and she had labs at home. She took the course in 8th grade (she’s a STEM kid) and then took AP Chem as a freshman through ChemAdvantage in 9th grade last year. That class (again, online) was extremely interactive with either the teacher (PhD and an AP grader) or TAs available nearly 24/7, with students from around the globe and an extremely active discussion board. Lab kit done at home. She got a 4 on the AP exam (not too shabby for a 9th grader) and an A in the class. As a STEM person myself who went to Harvard, that ChemAdvantage class was one of the most complete, thorough, and interactive courses (she was able to connect with students anytime she logged on, day or night) I have ever seen. It was fantastic, and I honestly can’t imagine a live, in-person class could have prepared her any more. Most everyone in that class got 4s and 5s.
Online courses are not, by default, an inferior choice. It completely depends on the provider.
So yes, if FLVS assigns you a teacher who holds live (online) office hours, responds promptly to emails, and is thorough in answering your questions (my daughter’s VLACS teacher was all of the above), then that course may prepare you well for AP Chem.
As a parent of a D who has taken several classes via FLVS, I would definitely recommend taking chemistry in a real class room setting. D is currently taking biology online. She’s doing it for similar reasons, to fit in other subjects. Two problems with that: 1. You have an extra class which requires a lot of extra time. If you’re doint that class online, it takes a tremendous amount of self discipline. D gets called EVERY week by an instructor because she’s behind an assignment or two. 2. It’s pretty much a self teaching experience. Yes you have online tools but there’s no teacher in real time. Can’t ask a question when you want to, have to fit into their schedule to discuss (which we’ve found is almost impossible - they always suggest speaking during the normal school day which can’t happen. They must think she takes all her classes on line)
Spanish online was fine. Essentially listening to recordings, writing paragraphs for grades, etc. Science is different and by it’s nature is more interactive.
Chemistry you want to take a lab with it…that has to be more difficult online.
What year are you in?
Are you supposed to take French 3 or are you skipping to 4?
I fyou take french 4 next year, can you still take AP french?
Take lab classes in school. AP Stat and Java were good fits for online instruction. Also took online college courses instead of HS health classes.
As degree holder in Chemistry I would suggest for you to take Chemistry in class. The first year Chemistry is way too complicated to learn by yourself online. LIke a previous poster said even tho you’ll have a teacher online it won’t be the same.
Having a good Chemistry teacher would be more important than moving up to French 4. Maybe your school is different, but Foreign Language is usually not taught that well in school anyway. You have plenty of time to take AP French.