@ChicagoSportsFn that is just heartbreaking and so much for these kids to deal with processing. I am so sorry.
Class Schedule input.
Currently S19 has registered for the following for sophomore year.
Pre-Calc
AP World
Honors Chem
French 4
Honors English
Jazz
Wind Ensemble
There is a chance that not enough kids will register for honors chem for there to be a class, it happened last year (but not this). In that event he would take AP Physics 1, or at least that is what he registered for as a backup, versus regular chem, in the hopes that the following year would have enough for honors chem.
We have seen with his older brother that AP Physics and Pre-calc are not the ideal combo as having had precalc first makes the physics much easier. That said, S19 is a stronger student. He plans to major in physics and then do grad school and beyond in either theoretical physics or astro physics.
Two questions.
- Is AP physics 1 the right back up or would he be better of in regular chem? His physics cycle would potentially take a break unless he waited to take Honors Chem senior year and in that year, I worry what a regular chem class would look like on his applications.
- The current thinking on his science/math tracks are as follows.
PreCalc
Calc AB (we donât have a choice, required first)
Calc BC
Honors Chem
AP Physics 1
AP Physics 2
He will be able to add an elective in junior year if he does not do AP French, and can definitely have one senior year (1.5 unless he gets a PE waiver and then will have more).
Classes of interest are:
Theater Tech
AP Computer Science A
APES
Astronomy (UW college in the classroom credit)
Thoughts?
I think AP physics 1 would look better than Regular chem.
(In our school, classroom environments in Standard and Honors differ significantly. My kids do not like many distractions/disruptions from classmates in Standard classes.)
Since AP physics 1 is algebra-based not calculus based unlike AP physics C (mech& E&M), I think he should be fine taking it with Pre Calc.
@ChicagoSportsFn I am so sorry. That is so heartbreaking and I imagine painful for your DD. Lots of cyber {{{ hugs }}} to her.
@payn4ward I agree butâŠon the flip side of that, what happens if Honors Chem continues to be a challenge in the school offerings? It is conceivable this could happen each year. Also, what is the risk/reward of a gap in the physics line up if Honors Chem is plopped in the middle.
@eandesmom Having Honors Chem plopped in the middle of physics is not ideal⊠but physics does not involve much memorization so it is okay. Not as bad as having a gap within 2 years of Chemistry (Chem > gap > AP Chem) or 2 years of Bio.
Re: for future years, he could take regular Chemistry in Senior year if Honors Chem does not work out in Jr year. It is not his fault that his school does not offer one. He would be still taking most rigorous courses available.
Would he be allowed to double up in science? That is, taking regular Chem with AP physics 1 or 2 in the same year, and then taking AP Chem in Senior year?
Is there Community College or Dual Enrollment option for Honors Chem for your child?
Oh, @ChicagoSportsFn, wow. So sorry for your DD and her classmateâs family. No more words.
@payn4ward technically he would be allowed to double up, there just isnât much room in his schedule unless he gave up music and frankly I donât think anything is worth that. If they do grant him a PE waiver, it would be easier to pull off but we wonât know that till start of Sr. Year. As it stands it will eat up 1.5 semesters.
Generally speaking dual enrollment is not allowed unless sit can be proven that the HS doesnât offer an acceptable alternative. I donât know that any of the kids who were unable to take honors chem last year, tried, rather they were all forced into regular chem. I am not sure what an âhonorsâ chem class equivalent would even be at CC or elswhere. For whatever reason, at our HS the chem classes are avoided like the plague, many kids simply choose other things which creates this problem. However, I suppose if it isnât offered next year and we get to junior and/or senior year and the same thing happens but it is offered at the other HS in the district, that exception could get approved if we petition but itâs a gamble of its own.
However that opens a transportation and schedule mess of its own.
If you go the CC route you have to completely pull out of the HS for all activities (in his case XC, Track, Jazz, Marching Band, Stage Crew, ASB) which he doesnât want, nor do I.
Anyone have kids with older siblings going off to college or have recently gone off to college? Wondering if anyone has any suggestions for easing the transition. I have 2 sons almost exactly 3 years apart and they are very close. By some of the comments made by the younger son, I donât believe that he has a good understanding of how his life is about to change as well. Any suggestions will be greatly appreciated .
Thatâs a good question @carolinamom2boys.
Our 2 oldest are 3 years apart too. DD16 and DD19 have basically been joined at the hip since DD19 was born. Iâve never seen or heard them fight. Theyâre very close.
DD19 was quick to admit that sheâll miss her big sister come August when we drop off DD16 at school.
Suggestions on easing the transition would be helpful here too.
@ChicagoSportsFn I think part of the problem is DS19 thought that DS16 would only be 45 minutes away and coming home frequently , but he has recently committed to his top choice school which is 3 1/2 hrs away.
Your S chose a nice school. I like the graduation tradition where the ladies wear white dresses and gentlemen where white dinner jackets and black pants instead of caps and gowns.
@eandesmom I agree that I would not create transportation/logistics mess or give up music or extracurriculars just for a science class. It may come down to taking the regular chemistry in Sr year, which is still okay.
Perhaps there are seniors in his school or district with similar aspirations who can share their paths.
DS17 is doubling up in science in his Jr year. There is a mandatory weekly Jr seminar class (for making college lists, starting on essay ideas, etc) which could not be fit into his schedule. DS can choose to take it at 7 am one day or have no lunch one day. So the school and the students tend to figure out how to fill as many as they can. Sad really.
In another local school, high schoolers take summer classes in PE, health, and social studies to free up time during the school year. That can end up costing hundreds of dollars. 
Thanks @ChicagoSportsFn . Heâs very excited. Any decisions on your front?
Glad to see Iâll have some old 2016 friends to commiserate and celebrate with for 3 more years. :-h
Yes. DD16 was all set in mid-December when she was accepted to her dream school in the ED round. She wanted to apply ED to whichever school she decided would be #1 on her list so her decision timeline was back in October. That was the point she was deciding between 2 schools to apply ED and deadlines were either 1 or 15 November if I recall.
I know itâs a bit early right now, but we may not have the luxury of knowing early for DD19. The schools sheâs targeting donât have ED or EA. Much can change over the next 2+ years so we will see.
Iâm not sure what to tell you. When DDâ13 left for college DDâ19 got the shared room to herself so she was just fine with her leaving (even though they get along great). When DSâ16 leaves DDâ19 will be an only kid at home but I think she will be fine with it.
My S19 has no angst about D16 going away to school. In fact, I think he is counting the days. He says the family room downstairs will become his man cave and he has already said he wants her bedroom (which he is not getting). On the other hand he will have to get up earlier for school next year since she wont be around to drive him and he wonât have his license until next summer. So he will be missing her a little.
@md29034 I have a S19 and a D16, too. I believe S19 will miss the rides to school at 7:45 (versus catching the bus at 7:15) and the extra 30 minutes of sleep more than he will miss his actual sister (who will be a 4-hour flight away). He wonât be 16 until the beginning of junior year.
@eh1234 your bus is late! The bus for the high school picks up at 6:25 here. When they drive they donât have to leave until 6:50.