@me29034 - They tell the kids that if they want to take any AP classes sophomore year they need to either take the PSAT/ACT or SAT before January so that they can see how they score. All of them take it sophomore year it’s just freshmen that need to make sure they take it. I’m not sure of all the AP classes sophomores can take but I know they can take World History,Human Geo,Statistics,Computer Science & Biology. I think there maybe a few more than that…
They only offer 1 AP in Freshman year here, 2 in sophomore year, 3-4 in junior and a choice of 5-7 senior year . They are recommended by their teachers and standardized test scores given by the state. DS19 was recommended for the 1 AP social studies class as a Freshman, but I overload the recommendation because I didn’t feel like he was ready for the written component of the class. Instead , he’s in the Honors section with a 99 average which is great because Honors English and Honors Geography is keeping him extremely busy trying to keep his head above water. I haven’t decided about next year yet.
There are no APs freshman year at my kids’ school. They actually sent out a pretty funny letter to 8th grade parents along the lines of “APs are college level courses and not appropriate for high school freshmen. Don’t ask for an exception, the answer is no. Yes this means you.” To the best of my knowledge no freshmen are taking APs.
No freshmen take AP classes at our high school either. The standard recommendation is to take the first AP class as a sophomore (AP World History) and learn from that experience for selecting AP classes as a junior. For sophomore year, D19 will take one AP class but will take two AP exams (AP World History and AP Computer Science Principles). Course selection sheets are due in mid-February so now the decision is centered on one elective course.
D is progressing along nicely, all A’s and 1 B 1st qtr and it looks like it will be the same for second qtr unless she bombs a semester exam. The only AP “purposely” offered to sophomores is APWH but I think there are some kids who are given special permission to take AP math courses as a sophomore if there placement scores were high enough and the parents could prove the kid was already on an accelerated math track. But they are few and far between so we don’t worry about it. She should get to Calc/Stats by senior year and that is fine with us. Course selection is also in February for us - pretty standard stuff, Eng 2H, ChemH, Alg2H, Theology, Spanish 2, Gym/Health & Chorus.
She is passionate about 3 things in school - Newspaper, Scholastic Bowl and Theater. The first two are on hold at the moment as she just started rehearsals for the musical. Having a great time at all of them.
No freshmen take AP at our school either. There is a PreAP course for World History that the teacher told parents to ignore the Pre part because it is taught as if it is an AP and is very difficult.
Sophomores have a few more options. My daughter is hoping AP Stats will fit into her schedule (doubling up math as she will also be taking PreCalc, she loves math). Many sophomores take APWH at our school. Some also take AP Bio or Chem.
@me29034 At my daughter’s school, very few freshmen took the PSAT. But my daughter was on the volleyball team, saw all the older girls signing up for it and signed up for the PSAT without really knowing anything about it. Didn’t study at all and got a 180 SI (91st percentile). She’s disappointed in her scores, which is a good thing, because she realizes she should actually take the test more seriously next year. I didn’t expect her to do well in math (89th percentile) (she doesn’t even own a calculator, nor has she taken Algebra 2), but thought she’d do better on reading/writing (92nd percentile).
@gusmahler I’d be pretty excited about that score! She will definitely bring that up in years to come!
Thanks. We looked at the percentiles and determined that her scores are roughly the equivalent of 670 SAT for each section or a 29 ACT. Then we broke out Fiske and started looking at colleges. Unfortunately, she immediately gravitated to schools where 29 is not good enough instead of sure admissions. But I’m proud of her ambition.
I’m looking forward to these 19ers taking their first rounds of tests. In fact…this morning, S19 was making fun of S13’s ongoing “conversation” (rant?) about his MCAT studying until D16 said to S19, “Yeah, you just wait until you’re taking a test that will partially determine the rest of your life.” S19 was silenced at once and had a very funny look on his face! 
Hopping on to join you wonderful folks. S19’s high school requires all students to take the PSAT. Was excited about his percentile, but reading the Washington Post article makes me cringe at the idea that I am being manipulated into wanting him to continue to take the SAT given his results. Score was 1380, which is all good and fine. But placing him in the 99th percentile is what I question.
welcome @ThinkOn !
@ThinkOn 99th percentile as a freshman is awesome.
Not sure what you’re concerned about. If your son is already 99th percentile as a freshman, he should easily be NMSF as a junior.
Thanks for the welcome 2019hope. Gunsmahler, it appears that the overall concern voiced by the Washington Post and echoed by parents is that the 99th % is somewhat fabricated by the College Board to make us all feel as if the SAT is the way to go for our kids given the “great” numbers they have achieved, when in fact, such may not be the case. Don’t get me wrong, thrilled that he’s obtained that score…just don’t want to inflate his confidence. He’s already on the lazy side…sigh, he’ll read anything written about global wars…and studies just enough to, as he puts it, “not get kicked out of school or the house”.
I could ask DD for her College Board login info…but I don’t want to rock her boat with un happy info at the moment. The soccer season started and she has had 6 games since Jan 2. Last night she got to “guest” on the Varsity team. (Is this the place where we can rejoice and brag???) It was a dream come true for HopeDad…We took about 300 photos…just in case it never happens again. Meanwhile she has a 3 day tournament starting tomorrow. Now I know why some athletes struggle academic issues!
@2019hope Congratulations on your D being allowed to guest on varsity. My S also plays soccer. I’m curious where you live that it is soccer season now. We are in MA and our season runs from early Sept to early Nov. They try to stop before the weather gets too bad though I have watched a few games in the snow over the years. Here we are now in the midst of basketball season.
Warmer weather schools have their soccer season now. We are in Arizona.
Fall: Cross country, football, golf, swimming, volleyball
Winter (now): Basketball, soccer, wrestling
Spring: Baseball, softball, tennis, track and field
At my D19 school they offer APHistory. She is having a tough time with it. Low B unweighted. She started on the HS Soccer team in the fall which took a lot of time away from school. It was hard on her with the AP class, rest honors and HS Soccer pressure. She also played with her Club team during that time. Now that HS Soccer is over and she decided not to play BBall, she has more time for studying. We are hoping her grades pick up a bit. Although her club soccer is in full swing now and that is 3 nights a week and games on the weekend.
I really do not remember HS being this tough when I was there.
@GKparent2019 It wasn’t.
2019hope, this is absolutely the right place to rejoice! Congrats on the affirmative nod to your DD from her coach…it’s quite meaningful among their peers and to herself. Good for her! My son is in the mist of midterms and instead of studying, what does he do? Volunteers for another debate tournament that isn’t even in his category. These tournaments are 2 day events that are all consuming. He went to one last weekend that was in his category and I guess he can’t get enough. Which is great…but dude, study too!