Look at the curriculum at some likely colleges for him and see what is required for science. If he would need to take Chem, then maybe he should look at AP Chemistry. Or he could take another physics class dual enrollment at the local community college.
But the first issue is getting admitted.
Lots of good advice so far. I think his best choice by far is AP Chem. As a Physics major or any science if he decides to go in a different direction after next year he’s going to need General Chemistry and if he can place out of it that’s a bonus. As mentioned CS in high school isn’t very standard so it’s not that much of an advantage and he can start out at University with Intro to Programming and be fine.
As far as future job prospects, as many have stated a Physics major is going to need to be able to code quite well and many get a minor or equivalent in CS so if he doesn’t want to go to grad school after UG he could probably get a job in CS going that route.
Another vote for AP Chem. Chemistry requires a lot of knowledge that needs to be taught in the classroom as well as in labs. Even if he self-studied he wouldn’t know what he doesn’t know.
However, CS is very easy to self study. He can probably cover a lot even in the summer or just on the weekends and he can go at his own pace.
@brentwoodmom I am so thrilled to see your family does not plan to push him into Engineering. I think many parents push for engineering and it is certainly not a fit for everyone, by a long stretch. You might be surprised what can be done with a physics. We have two friends who were physics majors; one now works in robotics (no graduate degree) the other has a physics PhD and he works in neurobiology. I think AP CS or AP Bio or AP Chem all are sound choices.
As bopper suggested I would check out the curriculum at a few of the colleges he is interested in and seeing what they have on deck and select a science from there. Right now my DD is regretting not taking AP Chem or AP Bio in HS so I would definately fill in a science rather than go without.
AP stats is a waste of time for potential physics major who’s already taken AP calc. Drop that and take AP chem and AP comp sci.