<p>Yes indeed schools handle AP courses differently. For example, at S1 & S2's HS one must first take chemistry before one can take AP chemistry. This is the only class where that is the case. S1 took AP Calc AB as a freshman, and BC as a sophomore, and honors physics (calc-based), but was not allowed to take AP chemistry. Because he wanted to take other honors science (marine biology, etc) courses he ended up only getting to take regular chemistry (which turned out to be a good course). The reasoning was that they wanted more kids to take AP chemistry and succeed. Made no sense that a kid who could succeed in it was not allowed to take it. Something about wanting everyone to be treated the same. Kids have to double or triple (by doing a year during the summer) up on science to get the full AP compliment of courses offered. Accordingly, they have to take fewer non-science electives. S1 had to take debate during the summer, for example.</p>