I am currently in an engineering academy that is top notch and has more equimpent then some colleges and wins robotics competitions. However, it takes up a period each year and 2 periods senior year as well as about 500 out of school work on robotics. I am glad to be in the academy but my classes are basically locked in even with taking summer school. Here is my question though is it better to be in an academy like the one I am in and get A’s or take AP classes instead of the period you have to be in the academy and get A’s. Please do not say you can take more classes over the summer and do both I just want a comparsion of are A’s in AP classes better or A’s in a top notch academy.
I guess it depends, if your taking courses toward your focus or concentration for college and doing well that will be noted by colleges. But you also need to consider the fact that kids who don’t have AP classes available to them do go out of their way at times to self-study and take it themselves or do community college early credits programs, etc.
Do they have top notch keyboards? Can’t use your “equimpent” without it! 
Schools really don’t care. Did you take the most challenging curriculum the school gave you? If so, then you’re good, academy, AP, or neither.
Or they could just change everything for senior year with no warning…
Every college has a list of high school courses they want you to take so that you’ll be prepared to go there. Most colleges want you to have a reasonably well-rounded education. For example, here are Stanford’s [recommendations](http://admission.stanford.edu/basics/selection/prepare.html):
English: four years, with significant emphasis on writing and literature.
Mathematics: four years, with significant emphasis on fundamental mathematical skills (algebra; trigonometry; plane, solid, and analytic geometry).
History/Social Studies: three or more years. Such courses should include the writing of essays.
Science:three or more years of laboratory science (including biology, chemistry and physics).
Foreign Language: three or more years of the same foreign language. Your study of a foreign language ought to include the development of four basic skills: reading, writing, speaking and listening comprehension.
If the engineering academy allows you to fulfill recommendations like this, it’s probably fine. You don’t need to have AP classes specifically; you just need to take the most rigorous classes available at your school.