High School Course Rigor - Is my DC signing up for too much?
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Anonymous
| My DS is signing up for sophomore year classes. He wants to take 2 APs plus 3 honors level core classes and an extra honors elective class - so six classes today LL. He’s a great student but also a three sport athlete. Is this a recipe for disaster? I was hoping he would continue with band as that is not demanding for homework, but he wants the extra science elective as well as the second AP. |
Anonymous
|
It depends on the kid.
I suggest you let him make class signups himself. If it’s too much there’s a drop add period at the beginning of the year. But he needs to own the schedule. |
Anonymous
| That is a lot but FWIW, my older DC took 3 APs and 4 honors classes in 10th grade, and is also a 3 sport athlete (one with a large time commitment). It was a tough year but doable. The bigger “issue” with that is that it puts you on a path to bump it more and more each year, which is harder as a junior when also studying for SAT and senior while also doing college apps. But this is the life of teens nowadays! |
Anonymous
|
I met a kid recently that did everything in HS he possibly could. IB diploma. Full stack of AP courses. Clubs and sports. Top 10% of his class. Became fully conversant in Spanish.
Didn't even bother applying to college. Construction work and very content. Not struggling in life at all. I think it takes a rare bird to know you can compete with the collegiate kids and decide that you would rather work a blue collar job. |
Anonymous
+1 How does he handle stress when all of his time is scheduled? Is he self-disciplined enough to get enough sleep every night even if he's behind a bit in his work? Will he be okay with a B or two if the load is too much to get all A's? |
Anonymous
| Tough question for DCUM. 75% of respondents will "one up you" on schedule difficulty amassed by their darling. |
Anonymous
| Ours did the same. As noted, this can lead to 5 APs junior year and 6 APs senior year. It's a lot of work but manageable for the right student. |
Anonymous
| What does the guidance counselor think? Personally, I think it's too much. You don't want him to get burned out before Junior year when things really matter! |
Anonymous
What will he do when he is injured on the job or his body can’t do the work anymore. Not being snarky but a smart kid would have a plan B. |
Anonymous
| If you kid thinks he can do it, you should let him try. None of us know your kid or how challenging the "honors" classes are at your school (it means something different at different schools). But 2 APs as a sophomore does not seem too challenging, even with other activities. |
Anonymous
Fair point. He's trying to win a contract with the county government now. I'm guessing his plan is to have employees do most of the work? |
Anonymous
| The work required in AP classes at our public school is a lot less than when I was in high school. |
Anonymous
A smart kid can definitely move up in the construction/trades without a degree. My cousin is the wealthiest person in our extended family -- started as an electrician and now CEO of a large electrical contracting company. |
Anonymous
| You just don't want low grades. It's not worth the trade off so be careful. Schools say they value rigor over GPA but they kinda don't. Excessive rigor at the expense of grades is a very bad idea. Obviously you need decent rigor. |
Anonymous
+1 |