Question about IB Program Science Classes at Kennedy HS

[Anonymous]

Chemistry or Biology? The current 9th graders at Kennedy in the Pre-IB program are making their class choices and they need to choose which science (Chem or Bio) to do in 10th grade which in turn will determine the science they take for two years in 11th and 12th grade and take their IB test in. Super hard decision to make, especially as these students haven't really taken any chemistry or biology classes before (just the individual units that covered these sorts of topics in MS).

So are there any families out there with older students at Kennedy (or alums) that have info on their experience at Kennedy? Skinny on the great teacher who motivated you and prepared you to do well on your science IB test?

Any guidance would help!

I would normally suggest Chemistry (10th) and then Biology (11th) because of the way the sciences build on each other, and then choose the favorite science for senior year but that isn't an option here.

I think my kid might do better in Chem based on competency in Math etc and some revulsion to dissection, but it is super hard to know at this point.

[Anonymous]

Kennedy Parent with a junior in the IB program. There were complaints about the chem teacher so I’m inclined to say do bio instead.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Kennedy Parent with a junior in the IB program. There were complaints about the chem teacher so I’m inclined to say do bio instead.

OP here. Thanks for the response. I'm assuming your kid is doing IB Bio now then? Do they like the teacher?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Kennedy Parent with a junior in the IB program. There were complaints about the chem teacher so I’m inclined to say do bio instead.

OP here. Thanks for the response. I'm assuming your kid is doing IB Bio now then? Do they like the teacher?

No, my kid is doing IB Physics SL. He likes that teacher a lot.

[Anonymous]

I wouldn't assume it will be same teacher.