Taking 4 AP Classes in Junior Year -- appreciate your thoughts

[Anonymous]

DS is thinking about taking 4 AP classes in Junior year and I feel the specific types of AP he is taking is too much. Maybe I am wrong. Can parents comment so that we get a view on your own child's experiences with these particular classes?

AP Comp & Language
AP World History
AP Calc BC
AP Chem (double period)
Band
French 5

He can also do AP Java rather than AP World History in 11th (just wait until 12th grade for AP World).

Thoughts/Opinions would be appreciated.

[Anonymous]

Seems normal for a student aiming for a top college

[Anonymous]

My kid did a similar schedule. BC Calc ended up being the toughest part, because at our school, kids fail out and drop. (And of course these are top math students or they wouldn't be taking it junior year, or at all.) So I guess my generalizable advice would be to see if there are red flags about any of these classes at your school.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My kid did a similar schedule. BC Calc ended up being the toughest part, because at our school, kids fail out and drop. (And of course these are top math students or they wouldn't be taking it junior year, or at all.) So I guess my generalizable advice would be to see if there are red flags about any of these classes at your school.

That is interesting because were were always told AP Chem double period is the hardest. How is the courseload for AP Java versus AP World History?

[Anonymous]

Depends on the kid. (Not DCUM). Many kids do this sort of course load. How're your kid's time management skills?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Depends on the kid. (Not DCUM). Many kids do this sort of course load. How're your kid's time management skills?

And, what are kid’s outside activities (barely a club or time intensive year-round sport?). If the former should be easy. If the latter, will require a more disciplined kid.

[Anonymous]

My child did a similar schedule and it was fine. I encourage as many APs as possible for kids who can handle it because MCPS honors courses are generally not truly honors, making AP the best way to prepare for rigorous college work.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Seems normal for a student aiming for a top college

This, if an aspiring stem student. If math and science aren’t strong points, I’d reevaluate. I’m guessing, given the math level, that they are.

[Anonymous]

For kids that took this path or similar, how many hours per day on average did your kid study? How many hours per day were spend on extracurricular activities?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My child did a similar schedule and it was fine. I encourage as many APs as possible for kids who can handle it because MCPS honors courses are generally not truly honors, making AP the best way to prepare for rigorous college work.

This is so true. With many High Schools only offering Honors level courses that are academically low in rigor the student that truly want a challenge have to take AP level. My kid was in Honors English in 10th grade and never read a complete novel.

[Anonymous]

OP, is your kid strong in math? That's what I'd likely focus on. World History is a lot of ground to cover, but isn't that bad, and same for AP Lang/Lit. AP Chem is a lot of work but doable.

BC is a hard and fast-paced class. My oldest (who is very strong in math) really struggled to find his footing at first junior year although then did really well and got a 5 on the exam. He took multivariable calculus senior year and ended up placing out of three semesters of college calculus and going straight into sophomore-level multivariable & linear algebra. So if your kid is up to the challenge (and BC is taught well at his HS) then it's doable. My son's advice would be to do every problem set, every night -- BC really improved his study habits.

My middle kid took AB junior year and BC senior year. The slightly slower pace was a better fit. My third will follow suit. For them, better to learn the material well at a slightly slower pace as both are interested in biology rather than physics/CS like their older brother.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP, is your kid strong in math? That's what I'd likely focus on. World History is a lot of ground to cover, but isn't that bad, and same for AP Lang/Lit. AP Chem is a lot of work but doable.

BC is a hard and fast-paced class. My oldest (who is very strong in math) really struggled to find his footing at first junior year although then did really well and got a 5 on the exam. He took multivariable calculus senior year and ended up placing out of three semesters of college calculus and going straight into sophomore-level multivariable & linear algebra. So if your kid is up to the challenge (and BC is taught well at his HS) then it's doable. My son's advice would be to do every problem set, every night -- BC really improved his study habits.

My middle kid took AB junior year and BC senior year. The slightly slower pace was a better fit. My third will follow suit. For them, better to learn the material well at a slightly slower pace as both are interested in biology rather than physics/CS like their older brother.

Yeah - the bigger question may be what math DC will do in 12th. Should they slow it down and do AB and then BC? Or are they moving beyond BC (not stats) in 12th?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:DS is thinking about taking 4 AP classes in Junior year and I feel the specific types of AP he is taking is too much. Maybe I am wrong. Can parents comment so that we get a view on your own child's experiences with these particular classes?

AP Comp & Language
AP World History
AP Calc BC
AP Chem (double period)
Band
French 5

He can also do AP Java rather than AP World History in 11th (just wait until 12th grade for AP World).

Thoughts/Opinions would be appreciated.

French 5 is a waste. Take AP French.

[Anonymous]

That's fine. "Double period" is only 1 class. It's basically chem + chem study hall.

[Anonymous]

That's the same as the 10th grade schedule but one year higher.