Does your kid’s HS limit APs, and do they stick to the limit?

[Anonymous]

DC’s HS publicizes that students can take a limited number of APs - 1 in 10th, 2 in 11th, 3 in 12th. This limit is noted in the handbook, the course guide, AND in the school overview that gets sent to colleges with transcripts.

But I’ve just learned the “limit” is basically BS. Several of DC’s friends (rising 11th) will be taking 3 or 4 APs next year, including doubling up in subject areas (ie, 2 history APs or 2 science APs at the same time). I had appreciated the school’s measured approach to the “arms race” that publics and some privates have for cramming in as many APs as possible, and now I find that DC with an anticipated 5 APs (out of what I thought was a max of 6) is apparently not actually that rigorous. DC has a learning difference and is taking all honors plus the 5 anticipated APs and we wouldn’t change that, but it’s frustrating to learn that course load doesn’t stack up as well as I thought.

[Anonymous]

So you are happy with your child's courseload but mad because other children are taking a harder courseload? Do you realize how ridiculous you sound?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:So you are happy with your child's courseload but mad because other children are taking a harder courseload? Do you realize how ridiculous you sound?

I would have appreciated that the school’s published information be accurate.

[Anonymous]

Are you positive the school has actually approved these courses for your son’s friends? Maybe they just submitted course requests with 3-4 APs and the school won’t approve them when the time comes to release the actual schedules.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:So you are happy with your child's courseload but mad because other children are taking a harder courseload? Do you realize how ridiculous you sound?

Seriously! This has nothing to do with what is actually right for your kid— you’re annoyed because the school is not holding others (who can handle more) back. Maybe their policy is a recommendation that they feel is best, but parents will of course ask for consideration if they feel a heavier workload could be what best for their child.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:So you are happy with your child's courseload but mad because other children are taking a harder courseload? Do you realize how ridiculous you sound?

I would have appreciated that the school’s published information be accurate.

Who cares? You said yourself the policy worked well for your child. You just want the school to artificially hold back other students so your kid looks better in comparison?

[Anonymous]

Some schools have Scholars programs and the policy may be different for them.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Are you positive the school has actually approved these courses for your son’s friends? Maybe they just submitted course requests with 3-4 APs and the school won’t approve them when the time comes to release the actual schedules.

Yes. All the requests have been approved pending final grades for the courses that have final grade requirements. DC and friends have been talking about it. Apparently it’s quite common for kids to take more APs than the stated limit.

What I’m annoyed about is that the school’s claims to have a limit but doesn’t hold to what they say. One positive of the school was its supposed approach to APs. “Rigor” is touted by HS counselors and college AOs alike as extremely important in the application process. But rigor is subjective and comparative - it’s how a selected course load compares to what a school offers or allows as well as what other students take. So based on what the school claimed, DC’s rigor seemed like it would be comparatively strong. Instead, it will be much weaker. It’s annoying to have the goal posts moved late in the game.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Some schools have Scholars programs and the policy may be different for them.

Ours does not.

[Anonymous]

I get that people disagree with my annoyance. That’s fine. Does anyone have an actual answer for whether their schools limit APs and stick to the limit?

[Anonymous]

Our school also supposedly has a limit but school never sticks with it. All the schools really cater to the families. And in the arms race of college, rigor is so important, that schools will allow it.

[Anonymous]

They don't limit the number but they do have criteria for getting into APs that are often not followed, e.g. need to have a certain grade in the honors version, can't jump from regular level to AP, need teacher's rec.

All out the window sometimes, or followed to the T other times, depending on... what, I don't know.

[Anonymous]

OP, the school gives measured advice that families might or might not not follow. DC is at a non-AP private but all of this still applies. Like you, I have been shocked at things I have learned over time. Taking an honors class as a freshman that is not open to freshmen. Taking SATs early when school doesn’t allow freshmen or sophomores in the test.
I don’t have the saavy or the money to keep up, so my kid charts their own course and we will just have to see if it works. For example, they are taking 6 major courses but 3 out of 4 possible honors. The honors limit is supposed to be 3, but several are doing 4 anyway—but not with the extra class. Why the extra class? Because they need it and are interested for their area of study. Why not 4 honors? Because that’s ridiculous and I want them to have a life outside of school.
There is no winning here, each kid is different. If mine is rejected from an Ivy because of 3 honors, so be it.

[Anonymous]

OP here - appreciate the responses, PP’s.

[Anonymous]

I thought it was only 1 sophomore year—but now I find some have 2.

My oldest had
9- 0
10-1
11-3
12-4

My current junior:
9-0
10-1
11-4
12- will be 5