self-study APs

[Anonymous]

My kid is a freshman at TJ and is asking me if he can/should sign up for self-study for AP Physics 1. For background, he is obviously a smart kid but I think he's likely average or lower at TJ. He feels some prestige about taking the hardest options but I worry he's going to stretch himself too thin and burn out. He seems to love Physics (though I'm not convinced he knows much about the subject) and I think wants to do this just to get ahead.

My attitude is that he doesn't need to push himself and should excel in the "normal" track which is already quite accelerated.

Anyone been there, done that that can talk to me about pros and cons of letting him do this?

Thanks in advance.

[Anonymous]

OP again. I think his attitude is kind of that he wants to do it because it's there... because he can... to challenge himself...

[Anonymous]

AP Physics 1 is the same level of difficulty as a normal honors algebra-based high-school course in introductory physics. Not prestigious at all. A lot of high schools don't even offer it, because they have their own Honors Physics.

Now if he self-studies for AP Physics C at some point in his high school career... I take my hat off to him. That's the hardest AP course and set of exams you can take. It's a calculus-based college-level introductory physics course, and if you take both semesters in one year, it's fast-paced.

Here's a handy infographic: Please pay attention to pass rate. Many schools shove kids into AP social sciences, without considering that not everyone is cut out for them, hence the dismal pass rate of some commonly taken courses. Also, know your kid. If he's STEM-minded, he might find science APs much easier than what the graph suggests. The reverse is true for Humanities-oriented kids.

[Anonymous]

^ Also: the harder courses are self-selecting. The random high schooler isn't going to enroll.

[Anonymous]

I would advise freshman TJ student who is not at the top of class to NOT do any self-enrolled HS courses. I would instead advise on doing extras for all his current stem classes, especially math and stats. To make sure he is close to the top of his current cohort. Having this self study course will not cancel a B- or lower in math class that everyone takes. Having As on the tests and being able to help his classmates will build confidence. I would insist on slow and steady.

[Anonymous]

Is it worth it to take physics 1? Not at TJ, different high school. Kid is leaning towards taking honors physics and if he likes it, then physics C mechanics his senior year.