11th Grade Courseload?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:for non STEM focus, I don't know why a junior would take AP Calc BC. Then you'd have to take some crazy math senior year. Just take AP Calc AB junior year and BC senior year. My English-hating DS took AP Comp junior year, did not find it difficult and got a 4 on the AP test. He did well in Honors Physics but found it very hard. On the upside, he says AP Physics has been a breeze. His school does not offer AP World.

They can take Stats if they don't want to continue into advanced college math.

still no reason to take AP Calc BC if not a math-y student

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:What APs has your DD already taken? How do they feel about their current Honors English 10 class? That could help her/you decide about what level of World History and English to take next year. How time-consuming are her extracurriculars?

I also have a DD looking at her courses for junior year this week. It seems intense to me, but I know things have changed since i was in school. Here are her choices and reasoning (if I can piggy-back on your thread):

- AP Calculus BC (debating between this and AB, since she's not a super-STEM kid, but is doing well in honors precalc)
- AP Composition & Language (she's looking forward to a more challenging English class than Honors 9 and 10)
-AP World History (has already taken APUSH in 9th and AP gov this year, so she thinks this is no problem)
-Honors Spanish 4
- Honors Physics (will aim for an AP science next year)
- AP Seminar (although debating with AP Psych)
-band

I'd take Calc AB junior year and BC senior year. Otherwise looks good to me.

PP here. That was my initial thought for my kid, but then we looked at the AP scores for her school in the last few years, and the AB scores are absolutely dismal, whereas BC is somewhat better. Could be a function of which students are in each class, but could also indicate a really bad AB teacher. I mean, there have been 39 AB tests taken in the last 2 years at her school, and 26 students got a 1, 12 got a 2, and 1 got a 3. No 4's or 5's. It just seems like a terrible choice, but BC may not be right either. Still debating what to do...

Unless you've heard absolutely horrible things about the one AP Calc AB teacher (who teaches every section), I'd 100% say this is a self-selecting issue. Stronger math kids are taking AP Calc BC.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:DD met with her counselor to look at coursework for her junior year this week. She enjoys writing but has always been on the slower side, so generally prefers to do most of her major writing assignments at home rather than in-class. She wants to take on the challenge but as I was reviewing at her potential course load, I am a bit concerned.
- AP Calculus BC
- French 5
- AP Chem (double period)
- AP Comp Sci Java
- AP World History
- AP Composition & Language

I am not sure how difficult AP Java is, or how time consuming? I am thinking she needs to either do Honor World History or perhaps Honor English 11 instead, or maybe both? Perhaps even wait for AP Java until senior year if it's very time consuming. FWIW, DD is a good/motivated student looking to enter a STEM field, but this doesn't look manageable to me with all her other extra-curricular activities. Your insights would be appreciated.

Punt AP World History because it's time consuming. Also you may want to hold off on AP CS Java for a year if she can. It's not that it's super hard but it is time consuming.

OP here. Can you elaborate on the time that typical kids normally spend for AP CS Java? She knows she wants to pursue the sciences but does not know for certain in which branch, so feels taking Java would at least expose her to the programming side earlier on for assessment purposes. If she likes it, she might even include in additional programming class in senior year. As a sophomore, DD is taking AP Physics 1 and Hon Chem this year. Has found Honor English 9/10 to be manageable, and seems fine in both APUSH and AP NSL. Extracurricular commitment is everyday for about 3 hours.

Java (and AP CS) is a miserable introduction to programming. Get a taste of programming using the Internet / YouTube tutorials for more pleasant languages like modern JavaScript and Python.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:DD met with her counselor to look at coursework for her junior year this week. She enjoys writing but has always been on the slower side, so generally prefers to do most of her major writing assignments at home rather than in-class. She wants to take on the challenge but as I was reviewing at her potential course load, I am a bit concerned.
- AP Calculus BC
- French 5
- AP Chem (double period)
- AP Comp Sci Java
- AP World History
- AP Composition & Language

I am not sure how difficult AP Java is, or how time consuming? I am thinking she needs to either do Honor World History or perhaps Honor English 11 instead, or maybe both? Perhaps even wait for AP Java until senior year if it's very time consuming. FWIW, DD is a good/motivated student looking to enter a STEM field, but this doesn't look manageable to me with all her other extra-curricular activities. Your insights would be appreciated.

Is precalculus a breeze or hard? Does she study ahead (or have a high-standards class) and know a little calculus already?

Why French 5 instead of AP

Did she take non-AP chem? If so, double period AP chem would be a breeze.

Did she take AP CS Principles? Or learn intro CS as an extracurricular or at summer camps?

When she reads a book, can she ask and discuss interesting questions about it?

It's not for everyone, but this is a normal course load for someone headed to highly selective highly academic colleges and state honor colleges, especially those who are bookish academics and not athletes or artists/musicians or otherwise involved in non-academic extracurriculars.

OP again. Pre-Calc has been okay. Maybe around 95% in the class so far. As for World Language, she does not feel confident enough in French although usually averages in the mid-A. She doesn't think she would do well going directly into AP World Language. We do not speak French at home or know anyone who speaks the language so she is not getting the speaking practice. She tinkers with some programming but I would not say she knows a lot compared to her coding friends. When she reads a book, she just reads and there is no major discussion. Maybe it happens at school but certainly not at home with us. She is a musician and sees it as a social escape. Also plays a sport a few hours weekly just to keep healthy, and we obviously want to encourage her to continue this.

Your DD might be too well-rounded for this AP courseload, unless she is very efficient at doing work (but you said she isn't).

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:What APs has your DD already taken? How do they feel about their current Honors English 10 class? That could help her/you decide about what level of World History and English to take next year. How time-consuming are her extracurriculars?

I also have a DD looking at her courses for junior year this week. It seems intense to me, but I know things have changed since i was in school. Here are her choices and reasoning (if I can piggy-back on your thread):

- AP Calculus BC (debating between this and AB, since she's not a super-STEM kid, but is doing well in honors precalc)
- AP Composition & Language (she's looking forward to a more challenging English class than Honors 9 and 10)
-AP World History (has already taken APUSH in 9th and AP gov this year, so she thinks this is no problem)
-Honors Spanish 4
- Honors Physics (will aim for an AP science next year)
- AP Seminar (although debating with AP Psych)
-band

I'd take Calc AB junior year and BC senior year. Otherwise looks good to me.

PP here. That was my initial thought for my kid, but then we looked at the AP scores for her school in the last few years, and the AB scores are absolutely dismal, whereas BC is somewhat better. Could be a function of which students are in each class, but could also indicate a really bad AB teacher. I mean, there have been 39 AB tests taken in the last 2 years at her school, and 26 students got a 1, 12 got a 2, and 1 got a 3. No 4's or 5's. It just seems like a terrible choice, but BC may not be right either. Still debating what to do...

Unless you've heard absolutely horrible things about the one AP Calc AB teacher (who teaches every section), I'd 100% say this is a self-selecting issue. Stronger math kids are taking AP Calc BC.

Thanks for the input. As far as I can tell, there is just one AB teacher each year, but I think it might be somebody new this year, so maybe things will improve. But if it is a self-selection issue, then it's hard to know whether my kid should self-select into AB or BC, given that the AB cohort hasn't performed well in recent years but that BC may be more intense than she really wants (and her current precalc teacher said BC would be a good fit). I think we'll keep gathering info from the school and current students if we can.

[Anonymous]

I think what people may be trying to say is your child who is getting a 95 in Precal should normally be headed to Calc BC if they like math but given how many other very difficult classes she has she might want to consider Calc AB just to balance her courseload.

They are saying you shouldn't worry about the lower reported scores for the school for the AB exam because your child will likely be a better student than most of those who take AB and should do fine on the exam.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:DD met with her counselor to look at coursework for her junior year this week. She enjoys writing but has always been on the slower side, so generally prefers to do most of her major writing assignments at home rather than in-class. She wants to take on the challenge but as I was reviewing at her potential course load, I am a bit concerned.
- AP Calculus BC
- French 5
- AP Chem (double period)
- AP Comp Sci Java
- AP World History
- AP Composition & Language

I am not sure how difficult AP Java is, or how time consuming? I am thinking she needs to either do Honor World History or perhaps Honor English 11 instead, or maybe both? Perhaps even wait for AP Java until senior year if it's very time consuming. FWIW, DD is a good/motivated student looking to enter a STEM field, but this doesn't look manageable to me with all her other extra-curricular activities. Your insights would be appreciated.

Keep the schedule. If your child is feeling overwhelmed, they can drop down. It's almost impossible to jump up to an AP mid-year. In the AP classes, your student will be challenged and have that opportunity to earn college credit. Also, the quality of students in their AP classes will be much higher than an honors class. Your child can focus on learning without nonsense. Better off having your child challenged than bored at the lower level.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I think what people may be trying to say is your child who is getting a 95 in Precal should normally be headed to Calc BC if they like math but given how many other very difficult classes she has she might want to consider Calc AB just to balance her courseload.

They are saying you shouldn't worry about the lower reported scores for the school for the AB exam because your child will likely be a better student than most of those who take AB and should do fine on the exam.

This is OP. It seems like there is another poster who is asking another question relating to her child who is thinking about Calc AB. It's making it confusing for readers to decipher me from her.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I think what people may be trying to say is your child who is getting a 95 in Precal should normally be headed to Calc BC if they like math but given how many other very difficult classes she has she might want to consider Calc AB just to balance her courseload.

They are saying you shouldn't worry about the lower reported scores for the school for the AB exam because your child will likely be a better student than most of those who take AB and should do fine on the exam.

This is OP. It seems like there is another poster who is asking another question relating to her child who is thinking about Calc AB. It's making it confusing for readers to decipher me from her.

Yeah, I'm the other poster and I'm sorry for barging in on your thread. I just had very similar questions, but I apologize for the confusion! I hope you've received helpful feedback.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:for non STEM focus, I don't know why a junior would take AP Calc BC. Then you'd have to take some crazy math senior year. Just take AP Calc AB junior year and BC senior year. My English-hating DS took AP Comp junior year, did not find it difficult and got a 4 on the AP test. He did well in Honors Physics but found it very hard. On the upside, he says AP Physics has been a breeze. His school does not offer AP World.

They can take Stats if they don't want to continue into advanced college math.

still no reason to take AP Calc BC if not a math-y student

The OP wrote their child was looking to enter a STEM field, so Calc BC is advisable.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:DD met with her counselor to look at coursework for her junior year this week. She enjoys writing but has always been on the slower side, so generally prefers to do most of her major writing assignments at home rather than in-class. She wants to take on the challenge but as I was reviewing at her potential course load, I am a bit concerned.
- AP Calculus BC
- French 5
- AP Chem (double period)
- AP Comp Sci Java
- AP World History
- AP Composition & Language

I am not sure how difficult AP Java is, or how time consuming? I am thinking she needs to either do Honor World History or perhaps Honor English 11 instead, or maybe both? Perhaps even wait for AP Java until senior year if it's very time consuming. FWIW, DD is a good/motivated student looking to enter a STEM field, but this doesn't look manageable to me with all her other extra-curricular activities. Your insights would be appreciated.

It seems a bit extreme and will likely burn them out or hurt their GPA. At a minimum, I'd drop down on either AP Lang or AP World Hist based on the kid's preferences.

Keep the schedule. If your child is feeling overwhelmed, they can drop down. It's almost impossible to jump up to an AP mid-year. In the AP classes, your student will be challenged and have that opportunity to earn college credit. Also, the quality of students in their AP classes will be much higher than an honors class. Your child can focus on learning without nonsense. Better off having your child challenged than bored at the lower level.

[Anonymous]

It seems a bit extreme and will likely burn them out or hurt their GPA. At a minimum, I'd drop down on either AP Lang or AP World Hist based on the kid's preferences.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:DD met with her counselor to look at coursework for her junior year this week. She enjoys writing but has always been on the slower side, so generally prefers to do most of her major writing assignments at home rather than in-class. She wants to take on the challenge but as I was reviewing at her potential course load, I am a bit concerned.
- AP Calculus BC
- French 5
- AP Chem (double period)
- AP Comp Sci Java
- AP World History
- AP Composition & Language

I am not sure how difficult AP Java is, or how time consuming? I am thinking she needs to either do Honor World History or perhaps Honor English 11 instead, or maybe both? Perhaps even wait for AP Java until senior year if it's very time consuming. FWIW, DD is a good/motivated student looking to enter a STEM field, but this doesn't look manageable to me with all her other extra-curricular activities. Your insights would be appreciated.

She can switch out the Chem and the Comp Sci. Comp & Lang is important, as is World History. She can also switch out the French for a Spanish class. My greatest regret is going to French 5/6 instead of just transitioning from French 3 in 8th grade to Spanish 1-3.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:DD met with her counselor to look at coursework for her junior year this week. She enjoys writing but has always been on the slower side, so generally prefers to do most of her major writing assignments at home rather than in-class. She wants to take on the challenge but as I was reviewing at her potential course load, I am a bit concerned.
- AP Calculus BC
- French 5
- AP Chem (double period)
- AP Comp Sci Java
- AP World History
- AP Composition & Language

I am not sure how difficult AP Java is, or how time consuming? I am thinking she needs to either do Honor World History or perhaps Honor English 11 instead, or maybe both? Perhaps even wait for AP Java until senior year if it's very time consuming. FWIW, DD is a good/motivated student looking to enter a STEM field, but this doesn't look manageable to me with all her other extra-curricular activities. Your insights would be appreciated.

Keep the schedule. If your child is feeling overwhelmed, they can drop down. It's almost impossible to jump up to an AP mid-year. In the AP classes, your student will be challenged and have that opportunity to earn college credit. Also, the quality of students in their AP classes will be much higher than an honors class. Your child can focus on learning without nonsense. Better off having your child challenged than bored at the lower level.

On the contrary. It's better for them to challenge themselves in the classes that interest them and excel there than to make everything an AP class and burnout. You want at least 5 As & 2 Bs in each semester of junior year.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:What APs has your DD already taken? How do they feel about their current Honors English 10 class? That could help her/you decide about what level of World History and English to take next year. How time-consuming are her extracurriculars?

I also have a DD looking at her courses for junior year this week. It seems intense to me, but I know things have changed since i was in school. Here are her choices and reasoning (if I can piggy-back on your thread):

- AP Calculus BC (debating between this and AB, since she's not a super-STEM kid, but is doing well in honors precalc)
- AP Composition & Language (she's looking forward to a more challenging English class than Honors 9 and 10)
-AP World History (has already taken APUSH in 9th and AP gov this year, so she thinks this is no problem)
-Honors Spanish 4
- Honors Physics (will aim for an AP science next year)
- AP Seminar (although debating with AP Psych)
-band

I'd take Calc AB junior year and BC senior year. Otherwise looks good to me.

PP here. That was my initial thought for my kid, but then we looked at the AP scores for her school in the last few years, and the AB scores are absolutely dismal, whereas BC is somewhat better. Could be a function of which students are in each class, but could also indicate a really bad AB teacher. I mean, there have been 39 AB tests taken in the last 2 years at her school, and 26 students got a 1, 12 got a 2, and 1 got a 3. No 4's or 5's. It just seems like a terrible choice, but BC may not be right either. Still debating what to do...

Unless you've heard absolutely horrible things about the one AP Calc AB teacher (who teaches every section), I'd 100% say this is a self-selecting issue. Stronger math kids are taking AP Calc BC.

If she wants engineering or pre-med, she can do BC. If she wants business, liberal arts, etc. she can do AB.