How do your high schoolers handle PE, tech, and art electives?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:AP Comp Science Principles satisfies the tech credit requirement, and it's not a very difficult class. It's considered a good first AP class for 9th graders.

So you think it is okay to take with all honors courses, including Alg 2, Spanish 3, as well as AP Gov? That is what we are trying to figure out. Because I would prefer her to have the art a later year but don't want to overwhelm her this year.

NP: I think your child will be okay. My child took AP Comp Science Principles along with AP Physics 1, Spanish 4, H Alg 2, PE, Hon English, and Hon US History.

Seriously? You don't know anything about PP's child. I'd hardly think AP Physics 1 is a standard curriculum for a Freshman.
Humblebrag much?

I OP asked for advice, so I answered based on my child's experience--not bragging. I didn't claim that my child's experience was standard.

Most kids find Pre-calc harder than Alg 2. AP Computer Sci Principles is not hard and developed as a class to introduce students to APs. AP Gov will be a lot of work for a 9th grader, but I think her child should be given a chance, especially when the drive/desire comes from the kid, not the parent.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I am jumping in to ask a question.
Once these art, tech, health, and PE electives are out of the way, do kids only take AP and other hard courses? Or is there study halls or regular electives.

It seems so pushed towards a complete stress load of work by junior year.

There are no study halls. My Jr is taking 6 academic classes + 1 elective. It is a lot. Some take 5 academic classes, but it includes a double-period science like AP Bio or Chem. That is also a lot.

You can take study hall. You just need to request through your counselor.

That is news to me!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:AP Comp Science Principles satisfies the tech credit requirement, and it's not a very difficult class. It's considered a good first AP class for 9th graders.

So you think it is okay to take with all honors courses, including Alg 2, Spanish 3, as well as AP Gov? That is what we are trying to figure out. Because I would prefer her to have the art a later year but don't want to overwhelm her this year.

NP: I think your child will be okay. My child took AP Comp Science Principles along with AP Physics 1, Spanish 4, H Alg 2, PE, Hon English, and Hon US History.

As a freshman?!?

Yes

How did you get in AP Physics as a freshman?

Easy credit.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I am jumping in to ask a question.
Once these art, tech, health, and PE electives are out of the way, do kids only take AP and other hard courses? Or is there study halls or regular electives.

It seems so pushed towards a complete stress load of work by junior year.

There are no study halls. My Jr is taking 6 academic classes + 1 elective. It is a lot. Some take 5 academic classes, but it includes a double-period science like AP Bio or Chem. That is also a lot.

You can take study hall. You just need to request through your counselor.

That is news to me!

Same here. Never once ever mentioned you can take a study hall in my kid’s high school.

[Anonymous]

MCPS offers study hall?!? Never ever heard of it and I just had one graduated and another sophomore.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I am jumping in to ask a question.
Once these art, tech, health, and PE electives are out of the way, do kids only take AP and other hard courses? Or is there study halls or regular electives.

It seems so pushed towards a complete stress load of work by junior year.

By 2nd semester Senior year, my DD had all required classes except English and Math (which are required every semester). She took a 1/2 day schedule and left at lunch for a very part-time afternoon job. There is study hall, called Resource, which is a good class if your kid wants to catch up on homework at school.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:AP Comp Science Principles satisfies the tech credit requirement, and it's not a very difficult class. It's considered a good first AP class for 9th graders.

So you think it is okay to take with all honors courses, including Alg 2, Spanish 3, as well as AP Gov? That is what we are trying to figure out. Because I would prefer her to have the art a later year but don't want to overwhelm her this year.

I think it's really hard to tell. I suspect one of my kids would be really overwhelmed by that, and my other would sail through.

My kid who would sail through is also a kid who would want multiple years of art though, so I'd leave that in. Do you think this is likely to be either the last art or the last tech she'll take? Does she like one more than the other?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:MCPS offers study hall?!? Never ever heard of it and I just had one graduated and another sophomore.

Kids with 504s and IEPs have the option for a study hall so most MCPS HSs have it, just not for anybody who wants it.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:MCPS offers study hall?!? Never ever heard of it and I just had one graduated and another sophomore.

Kids with 504s and IEPs have the option for a study hall so most MCPS HSs have it, just not for anybody who wants it.

This is not true. My kid at BCC was able to take "Resource" without a 504 or IEP. Anyone can sign up for it and it counts as a class and they get a grade.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:MCPS offers study hall?!? Never ever heard of it and I just had one graduated and another sophomore.

Kids with 504s and IEPs have the option for a study hall so most MCPS HSs have it, just not for anybody who wants it.

This is not true. My kid at BCC was able to take "Resource" without a 504 or IEP. Anyone can sign up for it and it counts as a class and they get a grade.

You get credit for a study hall. MCPS is crazy lol

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:MCPS offers study hall?!? Never ever heard of it and I just had one graduated and another sophomore.

Kids with 504s and IEPs have the option for a study hall so most MCPS HSs have it, just not for anybody who wants it.

This is not true. My kid at BCC was able to take "Resource" without a 504 or IEP. Anyone can sign up for it and it counts as a class and they get a grade.

You get credit for a study hall. MCPS is crazy lol

Yes - you get credit. If you go to class and do the assignments, which are basically tracking your homework in other classes, it’s an easy A.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:MCPS offers study hall?!? Never ever heard of it and I just had one graduated and another sophomore.

Kids with 504s and IEPs have the option for a study hall so most MCPS HSs have it, just not for anybody who wants it.

This is not true. My kid at BCC was able to take "Resource" without a 504 or IEP. Anyone can sign up for it and it counts as a class and they get a grade.

Red flag for colleges I bet

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:MCPS offers study hall?!? Never ever heard of it and I just had one graduated and another sophomore.

Kids with 504s and IEPs have the option for a study hall so most MCPS HSs have it, just not for anybody who wants it.

This is not true. My kid at BCC was able to take "Resource" without a 504 or IEP. Anyone can sign up for it and it counts as a class and they get a grade.

Red flag for colleges I bet

Why would this be a red flag? It’s completely explainable and understandable. Especially if the kid is taking a demanding course schedule and doing well and is involved in activities.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:MCPS offers study hall?!? Never ever heard of it and I just had one graduated and another sophomore.

Kids with 504s and IEPs have the option for a study hall so most MCPS HSs have it, just not for anybody who wants it.

This is not true. My kid at BCC was able to take "Resource" without a 504 or IEP. Anyone can sign up for it and it counts as a class and they get a grade.

Red flag for colleges I bet

Why would this be a red flag? It’s completely explainable and understandable. Especially if the kid is taking a demanding course schedule and doing well and is involved in activities.

I don't know about getting and grade and having it on your transcript but it's not uncommon at our W high school for top students who are also athletes or kids with other activities like music that take up a lot of time. They don't do it every year but kids might do it 1-2 years.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:MCPS offers study hall?!? Never ever heard of it and I just had one graduated and another sophomore.

Kids with 504s and IEPs have the option for a study hall so most MCPS HSs have it, just not for anybody who wants it.

This is not true. My kid at BCC was able to take "Resource" without a 504 or IEP. Anyone can sign up for it and it counts as a class and they get a grade.

Red flag for colleges I bet

Why would this be a red flag? It’s completely explainable and understandable. Especially if the kid is taking a demanding course schedule and doing well and is involved in activities.

Is this a genuine question? Because all the high achieving students are managing their homework and assignments without a special class in which to do them / have them checked. Instead they are taking AP Physics C during their lunch hours and participating in Neuroscience conferences on the w'end.