9th grade AP physics at Blair

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My child did 9th grade AP physics upon recommendation from her middle school teacher last year.

It was a mistake.
90% of the class were not fully prepared for taking physics at such a young age. Most of the students struggled in varying degrees. Some got tutors. The teacher made adjustments, the process was a slug. My child managed to navigate the class through the year, but it was a chore. First time to ever struggle with a subject of any kind.

I don't know if Blair made any changes this year or not, but I highly recommend of passing physics for 9th grade. There's little benefit to taking it freshman year. It's an experiment that Blair seems determined to make fit, whether it actually works or not.

Did your child earn an A or B? Also, did your child take the exam?

B

Yes, but the test did not actually count towards credit as it was a trial run for the class.

My child is a rising 9th grader and was placed in the class. I hope he earns a B or higher. Do you think being online affected your child's grade? Do you think your child would have earned an A in person?

I'm thinking about asking Blair to enroll my child in Honors Physics and taking AP Physics C in Senior year, after Honors Chemistry (10th), AP Bio (11th).

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Math and Physics tutor here:

I think the AP Physics I is pretty difficult and is a lot for a 9th grader - even advanced students or those with access to tutors.

I am curious of the AP scores earned by 9th graders on the exam. The AP stats that I know don't break down the scores by grade level. Anyone know where to find them? I am sometimes asked for input to course selection and would love to know this information.

Teacher here and I agree with this post. It is the rare 9th grader who does well on the AP Phys 1 exam. Personally I would not put my own kid in this class in 9th grade. 10th grade maybe. Junior year is best.

[Anonymous]

My kid just finished sophomore year and took AP Physics 1 and honors algebra II at Blair. In MS, science was not great but math was good. Stayed with peer group for MS. Not a science kid but did fine (B/A grades). No set study group, no tutor, no parent help either. FWIW, the kids taking biology first are concurrently enrolled in geometry.

[Anonymous]

Looks like Wheaton high school also puts a lot of 9th graders in AP physics (all the engr magnet kids and also a lot of academy kids). Any experience of how that’s gone?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Looks like Wheaton high school also puts a lot of 9th graders in AP physics (all the engr magnet kids and also a lot of academy kids). Any experience of how that’s gone?

I know one kid who floundered in AP physics as a freshman and needed extra tutoring etc to get through. It’s not for everyone...

[Anonymous]

^^floundered in AP physics at Wheaton as a freshman, I mean

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Looks like Wheaton high school also puts a lot of 9th graders in AP physics (all the engr magnet kids and also a lot of academy kids). Any experience of how that’s gone?

They biomedical science magnet kids also take AP Physics 1. Our kid took it, got all As and a 4 on the AP physics 1 exam.