Reply to What is the benefit ot taking intensified classes if you don't plan on doing IB

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[quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous]It’s largely about the appropriate challenge level for your kid. That might be intensified classes across the board, intensified in some classes, or no intensified classes. No one does their kids any favors by electing for a mismatch between abilities and rigor. Choosing the easier route to maximize chances of higher grades freshman year isn’t setting your kid up for success with AP classes down the road.[/quote]

I don’t agree with this.  HB Woodlawn does not offer intensified and none of the kids seem to have issues moving to AP classes.[/quote]

(a) how do you know none of the kids have issues?
(b) you're going to disagree based on a sample the size of self-selected HBW students? Most of whom have been in the HB program since 6th grade and are not adjusting to a new - and large - school with unknown teachers etc?

"Appropriate challenge" is absolutely the priority. That said, OP, keep in mind that intensified classes really aren't advanced and overly challenging. Your child needs to learn to manage their anxiety, even if it means professional counseling; but if they are an average or above average student, they are going to be very bored very quickly in gen ed classes. And as someone noted above, jumping from gen ed to AP is a bigger leap in work pace and quality than jumping from intensified.

Also, teachers are supposed to make recommendations for AP classes (sometimes, not always). They are usually hesitant to do so when the student isn't already taking more rigorous classes. Again, not always relevant.

Finally, everything I'm hearing from parents (across the country, not just here) is that courseload matters. Does it matter more your senior year? Absolutely. But it still matters. Personal experience with one of our kids: courseload absolutely matters even for your "not top" colleges.  Colleges are looking for a strong college prep pathway. Appropriate level of challenge for your child. [/quote]

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