Reply to Deferring Chemistry until 12th grade

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[quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous]This is OP. Thank you all. I've got an appointment to talk to his counselor about this. While I think my son would be entitled to some accommodations (he has a 504, not an IEP) I worry they might not be enough to make up for the stress of Chemistry during the demands of junior year. I do think Chemistry will be hard whenever he takes it, but in 12th grade he may not have a math course to contend with (which might make things easier). This is so different than our experience with his older brother, a very strong student who took 5 APS in 11th grade and ended up at a very competitive college. Different kid, different needs. I'm trying to adjust my expectations and do the right thing for this kid. I will discuss with his counselor and see what he says. Thanks again.[/quote]

He needs to take a math his senior year, more than he needs to take chemistry his senior year.  4 years of math is a graduation requirement, and even if he has a 4th year due to Algebra in 8th, Maryland schools won't take a student who didn't have math their senior year.

In contrast, you can substitute Astronomy, Matter and Energy or Physical Science (or Physics, but that won't help your non-math kid) for Chemistry and go on to college.

We're delaying my son's physical science until senior year, for a variety of reasons.  One of which is that I want him to have Algebra 2 under his belt before he attempts Chemistry.  [/quote]

Op again. He took Matter and Energy in 9th (got a B) and is taking Bio this year (averaging a C so far). He'll be in on level Algebra 2 next year. I didn't realize he needs another math class for 12th. Does he need to have either Physical Science or Physics to graduate? I was under the impression Matter and Energy suffices? I need to look up the requirements I guess.[/quote]

He needs 1 Physical Science, which he already has in Matter and Energy, and Biology, and one science elective.  He can take Chemistry, or Astronomy, or Anatomy and Physiology, or Physics or anything else his school offers for that last credit.

Chemistry or Physics looks best on the transcript, and the kids applying to the top schools will want both, but for a kid who doesn't plan on going on to the sciences he could stop after Matter and Energy, Bio, and Astronomy.

On the other hand, he can't stop after Algebra 2, unless he took Algebra 1 in 8th and Bridge in 10th.  Even then, if he doesn't take math his senior year he's ruling out all 4 year in state schools, including places like Frostburg which can be a good fit for a kid who has struggled.

The easiest math pathways to get to 4 years, would be:

Bridge to Algebra 2, Algebra 2

Algebra 2, Quantitative Literacy

Algebra 2, Statistics[/quote]

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