Reply to skipping intro classes on HS

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[quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous]MCPS allows APs starting in 9th grade for social science (usually AP Gov and Pol) and tech requirements (usually AP Computer Science Principles). But not for math, because of the state requirement of one math class every year (most high schools don't have 3 more math classes after AP Calc BC, so it means dual enrollment at Montgomery College or a UMD course) and usually not for science, because the College Board has prerequisites for AP Physic C, AP Chem and AP Bio that are usually not met by 9th grade.

That being said, my kid and some others have taken AP Calc BC in 10th, because they'd been on that pathway since middle school due to taking Alg 1 in 6th, or coming from different school systems with accelerated math. Which means they can take AP Phys C starting in 10th as well, since it has a calculus requirement. Theoretically, AP Chem and AP Bio need their Honors counterparts first, but I have found that if you demonstrate proficiency in math and one hard science, science coordinators let the kid off the hook for the other hard science's pre-requisites. AP Bio and AP Chem are double periods at most (if not all?) MCPS high schools, so they're a little difficult to fit in if the student also wants to take various classes in other disciplines.

I haven't heard of placement tests for any of these. They just look at previous coursework and go from there. Before middle school, my kid did have a placement test for Alg 1.[/quote]

Thank you.

"9th grade" isn't the primary focus. Obviously no one is taking all these AP courses in 9th grade.

But given the low expectations of MCPS honors and AP courses, it's easy for a student to prepare for 2nd level courses during the downtime after enrolled courses.

For example, students at Blair magnet cover honors physics, chemistry, algebra 2, precalculus, and computer science 1 in one single-period semester each, all in 9th grade.

A student at another school could do the same via self-study of 1 of those courses for each course taken at MCPS. 
[/quote]

What classes is the student trying to skip and why? If they are trying to jump into Physics C directly, just don’t. It’s a terrible idea, you need some kind of introductory course, there’s no shortcut to that. Blair magnet crams two semesters of honors physics in one, it’s doubtful one could do that as self study or during “down time”.

Are you following a textbook or curriculum, hiring a tutor?

Sounds like tiger parenting gone crazy.[/quote]

Actually, Physics C has no prerequisites apart from calculus, according to the college board. You do not need an intro course in physics to take Physics C. You need calculus.

The College Board strongly recommends intro courses in chemistry and biology before taking AP Chem and AP Bio, though. You can self-study for them, but MCPS is not required to accept it.[/quote]

It is extremely unlikely students will do well going straight to AP Physics C without an introductory course even outside of school as enrichment.

Sometimes you see students going straight into AP Physics 1, but even that is likely to end up badly.

Suppose they go straight to AP and because they are not prepared they get a bad grade in class and a 2 in the AP exam. That accomplished nothing because there’s no college credit and they wasted a whole year while wrecking their GPA.[/quote]

This is ridiculous. There are approximately 0 people who take HS physics before 12th and then take AP Physics 1.  Practically no one who is that weak a science/math student would be able and willingto take 2 years of physics in high school.

“Recommended Prerequisites: You should have completed a geometry course and be concurrently taking Algebra II or an equivalent course.”

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