I just realized why this is so frustrating! When we were in school, my spouse and I were able to explore different electives to get a feel for what we liked: debate, drama, econ, sociology, etc and STILL take multiple AP classes. The difference was that all those electives were half year, so a student could explore 4 different electives unless they chose one that would be year long. I feel so sad that my kid basically has no choices and no room for electives once the full-year core classes and extra science period are assigned. There is no reason that science should take up 29% of the schedule just to make you competitive.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:How is this summer Econ course? Are the kids sitting at home all day on the computer or can they still have jobs and do sports? Can you still travel?

As an aside, I think it’s really ridiculous how common it is that kids will take summer courses so they can fit everything in. I know my kid is looking at this, too, but I am not a fan of this. They should be able to explore different electives without spending their summer in school. I wish summer programs were only for remediation like it used to be.

It's self-paced with videos and quizzes, definitely can do it along with other activities. One of my kids did in it summer and the other opted to take IB Economics senior year. He still had a free period senior year. It would have been harder for my other kid to fit it in + electives she wanted to try because she does music and that always takes an elective slot.

Was this through VV?

Yes. The year DD took it one of her friends took a regular APS Summer School version (this was during the first covid summer) and it seemed like the friend had way more work to do. The teacher was coming up with additional assignments on top of what's in the basic VV class so I'd definitely opt for that.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:How is this summer Econ course? Are the kids sitting at home all day on the computer or can they still have jobs and do sports? Can you still travel?

As an aside, I think it’s really ridiculous how common it is that kids will take summer courses so they can fit everything in. I know my kid is looking at this, too, but I am not a fan of this. They should be able to explore different electives without spending their summer in school. I wish summer programs were only for remediation like it used to be.

It's self-paced with videos and quizzes, definitely can do it along with other activities. One of my kids did in it summer and the other opted to take IB Economics senior year. He still had a free period senior year. It would have been harder for my other kid to fit it in + electives she wanted to try because she does music and that always takes an elective slot.

Was this through VV?

Anonymous wrote:How is this summer Econ course? Are the kids sitting at home all day on the computer or can they still have jobs and do sports? Can you still travel?

As an aside, I think it’s really ridiculous how common it is that kids will take summer courses so they can fit everything in. I know my kid is looking at this, too, but I am not a fan of this. They should be able to explore different electives without spending their summer in school. I wish summer programs were only for remediation like it used to be.

It's self-paced with videos and quizzes, definitely can do it along with other activities. One of my kids did in it summer and the other opted to take IB Economics senior year. He still had a free period senior year. It would have been harder for my other kid to fit it in + electives she wanted to try because she does music and that always takes an elective slot.

How is this summer Econ course? Are the kids sitting at home all day on the computer or can they still have jobs and do sports? Can you still travel?

As an aside, I think it’s really ridiculous how common it is that kids will take summer courses so they can fit everything in. I know my kid is looking at this, too, but I am not a fan of this. They should be able to explore different electives without spending their summer in school. I wish summer programs were only for remediation like it used to be.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:AP Pre-calc is now offered because the College Board wants $.

You mention econ, but econ in high school -- including AP Econ -- is widely held by econ professors to be worthless.

What's the end goal? Elite college admission or dodging credit/distribution requirements once you get there?

They have to take econ in APS. It's required.

AP Capstone (Seminar and Research) is new at YHS starting next year. Does anyone have experience from another school if it's worth it?

Is there a 1 period science for YHS other than physics? There is a possibility of taking AP chem or bio in 11th and regular physics in 12th, but they need 3 different sciences and I don't know if it looks bad to hold not have completed physics before applying to college.

Lots of kids take econ online during the summer to get it out of the way.

Sorry for the rookie question, but if they do summer courses, do they still have to take 7 periods during the regular school year? Or do they just graduate with more courses?

They either have extra credits or get a free period during senior year.

Anonymous wrote:Ugh your kid should drop the one they don't want to take or that least likely would be relevant to something they might study later.

Colleges like kids with supported stories - showing their interest.

This kid is still undecided. They all could be relevant. If only it were that easy!

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:AP Pre-calc is now offered because the College Board wants $.

You mention econ, but econ in high school -- including AP Econ -- is widely held by econ professors to be worthless.

What's the end goal? Elite college admission or dodging credit/distribution requirements once you get there?

They have to take econ in APS. It's required.

AP Capstone (Seminar and Research) is new at YHS starting next year. Does anyone have experience from another school if it's worth it?

Is there a 1 period science for YHS other than physics? There is a possibility of taking AP chem or bio in 11th and regular physics in 12th, but they need 3 different sciences and I don't know if it looks bad to hold not have completed physics before applying to college.

Lots of kids take econ online during the summer to get it out of the way.

Sorry for the rookie question, but if they do summer courses, do they still have to take 7 periods during the regular school year? Or do they just graduate with more courses?

Ugh your kid should drop the one they don't want to take or that least likely would be relevant to something they might study later.

Colleges like kids with supported stories - showing their interest.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:AP Pre-calc is now offered because the College Board wants $.

You mention econ, but econ in high school -- including AP Econ -- is widely held by econ professors to be worthless.

What's the end goal? Elite college admission or dodging credit/distribution requirements once you get there?

They have to take econ in APS. It's required.

AP Capstone (Seminar and Research) is new at YHS starting next year. Does anyone have experience from another school if it's worth it?

Is there a 1 period science for YHS other than physics? There is a possibility of taking AP chem or bio in 11th and regular physics in 12th, but they need 3 different sciences and I don't know if it looks bad to hold not have completed physics before applying to college.

The program of studies lists Non AP sciences (1 period) as astronomy, oceanography, ecology, anatomy. There's also earth science if they didn't take it before biology but you might be in class with a bunch of 9th graders since it's in the sequence for students who don't take bio in 9th.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:AP Pre-calc is now offered because the College Board wants $.

You mention econ, but econ in high school -- including AP Econ -- is widely held by econ professors to be worthless.

What's the end goal? Elite college admission or dodging credit/distribution requirements once you get there?

They have to take econ in APS. It's required.

AP Capstone (Seminar and Research) is new at YHS starting next year. Does anyone have experience from another school if it's worth it?

Is there a 1 period science for YHS other than physics? There is a possibility of taking AP chem or bio in 11th and regular physics in 12th, but they need 3 different sciences and I don't know if it looks bad to hold not have completed physics before applying to college.

Lots of kids take econ online during the summer to get it out of the way.

Anonymous wrote:AP Pre-calc is now offered because the College Board wants $.

You mention econ, but econ in high school -- including AP Econ -- is widely held by econ professors to be worthless.

What's the end goal? Elite college admission or dodging credit/distribution requirements once you get there?

They have to take econ in APS. It's required.

AP Capstone (Seminar and Research) is new at YHS starting next year. Does anyone have experience from another school if it's worth it?

Is there a 1 period science for YHS other than physics? There is a possibility of taking AP chem or bio in 11th and regular physics in 12th, but they need 3 different sciences and I don't know if it looks bad to hold not have completed physics before applying to college.

AP Pre-calc is now offered because the College Board wants $.

You mention econ, but econ in high school -- including AP Econ -- is widely held by econ professors to be worthless.

What's the end goal? Elite college admission or dodging credit/distribution requirements once you get there?

My son took astronomy senior year for a 1-period science. He could also have taken IB Biology SL (at W-L).
Not sure of your school, but I know W-L has a non-AP psychology class that DS took in 10th grade and really liked.


In thinking what to dial back, I'd think about what they've liked in prior classes, what are they aiming for in college. My DD had taken AP World History and really struggled so it made sense for her to do regular History so she could take the IB Biology class when she's planning on an environmental science/biology major (now senior year is taking a double period environmental science class + 2nd year of IB Bio HL). We told DS he had to decide between AP Physics vs APUSH and he opted for APUSH since he really dislikes sciences.

Their 11th grade schedules included:

DS: AP English, APUSH, AP Calculus. He took regular Physics and the 5th year of language/not AP.

DD: AP English, AP Calculus, IB Bio HL part 1. Also, regular Physics, regular US History and the 5th year of language/not AP

Both kids have ADHD so we didn't want them loading up on a ton of APs that would overwhelm them. 3 was the right number for them. Both stepped up to 5 in senior year but more of it was in classes they liked -- doubling up on science for DD, on math/data analysis electives for DS.

Looking at options for my APS rising Junior, there are a lot of APs they could be taking. I feel like 6 out of 7 periods being AP is too much. Looking at 11th grade, it could be AP Physics or Chem & lab (2 periods), AP English 11, APUSH, AP World Language, AP Psych or AP Seminar. Math will be pre-calc, so at least that's not an AP option. Any of the other classes offer a non-AP version. Is there a 1 period science option for senior year if they take AP Physics in 11th? This didn't even leave room for econ.