Anonymous
Post 01/10/2024 13:03     Subject: Is APUSH or Hon US History in 9th?
APUSH is an excellent class in terms of learning how to read, synthesize a lot of material, write clear arguments--all of which will help prepare DC for college regardless of academic interests, but I think taking it freshman year is a mistake because it's a huge time commitment HW wise. If your kid is more likely to go into a STEM field and MCPS gives you the option to take it later in HS, I would advise having them take more challenging math/science classes their freshman year because there are more AP options in those subjects with prerequisites. I'd still encourage APUSH at some point in hs, but wouldn't attempt that right out of the gate.

Our more STEM oriented daughter took honors US her freshman year and APUSH junior year (non MCPS school). She learned a ton--subject and skill wise. Saw how much HW and outside organization/prep it took and I know she could not have handled that her freshman year.
Anonymous
Post 01/10/2024 13:02     Subject: Is APUSH or Hon US History in 9th?
Anonymous wrote:I don't see how Internet strangers will give you more useful advice than watching your own daughters for over a decade.



Understand. It's good to see some other viewpoint when considering though. We'll talk with our counselor, although ours have not been very helpful so it's always nice to hear from DCUM. Lots of knowledge in this forum. Thank you to those who have given me some insights on your children's own experiences.
Anonymous
Post 01/10/2024 13:00     Subject: Is APUSH or Hon US History in 9th?
I don't see how Internet strangers will give you more useful advice than watching your own daughters for over a decade.

Anonymous
Post 01/10/2024 12:58     Subject: Is APUSH or Hon US History in 9th?
Anonymous wrote:Both my kids did APUSH - most high stats kids at their HS did. If your child wants to attend a top college, they are competing with their peers and need to show rigor, and taking APs is how they do that. If your child is not aiming for a top college, then it doesn't matter


OP Here. Maybe DD has bigger plans but I'd be happy with UMD, especially their Honors College.
Anonymous
Post 01/10/2024 12:58     Subject: Is APUSH or Hon US History in 9th?
Anonymous wrote:My Blair magnet kid decided not to do APUSH because they were told repeatedly how much with it was. Seems to be regretting it.


It's easy to regret not getting the "reward" and ignore the cost. You can register for the AP test privately if you think the non-AP class and self study is sufficient preparation.
Anonymous
Post 01/10/2024 12:56     Subject: Is APUSH or Hon US History in 9th?
Both my kids did APUSH - most high stats kids at their HS did. If your child wants to attend a top college, they are competing with their peers and need to show rigor, and taking APs is how they do that. If your child is not aiming for a top college, then it doesn't matter
Anonymous
Post 01/10/2024 12:56     Subject: Is APUSH or Hon US History in 9th?
I’m really glad my freshman is taking APUSH. It’s the first class in MCPS that has made him work and taught him study skills and I’m glad he’s finally getting that. That said, while he’s a stem-oriented kid he really likes history (apush has contributed to that), likes to read, and has always been efficient about getting his work done. After a bumpy first test he’s been doing well. All that said, I don’t think we’ll push it for my second kid who is equally smart but slow and doesn’t like to read. Just doesn’t seem like a battle worth fighting/stress worth causing freshman year.
Anonymous
Post 01/10/2024 12:55     Subject: Is APUSH or Hon US History in 9th?
Anonymous wrote:My Blair magnet kid decided not to do APUSH because they were told repeatedly how much with it was. Seems to be regretting it.


this - getting the A is not that tough but the AP exam at the end is....so again take it and stress about the test or don't - at the end of the day it gets you with the right cohort (in MCPS anything honors is really just regular now) and looks good on the transcript
Anonymous
Post 01/10/2024 12:55     Subject: Re:Is APUSH or Hon US History in 9th?
Do more competitive colleges really frown upon not doing AP US History?
Anonymous
Post 01/10/2024 12:53     Subject: Is APUSH or Hon US History in 9th?
Work not with
Anonymous
Post 01/10/2024 12:53     Subject: Is APUSH or Hon US History in 9th?
My Blair magnet kid decided not to do APUSH because they were told repeatedly how much with it was. Seems to be regretting it.
Anonymous
Post 01/10/2024 12:46     Subject: Is APUSH or Hon US History in 9th?
Anonymous wrote:We slot into one of the high schools that requires students to select between APUSH or Hon US History in freshman year. DD is a great student but on the slow side of finishing work. However, she gets high A's in all her classes in Middle School and is quite motivated.

That said, I can't help but have second thoughts about her taking APUSH in 9th grade. Her sister took it last year and did well, but it was a lot of work to maintain an A in the class, and pass with a 5 on the AP exam. I keep hearing people talk about how one should always take "the most rigorous classes", but how important is APUSH in the scheme of things?? DD will very likely enter a STEM field and I can see her continue to pursue higher level STEM classes for the remainder of her HS years. Is it important for overall college admission to do APUSH rather than Hon US History? I think if our school had offered NSL in 9th and US History in 10th, we would not be wondering as much as I think another year of maturity for some kids might make a difference in terms of doing well in APUSH.

TIA for your advice.



I think it's important to understand that this is a demanding class, but I'd probably look at the bigger picture. Specifically, is her overall schedule too much? How much homework a night seems reasonable to her? What would you expect from her overall courseload?

Anonymous
Post 01/10/2024 12:46     Subject: Is APUSH or Hon US History in 9th?
My dd did APUSH in 9th. It was hard, but she got A’s and got a 4 on the exam. I think it helped her learn how to study, which she didn’t have to do in middle school.
Anonymous
Post 01/10/2024 12:44     Subject: Is APUSH or Hon US History in 9th?
I would do APUSH and not care about the exam at the end. Puts her in the right cohort and getting the grade is not that tough. Exam at the end doesn't matter. Just don't submit the score.
Anonymous
Post 01/10/2024 12:42     Subject: Is APUSH or Hon US History in 9th?
We slot into one of the high schools that requires students to select between APUSH or Hon US History in freshman year. DD is a great student but on the slow side of finishing work. However, she gets high A's in all her classes in Middle School and is quite motivated.

That said, I can't help but have second thoughts about her taking APUSH in 9th grade. Her sister took it last year and did well, but it was a lot of work to maintain an A in the class, and pass with a 5 on the AP exam. I keep hearing people talk about how one should always take "the most rigorous classes", but how important is APUSH in the scheme of things?? DD will very likely enter a STEM field and I can see her continue to pursue higher level STEM classes for the remainder of her HS years. Is it important for overall college admission to do APUSH rather than Hon US History? I think if our school had offered NSL in 9th and US History in 10th, we would not be wondering as much as I think another year of maturity for some kids might make a difference in terms of doing well in APUSH.

TIA for your advice.