What is being offered and available? Remember a lot of periods are blocked for the core SMCS classes. It is either APUSH or AP Gov. Most also do some kind of AP CS through self-study.
Yes, you need to take the AP courses because every body is taking at least one or two AP courses in 9th grade. Most will have 8-9 APs by the end of 11th grade and will have at least one AP from each of the core subject areas.