1 year old of AP science even counts as part of magnet diploma requirements. It's part of the program. Magnet students provide butts in seats that make AP science classes sustainable at Blair. Some schools don't offer the full set of AP science classes.

Anonymous wrote:It seems like wasted opportunity to go to the magnet and then just take AP classes, which are available at most schools. If you don't want magnet courses, why participate in the magnet?

I am a magnet alum who (decades ago) opted for AP Physics instead of the magnet physics-based electives. There are a few reasons I can remember. I had some friends who participated in an after-school club led by the teacher at the time or had taken the class previously that regarded the teacher highly (and he did end up having a positive lasting influence on me). My academic interests were wide-ranging and though I liked science, it wasn't my intended field of study in college and I wanted to AP out of intro science and labs. Most of all, I identified as a Blazer first and magnet student second, and expressly sought out to have a number of electives that would have mixed populations - AP Physics probably had one of the best mixes across magnet, CAP, and the catchment-based student bodies.

I never could have predicted at the time, but that class led to a friendship with a non-magnet student that by chance led to my summer job between graduation and going off to college. I returned to that same government job each summer and sometimes during the semester in undergrad, and my first year after that graduation. My time at that job instilled in me a passion for government service and have an incredibly rewarding and successful career (albeit not in a magnet field).

As to magnet participation. Of course that one class (nor the senior research project, which I also didn't do because the idea of building and racing a cardboard boat sounded way cooler) constitutes the entirety of magnet participation. I took magnet electives and non-magnet electives in similar measure. Beyond class selection, my most stereotypically magnet (at least for my time) attributes include being active and high placing on many math team and related competitions, and representing the county at the International Science and Engineering Fair. All of which is to say I don't think that one class choice was a wasted opportunity - I got a lot out of the magnet and the magnet got a lot out of me.

If the kid has no interest in CS after 10th grade, biochemistry is 1 semester, partial, AP prep for Bio and Chem, and can help decide whether kid wants to lean more toward biology or chemistry for later courses.

Physics is very mathematical, Biology is more factua. Chem is in the middle. I think it's easier to fill gaps in Chem and Physics knowledge using logical reasoning than it is in biology, so if the kid is interested in wide general biology (micro and macro/eco), AP might be better than the magnet courses.
Chem and physics are narrower in content and do more math, so you miss less general knowledge by not taking the AP class. Maybe

Anonymous wrote:It seems like wasted opportunity to go to the magnet and then just take AP classes, which are available at most schools. If you don't want magnet courses, why participate in the magnet?

Maknet students take at least 3.5 course-years of magent elective courses plus at least 8 course-years of magnet required courses

My biology focused kid took lots of mag electives and was very happy - organic chemistry, marine biology, neuro, etc

It seems like wasted opportunity to go to the magnet and then just take AP classes, which are available at most schools. If you don't want magnet courses, why participate in the magnet?

We struggle with that too.

I would prefer magnet classes over double period science for sure (except physics C, which is OK double period. There is a regular AP and a magnet version of that class), but not sure about single period AP science vs magnet. SMCS does seem designed for students with a upper strong primary focus subject.

If your kid wants to skip intro college science, they will need self study if they don't take AP. If your kid wants to take the intensive/honors versions of intro science, I think AP or magnet are both fine.

DC is a current 10th grader at Blair math/science magnet. We attended the presentation about choosing classes for 11th /12th. Feeling a bit overwhelmed with the choices. DC will be meeting with counselor this week to discuss further.

DC does not want to focus on CS and likes biology, chemistry and physics equally. Will probably try for engineering for college. Should they take all magnet electives and take combinations that cover AP material? Or should they meet the magnet electives requirement and fill the rest with AP clssses? What are the prerequisites if DC wants to take Physics C in 12 th? Any classes to avoid? Or must take ? Any advice appreciated - thank you !