Don’t let your kid be bullied into mediocrity. Not sure why on earth they are trying to scare the kids out of taking on a reasonable challenge. It’s not like putting them in AP classes as freshmen is on the table at YHS (of course it is an option at Wakefield, for World History, I think).

Following this general advice is what leads to a watered down educational experience in APS. This pains me.

Anonymous wrote:Hi! Same question for YHS. Looks like teachers are suggesting all intensified. Not sure about math - tempted to encourage non intensified A2, but the math pathways were a little confusing in the program of studies. Also, kiddo loves physics and bio isn’t a fave (and he doesn’t love science fair - inless maybe they would allow a project for a ninth grader who wants to study YouTube algorithms...). Help?

That’s interesting. My kid hasn’t sought out individual teacher recommendations. Maybe that’s what she need to do. But the “general” advice was against taking all intensified. My kid is very motivated and a good student. I would’ve thought all intensified would be appropriate but the warnings given in TA have scared her.

The block is complicating things. What is the impact of not doing intensified math? Mine is in intensified algebra right now.

Anonymous wrote:Hi! Same question for YHS. Looks like teachers are suggesting all intensified. Not sure about math - tempted to encourage non intensified A2, but the math pathways were a little confusing in the program of studies. Also, kiddo loves physics and bio isn’t a fave (and he doesn’t love science fair - inless maybe they would allow a project for a ninth grader who wants to study YouTube algorithms...). Help?

Me too- I would opt out of English but with the block it’s all or nothing with history.

Hi! Same question for YHS. Looks like teachers are suggesting all intensified. Not sure about math - tempted to encourage non intensified A2, but the math pathways were a little confusing in the program of studies. Also, kiddo loves physics and bio isn’t a fave (and he doesn’t love science fair - inless maybe they would allow a project for a ninth grader who wants to study YouTube algorithms...). Help?

Is the consensus that this is fine thing for a motivated, disciplined student to do? WL seems to recommend that IB track kids take all intensified. So, seems to suggest it’s an OK thing for YHS students who are similarly inclined? Kid would be on IB track if lottery number has been better.

Also have a WL student who has taken all intensified classes in 9th and 10th aiming for full IB. It has been fine.

Thank you to all of you who responded. So nice to have a thread of people offering helpful info about their experience. Every kid and class is different but collectively the info is helpful. Please keep these thoughts coming!

My kid took all intensified at W-L Freshman year, but dropped Intensified Biology to regular Biology after a month. Teacher from hell and was doing homework for the class until 2AM each night for science fair. Best decision we made. Intensified Geometry was a challenge, but a tutor made it much easier. She will only be doing partial IB, not full.

Anonymous wrote:Can she take a fun elective to balance?

Yes. She’s an orchestra kid so fun and not much in the way of homework. Does that seem doable?

Can she take a fun elective to balance?

My DD started out with all intensified in 9th at W-L, it seems pretty common there with the kids aiming for the IB diploma. The one thing that was a big problem for her was the intensified Algebra 2/Trig class. It is very fast paced and when she missed quite a bit of school because of illness she could not catch up and switched to regular Alg 2. We knew several kids who had a lot of trouble with that class.

I'm confused about this, as well. Mine definitely would take intensified bio and english (which then means history, too). The intensified math class is the pass that she is on right now. Does she just take regular math to have a break?

How unusual is it to take all intensified classes your freshman year at YHS. Kid is a very strong and disciplined student. But middle school presentation discourages students from taking more than 2 intensified. She’s very strong in math and strong interest in science so those seem like givens. Seems strange to take “regular” history/English block just ‘cause. Want her to be with motivated and engaged peers. But also don’t want her to super stress out. What have others experienced with all intensified for grade 9. Is it manageable for a strong, organized student.