Anonymous
Post 01/16/2025 07:38     Subject: AP Environmental Science vs on level physics
It's a good point that we should consider what others in the high school are doing. But a non STEM person would probably be a lot better served in life by taking APES. A good AO would know this.
Anonymous
Post 01/14/2025 14:49     Subject: AP Environmental Science vs on level physics
OP If AP Environmental science is available, I would take that over Physics.

But if your kid needs to show 4 yrs of HS science classes to compete with others from the same school for college placement, then they probably should take the Physics.
Anonymous
Post 01/14/2025 14:29     Subject: AP Environmental Science vs on level physics
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:If the HS offers AP Physics 1 & 2 (algebra based) vs AP Physics C (calc based), that could be a good option. AP Phys C is covered over two semester.

I'm not sure if AP Phys 1 & 2 are semester long courses, but I presume they are.

Ugh, no. Not for a kid taking on level Algebra 2. AP Physics 1 is a pretty hard class. Kids need to be able to apply algebraic concepts in abstract situations. A student in the on level math track doesn’t have those skills yet.


I don't think OP is even considering this path, but as an FYI to others on the thread. At our school AP Physics 1 has a co-requisite of pre-calc. My kid is in it now and said more than half the class is currently in calc and she complains that a lot of the math comes up in physics before it is taught in honors precalc so she has to self study the math to understand the physics (though presumably this makes it easier when it comes up in pre calc!).

There seems to be a lot of misunderstanding on the board this morning (in other threads, as well). I'd encourage people to search for last year's threads on these subjects because you'll get the full conversation and can make your own assessments-- don't rely only on the answers that pop up quickly after you ask the questions.


Your school either has a very weak Geometry and Algebra 2 class (which is common), or else your child forgot some of what they learned in those courses.

https://apcentral.collegeboard.org/media/pdf/ap-physics-1-course-overview.pdf

PREREQUISITES
Students should have completed Geometry and be concurrently taking Algebra II or an equivalent course.
Although the Physics 1 course includes basic use of trigonometric functions, this understanding can be gained either in the concurrent math course or in the AP Physics 1 course itself.



I was surprised to read this so looked it up on our school website. You're right! The catalog lists the same prereqs as you list here (Alg II as co-req). It's the science dept powerpoint that recommends it concurrent with pre-calc.
Anonymous
Post 01/14/2025 13:50     Subject: AP Environmental Science vs on level physics
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:If the HS offers AP Physics 1 & 2 (algebra based) vs AP Physics C (calc based), that could be a good option. AP Phys C is covered over two semester.

I'm not sure if AP Phys 1 & 2 are semester long courses, but I presume they are.

Ugh, no. Not for a kid taking on level Algebra 2. AP Physics 1 is a pretty hard class. Kids need to be able to apply algebraic concepts in abstract situations. A student in the on level math track doesn’t have those skills yet.


I don't think OP is even considering this path, but as an FYI to others on the thread. At our school AP Physics 1 has a co-requisite of pre-calc. My kid is in it now and said more than half the class is currently in calc and she complains that a lot of the math comes up in physics before it is taught in honors precalc so she has to self study the math to understand the physics (though presumably this makes it easier when it comes up in pre calc!).

There seems to be a lot of misunderstanding on the board this morning (in other threads, as well). I'd encourage people to search for last year's threads on these subjects because you'll get the full conversation and can make your own assessments-- don't rely only on the answers that pop up quickly after you ask the questions.


Your school either has a very weak Geometry and Algebra 2 class (which is common), or else your child forgot some of what they learned in those courses.

https://apcentral.collegeboard.org/media/pdf/ap-physics-1-course-overview.pdf

PREREQUISITES
Students should have completed Geometry and be concurrently taking Algebra II or an equivalent course.
Although the Physics 1 course includes basic use of trigonometric functions, this understanding can be gained either in the concurrent math course or in the AP Physics 1 course itself.
Anonymous
Post 01/14/2025 11:22     Subject: AP Environmental Science vs on level physics
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:If the HS offers AP Physics 1 & 2 (algebra based) vs AP Physics C (calc based), that could be a good option. AP Phys C is covered over two semester.

I'm not sure if AP Phys 1 & 2 are semester long courses, but I presume they are.

Ugh, no. Not for a kid taking on level Algebra 2. AP Physics 1 is a pretty hard class. Kids need to be able to apply algebraic concepts in abstract situations. A student in the on level math track doesn’t have those skills yet.


I don't think OP is even considering this path, but as an FYI to others on the thread. At our school AP Physics 1 has a co-requisite of pre-calc. My kid is in it now and said more than half the class is currently in calc and she complains that a lot of the math comes up in physics before it is taught in honors precalc so she has to self study the math to understand the physics (though presumably this makes it easier when it comes up in pre calc!).

There seems to be a lot of misunderstanding on the board this morning (in other threads, as well). I'd encourage people to search for last year's threads on these subjects because you'll get the full conversation and can make your own assessments-- don't rely only on the answers that pop up quickly after you ask the questions.
Anonymous
Post 01/14/2025 06:22     Subject: AP Environmental Science vs on level physics
My DS took APES instead of physics- he never took visits in high school at MCPS - was a very strong student in other areas and got into several top schools- it’s OK to focus on what you like plus APES is interesting class. You don’t have to take everything with an eye on college admissions…
Anonymous
Post 01/14/2025 06:11     Subject: AP Environmental Science vs on level physics
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:Get the physics over with to check off the requirement. Then consider APES for senior year if he's interested in it.


APES fulfills the same requirement as physics.

Currently having the same debate with my 10th grader at Blair. He is hearing that Honors Physics is really hard with a lot of math. There is non”on level” option. Can anyone hear speak to how difficult APES is at Blair?

Yes, but for a kid with weakness in math and science on-level physics is a better choice to guarantee earning the 3rd science credit with a good grade. Don’t risk an over challenging course load in 11th grade where a student might fail semester A in a required credit and then need to take a replacement course senior year.

The best choice for OP’s DC is to take on-level physics in 11th grade and put their energies in to the AP classes in their areas of strength to do well on those tests. Then take APES senior year, where they will be better prepared math-wise and can drop the course without needing to replace it with a science course, if it turns out to be too much.
Anonymous
Post 01/13/2025 23:04     Subject: AP Environmental Science vs on level physics
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:APES is much more work than Honors Physics at our school. On level physics is really easy but Honors Physics isn’t very hard and less work than Honors Chem.


If your kid survived Hon Chem, they could find Hon Physics doable.


Honors Chem has been the bane of our family’s existence this semester, kid is moving to on level for the second semester. Their school has a reputation for making Honors Chem unbearable.


which school?
Anonymous
Post 01/13/2025 22:46     Subject: AP Environmental Science vs on level physics
Anonymous wrote:Get the physics over with to check off the requirement. Then consider APES for senior year if he's interested in it.


APES fulfills the same requirement as physics.

Currently having the same debate with my 10th grader at Blair. He is hearing that Honors Physics is really hard with a lot of math. There is non”on level” option. Can anyone hear speak to how difficult APES is at Blair?