Our daughter's school basically offers APs only in Math, Science and World Language, which effectively limits the number that can be taken. Girls have the option to take the AP exam for their humanities classes, but those are not taught to the test.

AP courses are supposed to be college level courses. Students in college generally take only 4 classes ( sometimes 5) per semester at the very best schools. So why would you want your junior in high school, who is in school from 8-5:30 all day with sports and other extracurriculars to do more than that?

How many APs can a highschooler actually need?

OP, I think the FOMO parents feel when finding out that a few students may get special permission to take extra AP classes is a good reason why the school doesn't publicize this. You do not like the arms race, right? Just remind yourself you are satisfied with the load your DC has.

And remember that one or two extra AP classes is NOT going to make a significant difference in holistic college admissions. If the school is rigorous many colleges know this already, and overloading on APs and getting a lower GPA is more likely to hurt their chances than anything else.

DD's school also limits number of AP courses (to 3 each junior and senior year) and has a reputation for high rigor. AP classes are no joke, and DD has a workload higher than her friends in public school who take more AP courses. Her school does make exceptions and allows a few kids to take extra APs, or to take them earlier, but they really have to demonstrate that they are able to handle the load and that they have high test scores. The kids do reasonably well in college admissions even if they are not a part of the AP arms race.

Anonymous wrote:DD’s school limited the number of APs each year and for the most part that held, but we learned quickly that they would make exceptions and we had DD take an extra AP or two. Colleges access students in comparison to other students at the school so I understand why this is upsetting, but ultimately if your child has done well in rigorous courses within the confines of the schools “rules” they will be fine college acceptance wise (assuming other stats/ECs/essays/recs etc are solid). The schools send a write up to college AOs about their curriculum rules so your child not taking a bazillion APs won’t look out of place.

Not shockingly the schools that allow an unlimited rigor place students better than schools that limit it. Your child isn’t only being compared to students at the same school. It’s part but not all of the equation.

Why would anyone want their school to artificially limit it? That seems so micromanage-y.

The only APs that matter to colleges are:
US and World history
English lang and lit
Foreign lang and lit
Calc AB or BC
Chem, physics, bio

Just take these. And you can take both English Lang and Lit and the history ones from regular (on level) classes at a good private.

DD’s school limited the number of APs each year and for the most part that held, but we learned quickly that they would make exceptions and we had DD take an extra AP or two. Colleges access students in comparison to other students at the school so I understand why this is upsetting, but ultimately if your child has done well in rigorous courses within the confines of the schools “rules” they will be fine college acceptance wise (assuming other stats/ECs/essays/recs etc are solid). The schools send a write up to college AOs about their curriculum rules so your child not taking a bazillion APs won’t look out of place.

Anonymous wrote:DC’s HS publicizes that students can take a limited number of APs - 1 in 10th, 2 in 11th, 3 in 12th. This limit is noted in the handbook, the course guide, AND in the school overview that gets sent to colleges with transcripts.

But I’ve just learned the “limit” is basically BS. Several of DC’s friends (rising 11th) will be taking 3 or 4 APs next year, including doubling up in subject areas (ie, 2 history APs or 2 science APs at the same time). I had appreciated the school’s measured approach to the “arms race” that publics and some privates have for cramming in as many APs as possible, and now I find that DC with an anticipated 5 APs (out of what I thought was a max of 6) is apparently not actually that rigorous. DC has a learning difference and is taking all honors plus the 5 anticipated APs and we wouldn’t change that, but it’s frustrating to learn that course load doesn’t stack up as well as I thought.

They suggest limits, but a parent can sign a waiver allowing for more (sounds like your child's school).

I’ve spent a lifetime in private schools and have learned that no rarely means no. Public schools are governed by laws and legislators. It’s too hard to adjust rules for individual students. Private schools are small and flexible. Worst case scenario, if one school says no, another will say yes.

Parents prefer it, because it leads to complete optimization, but it also means there’s no lid on anxiety or arms races except yourself.

Anonymous wrote:Number of AP classes is important but which ones you take matter more.

Exactly. Are they taking BS ones like Human Geography or Environmental Science vs legit ones like Physics C, BC Calculus, Chemistry.

Number of AP classes is important but which ones you take matter more.

Reach out to the school and advocate for your child. That does seem low,

OP,

You're annoyed you got taken in. I totally get it.
We had to learn to navigate our school system and make it work in our kids' best interests. It took a lot of DCUM-ing, asking parents of the school, and looking at course bulletins. Now I pay it forward and tell new parents.

Best wishes to your kid. My oldest has special needs and is very happy at his chosen college.

^ counselor might have cut him down to 4 senior year which I’d b happy