Anonymous wrote:AP class homework load in public school is still half of what private school homework load is for similar class + prep AP test DIY.

Anonymous wrote:"Why can't we just let kids be kids and enjoy HS? Is the stress really worth it? I don't believe it is."

My kids do not find AP classes that stressful. If a kid does, they should not be taking them. They are just pretty much the normal progression. After pre-calc you take calc..should you not take math??

Anonymous wrote:AP class homework load in public school is still half of what private school homework load is for similar class + prep AP test DIY.

Anonymous wrote:I don't care, but my kid's high school offers them and colleges expect them. Most colleges don't give you any credit for them, with a few exceptions. The only time one of my kids received college credit was when he/she did HISCIP and took two classes at Georgetown senior year. Both classes (6 credits) were transferable.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I went to hs 20 years ago and took 9 aps. They had the best teachers and the most interesting curriculum. Things like enough lot and European history not to mention calculus etc. they were challenging and interesting and we had the smartest kids in school on them. Would have been bored and not challenged in regular and honor classes.

+1 - My AP English, AP American History classes were the best classes I took in high school for critical thinking and writing. AP Calc was tougher than tough, but it was supposed to be. The students I know that took AP Science classes loved them because they had the kids that were most interested in those subjects and could cover the subjects faster and more in-depth.

I don't think it's worth blaming the AP program - I think an AP class (just like any other class) is as good or bad as the teacher that it teaching it. I do think that AP classes have a higher percentage (in public school) of having competent teachers.

Anonymous wrote:It’s a class issue OP. All the top private high schools just signed a pact that they’re phasing out AP courses over the next four years. They believe their courses are higher quality, involve more critical thinking, and could more easily be multidisciplinary with less pressures comply with AP course standards. They’re probably right. The student bodies in those schools tends to be fairly uniform in terms of ability, so it’s not the only way to surround yourself with other smart kids. Many if not most kids in that setting don’t need to worry about whether they earn credits or save money by taking AP courses.

Meanwhile, in public schools, APs offer a baseline standard that might be more rigorous than what the school otherwise offers. It may be the only way to bring similarly academically inclined students. That money savings from earning credits while in HS means something more to many of these kids.


On the admissions front, fwiw, I know people who say that if the kids are all taking APs, they’ll expect your kid to as well. And the reverse is true. Also, admissions officers know that in some wealthy communities, like MCPS, the schools want as many kids as possible enrolled in AP classes. That means the classes are not as difficult as they are elsewhere, and they know that.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I don't care, but my kid's high school offers them and colleges expect them. Most colleges don't give you any credit for them, with a few exceptions. The only time one of my kids received college credit was when he/she did HISCIP and took two classes at Georgetown senior year. Both classes (6 credits) were transferable.

Huh.

My neighbors kid graduated a year early due to AP classes she took at her fcps high school.

Anonymous wrote:Not ridiculous if the cost of college credits matters to you. AP tests cost less than college credits. And if you are able to use AP credits to cut your college time by a semester or even more, that saves big $.