Anonymous
Post 02/09/2025 23:01     Subject: Is APUSH or Hon US History in 9th?
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:Why isn’t this an option at all MCPS high schools?!?


Meaning APUSH in 9th? What's wrong with taking AP Government in 9th and then APUSH in 10th? AP Government is the easier class, compressing a 1 semester class into a full year of HS. Seems like a better way to start. APUSH covers 2 semesters of college work so moves at a faster pace and is the more challenging course. Seems better to start with APUSH.


Sorry, seems better to start with AP Government.
Anonymous
Post 02/09/2025 23:01     Subject: Is APUSH or Hon US History in 9th?
Anonymous wrote:Why isn’t this an option at all MCPS high schools?!?


Meaning APUSH in 9th? What's wrong with taking AP Government in 9th and then APUSH in 10th? AP Government is the easier class, compressing a 1 semester class into a full year of HS. Seems like a better way to start. APUSH covers 2 semesters of college work so moves at a faster pace and is the more challenging course. Seems better to start with APUSH.
Anonymous
Post 02/09/2025 20:33     Subject: Is APUSH or Hon US History in 9th?
My kid did it and got an A and a 5.

He learned a lot of discipline! That said he got a B for first semester in AP Gov. 89 and 89.45. It is what it is. He doesn't love history. I think he'll do well on the AP though.
Anonymous
Post 02/09/2025 20:07     Subject: Is APUSH or Hon US History in 9th?
Anonymous wrote:Why isn’t this an option at all MCPS high schools?!?


Some principals don't want to play the game of dumbing down APs to give them to unqualified students?
Anonymous
Post 02/09/2025 20:00     Subject: Is APUSH or Hon US History in 9th?
Why isn’t this an option at all MCPS high schools?!?
Anonymous
Post 02/09/2025 19:39     Subject: Is APUSH or Hon US History in 9th?
Anonymous wrote:My 9th grader is taking APUSH at Blair this year and I’ve been super impressed with the teacher. My kid has learned more in that class than in all other classes combined - facts, but also how to put them together to tell a story, and how to study. The teacher has really gone way above and beyond with her study materials and offering extra study sessions. I hope she doesn’t burn out because she’s frankly amazing.


Any updates on the teacher? Incoming Blair freshman here. The kid wants to take APUSH.
Anonymous
Post 05/12/2024 17:59     Subject: Is APUSH or Hon US History in 9th?
My 9th grader is taking APUSH at Blair this year and I’ve been super impressed with the teacher. My kid has learned more in that class than in all other classes combined - facts, but also how to put them together to tell a story, and how to study. The teacher has really gone way above and beyond with her study materials and offering extra study sessions. I hope she doesn’t burn out because she’s frankly amazing.
Anonymous
Post 05/12/2024 16:46     Subject: Is APUSH or Hon US History in 9th?
It is up to YOUR kid! Can THEY handle it? Are they healthy? Do they have a long commute to from school? Do they have another class or classes that require lots of readings, homework, labs? Do they require extra time? Is kid involved in time sucking activities like Drama, or Crew (factor travel time to from practice)?
Anonymous
Post 05/12/2024 16:37     Subject: Is APUSH or Hon US History in 9th?
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:APUSH is offered in 9th at a few MCPS HSs but is more common in 10th. Blair magnet kids are encouraged not to take it on top of the magnet courseload, but some still do. Magnet kids typically have 2-3 hours of hw per night, so adding APUSH to the mix makes it more like 4-5.


This was not accurate for my magnet Freshman who took APUSH. It was all fine and definitely not that much homework.


Your child must have a weak teacher since APUSH requires 5-6 hours of work outside the classroom each week. It is one of the harder AP courses and this is well documented.

Honors USH may only require 2hrs/week. It's doable, sure, but making these choices is about finding a reasonable balance, which is why counselors at Blair discourage it for college students who already have a heavy load.


I’m curious from other Blair families. It was my understanding that there is only one APUSH teacher and she is super invested. She offered daily lunch and Saturday study sessions for the last month +. Do people consider APUSH at Blair weaker than other schools?
Anonymous
Post 05/11/2024 22:17     Subject: Is APUSH or Hon US History in 9th?
Anonymous wrote:It’s better to take AP Government in 9th and the APUSH in 10 but some schools don’t allow it.


I don't understand why MCPS isn't uniform in this. If they are both appropriate for 9th and 10th, then both 9th and 10th graders should have access to both.
Anonymous
Post 05/11/2024 11:50     Subject: Is APUSH or Hon US History in 9th?
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:APUSH is offered in 9th at a few MCPS HSs but is more common in 10th. Blair magnet kids are encouraged not to take it on top of the magnet courseload, but some still do. Magnet kids typically have 2-3 hours of hw per night, so adding APUSH to the mix makes it more like 4-5.


This was not accurate for my magnet Freshman who took APUSH. It was all fine and definitely not that much homework.


Your child must have a weak teacher since APUSH requires 5-6 hours of work outside the classroom each week. It is one of the harder AP courses and this is well documented.

Honors USH may only require 2hrs/week. It's doable, sure, but making these choices is about finding a reasonable balance, which is why counselors at Blair discourage it for college students who already have a heavy load.


auto-correct college -> magnet
Anonymous
Post 05/11/2024 11:49     Subject: Is APUSH or Hon US History in 9th?
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:APUSH is offered in 9th at a few MCPS HSs but is more common in 10th. Blair magnet kids are encouraged not to take it on top of the magnet courseload, but some still do. Magnet kids typically have 2-3 hours of hw per night, so adding APUSH to the mix makes it more like 4-5.


This was not accurate for my magnet Freshman who took APUSH. It was all fine and definitely not that much homework.


Your child must have a weak teacher since APUSH requires 5-6 hours of work outside the classroom each week. It is one of the harder AP courses and this is well documented.

Honors USH may only require 2hrs/week. It's doable, sure, but making these choices is about finding a reasonable balance, which is why counselors at Blair discourage it for college students who already have a heavy load.
Anonymous
Post 05/11/2024 11:37     Subject: Re:Is APUSH or Hon US History in 9th?
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:Anyone's kid ever take Honors US History in 9th, then do well in AP Gov and World in 10th and 11th, and decide to take APUSH in 12th?


Anyone?


As far as I know, there's no reason not to do this. Only 3 years of social studies are required and honors USH fulfills the graduation requirement. Taking APUSH after fulfilling the social studies requirements is fine.
Anonymous
Post 05/11/2024 10:18     Subject: Re:Is APUSH or Hon US History in 9th?
Anonymous wrote:Anyone's kid ever take Honors US History in 9th, then do well in AP Gov and World in 10th and 11th, and decide to take APUSH in 12th?


Anyone?
Anonymous
Post 05/11/2024 06:16     Subject: Is APUSH or Hon US History in 9th?
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:Both my kids did APUSH - most high stats kids at their HS did. If your child wants to attend a top college, they are competing with their peers and need to show rigor, and taking APs is how they do that. If your child is not aiming for a top college, then it doesn't matter


OP Here. Maybe DD has bigger plans but I'd be happy with UMD, especially their Honors College.


You have a lot to learn about college admissions friend.