Which science, math, computer science to take in 11th-12th grade?

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MccWSB

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What science and math courses should my son take in 11th & 12 grade? It is time to pick classes for 11th grade and his schedule is showing HR physiology, should he take this course or would he be better off taking AP Chemistry? Is he better off to try and get a great grade in the physiology class or show more rigor with AP Chem? He took Robotics last year and is currently taking App Development I but should he throw AP Computer Science in there as well? The only other computer science class his school offers is a semester of App Development II. Feel free to show me how he should schedule these classes to benefit his application to USAFA and if any of these won't really make a difference.

10th grade
HR Chemistry - currently taking
HR Algebra II - currently taking
App Development I - currently taking

11th grade
HR Physiology OR AP Chemistry
AP Stats
HR Pre-Calc
AP Computer Science?

12th grade
HR Physics
AP Calc AB
Should he also take Discrete Mathematics
 
The more STEM classes the better and I would recommend taking the AP CHM class instead of Physiology. If he can handle Computer Science on his schedule, and keep up his grades, it would be a great choice for him- however, if his other grades might suffer a little bit and he won't be able to handle it stay away.
Bottom line, you want to take the most rigorous and advanced classes you can- it'll make your high school transcript very attractive. However, only take what you can handle. The USAFA would rather see a really good AP chem grade than average AP chem and AP computer science.
 
Most definitely take the AP Chem over HR Physiology if he can handle it. AP's look better than HR, and Chem is probably more attractive than Physiology. I would take as many AP's as he can handle. I have heard that a B in an AP course is better than an A in an honors course. As a rule of thumb, try to take the hardest courses the school offers as long as he can handle it and keep his grades up.
 
AP Chem in 11th grade would probably be more useful. Better prep for a SA.
 
If computer science is one of the classes that brings him joy (and isn't just another AP sized mound of work) then maybe take the AP Comp Sci over the AP Stats. He's already taking a full math load and chemistry can be a bear for some folks, and this can be particularly important if he has to work hard for his math grades. Know your kid, then discuss with his guidance counselor or a math teacher at school.

Also, don't just pile up APs without a little leavening. Find a class or two per semester that he looks forward to while you take all the hard classes you can handle. If you miss some they'll ask why, but if you're on a good track and hit the high points (Calc, Physics and Chem) you can move around the Stats, comp sci and whatever.
 
MccWSB said:
11th grade
HR Physiology OR AP Chemistry
AP Stats
HR Pre-Calc
AP Computer Science?
Click to expand...
If it were me I would be careful taking AP Chem, AP Stats, and HR Pre-calc all together. AP Chem has a pretty heavy course load and from what I have heard so does AP Stats, to take both of them along with another math class means that there will be less time for other subjects. I am assuming your DS is also taking HR/AP English as well as HR/AP History and those classes will also have considerable work requirements outside of school. Make sure that your DS is fully on board with the classes and understands the amount of work and time requirement that will likely be necessary.

I would also advise caution with AP Chem, it is - at least at my school- a double period, meaning it has a 'lecture' period and a 'lab' period. With the other three classes you have listed, plus English and History, your DS could end up with a schedule that swaps his lunch for the Chem lab period.

Best of luck to your DS!
 
"Strategic languages" help too which include at this point Russian, Arabic, and Chinese from what I last heard.
 
I will address your last sentence.
Go to the USAFA website/Academics/Core Curriculum

The 3 things to lay side by side are
1Your DS's HS schedule/available courses
2The core curriculum, big grid can't miss it on the website
3AP validation, Core curriculum handbook pages 16-18 (pdf pages 18-20)

According to my DD, the more you have AP Computer Sci, AP Chem, and as far as you can go AP Physics I, C, ME etc the better. AP English as well, and these along with testing and other factors, determine where you are placed at the start. Not only for the knowledge itself, but if, by the time you graduate HS and have taken lots of APs AND done well, you probably have the study skills and discipline to do well.

Without knowing anything else about your DS:
Take AP Chemistry
12 grade take any AP classes you can strategically place out of, again, off the core curriculum grid like history, psychology, macro/micro (which is really weird because macro actually will place you out of a higher level econ, not the required econ).
 
Take AP Chem if possible. My two SA kids took it in 11th grade. They had a fantastic teacher and did well in USAFA//USMA chemistry classes.
 
Im not sure about USAFA, however, I have heard USNA Admissions say they are very interested in applicants that have Calculus and Chemistry.
 
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