Will take DE art during junior year after school.
Senior
AP Chemistry
AP English Literature
AP Computer Science A
AP Calculus BC
AP Spanish
American Government/Economics (Both semester class)
Depending on what state the OP is in, art may be a requirement for the in-state public universities (e.g. California and South Dakota; Arizona requires either art or CTE).
Really, the problem is that the OP is trying to add 2 extra science courses and 2 CS courses while fitting into the high schoolâs 6-period schedule. A 6-period schedule over 4 years means 24 year long courses, of which 4 years is each of 5 cores plus 1 year of art take up 21, and 2 years of PE plus health take up 2.5.
So gaining any electives (including extra science or CS) means taking 0th or 7th period courses (if any of the courses are available in the 0th or 7th period) during the school year, or taking summer courses.
A 6-period high school may leave enough elective space for students aiming for moderately selective colleges, so they may take only 2-3 years of science, social studies, and/or foreign language, leaving more elective space. But students trying to do 4 years in each of 5 cores plus 1 year of art will find it easier to have electives in a 7-period high school.
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Fair point - the student has AVID - which I assume - but donât know stands for Audio Visual - so I also donât know - but would assume would count for the UC requirement. Might be something to look into before they drop the class.
Yes, it seems the shorter schedule doesnât allow for a lot of flexibility.
Seems like most of these threads involving questions of âI want to take extra of [some subject] but that means I need to take less of [some other subject] or take summer classesâ are those from students at 6-period high schools where there is more limited flexibility, at least for students aiming for more selective colleges that are likely to want 4 of each core plus 1 of art.
AVID is a course to help promising FGLI students, especially in lower performing schools (but not just), stay on track and apply to selective colleges. Other such programs are Upward Bound, TRIO⊠Itâs especially useful Jr and Sr year so I would encourage OP to keep it as a 7th period these 2 years if they find peers and support there, just taking a year off in 10th to give themselves space to adjust to the more rigorous 10th grade schedule. Although if the school partners with POSSE it may be better for OPâs goals. AVID includes social competencies teenagers may be loath to learn but matter in college and especially when aiming for the upper middle class and provides space/feedbaxk for college essays. Students in POSSE tend to be higher achieving but at schools with AVID-only itâs useful. Itâs also a useful indication for adcoms.
@timeagain1 : depending on your schedule, you may want to take EITHER AP Spanish Language (does your school offer Spanish4?) Or AP English Lit (or replace with Honors 12th grade English.)
Do you live near a CC?
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oh - ok - i missed that one. Sounded like Audio Visual 
Thanks for the explanation.
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Yes, I do live near a Community College. My school doesnât offer Spanish 4 of any kind. The only option would be AP Spanish Language. They donât have AP Spanish Literature either.
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AVID is offered for 0-Period for 10th and 11th grade. Iâm not too sure that they offer it 12th grade.
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I decided to drop AVID because
- In my opinion, itâs useless. None of it has helped me with anything
- I canât take it 12th
- My schedule is rigorous enough so I donât want another class on top of it.
I honestly wish that my school could let the school day be 7 periods. My problems would be saved if it was.
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That implies that Spanish 4 = AP Spanish (which is not all that unusual). I.e. your high schoolâs Spanish courses reach AP level in the 4th year.
Are any typical college prep core courses (English, math, science, social studies, foreign language, art), PE, or health offered during 0th or 7th period?
As of right now, I donât know but I will ask my counselor and get back to you
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Unfortunately, none are offered 0 or 7th period. Only for credit recovery courses.
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Iâll be honest. That is a poor reason to take AP classes. These should be taken when you are well prepared to take themâŠnot as a plan to apply to top 20 colleges. If you arenât well prepared for the rigors of these AP coursesâŠand they are hardâŠyour grades will suffer. This wonât help you with your college aspirations.
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Thank you for being honest. I agree with you 
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If you are aiming for the most selective colleges, the typical recommendation is to plan a high school schedule with 4 years of each of 5 cores (English, math, science, history and social studies, foreign language) and 1 year of art. Obviously, this means little room for electives, including extra courses in any core subject, if you have a 6-period high school.
Can you push PE and health into the summers? That can help free up some schedule space.
Given the limitation on extra courses in any subject, you may want to consider:
- For science, complete biology, chemistry, and physics, then choose an advanced course in one of them as the fourth science.
- For CS, take one AP CS course (principles if you are unlikely to be a CS major or undecided, or A if you are committed to a CS major in college) if you have space for it.
If the OP is in California, AVID seems to be counted as a college prep elective that is not within any of the other categories, so it would not fulfill the art requirement for UCs or CSUs. It seems to be something to help students succeed academically and be ready for college, and seems to be most useful for first-generation-to-college students who may not have much exposure to college preparation and college from family and other social contacts.
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I am in California and AVID counts as a college preparatory elective. I can take PE in the summer between junior and senior years. It isnât offered this year.
There are online DE art options after school during Junior year.
Yes, at our CA HS, AVID is in the G category. For those curious about AVID, here is the course description. However, it sounds like the OP is dropping it anyway.
AVID (P) - Year, 10 credits
This course is designed to prepare students for the rigors of college while providing support throughout the high school years and as students complete the various stages of their application process to four year colleges and universities. Throughout the course, students will develop necessary skills for success in high school as well as develop note-taking skills, research their potential college major, prepare for the SAT, draft personal statements, finalize their college list, research and apply for scholarships, apply for financial aid by filling out the FAFSA, and create a transition plan for college, which includes budgeting, planning, and dealing with challenges/issues/stress. Prerequisite: Open to students in grades 10â12. UC/CSU (g)
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For the UC/CSU âFâ subject area (visual and performing arts), if you canât take a convenient class in 0 or 7th period right there at your HS, could you take a summer class?
I would try to avoid taking your fundamental academic building block courses in the summer, if you can (such as math, sciences, etc). So you could push VAPA into the summer if this is not personally an important elective for you (if you are not a music / band / theater / art kid), and if your school day is very constrained. I would think an in person summer class would be more fulfilling than an online afterschool class, and would interfere less with your school year activities.
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