Should my sophomore take AP Chemistry or honors chemistry? He will be taking BC calculus (took AB calculus over the summer via self study and tested into BC), honors French, honors English, research methods (mat lab) and gym.
Do you like science? Both would look good, AP would look better. Depends on how competitive you’d like to be.
Does the HS require honors chem before AP Chem? Will other students in the AP class have an honors chem background?
AP Chem as a first chem class is not impossible, but he will likely have to spend a lot of time getting up to speed.
No, the HS does not require chemistry before AP and yes, some students will have had chemistry before taking the AP class. That why this is such a hard choice, he really likes science and math is relatively easy for him, but he will be coming in fairly blind.
You, your son, and his GC/teachers are more aware of his abilities than strangers on the internet. AP Chem is one of the more time-consuming AP’s even with a prior class. I would suggest that he (and he’s of the age where he, not you, should be driving this process) talk to the AP Chem teacher and ask how do students without prior chem preparation perform in the class and on the AP exam. If typical performance is better than the mean, AP Chem would probably not be a problem.
I appreciate your point about his driving this choice, he and I have discussed and are on the fence. The head of the STEM program suggested he jump in to the AP class, but …
Is he able to drop down if it turns out to be too much?
Yes, same time slot.
Well, then, I’d say try it. There’s nothing to lose, really.
Yes, I guess you are right, thanks for talking this out.