There are others including:
The fact that OP/son only thinks that 3 and 4 are the valid options doesn’t make those two suck any less. I predict a new thread in 4 years time, “Will colleges understand the rationale for this schedule?” So to get a jump start - No, they will most assuredly not understand.
Or this thread in 5 years time: “Rejected from every T30. What now?”
AP Chem and/or AP Physics make more sense for an Engineer, but IMO this makes taking a proper biology class even more relevant.
Not to pick on @ucbalumnus (I know you mentioned that his interests may change) but really… this is an 8th grader with many interests (like most kids we’ve known). The whole reason we are all having this discussion is that in spring of 8th grade (I think?), he had a small role in the high school musical and decided he is passionate about acting. None of us know what passions he might suddenly develop next year.
Yes, make room for the current set of passions, to the extent possible. But also don’t neglect the basics of his general high school education. He might decide biology is his passion next.
HS theater can build community and be a great stress reliever for kids too. With so much academic focus on this student already - theater sounds like a wonderful
place to find joy.
I completely agree that theater is a great thing. That’s why I suggested this student also look into summer youth theater programs. We have them around here, and they are fabulous.
In some schools the band is also a wonderful place to find camaraderie. And good friends with like interests. And like theater, there are ways to do music outside of school also.
The issue with this student is…there are only 6 periods in the school day, and he would need to take a core course in some alternate way to fit both band and acting class in.
It’s a hard choice, but it might be one that needs to be made.
As a parent, I would be annoyed that the acting class is required in order to audition for the school plays. I’m betting there are some talented kids who can’t fit this class into their schedule and are shut out of the productions. I’ve never heard of such a thing anywhere but here. I would be addressing THAT too if I were this parent.
Just want to add:
Meet with the GC soon though because it’s quite possible your son will not be allowed to take both band and theater/acting.
And remember, even taking the acting class…your son isn’t guaranteed a role in shows.
Also, you need to make sure that whatever alternate plan you come up with will satisfy the district and state graduation requirements…first and foremost.
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