Ask a current Andover student anything!

ijustgetbored
Sun, 11 Nov 2012 08:28:06 +0000

I submitted my application about a week before the deadline, but I don’t think it makes much of a difference. There’s an Andover-Exeter Day every term (so 3 times a day), but the fall one is the most important one.
Electives really depend on what year you’re in, so I’ll explain it by grade:
Ninth grade: (I began as a tenth grader, so I’m not entirely sure about this.) You take standard, required classes in English, history, and biology and are placed in math and foreign language based on your ability. You are allowed to take 6 courses total, giving you 1 empty space per term to take electives such as PE, art, music, or theater. Most electives in history, English, science, or philosophy are not avalible until 11th grade.
Tenth grade: You take standard English, chemistry, and are placed in foreign language and math. You are also required to take history and philosophy for one trimester each. You can generally only take 5 courses, so you’re left with 1 opportunity overall for electives.
Eleventh grade: Required classes are standard English, physics, history, and math and foreign language based on placement. (Once you reach the 300 level in a language, you no longer have to take it, so if you began at a higher level than most people, you’ll have extra opportunity for electives. However, lots of kids continue further or start a second language.) You’re also eligible to take harder electives in science, history, and philosophy.
Twelfth grade: Don’t have to take math if you’ve already finished calculus, but lots of kids still do. Science isn’t required, but most people take electives in it. English is required, but there is no standard course, only electives. There are also electives in history, philosophy/religion, arts, music, theater, and more.

This year, I’m taking art and music as electives (as well as PE and philosophy, which are required.)