I wasn’t comparing AP Human Geography with other AP subjects or exams or test-taker data; that wasn’t my intention. Only comparing the current AP pass rate with previous administrations. Since its inception, the course has been targeted primarily for 9th graders. The general goal of the recalibration is the same for all AP subjects.
I see. I understood you to be saying that all things equal she’d choose the CS class over dance. If that’s the case, I’d go with her preference.
1 Like
But for some it was an easy 5 (maybe getting my AP and IB scores mixed up) but I know my son was glad for the APs because the IBs were harder for him.
Would you then drop the rope on exercise?
I would see how it plays out. There might be more physical activity in her HS life than you now realize. I don’t think it needs to be a regimented “exercise” plan to promote good health. If she wants to run a 10k that’s a different story.
The class is CSP. When I looked at the course registration sheet it to find out, it appears that I was wrong and there is an option to take AP HUG, she just didn’t pick it.
Does she already have a social studies course? AP human geography is commonly offered as an honors choice of 9th grade social studies (i.e. many students who take it use it replace some other 9th grade social studies course).
Regardless of that, the AP label should not be the reason to choose AP human geography or AP CS principles. The student should choose based on interest and how the overall schedule comes together (what other courses are in the schedule?).
1 Like
That’s a different conversation - AP HUG vs whatever required 9th grade social studies course she opted for instead. In that instance, it’s a choice between 2 courses that are core subjects. Dance vs CS is a choice between 2 electives
3 Likes
She did her course selection with Dad, because he’s the one who took her to the night they had for incoming freshmen. I only weighed in on the elective. She picked a two period “gifted” humanities class that covers both English 9 and US History. I think that sounds like a great choice for her because she loves literature. Then she’s got Biology GT, Precalculus GT, Italian I, PE/Health and an elective, which is currently dance.
I just asked her what she’d pick if college and exercise outside of school weren’t factors and she wasn’t sure. She said maybe dance because she liked the girls in dance class when she visited, or maybe CSP because it would fill the tech requirement, or maybe choir.
Clearly, I need to talk to her Dad.
I wasn’t saying I think we should reopen the question of what social studies to take. I think she made a great choice there. I just wanted to correct myself since I wrote that they didn’t offer any other AP’s to freshmen. Apparently, they do offer HUG.
I think you need to let your daughter make this decision. And talking to dad should be to help him understand that not taking an AP course in grade 9 is not the voice of doom.
Just adding, if she is taking precalc in grade nine, she is triple accelerated in math. So…strong there.
I vote with letting her choose. Sounds like school has already started…and she likes dance.
1 Like
No, there’s a few more weeks till school, she did a shadow day in the spring, with a girl who was in dance, and liked the class then.
I can’t make this decision without talking to Dad. We have joint custody, it’s as much his decision as mine. He’s also not saying anything about “voice of doom”. He is saying “Hey, I wonder if this choice would be better”. Obviously, I don’t think it is.
1 Like
In the overall scheme of things, it seems like dance versus AP CS principles in 9th grade may not matter all that much. Since you mention a tech requirement, she may take AP CS principles for it later if not this year. And since some colleges prefer to see at least one visual or performing arts course, she may want to take dance or some other arts course later if not this year.
Regardless, do not be concerned about AP CS principles being an AP course for the purpose of this choice.
So she has English, history, science, math, world language, PE/Health, and “dance because she liked the girls in dance class”… sounds great to me. I can’t imagine that any college is going to prefer human geography or CS principles over dance, and “liking the girls in dance class” is a great way to keep doing something both artistic and physical in her life, which we all can use more of.
5 Likes
She will eventually need one computer class and one arts class to graduate. Arts class has lots of options. Computer class will probably AP CSP based on the options.
As a mom of a high achieving student who is also a dancer, I vote for dance 100%. Movement is so beneficial for a growing brain in more ways than just a form of exercise, but from a neurological standpoint as well. It will only complement your child’s growth at this stage of her life, especially if she has more of a sedentary, homebody personality.
https://hms.harvard.edu/news-events/publications-archive/brain/dancing-brain
Then there is the social, emotional aspect too. Dance class could be a wonderful way to make some new friends. I witnessed my daughter’s friendships shifting around a lot once she hit high school, so it’s always helpful to have different pockets of friends to turn to if one group is having too much drama.
Dance is a such a great way to move out of your head and into your physical body at times of stress as well, which starting high school can bring.
I can’t say enough good things about my daughter’s experience with dance! I am so grateful she has had the experiences she has had. It could bring your daughter a lot of joy at this time in her life.
1 Like
So basically, there are a few aspects of this choice:
- Which one now, and which one later? If these were the only aspect, this choice would be a very low stakes (if any stakes) choice, since both will have to be taken at some point in time anyway.
- Which arts course? If she is undecided on which arts course, but may be more certain which one she wants later, then taking AP CS principles now can allow deferring the choice of arts course. But being more certain later is speculative, so that may not be much of an increase in option value.
- Would the high school’s schedule structure make it more difficult to take one or other other later (e.g. only offered in the same period as an important other course)? If so, then taking the one with more problematic scheduling may avoid the problem in the future.
My guess is that she will take a lot of arts classes over 4 years. One thing we really liked about the school when we chose it is that it has a lot of arts options. After this year she’ll have two electives a year.
I can’t predict what classes will be on which periods next year but there are definitely more periods of computer science than of any specific level of dance.
1 Like
That’s what I’m hoping. She doesn’t know any other girls going to the same school, none are going from her middle school, so I hope she makes friends in whatever classes she takes.
2 Likes
Seems like she will be fine either way (AP CS principles or dance this coming year), since she will likely take the other later.
Of course, if dance is leveled (dance 1, 2, 3, 4), and she wants to continue to a higher level, then she may want to get started on it early.