Can students from classical high schools be accepted to HYP schools?
How does the course work in such a school differ from that of other high schools?
It depends on the school but some have AP calculus, some have concurrent calculus as their highest math course. They are very good humanities schools and do seem to fulfill the highest minimum requirements of any LAC or HYP. What does set them apart for other high schools is the fact they read college level books in grades 10 - 12 that are above AP Literature classes.
Do you think HYPS would not consider students from schools that have more challenging curricula?
So if your high school goes beyond what a typical high school does in depth and rigor in some subjects, and is not lacking in any of the usual expected subjects (English, math, science, social studies, foreign language, arts), why would it be a problem?
I was just wondering. I read posts that say Harvard doesn’t accept anyone who doesn’t take more than 7 AP classes. A student from a solid Classical school would be well prepared for the demands of Harvard or Princeton. I was just wondering if anyone’s son or daughter attended a classical school and got into a HYP school. My son also has perfect scores on ACT and the Subject tests and he a attends a classical school. Just wonder if we should apply next year.
It is absolutely not true that Harvard requires a set number of APs for acceptance. Some top schools (Fieldston comes to mind immediately) don’t offer any APs but have a very rigorous curriculum and their students get in.
You mean like Boston Latin or Roxbury Latin?
Those must be by uninformed students who are guessing.
Some of the most challenging schools in the country don’t offer APs (Exeter and Brearley come to mind) because they say that all of their courses are beyond AP level. So no, that’s not true across the board.
I know of a private school near me that offers a classical education and some of their grads go on to HYP every year.
Actually, while Phillips Exeter does not specifically label its courses at “AP”, some of its course descriptions indicate that the courses include the material found in the AP exam for the subject (e.g. BIO 530, CHE 431, 450, 530, PHY 530, MAT 430, 431, 520, 521). It does offer some courses that cover material that is more advanced than that of AP or college-frosh level courses. See https://www.exeter.edu/sites/default/files/documents/COI.pdf
I think we are all in agreement in saying that the lack of APs is a non-issue assuming the OP has taken an appropriately rigorous coursed at his/her HS.
These are all promising posts. Yes, our school is rigorous in all disciplines. Next year may be an adventure.