Help us pick junior year classes for S28

Parents Forum
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I can’t believe it’s time to pick classes already!

S28 attends a small private school that doesn’t offer classes labeled AP and Honors. They do let kids take AP exams and he has taken a few with all 5’s so far.

So far be has taken, or is taking English 9 and 10, World History 1 and 2, Spanish 4 and 5 (took the Spanish Lang AP, plans to take Lit this spring), pre calculus and Calculus (plans to take BC exam this year), physics (took AP 1 and 2 exams), chemistry (plans to take the AP exam), Drawing, Technical Theater

Next year he will take:

English 11

US History

Biology

Linear Equations

In Senior Year his only graduation requirement will be English 12, but he needs at least 4 classes.

That leaves him with 2 spaces for additional courses in 11th and 5 in 12th. They are limited to 5 core academic courses a year so if he takes 6, one has to be technology or fine arts.

Core courses he could take are:

Statistics

A math independent study

Environmental Science

Advanced Chemistry

Advanced Physics

Spanish 6 and 7

Mandarin 3 and 4 (he took Mandarin in middle school and regrets switching to Spanish)

Various social studies electives

The sixth course each semester can be either a fine arts classes, or a technology class like programming or robotics. I think he would like to take two more years of tech theater, which is an option.

Any thoughts on what schools will want to see or what will prepare him well?

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Where do you live (e.g. any CA requirements to meet?) and what does he plan to study?

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It looks like the courses listed above include:

  • 4 years of English
  • math through calculus (AP level) and more
  • biology, chemistry (AP level), physics (AP 5 level)
  • Spanish to level 5 (AP 5 level)
  • 3 years of history
  • 2 years of arts

(“AP level” assumes good AP scores to confirm.)

Perhaps add some social studies electives in case some colleges prefer “4 years of history and social studies”? Other than that, academic (including arts and/or CS and/or robotics) electives to explore interests would be the best use of schedule space. Exploring interests could include trying to find what college majors are more or less interesting, or advancing skill in Mandarin and/or Spanish.

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I’d suggest Spanish 6 in 11th and 7 in 12th. It’s useful to have taken four years of (the same) foreign language in high school. That takes care of the academic portion of 11th.

In 12th, assuming he takes English 12 and Spanish 7, he’d need three other academic courses. Ideally he’d want to have a math class, a science class, and a social studies class. Math would be stats or independent study; his choice. If he’s not actually interested in stats (and would actually apply himself to independent study) then maybe independent study. If the teacher supervising the independent study is quality, then he’d be able to explore some area of math that actually interests him (as opposed to stats).

For science: If he plans to study engineering in college, then I’d recommend advanced physics (assuming that’s offered). If not, then the “advanced” course in physics, biology or chemistry - whichever interests him most.

For social studies: european history, economics, government, etc. Whichever interests him.

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We don’t live in CA, but he’d like to keep CA options open.

He wants to study engineering, probably civil.

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Does the private school have counseling ?

In general if you meet the UC A-G, you are good.

At the same time you don’t want to miss anything.

Is your son a unicorn or the norm for the school?

I agree with a social science like Psych.

Do they have non academic electives he would enjoy ? Maybe an art or design class beyond drawing given his possible civil desire or DE opportunities ? Or an intro to engineering type class or CS type class?

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I think that if he fills the graduation requirements of his school he will have all those. California schools are confusing becuase he will have no weighted GPA so even if he keeps a 4.0 he doesn’t look great. But at least one kid goes to Cal or UCLA most years so clearly they can overlook that if they want.

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Yes, he will meet with the in a few weeks, just trying to start thinking about what to ask. I feel like his school, parents and staff, are pretty focused on getting kids into the highest ranked school possible, and I want a wider lens so I at least want to hear others’ perspectives.

He is one of the top students in his grade but not an outlier. It’s a school full of high achieving kids.

If he is planning on engineering, is 5 science and 3 social science an option? Or is 4 and 4 still better? I think he’d like to take the second year of both physics and chem.

His brother is taking AP Psych and AP Stats this year and he has been doing HW with him. If he takes those AP’s would that make not having a 4th year of social science or math look better?

I think if he picked with his heart he’d take two more years of tech theater. He is on the robotics team, and loves that, and could take robotics class but it would probably be similar to what he gets from the team.

His school has no DE options, and he really doesn’t have time to do a college course outside of school.

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Does Spanish look better than Chinese? A lot better?

How does dropping language after 11th look if it lets him take more science?

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He should probably have 4 years of a single foreign language and take calculus based physics, not sure any of the others make a difference other 4 years of each core class. Our experience with college admissions for high achieving kids is that they have something beyond school that makes them interesting, advanced technical theater would probably do that for him.

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I would have four social sciences and four science, with at least 3 lab. If you go above, it’s fine - but I would hit the recommended bar before going over.

I grabbed this from Harvard’s website:

Choosing high school courses

We hope you will read our thoughts about choosing high school courses that will provide a strong base for a liberal arts education. But in summary, we recommend:

  • The study of English for four years: close and extensive reading of the classics of the world’s literature

  • Four years of a single foreign language

  • The study of history for at least two years, and preferably three years: American history, European history, and one additional advanced history course

  • The study of mathematics for four years.**

  • The study of science for four years: physics, chemistry, and biology, and preferably one of these at an advanced level

  • Frequent practice in the writing of expository prose

Various important secondary school subjects, such as art and music, are not specifically mentioned in our recommendations. The omission of these subjects should not be interpreted as a value judgment. We are concerned only with secondary school subjects for which we have data that suggest they are specific prerequisites for college work.

**Applicants to Harvard should excel in a challenging high school math sequence corresponding to their educational interests and aspirations. We recommend that applicants take four years of math courses in high school. Ideally, these math courses will focus on conceptual understanding, promote higher-order thinking, and encourage students to use mathematical reasoning to critically examine the world. Examples include rigorous and relevant courses in computer science, statistics and its subfields, mathematical modeling, calculus, and other advanced math subjects.

Students’ math records are viewed holistically, and no specific course is required. Specifically, calculus is not a requirement for admission to Harvard. We understand that applicants do not have the same opportunities and course offerings in their high schools. Moreover, many programs of study at Harvard do not require knowledge of calculus. We encourage applicants to take the courses that are available to them and aligned with their interests and goals.

Students intending to study engineering, computer science, physics, mathematics, statistics or other fields where calculus is needed may benefit from taking calculus in high school. However, students at Harvard can still pursue such fields by starting with one of our introductory calculus classes that has no high school calculus prerequisite. On balance, we encourage all students to master foundational mathematical material instead of rushing through any of the more advanced courses.

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The good news is there is about 320 ABET accredited CivE schools. There’s likely less as I see some duplicates on the list like Cal Poly Pomona. Obviously, your student isn’t going to end up at Akron - but Akron kids will get jobs too.

When you said CA, and taking out the CSUs other than SLO as most do, you have Stanford and USC as well as UCB, UCD, UCI, UCLA.

Whether or not going to a top school matters, I don’t know in the major, but your student will have more than lots of options!!

Of course budget will be a huge impact - in two ways -

If you can afford full pay, it can be up to $100K a year at that point.

And then if you can afford full pay but don’t want to because you don’t see the value in outcomes, then if you have no need, you’d limit yourself.

For example, you’d love to go to USC but aren’t interesting in spending $400K when you can spend $200K or $100K elsewhere, that would limit your choice.

But you’ll be in good shape - but for the top academic schools, do like Harvard above and have the 1 year VPA which seems like you have - for the UCs.

Good luck.

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Thanks. To be clear we aren’t in CA and I don’t think CA is more likely than other schools, but we don’t want to close that door.

The Harvard link says 3 years of history. Is 4 needed?

Also, what happens if a kid runs out of math at his school?

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Yes, I listed since you said it’s possible and you want to be at the UC level if that’s an option (a UC). When most say CA, they don’t mean Fresno State :slight_smile:

I would have four years of a social science - but if you want three, certainly it’s a choice. I would round out each core area - having more science isn’t necessity - and having so much advancement in HS might make college harder because it’s highly likely the rigor he faces now won’t be close to what he faces, even at a non selective engineering school - and if you start so high level academically, you will be in advanced courses to start. The other thing is - while highly unlikely, what if he runs out of classes at the college given such advancement now.

But if you look at top schools, most that show do show three required - but it said history. There are other classes like Psych, as an example.

I think your student is so far advanced - I don’t think you have issues no matter what you do. So you asked a great question but I don’t know that any answer you get can help per se - the situation is already great. You do need four years of one language - but maybe he can double language?? So he can get back to Mandarin. My kid only got through two and then the HS last minute cancelled #3 - and still got into a top LAC that wanted three so…

But given he’s so far advanced, are there courses he’d enjoy. Example and I know a small school won’t have something like this - but my kid took nutrition. She had all the requirements knocked out, even to get into a top college. So she chose something fun.

Does your school have something that will align?

Clearly, your son is top shelf but college apps take a long time, especially the more selective schools.

Has your son taken or will he take the PSAT soon? Wondering if he will become a National Merit Scholar. That’s a high bar for anyone - but it seems like no bar is too high for your son. The advantage there is financial more than anything - like a full ride or close to - but likely not at the type of schools you’d consider. But saving $400K can make an impact to anyone, especially when outcomes might be similar.

Very impressive student - but hopefully there is outside activities too - sounds like at least theater - so he’s more than just a stud in class.

Best of luck to him.

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He should calculate his 3 UC GPAs here: GPA Calculator for the University of California – RogerHub

Most colleges will consider this 5 years of Spanish. He can certainly do spanish 6, but probably doesn’t need 7. He should only take Mandarin if he wants to.

Does the school offer AP Physics C? As a potential CE, that could be a good class to have.

Just to be clear, he has AP calc BC this year?..you said he plans to take the AP test, but I want to make sure he is taking the class…asking, in a different way, do most students take the AP BC test after the class he is currently in?

Is 11th grade linear equations a full year? And then math independent study in 12th a full year? What does independent study cover? I would strongly encourage a prospective CE major to have 4 years of math in HS. He can definitely add stats/AP stats, whatever the highest level the school offers (ideally.) Can he take 12th online math class, assuming that’s the best option, say greater than the math indepedent study option?

Four is better than 3, and will likely make him more competitive at relatively selective schools.

I would prioritize programming over robotics, especially since he is on the robotics team. Main reason being…more schools consider CS classes ‘core’ than consider engineering classes ‘core’. Is his main EC robotics?

Lastly, I do defer to his counselor regarding his course schedule, assuming a capable, dedicated college counselor.

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It is typical to have 3 years of history + 1 year of other social science (typically something like Econ & US Gov). I don’t see any US Gov on the list of classes in your original post… does your school not require this for graduation? (Our HS does.)

I do not think taking AP exams would replace taking an actual course.

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Because his school doesn’t weight anything the highest he can get is 4.0. At this point he has a 4.0 for his regular GPA. He has no UC GPA because sophomore grades aren’t out yet but he expects them to be good.

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He would rather take Mandarin than Spanish because he has lots of opportunities to practice Spanish and keep learning, but has found it hard to keep up his Mandarin. But if keeping Spanish makes a significant difference he might choose to do that.

He can’t take both. I guess conceivably he could in senior year if he dropped math or social science and only took one science.

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His school doesn’t offer any AP classes. The second year of Physics, which they call “Advanced Physics” has a calculus co- or pre- requisite and some kids take the AP C exams after, which he would do. He would like to take this and the Advanced Chem which is above an AP level, but that would mean taking only 3 years of language, math or social science.

His current math class covers BC and more. Most of the kids will take the exam.

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