Importance of rigorous academic classes?

EmsDad
Fri, 20 May 2011 17:43:23 +0000

Not sure about your school system, but in ours you get an extra GPA point for AP classes. This makes it well worth it to take every AP class that you can (as long as you do well). Dual credit classes get you those college hours but if you don’t get the extra GPA point, then I would take the AP class (with AP you also have a shot at college hours if you can pass the AP exam). Also, I have heard 2nd hand (so this may be wrong) that if you wrack up too many dual credit hours it actually hurts some scholarship opportunities (may only apply to state schools and some states) - you may want to check into this if you plan on taking a lot of dual credit courses and applying for state school scholarships.

For another point of reference, my D is headed to a performing arts high school next year and in her orientation session last week they noted that most of the kids take many AP classes. In fact, some required upper level classes (English IV, etc.) are offered as AP only (no “regular” classes). As a Freshman, she (and I think almost all of her classmates) are taking nothing but Pre-AP classes (you get an extra grade point for those as well in our system). So these kids are being pushed really hard into rigorous academics from the start as well. The counselor said that they push hard on AP classes in order to maximize everyone’s scholarship money and acceptance opportunities (and the school proudly quotes literally millions of dollars in scholarship money obtained by the graduating class of 150 every year). At the orientation they stressed repeatedly that Performing Arts is an incredibly competitive area and academics are really important if you plan to “follow your art” in college.

By the way, what did all the “Fame” kids do right off the bat at their PA orientation? - they had to take an Algebra test for placement!