S had fine grades and took the demanding classes available at his school. And the credits from APs have been helpful, so as to not have to take Calculus, Chemistry, US History, some English and other classes in his college years (kind of a pay-it-now or pay-it-later). But, he did ease off in the senior year. Skipped physics altogether. Took his first study hall. Had a second study hall slot for being a teacher’s aid. He also was not in band and avoided joining most clubs such as the math team. All ECs were dropped except for his youth jazz band at a place outside of school. It was great. The extra time for dealing with auditions and for making pre-screen videos and for thinking about college choices was so helpful.
Depending on the school you go to, their elective classes might actually be easier than AP classes, so you can think about that. For example, we learned that the placement tests for Spanish were easier to score credit on at S’ college than it would have been to place upwards with AP scores, so he skipped the Spanish AP test after 4 years of taking it, then he got some credit by testing at the college. APUSH is a class that probably could have been left out and taken in college because it might be less intense there.
First semester is demanding because of pre-screen prep and selecting colleges. Second semester has the auditions, but it seems more like executing what was planned, so it is more leg-work and less brain-work.
Great topic.