<p>It really depends on the child, and on the school. My daughter took all honors, and then all APs throughout high school. At her first high school, the honors classes moved quickly, but they also generated a ton of homework, much of which was unnecessary. It was really burdensome and made high school less exciting than it should have been. It seemed like an endurance test more than an accelerated learning track.</p>
<p>She changed schools her junior year and found the honors classes at her new school a lot more interesting, with less homework and a greater focus on individual acceleration. Ditto for the AP classes. She was a lot happier at this school.</p>
<p>By contrast, my son, who started at the new school in 9th grade, chose not to take any honors classes his freshman year, even though he was recommended for all honors. By the end of the year, he realized he needed more of a challenge, and so he signed up for all honors classes sophomore year. Junior year, he’ll do 2 APs and the rest honors. For him, I think getting on the honors track at his own pace was the right choice.</p>