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Daughter just received her course selection for fall. As a sophomore she's taken Pre-AP Chem but the only science choices for Junior year are:
Chemistry, Anatomy (which has been selected for her) or Environmental Science. We were expecting Physics but that won't be offered until Senior year. Should she stay with Anatomy or request one of the other two? Chemistry sounds, to me,
like a step backwards since she's just finishing Pre-AP Chem. What do you think? BTW, the rest of her mandatory selected courses are AP English, AP US History, and Algebra II Honors.

By knowledgeable on Friday, May 10, 2002 - 04:06 pm: Edit

note that this is not a very competitive junior year program in comparison to many students'. this may just be because of the course offerings at your school, however, be aware that there are thousands of juniors taking ap us history (or euro history, depending on the school), ap english, ap calculus or statistics (or at lease a pre calc honors class), ap biology or chem plus fourth year honors foreign language and honors physics. just keep this in mind.

By jenniferpa on Friday, May 10, 2002 - 06:05 pm: Edit

And course, also bear in mind that there are 10's of thousands NOT taking the type of course load indicated by knowledgeable. As the mother of a Junior next year, we have also agonized over suitable courses. Of course, variables such as courses offered and your daughter's desires and abilities must come into play. When it comes down to it, I don't think it's particularly helpful to be told what the "competition" may or may not be doing, unless the aim is to turn out a bunch of "cookie cutter" seniors (some of which may end up having nervous breakdowns).

Regarding your specific question, I take it that none of the courses are honors? I must say, it does seem a little odd to offer pre-ap chemistry, and then not offer ap chemistry the next year. Does the school have any rational basis for this? All I will say is that there is an expectation from colleges that a candidate will have taken at least a year each in biology (which I assume she did in Freshman year), physics and chemistry. I would get a copy of the course descriptions and go on the basis of her interests. At my daughter's school, at least, environmental science is considered to be a bit of a "fluff" course, but I imagine that varies.

Jennifer

By Aramis (Aramis) on Friday, May 10, 2002 - 10:22 pm: Edit

Knowledgeable - Thank you for your reply. I am aware that there are many students taking difficult courses in other schools. My concern is which of the sciences offered for junior year,
at *my* daughter's school, would be best(they had recommended Anatomy). I mentioned the AP/Honors classes to make it clear (or I thought so) that the school was not offering any AP/honors *science* classes for the Junior year in *her* school.

Jenniferpa - Thank you for understanding my post
I agree, I thought it was odd as well, especially since she had taken pre-AP chem, this year but I was told, by the front office, that they had changed the schedule for this year. I know, that's not a rational basis and I intend to pursue this with the counsellor. Yes, she did take biology as a freshman and apparently will be taking Physics as a senior.

It's a small school which affects what's offered.

By jenniferpa on Saturday, May 11, 2002 - 12:11 pm: Edit

Aramis, I have had another thought. If, in the event you get the "insufficient" argument from the school (insufficient students, teachers, money), you might what to consider an on-line AP chemistry course for next year. I know very little about the quality of the programs available, but I know they ARE available. apexlearning.com is one company whose base is providing such courses to schools, and I know that there are a couple of universities doing the same thing. You might want to research this before going to the school. My own child had an hard time finding an appropriate math class for next year (she's just finished calculus) and is going to take an on-line course through Stanford next year. The school don't particularly like it, but they're going to deal with it.

Jennifer

By Aramis (Aramis) on Saturday, May 11, 2002 - 12:30 pm: Edit

jenniferpa - Thank you VERY much for this information. I will check it out.