If your child attends JP Stevens High School or Edison High School, choosing the right AP courses can significantly impact their college applications, GPA, and scholarship opportunities. Here is a practical guide to the AP courses available at Edison’s high schools, how to choose wisely, and how to prepare for success.

AP Courses Available at Edison High Schools

Both JP Stevens and Edison High offer a wide range of Advanced Placement courses. While specific offerings may vary by year, Edison students typically have access to:

STEM AP Courses

AP Calculus AB & BC — the most common AP math courses at both schools
AP Statistics — increasingly popular, especially for students interested in business, social sciences, or data science
AP Biology — rigorous lab-based course covering genetics, ecology, evolution, and cell biology
AP Chemistry — demanding course requiring strong math skills and lab technique
AP Physics 1, 2, and C — algebra-based (1 & 2) and calculus-based (C) options
AP Computer Science A & Principles — growing in popularity at Edison schools

Humanities AP Courses

AP English Language & Composition — typically taken junior year, focuses on rhetorical analysis and argumentative writing
AP English Literature & Composition — typically taken senior year, focuses on literary analysis
AP US History — comprehensive American history from pre-Columbian era to present
AP World History — broad survey of global civilizations and their interactions
AP Government & Politics — US government structure and political processes

How Many AP Courses Should Your Edison Student Take?

There is no magic number, but here are general guidelines for Edison students based on their college goals:

Targeting Ivy League or top-20 universities: 8-12 AP courses total across high school
Targeting competitive state schools (Rutgers, Stevens, NJIT): 4-8 AP courses
Targeting NJ state universities: 2-4 AP courses

More important than the number is performing well in the AP courses you take. A B in AP Calculus BC looks better to admissions officers than an A in regular math, but a C in an AP course signals that a student overextended. Choose courses strategically based on your child’s strengths and interests.

The Most Challenging AP Courses at Edison High Schools

Based on feedback from Edison students and parents, these AP courses tend to be the most demanding:

AP Chemistry: Requires strong algebra and problem-solving skills. Many students benefit from outside tutoring support.
AP Physics C: Calculus-based physics is one of the most rigorous AP courses offered.
AP Calculus BC: Covers significantly more material than AB, at a faster pace.
AP Biology: The sheer volume of content to memorize and understand can overwhelm students.

For these courses in particular, many Edison families find that supplemental tutoring makes the difference between struggling through the course and truly mastering the material.

How to Prepare for AP Courses at JP Stevens & Edison High

Build strong foundations in prerequisites. AP Calculus requires solid algebra and pre-calculus skills. AP Chemistry requires strong math fundamentals. Do not rush into AP courses without the prerequisite knowledge.
Start the summer before. Previewing AP coursework over the summer gives students a head start that pays dividends all year.
Get support early — do not wait until midterms. If your child is struggling in the first weeks of an AP course, early intervention prevents the problem from compounding.
Practice under AP exam conditions. Taking timed practice exams builds the stamina and pacing skills needed for the 3+ hour AP exams.

AP Tutoring Support in Edison

At PALS Learning Center in Edison, we offer dedicated AP tutoring for the most in-demand subjects: AP Calculus, AP Statistics, AP Biology, AP Chemistry, and AP Physics. Our instructors have deep experience with the AP curriculum and exam format, providing the targeted instruction that helps Edison students earn 4s and 5s.

We also offer honors course preparation for students who want to build toward AP readiness in future years.

Need AP course support for your Edison student? Call (732) 930-0094 or explore our AP tutoring programs.