Update: the school caved, and approved 4 APs. Since I first posted, my son submitted a statement explaining why he wants to take those courses, and I sent an email simply stating that's his plan and we're sticking to it. We wanted them to know it's his idea and we're not simply crazy black helicopter parents. The school, seeing our (polite) assertiveness probably decided it wasn't worth the hassle--or maybe they're thing "it's your funera." It probably didn't hurt that my son had already excelled in calculus AP as a freshman, and has already established himself as the top math student at the school, and, through competiton, in the city.
Of course, they put up another--small-- hoop to jump through. His guidance counselor wants him to contact each of the AP teachers to inform them he's taking 4 APs, "so they'll know about his course load in case of a problem." Kind of labeling him in a way they wouldn't of he were a senior.
So now we're on to the next battle, getting an independent study class on his schedule for the work he will be doing with his tutor. Although his tutor has a PhD in math from the local Ivy, and teaches math there, an independent study class need a certified teacher to be considered a class. Ironic, since juniors at the high school can take college courses, but the professors of those courses can't officially head up an independent study class.
If my kid didn't enjoy living at home and being with his friends, I could see early college.
