What is more important to you for your child in H.S. a student getting top grades or being placed in classes that appropriately challenge them? Obviously, the goal would be both but I'm dealing with a 2e kid and these don't always go hand in hand. Before my DS16 was in H.S. I always pushed to have DS in challenging classes and didn't worry to much about top grades. But because grades affecting college entrance it looks like I have to compromise.
A few examples.
1) We have to decided between AB vs. BC Calc for next year. I'm coming to the realization that I should stop pushing Calc BC. I know he can pull an "A" on Calc AB and doubt he can get better than a B in Calc BC as taught at his H.S. (Many kids get 5 of Calc BC test but only get B's in the class.) An A on AB Calculus is going to look a LOT better on College Applications and he really needs the GPA boost rather than putting him in the class that will best challenge him.
2) He is currently in a U.S. History class where he gets only so-so grades because he has a teacher who has a uncommon grading/teaching style. It is a class that if he had a different teacher at the same school he could get an A. But this teacher is pushing DS in a direction he needs to be pushed. DS says this teacher's tests are the hardest tests he has ever taken. We had a Parent-teacher conference the other week. DS enjoys the class, it doesn't have any busy work and the teacher is really pushing understanding & debate rather than memorizing facts. Tests/quizzes are entirely short answer questions. In comparison final last semester was a department multiple choice test he got a near perfect score on.
