How many AP classes should I take in 8th grade?

Taking AP classes in 8th grade is extremely rare and generally not recommended for the vast majority of students. AP courses are designed by the College Board to be college-level classes for high school students, and the foundational knowledge and academic maturity required are typically not yet developed in middle school. The middle school curriculum is intentionally designed to build the essential skills in reading comprehension, writing, and mathematical reasoning that serve as the bedrock for success in AP courses.

However, in exceptionally rare cases, a profoundly gifted middle schooler who has already mastered all of their school's available curriculum might consider taking an AP course. This is almost always done through an online provider rather than a traditional middle school. The most plausible option for such a student would be AP Computer Science Principles, as it does not have the same high-level math or writing prerequisites as courses like AP History or AP English. Even for a prodigy, our strong advice is to focus on mastering 8th-grade coursework. Pushing into AP too early can lead to knowledge gaps, social isolation from peers, and unnecessary academic pressure. Building an unshakable foundation in middle school is the best long-term strategy for achieving success in high school AP classes and beyond.