This is almost EXACTLY the conversation DH, DD1, and I had a month ago! Our high school doesn't have APWH but they offer 3 Honors classes (math, English, and Global Studies). DD1 is in 8th grade now and getting an A+ in every class (including PE, where grades are based on a timed mile and I keep telling her not to stress about her mile time). Yet her 8th grade teacher was pushing hard for NOBODY to take Honors classes in 9th grade when they move on. At our parent-teacher conference, she even emphasized to me, "My kids didn't take Honors classes and the colleges don't care. They're doing great in college. I really think it's not worth it at all to take them, especially as a freshman." It would be one thing if she felt DD1 wasn't ready, but she has a unilateral policy of discouraging everyone from taking Honors classes.
DH thinks she's ridiculous and was annoyed the teacher pushed so hard to limit/avoid Honors classes and wondered why she was taking this stance. He thinks it's a real disservice to parents who don't research other opinions to emphatically take this position. I'm just surprised as she's a longtime teacher (been at our school 15+ years?).
Anyhow, the other students in DD1's advanced math, English, etc. classes are taking 1-2 Honors classes. DD1 decided to take all 3 Honors classes. I pointed out that she can try it and always transfer to the regular class if she wants. My understanding is that it's harder to transfer from regular to Honors if regular is too easy as opposed to moving down if Honors is too hard.