Taking Calculus in High School
What’s the best way for college-preparatory students (300) to take Calculus in high school? Students who enter high school taking Algebra 1 during their freshman year can double up during their sophomore year and take Geometry and Algebra II. That will provide them with the opportunity to take Precalculus during their junior year and Calculus during their senior year.
Can students take summer courses rather than doubling up? We generally do not recommend that students take outside courses during the summer. Summer courses are not adequate replacements for full year high school courses. If a student is interested in enrolling in a summer or enrichment program, they are welcome to do so but it is not recommended, nor is placement into the next level course guaranteed. A placement test would be administered at the start of the school year to ensure that the student has mastered the curriculum before taking the next course at DHS. Students do not receive high school math credit for taking a summer course.
Double Accelerated Pathway
What is the double accelerated pathway? This is a deliberate pathway for the strongest math students with the end goal of taking Multivariable Calculus. Consideration should be taken for those students who enter this pathway that it is an intense pathway that with specific achievement required at each grade level, including taking AP Calculus (BC) during their junior year. Students may enter this pathway by taking Accelerated Geometry in Grade 8 and Algebra II (400) during their freshman year at DHS.
Options for Senior Year
For junior students who take AP Calculus (AB), what are the course options for these students for their senior year? These students have a few options. First, they could choose to take AP Calculus (BC), which includes overlap of material from AB. Second, they could choose to take AP Statistics (which could present an issue if they don’t take an algebra-based class during this year). Finally, they could take AP Calculus (BC) and AP Statistics. We do NOT recommend that these students enroll in a summer program to qualify for Multivariable Calculus. Multivariable Calculus is a third level calculus course and therefore requires a full second level of Calculus (BC Calculus) prior to enrolling in the course.
For Juniors in 300 Calculus, what are the course options for these students in their senior year? Depending on success in 300 calculus, the likely outcome would be a recommendation to take AP Calculus (AB) and/or AP Statistics/300 Prob and Statistics.
Many students in this pathway will take AP Statistics in addition to the standard calculus progression. When choosing courses in their Sophomore year, these students should consider their Junior and Senior year schedules together to determine the best placement for AP Statistics relative to their other course load.
Taking High School Math Courses During the Summer
Can I take outside summer courses to advance my progress at DHS? We generally do not recommend that students take outside courses during the summer. Summer courses are not adequate replacements for full year high school courses. If a student is interested in enrolling in a summer or enrichment program, they are welcome to do so but it is not recommended, nor is placement into the next level course guaranteed. A placement test would be administered at the start of the school year to ensure that the student has mastered the curriculum before taking the next course at DHS. Students do not receive high school math credit for taking a summer course.
How Does Statistics Fit In?
How do the Statistics classes fit into the mix of math classes? While the algebra-based path (Algebra I, Geometry, Algebra II, PreCalculus and Calculus) is most typical, many students will find significant value in taking a data-science course as an alternative, or in addition to the algebra classes. While some majors still require an extensive calculus background (e.g, engineering,business, economics, etc.), many college majors now require more depth in data science and statistics knowledge. For example, majors as varied as Business, Nutrition, Planetary Science, Psychology and Game Studies all require at least one Statistics class.
Should seniors take a Statistics course as an alternative to the algebra track? This is certainly an option but we recommend taking a statistics course in addition to an algebra-based course. Students will likely have to take some form of PreCalculus or Calculus in college so it will likely be detrimental to not follow that path for a year. However, many students will find a statistics course helpful relative to their field of study. Many of the honors level students find success in taking AP Calculus and AP Statistics during their senior year. Statistics can also be viewed as a ninth STEM credit that students can use to meet graduation requirements.
College Math
How does College Math Topics fit into the mix of math classes?
College Math Topics is designed for college-preparatory Seniors who are successful in both 300 Algebra II and 300 Geometry who do not wish to enroll in Precalculus. College Math should be thought of as an alternative to 300 Probability and Statistics. This course is not appropriate for students who have yet to demonstrate strong mastery of all 300 Algebra 1 skills or who require strong remediation in Geometry or Algebra II foundations.
Course Drop/Add Policy
11. Please see here for the drop/add policy of the school for this year.