Math Course Selection FAQ

REGULAR COURSE SELECTION:

I am currently in grade 8 At WMS. What are my course options as a freshman?

• If you are currently in Algebra 8r and you are successful, you will most likely go to Geometry H.

• If you are in Algebra 8r and struggling or are in Algebra 8, you will most likely go to Geometry ACP.

• If you are in Concepts in Algebra, or are in Algebra 8 and are struggling, you will most likely go to Algebra 1 ACP.

I am currently in grade 9 at WHS. What are my course options as a sophomore?

• If you are currently in Geometry H and took Algebra 8r and you are successful, you will most likely go to Algebra 2 Honors.

• If you are in Geometry H and struggling or are in Geometry ACP, you will most likely go to Algebra 2 ACP.

• If you are in Geometry CP, or are in Geometry ACP and are struggling, you will most likely go to Algebra1 CP or you could go to Algebra 1 ACP.

• If you are in Algebra 1 ACP, you will most likely go into Geometry ACP.

I am currently in grade 10 at WHS. What are my course options as a junior?

• If you are currently in Algebra 2 H and you are successful, you will most likely go to Pre-Calculus Honors.

• If you are in Algebra 2 H and are struggling, you will most likely go to Pre-Calculus ACP.

• If you are in Algebra 2 ACP, you will most likely go to Analysis ACP.

• If you are in Algebra 1 ACP, you will go into Geometry ACP or Algebra 2 ACP depending on your 9th grade class.

• If you are in Algebra 1 CP, you will most likely go to Algebra 2 CP. 

I am currently in grade 11 at WHS. What are my course options as a senior?

• If you are currently in Pre-Calculus Honors and you are successful, you will be recommended for AP BC Calculus, AP AB Calculus and/or AP Statistics.

• If you are in Pre-Calculus H and struggling or are in Pre-Calculus ACP, you will mostly likely be recommended for Calculus honors, AP Statistics, Foundations in Calculus and Statistics and/or Applied Mathematical Modeling.

• If you are in Analysis, you will most likely be recommended for Pre-Calculus ACP or Applied Mathematical Modeling.

• If you are in Algebra 2 CP, you will most likely be recommended for Introduction to Statistics and Personal Finance (ISF).

I am new to WHS. Which math course should I take?

The answer to this question is based on what math courses you have already taken and what math course you would have taken had you stayed in your previous school system.  Although names of courses may be the same from system to system, the content of those courses is not always the same. Contact Ms. Morris, the Mathematics Department Head to set up a time to talk if the path does not seem clear. Have your past math transcripts and samples of your work with you to help in the decision making process. 

I am new to Wellesley and have not taken Algebra 1. What should I do?

You should sign up for Algebra 1 ACP.

I am unsure as to what course to take next year. Where can I get more information?

The first person with whom you should turn is your current math teacher as they are the person who knows your math ability the best. You can also come and talk with Ms. Morris, the Math Department Head. She would be happy to answer your questions. Please do not make a decision without talking with someone in the math department.

What are the main differences between the honors and ACP levels?

In the honors level, you will be asked to apply the skills that you have learned to new problems and situations both in the classroom and on assessments, you will be asked to do more independent work and learning, and you will move at a faster pace. In the ACP level, the teacher is going to help scaffold the material and problems more, you do not move through the material as quickly and there is a little more structure.

SPECIFIC COURSE QUESTIONS:

What is the difference between Analysis ACP and Pre-Calculus ACP?

The Analysis course has been designed to give students exposure to multiple branches of mathematics and not just the Calculus branch. Students will work on data analysis, some statistics, spreadsheets and quantitative reasoning. This course tends to be a little more “real world”. The Pre-Calculus ACP course is designed for those students who have a passion for the Calculus branch of mathematics and a very strong ability but may need a slightly slower pace than the honors course.

If I am coming out of the Algebra 2 ACP course, can I go into the Pre-Calculus ACP course?

This is not always the recommended path but it is possible. Only for those students who have a solid “A” in Algebra 2 ACP and a keen interest in studying Pre-Calculus, would this path would be an option. However, if you choose to make this move, students must understand that there are certain topics that, while covered in Algebra 2 ACP, you may want to revisit over the summer so that you have those topics down cold. Please consult with your current math teacher for a list of these topics. Pre-Calculus ACP is at the ACP level but the content gets much more challenging than Algebra 2.

CHANGING CLASSES MID-YEAR:

I am in the Pre-Calculus ACP course and am struggling. I would like to move to Analysis. Is this possible?

Because the two courses are so different, this move will only be possible in the early part of term 1 if there is space available. Even so, if you do make this move, you will have to make up all of the Analysis course work that you missed. The Analysis teacher will NOT tutor you to get you caught up.

I am taking AP Statistics and am not doing well. May I move to Applied Mathematical Modeling?

Because the two courses are so different, this move will only be possible in the early part of term 1 if there is space available. Even so, if you do make this move, you will have to make up all of the Discrete Math course work that you missed. The Applied Mathematical Modeling teacher will NOT tutor you to get you caught up.

I am taking AP BC Calculus and am not doing well. May I move to AP AB Calculus?

Yes. As long as there is space in the class.

I am taking AP AB Calculus and am not doing well. May I move to Calculus Honors?

Yes. As long as there is space in the class.

OTHER QUESTIONS:

Colleges are telling me to take Pre-Calculus but I do not like Pre-Calculus. What should I do?

You should take the course in which YOU have interest and passion. Colleges know Wellesley High School and know that we have an extremely strong curriculum at every level and discipline. If you take a course in which you have no interest, you have a greater risk of being unsuccessful and you could grow to really dislike the subject and that does not benefit you in any way.

Is it easy to move from one level one year to another the next year?

Not if you are trying to move from CP to ACP or ACP to honors. These types of moves can be extremely challenging. Because mathematics is cumulative in nature, what you learn one year depends on the material you have learned and mastered in all of your previous years. Take for example, the Algebra 2 honors course and the Algebra 2 ACP course. These courses do not cover all of the same material nor do they cover material to the same depth. The two courses end at different points in the mathematics continuum and therefor the next course, Pre-Calculus honors and Analysis start at different points as well. Trying to make a level move can result in gaps and these are extremely hard to bridge.

If I want to change levels, could I take a summer school course to help bridge the gap?

Summer school courses can be helpful but in our experience, we have not found any that will completely fill in the gaps. You are welcome to search on your own and bring what you have found to Ms. Morris to consider.

Can I take a summer school or online course so that I can “skip” a year of math?

It is not allowed for anyone to “skip” a year of math. If you can show that you have taken a course outside of WHS that meets the same goals as the WHS course then you might be able to move to the next course. You need to have a conversation with Ms. Morris, the Mathematics Department Head and show her your transcript and a list of learning goals that you have studied and mastered. The WHS Pre-Calculus honors course is a prerequisite for the AP Calculus courses as we have not found an outside Pre-Calculus course that matches our learning goals. Therefore no outside Pre-Calculus courses will be accepted if you are thinking about going into one of the AP Calculus courses.

Does the High School offer math “skip” tests or placement tests?

No. Your course placement is based on your past math courses.

I am new to Massachusetts. What do I have to do to be ready to take the MCAS?

The MCAS exam is currently given to all 10th graders in Massachusetts in ELA and Math and is given to 9th graders in Science. It is a requirement that you take all three MCAS exam. If you have entered WHS during your freshman or sophomore year, you will be prepared to take the MCAS through your work in your regular math class here. If you enter WHS as a junior or senior, you will be required to take the make-up MCAS exam that is first offered in November and then again in March. If you struggle with math, you may be invited to attend the Math Plus course that will give you added practice and support in preparation of the MCAS.

What about Computer Science courses?

You are encouraged to sign up for any CS course. The ECS course is open to any and all students. AP Computer Science Principles is open to all except freshmen and AP Computer Science A is open only to juniors and seniors. To take the AP course though, you first need to have taken an introductory course. These courses do fill fast. If you do not get into one of the classes, there are after school clubs in CS and VHS courses. In the past few years, AP Computer Science has had more students request the course than we have seats. Juniors and seniors will be given first priority.

Which Computer Science Course Is Right For Me?

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