Choosing HS Math Classes? Help!

Pre-College Issues High School Life
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<p>(This is my first time posting here, so sorry if it's in the wrong place or breaks any rules or something)</p>

<p>Even though I have a lot of time to make decisions because I'm starting high school when school resumes (so I'm between 8th and 9th) I really want to get my schedule figured out because some 10th grade classes are impacted by my performance in classes in 9th grade...Of course, I'm going to try to get A's, but I have trouble with motivation and planning/organizing really helps me. Also, I'm thinking about self studying and challenging courses.</p>

<p>My priority right now is math. In Algebra I last year I did very well, my 4th quarter grade was 99....I found the class to be really easy; I was one of the highest scoring students in the class. I actually found factoring to be fun, haha </p>

<p>9th grade I'll be taking geometry, and 10th grade I'm planning on taking Alg II/Trig Accelerated. Geometry I can't change, Alg II/Trig Acc I have to take or pass the exam in order to skip it.</p>

<p>From there, I have junior and senior year to decide on. I most likely can't take more than 3 math classes in that time.</p>

<p>So, the classes:
Beginning Personal Finance: (I'm not really considering this because it doesn't count for some math requirements for graduation, it's not considered a "real" math class.)</p>

<p>Intro Statistics</p>

<p>AP Calculus AB: This is only available in 12th grade, all other classes can be taken either year</p>

<p>Pre-Calculus (Honors or regular): I want to take or self study this because it's a prerequisite for Honors Physics, which I'm considering taking for 12th grade science. If I do take this, I plan on taking Honors.</p>

<p>AP Statistics</p>

<p>AP Calculus BC</p>

<p>I'm considering pursuing math but I don't know if I'm strong enough as a math student to do so. I made the mistake of taking 6th grade and 7th grade math, I should have skipped one of them so I could take Alg II/Trig Acc in 9th grade but in 5th and 6th grade I didn't know any better. I would like to have a solid math background but I don't think I'm going to apply for any of the really rigorous schools.</p>

<p>Right now I'm thinking about taking Pre-Calc and AP Stats junior year, then AP Calculus (BC or AB?) senior year.</p>

<p>Sorry for writing so much...thoughts?</p>

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<p>Could you take both Geometry and Algebra II/ Trig Freshman year? Those would be the easiest to double up on.
Then Pre-Calc Sophomore year
AP Stats Junior year and finally AP Calc senior? </p>

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<p>Seeing that you’re strong in math, I agree with above poster, double up on Geometry and AlgII/Trig freshman year, and then take precalc sophomore year. However, take AP Calc BC junior year and AP Stats senior year. BC Calc will be easier without a random gap year of statistics after precalc, and I think AB Calc will be too easy for you. Also, if you don’t want to take AP Stats senior year, another option would be to dual enroll at a local community college and take Multivariable Calculus (this is a better option than AP Stats if you’re considering going into math as a career). Good luck!</p>

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<p>Thanks for the advice! I can check with my high school but I don’t think adding Trig/AlgII Acc is an option, I would need a special exception made and I think I’m unlikely to get one.</p>

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<p>Definitely talk to your counselor or math teacher. I was in the same situation, and after talking with math teachers and counselors I was able to double up in those same classes freshman year. Or if you really want to get to calculus early, skip/test out of geometry and take AlgebraII/Trig Acc freshman year (the former is easier to self-study).</p>

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<p>Thanks again, do you think about a month is enough time to self study for geometry though? </p>

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<p>I’m sort of afraid that if I skip geometry I won’t be properly prepared for Trig etc</p>

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<p>Geometry isn’t mind-blowing; a month should be enough time to learn all the basic theorems and concepts and whatnot. The only geom you really need to know for trig is 45-45-90 and 30-60-90 triangles and a basic idea of trig operations (sine, cosine, and tangent). Geom’s mostly irrelevant for algebraII/precalc/calculus.</p>

<p>That said, not taking geom places you at a disadvantage for math competitions such as AMC/AIME (in case you’re thinking about those at all). But that also depends on your school: personally, I thought geom at my school was challenging and worthwhile, and testing out would have meant not qualifying for AIME. But at other schools, it’s a total waste of time. Depends, but if you want to take BC junior year and Multivariable/AP Stats senior year, I’d recommend trying to double up geom/algII before trying skipping out of geom altogether.</p>

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<p>I’m taking Geometry and Algebra 2 next year as a freshman, if it helps :slight_smile: My Algebra 2 doesn’t include Trig though. Geometry shouldn’t go over too much Trig, maybe basic right triangle stuff. If you know how to solve basic right triangles with the 3 trig ratios, I think you should be good!</p>

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<p>I’ll look into skipping Geo or taking Alg Ii at the same time, but if I can’t make it work what would you suggest for plan B?</p>

<p>Also, thank you so much for the help!</p>

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<p>Do not skip geo. Doubling it up is okay if you’re genuinely interested. Also, after precalc, take BC, not AB.</p>

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<p>So my current plan if I don’t/can’t skip geo or double it is this:
9th: Geometry
10th: Alg II/Trig Acc
11th: Precalc and AP stats
12th: Calculus BC</p>

<p>Thoughts?</p>

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<p>If you can’t accelerate further, it’s a good plan.</p>

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<p>Yes, that looks like a good plan. You could take AP Stats either 11th or 12th grade - something to consider depending on how many other APs you’re taking.</p>

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<p>I figured doubling math would be easier with PreCalc than Calc BC, but maybe I’m wrong…?</p>

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<p>@DogsAndMath23‌ So you’re not going to try taking Geometry and Algebra 2 at the same time? Or would your school just not allow it? I was really sure my school wouldn’t, but I got lucky.</p>

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<p>I personally found precalc to be harder than BC Calc (precalc has a lot of new concepts, but BC has literally two). Also, most people find junior year to be harder than senior year. Arguments to double BC and AP Stats. On the other hand, Stats is a relatively easy AP… you’d probably be fine either way. Again, it depends on the rest of your schedule for those years.</p>

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<p>Well, I’m taking 6 classes and a summer class, I doubt that adding another class is an option…I don’t think I can handle getting up really early for an additional mornin class to be honest.</p>

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<p>As far as the rest of my schedule goes, here’s what I’m thinking for junior and senior (nothing confirmed)
Junior:
AP Language
AP American History
Spanish III
AP Chemistry or AP Bio</p>

<p>Senior:
AP Language/Comp
AP American Govt/Economics
Honors Physics or AP Chemistry or AP Bio
Spanish IV</p>

<p>Then I’ll be taking Drama whichever year I take only one math class.</p>

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<p>You’re taking AP Language twice?</p>