This year, my school implemented a new AP schedule, where all AP courses, with the exception of previous year-long courses, such as AP Calculus AB and BC or AP Physics, are to be year-long, but alternating on an A-B schedule. With that, we’re also introducing AP Capstone. In order for me to qualify, I need AP seminar, which brings my AP courses up to 4, all year-long however. If I do not take Pre-calculus over the summer, I will have 9 periods next year, of which we have 8. In order to prevent the stress of placing a 5th period in, should I take Pre-calc online in the summer? I’m well-versed in math, not going below an A in the subject, so I believe I can handle it.
Yes. If you have done well in math up to this point, then pre-calc should be a breeze to get done over the summer. Some students do perfectly well in calc after skipping pre-calc entirely.
I would ask more about why do capstone than why do the math. Is there any value to seminar and research over rigorous math/English/ss etc options as APs? Do you love the idea of capstone and why?
Because of the content taught in both Seminar and Research, my school is trying to make it an option for those in Research their senior year (of which I will be) for the final assignment, or rather research topic, to fill our senior project credit required for graduation. This opens up more classes for our students, especially for those in arts (I’m in our school’s chorus, making it 2 semesters) to take other classes like CTE courses or dual enroll. It also gives an opportunity for either an AP Seminar and Research certificate or an AP Capstone certificate, which requires other AP test.
However, when I am a senior, I do plan on taking AP Calculus AB/BC.