Should I stick with Honors Precalculus?

Pre-College Issues High School Life
1

I’m an incoming junior and am currently registered for Honors Precalculus. Taking this class or the regular version has been a big question for me. I got an 88 in Math 3 Honors (which is like Algebra 2/Trig Honors) both semesters. The class is known to be crazy hard, especially the teacher, and kids apparently drop an average of about 5-10%. I really don’t want a C in a class, even if it is honors. My 3 Honors teacher called over kids and changed many recommendations to regular for those she didn’t think could handle the honors level. I was never called, but I talked to her myself and she recommended that I stay with it and drop only if I really need to, and my counselor also said the same. My teacher says my great work ethic and my ability to get a strong A on the 2nd semester final leads her to believe I can get an A if I really work for it. I’m not so sure. This is what my junior year schedule looks like as of right now:

AP Language & Comp
AP Gov (1st semester) / AP Psych (2nd semester)
AP Chemistry
Honors Physics
Spanish 3 Honors
Honors Precalculus

While I have many hard classes, I’ve been told Spanish 3H isn’t too much harder than 2, especially when you had the teacher I had for 2. I also got an A in AP US both semesters, so incoming seniors have told me Gov and Psych will feel like a breeze. I’ve heard the same about Lang. What I am really worried about are AP Chem & Precalc Honors, as they are known to be some of the hardest classes at my school. I’m willing to work, I just really do not want a C.

2

What would be your senior math sequence if you dropped to regular precalc vs honors? Do you know what you want to study in college? If it’s a STEM field, you may want to stick with Honors precalc depending on the sequence.

Also, at my daugher’s school, it was much easier to drop down to regular than go up to honors, and there was a window where students could easily change classes. Is there an add/drop period at your school? If so, may be worth trying for a few weeks and seeing how it goes.

3

Yes! My counselor said it is an easy switch, and I’ll have 4th period Precalc and 6th period Lunch instead of 4th period lunch & 6th precalc like now. It also MUCH easier to drop down than go up.

I want to undergrad in chemistry, and hopefully go to medical school!

If I stick with it, most students go to Calculus BC senior year. That said, I’m still able to drop to Calculus AB senior year if I feel unprepared. However if I drop to regular, I’m pretty much restricted to AB. Going from Regular Precalc up to BC is rare, considering some Honors students drop to AB.

My math teacher says that our math program is very difficult in general, which includes precalculus, because we have a pretty good math program at our school.

4

I would stay on the honors track for math. You have nothing to lose if you can easily switch down.