Maybe not a 1-2 punch, but at least a 1-1/2, and maybe 1-3/4.
There are only three ways to cover Geometry and Algebra 2 in a year.
I’m planning on pursuing a job in the medical field, likely a cardiologist or something similar.
Pretty much, I chose to double up on math, which means they were separate classes and counted for separate credits, not smashed into one class. They were regular so I’m not sure how far in depth they go for it as honors.
You omitted:
However, it takes experience to do such things well. I will concur that many districts dabbled with alternative schedules without fully understanding how to do so effectively. I think a lot of schools came up short. Such deficiencies are more noticeable in math than other areas, because of the cumulative nature of the courses: you use everything you’ve learned from “birth until present”.
I concur with a previous poster who observed that @vballa wrote about watching videos, but not working through problems. I am a firm believer that in order to understand basic math, you have to do problems. Look at the stated problem, try to figure it out, then check the video to see if they get the same answer.
The class may also be faster paced than they are used to.
*My high school used the module system. At the time, it was 8 modules, 4 1/2 weeks, 3 academic blocks per module, 1.5 hours of instruction per block, 5 days a week. Algebra II was 4 mods, Geometry 3 mods, so in theory it was possible. No advisor would approve that, because then you’d be short of credits in another area. AB Calculus was 2 mods, double blocks. One of my classmates brought a cot to class, the better to absorb the information - he seemed to do fine when he went to MIT.
Then you need precalculus honors for calculus, right?
The trick is practice - use Kahn academy (try to solve each problem yourself and see how they got to the solution, erase what you did wrong then try to do it o again your own; wait a day, see if it still makes sense and you can still do it.) Doing this with your teacher’s help (show them your preparatory work) and with a tutor, then trying again on your own, would help most at first.
Start looking at all the jobs in the medical field- especially NP and PA. Most students only know “physician” and don’t realize there are super interesting, well-paid medical jobs that combine science and people skills that don’t require 12 further years of schooling. 
I think you’ll find blocks and modules fall into my categories. If you permit me a math analogy, you can either decrease the amount of paint to cover a surface by decreasing the length, the width or the number of coats.
I do agree that watching videos is not so helpful.
Thanks for the advice, especially concerning possible medical field jobs! I’ve always been interested in either cardiology or neurology, though I admit they seem rather common and aspirations for those who do it for the money, but I’m also considering diagnostic radiology or working in the NICU!
my two kids are having a tough time in precalculus as well… while my son is working through a B level work, the concepts are tough for him and his guidance counselor and teacher is recommending that he take a break and not move forward to AP Calculus AB - what are your thoughts on that? it seems anything he goes into: engr, computer sci, business, will need some level of calculus… on a side note, i would have to change his science class from AP Physics E&M to something like APES or Physiology and i’m hearing APES would not be considered a “real science” class and that physiology may be a better match… thoughts to share?
Thanks for your insight -
Calculus AB will be a slower paced version of calculus in college that engineering and CS majors will take, so it may be better to take it at the slower high school pace than to take calculus 1 in college at college pace (while adjusting from high school to college) after having no math for a year after precalculus.
However, if he majors in business, he may have the option to take a less rigorous calculus-for-business-majors course in college.
Regarding science, has he already had all three of biology, chemistry, and physics (not necessarily AP)?
Yes, he has biology, chemistry, and finishing up AP Physics: Mechanics. He has an IEP for extra time but the teacher fears that the AP Calculus may be too fast pace for him (imagine college will be harder) - is it true that colleges don’t think of APES as a “true” science class? I believe colleges may give social science equivalents for AP scores… it doesn’t matter much since they may take the classes again in college and it’s mainly giving them the exposure and ability to do better at the college level…
There are two AP physics sequences:
If he is not yet in calculus, that suggests that he is in AP physics 1 and can take AP physics 2 next year. If he takes calculus next year, he can choose AP physics C. Please clarify what AP physics courses are in question.
Since he already has all three of biology, chemistry, and physics, if he is not aiming for the most selective colleges, then there is probably some leeway in choosing a fourth science course (or even having a fourth science course at all) for college admissions.
no, our school does not have AP Physics 1 & 2. He is in AP Physics Mechanics since the teacher will teach any “calculus” related and needed for AP Physics. The guidance counselor is saying he already has a 4th and 5th science class since he has taken AP Computer Sci Principles and AP Computer Science. I feel it needs to show rigor to keep a science class in his senior year…
he’s not aiming for Ivy League type schools but really would like to get into a UC or Cal Poly SLO/CPP or related level schools … they are all difficult to assume they will get in these days…
Whether his teacher’s advice is a good or bad idea depends on his calculus needs for his college and major:
For CPP, you can calculate the admission index and see how he stands versus recent past competitively determined thresholds by major here: Freshman Student Profile .
For CPSLO, previous versions of its MCA admissions index supposedly gave bonus points for:
Math had by far the largest bonus points for additional semesters taken. Unfortunately, CPSLO does not like to reveal the current MCA formula, nor the historical admission thresholds by major, like CPP does.
UC admission is based on holistic review, though courses and grades are likely the strongest factor (except in cases like UCB or UCLA engineering where there are so many applicants at or close to the maximum that other factors become stronger to distinguish between them). Here is some past frosh admission information by (recalculated) HS GPA:
Recalculate your HS GPA with GPA Calculator for the University of California – RogerHub . Use the weighted capped version for the table below.
Fall 2021 admission rates by campus and HS GPA range from Freshman fall admissions summary | University of California :
| Campus | 4.20+ | 3.80-4.19 | 3.40-3.79 | 3.00-3.39 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Berkeley | 30% | 11% | 2% | 1% |
| Davis | 85% | 55% | 23% | 10% |
| Irvine | 60% | 31% | 14% | 1% |
| Los Angeles | 29% | 6% | 1% | 0% |
| Merced | 97% | 98% | 96% | 89% |
| Riverside | 97% | 92% | 62% | 23% |
| San Diego | 75% | 35% | 5% | 1% |
| Santa Barbara | 73% | 28% | 4% | 1% |
| Santa Cruz | 91% | 81% | 46% | 9% |
These are for the whole campus. Different divisions or majors may have different levels selectivity (usually, engineering and computer science majors are more selective).
@ucbalumnus thanks for your feedback - your insight is always valuable - i’m feeling the same way and needed an objective view… i know some people struggle with precalculus and do fine going forward… on the other hand, my daughter (total AP and honors kid) has had all A’s and struggling more in precalculus but there is no problem with her moving to AP Calculus next year… i’ll have to evaluate as we finish up the year - thanks!
He may want to try this quiz to see if he needs to review some precalculus material before taking calculus: rurci3
this is just based on 10th and 11th grades, right? for the Rogerhub for the UCs -
Yes, UC HS GPA recalculation uses grades from 10th and 11th grade.
CSU HS GPA recalculation is the same as UC weighted-capped, except if the student took college courses while in high school. A transferable semester college course is 1 course and grade for UC, 2 courses and grades for CSU (college courses count as honors for both UC and CSU).
What does he want to major in?
APES is seen as a science class and it’s one of the few classes (with AP Human Geo) that deals with current events/world news issues. While it’s not as rigorous as AP physics, since he’s got all three (bio, chem, physics) plus CS, he’s fine.
Does the school offer Honors Calculus?
If not, he should definitely take math senior year, but AP Stats would be okay.
If he intends to major in STEM, economics, or business, AP Calc AB would be a good choice, but schedule one less class so that he can take tutoring.
He should have English, Math, FL, History/Social science, science, and one class of personal interest. Does he?