26-27 BPS Course Catalog - Flipbook - Page 61
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
What Advanced Placement (AP) classes are offered in the Math Department?
AP Precalculus prepares students for other college-level mathematics and science courses. This course gives any student
ready for high school precalculus the opportunity to earn college credit and/or placement and stand out to colleges.
AP Statistics is equivalent to a one-semester, introductory, non-calculus-based college course in statistics.
AP Calculus AB is roughly equivalent to a first semester college calculus course devoted to topics in differential and
integral calculus.
AP Calculus BC is roughly equivalent to both first and second semester college calculus courses and extends the content
learned in AB to different types of equations and introduces the topic of sequences and series.
Can I make it into an AP math class if I take Integrated Math 1 in the ninth-grade?
AP Precalculus and/or AP Statistics can be taken immediately following Integrated Math 3.
Do I have to take calculus?
No. Calculus is a powerful tool for certain fields and a common requirement for some majors. If you plan on pursuing a
STEM-related career, then calculus will serve you well. For many other college majors and careers, probability, statistics,
data analysis, quantitative reasoning, and mathematical modeling may be much more valuable and relevant tools. Not
everybody needs to take calculus.
What happens if you are two or three years accelerated in math?
Students who take Honors Math 3 as a ninth-grader need to consider their four-year plan. A common path for doubleand triple-accelerated students is to take Calculus 3 and Differential Equations courses at Groves through a dualenrollment arrangement with Lawrence Technological University. Another option is to take AP Statistics between Honors
Math 3 and AP Precalculus BC. These two options are outlined in the table below. Your math teacher or the head of the
math department can advise you about these options.
Option
Less Calculus
9th Grade
Honors Math 3
10th Grade
AP Statistics
More Calculus
Honors Math 3
AP Precalculus BC
11th Grade
AP Precalculus AB
AP Precalculus BC
AP Calculus BC
12th Grade
AP Calculus AB
AP Calculus BC
Calculus 3
Diff Equations
Placement Tests
Mathematics students wanting more guidance in their math course selection, or students new to the district, may register
for a math placement test. Please contact your counselor for more information or to register.
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