Calculate this: Should Saratoga add Multivariable Calculus?

When it was time to select classes last fall, senior Kabir Chandrasekher looked down at the West Valley class schedules and knew he had a problem. After taking AP Calculus BC at Saratoga High, Chandrasekher hoped to take Multivariable Calculus, the branch of calculus immediately following BC, at West Valley College.

“[It helps] provide the base for all of the cool stuff like analysis and abstract algebra,” Chandrasekher said. 

However, the available time slots for West Valley’s Multivariable Calculus classes were 3:15 p.m. and 6:30 p.m.—directly conflicting with Chandrasekher's after-school activities.

“I’ve looked at every community college in a 30-minute to one-hour [driving distance] radius,” Chandresekher said. “None of them fit my schedule.”

Such is the case of many students, who find themselves unable to take Multivariable Calculus outside of school because of extracurricular activities. Although community colleges also offer the class online for college credit, Chandresekher said students miss out on the “traditional classroom setting.”

Last year, junior Mostafa Rohaninejad, who is currently in AP Calculus BC, started a petition to add Multivariable Calculus at the school. He collected about 60 signatures of students willing to take the class if it were offered here. 

Of Saratoga, Rohaninejad said, “In a school where math is a way of life, it’s ridiculous the teaching staff do not satisfy this thirst by providing the most difficult and engaging classes.” 

His petition was rejected by the math department. Math teacher PJ Yim said offering Multivariable Calculus would be impractical and would be for no credit. 

“If it was offered, there would be no AP … no honors, no college credit,” Yim said. “What it becomes is a no credit [class], that colleges will not recognize.”

According to assistant principal Brian Safine, Multivariable Calculus would count for credit only if it were taught by a community college professor. Since the College Board does not recognize Multivariable Calculus as a high school class, it offers no AP exam in the subject.

At Lynbrook High School, a college professor hosts a Multivariable Calculus on campus. Since West Valley College is within walking distance from Saratoga, doing something similar at Saratoga would be impractical, Yim said.

Yim also said that he would be able to teach a no-credit class here, though he would have to brush up on the material. 

Additionally, Yim fears that adding a Multivariable Calculus class would simply add to the “rat race,” where students will take the class simply because others are taking it. 

“[It would] make people feel inadequate,” he said. “The level of math you are taught does not necessarily mean you know more math.”