Post-calculus math option necessary

As roughly 150 students file into AP Calculus AB or BC every day, it’s hard not to acknowledge that the once senior-dominated classes have shifted dramatically to include more juniors, sophomores and, in rare cases, even freshmen than ever before.

A large portion of students take either Algebra 2 Honors or Algebra 2 during their freshman year after skipping sixth- or seventh-grade math or taking geometry the summer before ninth grade. The students following this path are left after junior year with few options of math classes to take, having already completed one of the two levels of calculus offered by the school.

With an increasing number of students completing calculus prior to senior year, the need for post-calculus math has become especially evident to accommodate students’ academic needs.

While several students often take AP Statistics during their senior year, this class does not develop the skills and math concepts introduced in AP Calculus to a higher level. To several seniors, AP Statistics is significantly easier than math courses they have taken in previous years. Most students will go on to take higher math levels in college, so it is necessary to practice and retain knowledge of calculus concepts.

The addition of higher-level math at SHS such as a multivariable calculus course would give students the opportunity to develop and practice their knowledge of calculus while enjoying the ease and advantages of staying on-campus for such enrichment. While such higher-level math courses can be taken at community colleges, not every student who wishes to take the class may be able to due to extracurricular commitments or space in the class. Some courses conflict with the school day, while sports and others extracurricular activities could prevent a prospective student from taking such a class.

A few local high schools such as Harker and Bellarmine have already recognized this flaw and offer multivariable calculus as an honors class to students who wish to continue at a higher level. This course allows students to continue their study of mathematics without having to turn to local community colleges or other options for their education.

Saratoga High is highly ranked and known for its excellent success in math and science; U.S. News ranks the school 13th in the nation for STEM (science, technology, engineering and math) fields compared with its overall national ranking of 157th. It is only logical to continue to provide opportunities for students to succeed in these areas by fostering growth in math and science and by adding classes that prepare students for these fields.

Although the school’s budget is extremely tight in this economy and does not allow for drastic changes in the curriculum, there is a high enough demand and number of students who would take the class to consider adding such a course in the near future. As more and more incoming students enter freshman year having already completed math past algebra, the need and demand for higher level math will only increase.

In order for students to continue to challenge themselves and prepare for future careers, higher level math courses deserve a spot in the current curriculum.