Do some kids take AP Calc AB junior year and then AP Calc BC senior year? Or that is not a thing? I don't know much about what happens past pre-calculus.

Just want to share that it’s a very small number of kids who take BC as juniors. Even kids who are on the track to do so don’t all stay on the track. Additionally the current requirement is that to take multivariable you must score at least a 4 on the BC test. As a result, there is generally ONE multivariable class period at each high school.

There was one class period at YHS this year with less than 35 students out of 535 seniors. There was one at HB with 7 seniors. Very very few kids stay the course. Taking algebra intensified in 8th is still considered advanced and will get to calculus as a senior either AB or BC. It’s a very small cohort and I wish APS would communicate the size of the group who goes this route. They make it seem like 50/50 when it’s really 90/10 or less.

Swanson sent this out:


At the end of the school year, we shared with families that they would receive their child’s math course recommendation in ParentVue on July 21, 2025. The APS Math Office has recently added a new accelerated math course for 6th graders titled Math 6 Advanced. This new course will teach the state standards for 6th grade and 7th grade math in one year. This course meets the learning needs of our students and the requirements of the recent state legislation, which requires schools to place students who pass the state SOL exam in the upper quartile in an advanced math class the following school year. (The upper quartile for incoming 6th graders is a score of 466 or higher on the 5th grade Math SOL exam.)

Due to the addition of the new course and to ensure alignment with recent state legislation, the Math Office is updating all course recommendations for 6th, 7th, and 8th grade students. We appreciate your patience while we work with the Math Office to update student schedules for the coming school year. Course recommendations will be available in ParentVue in early August.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Still don’t see any math course listed in Parentvue. So what are the options at this point—math 6, math 6 advanced and pre-algebra? Didn’t realize they were adding a course.

The adding a course is bs. As is changing the criteria do kids who originally placed in algebra intensified that then got moved to regular algebra. Let’s accept this for what it is— aps does not have enough calculus teachers in highschool, so they want to limit the number of kids who are on that track so they don’t have to hire more teachers. It’s bs, and it’s totally against the spirit of the state law that was passed. These are smart kids. Why is aps not letting them take advanced classes if both them and their parents want them to?

The most advanced track sets kids up for Calc BC junior year. That's a very advanced course. Taking Calc senior year (either AB or BC) is still advanced.

Keep in mind the most advanced track requires kids to take 3 years of math - 6-7-8 - all in 6th. That's a lot.

I think they are set up for Calc AB junior year and Calc BC senior year? In the most advanced track.

It is annoying this is all left to the last minute in summer where we are all going to have just a few weeks to react and counselors are going to be overwhelmed with parents contacting them. My kid is currently listed for pre algebra which I have mixed feelings about pushing ahead in math that far. I would love to know more about a third middle ground option.

This should have been sorted in terms of new course options and communicating all this in the spring.

My kid took 6th grade pre-algebra and will be staring down geometry in 8th which seems nuts to me. I think a math 6th intensified option would have been a nice middle ground.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Still don’t see any math course listed in Parentvue. So what are the options at this point—math 6, math 6 advanced and pre-algebra? Didn’t realize they were adding a course.

The adding a course is bs. As is changing the criteria do kids who originally placed in algebra intensified that then got moved to regular algebra. Let’s accept this for what it is— aps does not have enough calculus teachers in highschool, so they want to limit the number of kids who are on that track so they don’t have to hire more teachers. It’s bs, and it’s totally against the spirit of the state law that was passed. These are smart kids. Why is aps not letting them take advanced classes if both them and their parents want them to?

The most advanced track sets kids up for Calc BC junior year. That's a very advanced course. Taking Calc senior year (either AB or BC) is still advanced.

Keep in mind the most advanced track requires kids to take 3 years of math - 6-7-8 - all in 6th. That's a lot.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It is ridiculous they would be populating the course request page we can all see and not providing any information. Clown time.

Last year letters were posted on 7/12, so they are late this year. I'm guessing they have more to sort out with the new law.

The law passed in March why are they figuring it out now.

Anonymous wrote:It is ridiculous they would be populating the course request page we can all see and not providing any information. Clown time.

Last year letters were posted on 7/12, so they are late this year. I'm guessing they have more to sort out with the new law.

It is ridiculous they would be populating the course request page we can all see and not providing any information. Clown time.

I agree that a third, middle option is a good idea. I just wish they would communicate all of this and keep the same standards year to year instead of keeping everyone always guessing.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Still don’t see any math course listed in Parentvue. So what are the options at this point—math 6, math 6 advanced and pre-algebra? Didn’t realize they were adding a course.

The new law means they need to an advanced option for the top 25% of SOL scores. Not all those kids are ready for pre-algebra so they need to add a class. APS's hand was forced. But people have asked for in between option for 6th grade math for years, so it's an excellent addition IMO.

Agree with this

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Still don’t see any math course listed in Parentvue. So what are the options at this point—math 6, math 6 advanced and pre-algebra? Didn’t realize they were adding a course.

The new law means they need to an advanced option for the top 25% of SOL scores. Not all those kids are ready for pre-algebra so they need to add a class. APS's hand was forced. But people have asked for in between option for 6th grade math for years, so it's an excellent addition IMO.

Agree with this! Doesn't make sense that intensified classes were offered for everything except math (other than the kids ready for pre-algebra).

Anonymous wrote:Still don’t see any math course listed in Parentvue. So what are the options at this point—math 6, math 6 advanced and pre-algebra? Didn’t realize they were adding a course.

The new law means they need to an advanced option for the top 25% of SOL scores. Not all those kids are ready for pre-algebra so they need to add a class. APS's hand was forced. But people have asked for in between option for 6th grade math for years, so it's an excellent addition IMO.

Anonymous wrote:Still don’t see any math course listed in Parentvue. So what are the options at this point—math 6, math 6 advanced and pre-algebra? Didn’t realize they were adding a course.

The adding a course is bs. As is changing the criteria do kids who originally placed in algebra intensified that then got moved to regular algebra. Let’s accept this for what it is— aps does not have enough calculus teachers in highschool, so they want to limit the number of kids who are on that track so they don’t have to hire more teachers. It’s bs, and it’s totally against the spirit of the state law that was passed. These are smart kids. Why is aps not letting them take advanced classes if both them and their parents want them to?