There comes a time every January where students are called down to the guidance center to create their schedule for the upcoming school year. The courses seem to be endless and availability appears to be wide open, except for one class: calculus. West offers one standard calculus class, aside from Advanced Placement (AP) Calculus AB, AP Calculus BC and AP Statistics and Probability. This leaves limited options for students who may not favor math. In order to accommodate students, more periods of standard calculus should be added.
Since elementary school, math has been the subject I disliked the most. I never found it interesting or my strongest. Over the past three years of high school, I’ve taken one regular math class and three advanced classes, all of which I found challenging. Next year I will be taking four AP classes and choosing regular calculus because there is no advanced option and to make senior year a bit more manageable. However, I was later notified that I couldn’t take calculus due to a scheduling conflict. There is only one class of calculus that meets fifth period and has 26 seats. 26 juniors or seniors out of hundreds are able to take the standard-level math class. The others? Forced to take AP, whether it be for desire or lack of availability.
Having one calculus class makes it difficult for students who struggle in math, as they are left with no choice but to enroll in AP Calculus AB. This not only puts additional stress on students who already find math challenging, but also sets them up for potential failure and grades dropping during a stressful academic year. Students should not be forced into taking a college-level class because the regular option is not available. Rather, there should be more class periods of calculus. By offering more than one, perhaps two or three, students will have more support in their classes. This will remove a burden off their back, and they will be able to focus on other courses that are connected to what they hope to pursue in the future. Expanding the availability of regular calculus classes would greatly benefit students who struggle in math and could ease possible overcrowding problems in AP Calculus AB.
As of today, I will be taking five AP classes next year, a result of AP Calculus AB being added to my schedule. I don’t believe my situation is unique, as many current or former students have likely faced the same problem. Having 26 seats for a single math class is unacceptable. West must expand the number of regular calculus periods to accommodate student needs and to ensure that all are successful in their math classes. If additional sections were offered, there is no doubt that they would fill up in no time, a clear sign that the demand is present and change is wanted.
