New AP Pre-Calculus class to be offered next year

Krishna Malhotra, Operations Manager|February 8, 2023

Sydnie Barrett

Math teacher, Jennifer Fay teaches a Pre-Calculus AA class. Students who would have taken Pre-Calculus AA are encouraged to take the new AP Pre-Calculus class next school year.

According to the College Board, many college students are not prepared for higher-level math which eventually forces them to take remedial math classes to finish their degree. The College Board aims to solve this problem by offering a new class called AP Pre-Calculus.

“AP Pre-Calculus has the potential to change the landscape of high school mathematics and the transition to college. The course provides an excellent foundation for calculus but also serves as an appropriate capstone mathematics course that will open pathways to success in STEM fields,” Michael Boardman, Chief Reader of College Board said.

The AP Pre-Calculus class will focus on four main subject areas, including polynomial and rational functions, exponential and logarithmic functions, trigonometric and polar functions and functions involving parameters, vectors and matrices.

“The mathematical practices are central to the study and practice of Pre-Calculus. Students should develop and apply the described skills regularly throughout the course,” College Board reported.

The AP Pre-Calculus exam is a three hour test. It includes a multiple choice and free response section. (Krishna Malhotra)

The Math Department is excited to offer this class for the first time. AP Pre-Calculus follows a similar curriculum to the Pre-Calculus AA class, currently offered, but the AP version offers students the ability to earn college credit.

“I would recommend that all students that are considering taking the AA course should take the AP course,” Laurie Cotton, Pre-Calculus AA, and CCP Engineering teacher said.

Many students are excited about the new course offering and are considering optioning for the class.

“When I first saw it, I was a little surprised because I didn’t know there was an AP, and then I decided I could take it because it basically would give me the college credit for taking Pre-Calculus,” Riya Tummala, ‘27 said.

The head of the Math Department, Ferd Schneider is excited about the new class, but still has questions about the differences between the AP version and the current AA class. “It’s never been done. It’s brand new,” Schneider said.

Schneider is proud of the math staff and administrative team for embracing the new AP Pre-Calculus class.

According to the 2023-2024 Course Guide, WHHS offers 35 of the 38 AP courses, including all five of the math APs.
“Walnut prides itself on being able to offer every single AP that the college board comes up with, and I’m happy that it is still a pillar of our school,” Schneider said.