Taking Pre-Calculus over the summer?

Question

I'm a freshman in high school and I'm currently taking Algebra II, which is really the most advanced you can be in math in schools (I don't think it's just my district). This summer, I really want to take Pre-Calculus so I can do Calculus AB, BC, and Statistics before completing high school. Also, I just feel like if I have the ability I should do this. I'm really good at math and I am always wanting to be more academically advanced (somewhat obsessively :D).

I might do the CTY individually paced class ( http://cty.jhu.edu/summer/enrolled/mathsequence.html ) but I'm not sure this is possible because none of the courses are directly Pre-Calculus and that's whst my school calls our course (Math Analysis/Pre-Calc). I know this is really complicated because this question is like a few combined. Here they are most basically!:

1. Does the CTY class work for pre-calculus and if so, which one is it that counts as it?
2. Are there any other ways to take pre-calculus over the summer?  Summer school isn't an option because it's not offered and one near me is 6 weeks of class....
3. Do you think it is a good idea to do this and skip pre-calculus?

If anyone answers this thank you so much! My BFFL is really concerned because she doesn't want to lose the chance to be in the same math and might do this too. She's never tested for CTY and is afraid to even though she would get in. This is a hard choice and I'm super confused but trying to figure this out.

Thank you!! =)

Anthony · Answer

You need to ask questions 1 and 2 to your guidance counselor or your principal in charge of academics. The CTY class may or may not work but it's not like you can just take a class and then declare to your school that you passed the class and got the credit. Your school has to determine which course that you will take and which education program offers it. If you do the CTY and they don't accept it as credit, then you will have no choice but to take pre-calculus again when you're a sophomore. Ask your counselor what courses are offered. :)

I would do this only if you plan to take BC, Stats, and a higher math course. I wouldn't waste time doing AB and then BC. All of AB is contained within BC and you're just going to be sitting there bored in BC for the first half of the year because you already learned everything. Plus, if you just take BC, you get an AB subscore on the AP test. Don't waste your time on that. It is not typical for a student to take both of them. My recommended sequence is: AP Statistics next year, AP Calculus BC junior year, higher math course senior year. Good luck!! :)

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Taking Pre-Calculus over the summer?

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