For students picking their courses for the 2015-2016 school year, the course names for many of the math classes will be changing so that they reflect the content to be covered.

Math 1 and Honors Math 1 will be called Algebra 1 and Honors Algebra 1, Math 2 and Honors Math 2 will be called Geometry and Honors Geometry, and Math 3 will be called Algebra 2, according to math teacher Chris Person-Rennell.

“The key point of these changes is that they are in name only, and the math is staying the
same,” Person-Rennell said.

Students either take Math 1, 2 and 3 or Honors Math 1, 2 and 3. Then, if the student is approved, they may take AP Calculus AB. Math is a required course for three years, and these are the two tracks that most students follow, according to Person-Rennell.

The only other major change is that Calculus will no longer be offered.

“In its place will be Honors Precalculus, which in effect is the same thing as the currently offered Calculus class and paints a clearer picture of the work that students are doing,” Person-Rennell said.

Certain students place into Honors Math 2 in freshman year, and take Honors Math 3 their sophomore year. These students then have the opportunity to take AP Calculus BC after taking AP Calculus AB, according to Person-Rennell.

“These are changes being made in the course titles, to give universities and other third parties a thorough understanding of the math our students are taking,” said Person-Rennell.

Teacher recommendations for class placements came out a few weeks ago, and some freshmen and sophomores expressed a desire to improve those placements. As a result, an informal morning math class, dubbed “The Breakfast Club” by some students, was formed, according to Person-Rennell.

“Students come to my room in the morning, and I am able to help them learn material that can possibly improve their class placement for next year,” said Person-Rennell.

The morning math is optional and open to anyone, according to freshman Gabby Tom, who helped form the class.

“It’s basically an introduction to Algebra 2 and Precalculus for anyone who wants to get ahead for next year,” Tom said.

“The Breakfast Club” meets every morning at 7:30 in room 1210. The meetings are not mandatory, and students come only when they can make it, but each day builds off of material covered the day before, according to Person-Rennell.

“Morning math is really early, which is not nice all the time, but it’s nice because there’s usually only about four of us and so we get through the material so much more quickly,” freshman Victoria Bernhart, who is part of “The Breakfast Club” said. “It’s nice to be able to ask questions and get answers to learn enough so that we’re little ahead for next year.”