Math Pathways to Reach Calculus

For students at SFUSD high schools taking Algebra in 9th grade, here is a list of options for reaching Calculus by senior year.

Pathway #1) SFUSD Compression Course

This SFUSD-recommended option, which very few students choose, is to take a “compression” class in 11th grade that squeezes two years of math--Algebra 2 and Precalculus--into one year. This would allow you to take Calculus during senior year. The downside is that it moves quickly and skips over many concepts, but at least you don't have to take a math class over the summer or online. Also, SFUSD doesn’t recognize this class as honors so your grade will not be weighted in your GPA.

Pathway #2) Doubling Up in Math

Two other ways to get to Calculus, while taking all of your math classes at school, is by doubling up freshman year (taking Algebra 1 and Geometry concurrently) or sophomore year (taking Geometry and Algebra 2 concurrently). You need to request permission from your school, however, and there may not be enough spots (or any spots at all) for everyone interested as students who already completed Algebra 1 get priority for Geometry, and students who completed Geometry get priority for Algebra 2.

Doubling Up in 9th Grade: Some 9th graders who double up struggle with the workload of taking an additional math class on top of adjusting to high school. I would only recommend it if you’re pretty strong in math. Also, some 9th graders who haven’t taken Algebra get frustrated when their Geometry homework required knowing concepts they still hadn’t learned yet. In addition, by doubling up you miss the opportunity of enrolling in other elective classes such as band, orchestra or art since there won’t be room in your schedule.

Doubling Up in 10th Grade: Taking Geometry and Algebra 2 at the same time, while a lot of math, isn’t too bad since they are pretty independent classes, and it’s not necessary to know Geometry in orer to do well in Algebra 2.

Double Up with an Online Course: If you are unable to double up in two classes at school, a possible option is to take one class at school and the second one online through an online high school (see Pathway #4 below for details). However, be sure to talk to your counselor as your school may not allow you to take an online class during the year that is available in school (if not, you could also try asking them to start during winter or spring break so you have more time to complete both semesters before end of summer).

Pathway #3) SFUSD Summer Geometry after 9th Grade

Freshman who have taken Algebra can apply to take a free, in-person, intensive six-week SFUSD Geometry course over the summer. There are a limited number of spots and participants are chosen by a lottery system, so getting in is not guaranteed. It is usually held at an SF public high school. Students must attend every day. The grade received in the summer course will count towards high school graduation and the grade will be included on your transcript.

Pathway #4) Online Summer Geometry after 9th grade or Algebra 2 after 10th Grade

You can take a UC-approved Geometry or Algebra 2 class at an online high school (see list below). VERY IMPORTANT: Since these classes are outside of SFUSD, be sure to get approval from your high school counselor before enrolling! Different high schools have their own rules regarding needing permission to take outside classes and may require you to fill out paperwork (typically this Non-SFUSD Course Form) and get it signed by your counselor. We recommend deciding which class you want to take at least a month prior to the end of school to ensure you have time to get approvals from your high school.

Online Geometry Courses

Silicon Valley High School (SVHS). Geometry (Part 1 & 2). Algebra 2 (Part 1 & 2). Self-paced. Least expensive.
iLEAD Online Geometry (A & B, regular and honors classes are both UC-approved). Algebra 2 (A & B, regular and honors classes both UC-approved). Self-paced.
BYU Independent School. Geometry (Part 1 & 2, Teacher Led). Algebra 2 (Part 1 & 2, Teacher led). Only the “Teacher-Led” class is approved. Self-paced.
APEX Virtual Learning School. Course Title: Geometry, Semester 1 & 2 (non-honors only). Algebra 2 (Semester 1 & 2, non-honors and honors). Self-paced.
UC Scout - University of California. Geometry (Semester 1 & 2, On-Demand). Algebra 2 (Semester 1 & 2, On-Demand) Only the “On-Demand” classes are approved. Their classes have set start and end dates. For instance, a semester may run from mid-August to mid-January and while students can start anytime and go at their own pace, they have to finish the class by the official end date.
In addition to the schools listed below, you can check the database on this “HS Articulation” website of UC-approved classes.

A few things to know:

You must take a UC- approved, full-year class and receive C grades or higher to pass the class and be eligible to skip to Algebra 2.
Both semesters must be completed over the summer (before the school year begins), so if your school allows it, try to begin the class before summer (like spring break or even winter break) because a whole year worth of Geometry is a lot to cram into 10 weeks! Also, plan to take the final at least a week before summer ends because so you have enough time for the test to be graded and your transcript to be ready to show to your high school counselor when school starts.
BYU and UC Scout require the final exam to be proctored in person. That means you would arrange to take the test at one of their testing locations (Sylvan Learning, for example) and pay a fee.
Before asking your counselor for permission to take the class, double check that it is still considered a UC-approved class. The websites for the online high schools usually display a “UC” symbol for UC-approved classes but you should also check the UC’s HS Articulation Website to confirm.

Pathway #5: Summer Precalculus after 11th Grade (Online HS or Community College)

Online High School: You can take Precalculus during the summer after junior year at the online high schools listed above (see Pathway #4). Just double check that they are UC-approved.

California Community College: Unlike Geometry & Algebra 2, most community colleges teach Precalculus. The benefits of taking it at a community college are

You can find an in-person class, if you prefer it over online
Classes are free or very inexpensive
Classes are only one semester long so you can complete them in a shorter amount of time
Your grade is weighted like an honors/AP class on your high school transcript and if you apply to a UC for college

However, the quality of teaching can be mixed depending on the instructor.

If you decide on community college, we recommend the Skyline College/College of San Mateo/ Cañada College group of community colleges. You can check their combined course schedules at https://webschedule.smccd.edu/. Just search “precalculus” and note which classes are online asynchronous, online with fixed times, and in-person). As long as the class description says “UC Transfer Credits” then it is UC approved. Your first class each semester (up to 11 credits) is free. Please note that the City College of San Francisco (CCSF) Precalculus classes are not UC-approved.

Enrolling in a Community College Class:

Get permission from your high school counselor, who may ask you to fill out a permission form like this Non-SFUSD Course Form.
Open an "OpenCCC" account on the CCCApply website (choose a community college on the right side drop down menu, which will take you to the “Create an Account” page). This allows you to then apply to be a dual/concurrent enrollment student at any of the California community college.
Follow the school’s instructions for registering as a dual/concurrent enrollment student. Instructions for Skyline/CSM/Cañada are here and involve a docusign being emailed to your parent and high school counselor for electronic signatures.

A few things to know about Community College classes:

We recommend you marking the drop date and withdrawal date on your calendar in change your mind after starting the class. A “drop” won’t be on your record, whereas a “withdrawal” will show a “W” on your college transcript which isn’t a big deal. You might also have the option to change your grade to Pass/Fail after the drop date.
Whether you choose to have your counselor add the completed class to your high school transcript or not, it will be on your official community college transcript. On college applications, you will need to add it as a “college attended” with the course name and grade. Here is University of California’s website on dual enrollment.