The competitive environment at Shorecrest challenges students to strive for excellence. High academic standards at Shorecrest are reflected in the courses available to Upper School students.

     Shorecrest’s math track differs from other schools. Here, advanced math students take either AB or BC Calculus, typically during their senior year. Some schools, like nearby Northside Christian, McKeel Academy of Technology and Florida Virtual School (FLVS), require students to take both AB and BC Calculus, usually in two separate years. Schools that use this method do so to ensure students have time to cover all necessary information for AP exams. 

     However, at Shorecrest, qualified juniors and seniors can jump directly into BC Calculus after taking AP Pre-Calculus.  

     11 seniors currently take BC Calculus, a class taken by seniors on Shorecrest’s typical math track. Six juniors, however, are ahead of their track and also take the class. Once these juniors reach their senior year, most plan to take multivariable calculus. This class prepares students for careers in STEM.

     “In college, I want to major in engineering, so I was hoping I could take BC and then multivariable next year so that I can get ahead in my math curriculum,” junior Isabella Jank, an AP BC Calculus student, said.

     The pace of BC Calculus proves difficult for many students, specifically for its juniors, who already handle a lot and are taking an AP course typical for seniors.

     “I would say taking [BC] Calculus, along with many of the other difficult junior year courses, affects my mental health, as it becomes difficult to juggle sports and extracurriculars along with a heavy schedule,” Jank said.    

    According to the National Institute of Mental Health, 32% of adolescents experience anxiety, which may be heightened by taking such a rigorous class.

     “I get anxiety when taking tests, especially if I’ve performed lower than I wanted to on the quiz, and it lowers my confidence before going into the test,” Jank said. “The assessments pop up regularly, so you constantly have to study for this class and prioritize it.”

     Upper School Math Teacher and US Math Department Chair Jessica Thorn, who teaches both AB and BC Calculus, knows the difficulty of her class, but she also recognizes its benefits.

     “A math major is very hard, so I think [BC Calculus] would definitely be a positive in that we establish the rigor,” Thorn said. 

     Even though BC Calculus has its challenges, the struggle does not have to be undertaken alone.

     “Ms. Thorn is always available for questions, and her room is usually open for you to do math problems and get help,” junior Bella Lockaby, another BC student, said.

     Thorn’s overall goal is to equip her students for the level of college courses.

     “I know at UF, I’ve had students come back saying they’re so much better prepared than their fellow classmates in college,” Thorn said.