AP Calculus Course Information & Expectations 2025-2026
AP Calculus AB (2025-2026) Course Information and Expectations
Welcome to AP Calculus AB! You will be experiencing an entire branch of mathematics you’ve never seen before. Calculus is not about learning tons of formulas or working through a process, but it is rather about an understanding of the concepts you are dealing with, and the ability to communicate this understanding verbally, analytically, numerically and graphically.
An Advanced Placement (AP) course in Calculus AB is comparable to one semester of college calculus (usually called Calculus 1) Since this is a college level course, you are expected to take the AP test in May to enable you to earn college credit in Calculus. You are expected to attend review sessions after spring break and take a mock exam. These opportunities are provided to better prepare you for the actual AP test. Success will require hard work, but can be fun and enjoyable. If you enjoy a challenge and are planning on majoring in a STEM field in college, this is the class for you.
Course Structure: The course is divided into 10 units.
Your grade average for each grading cycle will be determined as follows:
MAJOR GRADES 70% There will be at least 2 major tests each six weeks. The tests are modeled after the AP format and those scores will be curved upon corrections (during tutorials) and a discussion with me (during tutorials). AP formatted tests will usually use a square root curve. Ex: After reteach, corrections, and discussion (all during tutorials) a test grade of 64 will be usually changed to an 80. 64*10=80. Please keep in mind that this course is a rigorous, college-level course. Second-chance opportunities are not provided on tests. The minor and daily assignments leading up to a test are planned to promote student reflection on their readiness prior to a test. This is so that students become aware of their independent ability and allow students to practice independent demonstration.
MINOR GRADES 30%
Quizzes: There will be four to six quizzes each grading cycle. The quizzes are designed for you to determine whether you have learned a particular topic, and if you are practicing enough to stay caught up with the material.
Notes: Notes will be embedded into activities designed for understanding of the learning targets. You are expected to complete the activities and take the notes during a debrief of the activity.
Practice Assignments
Your practice assignments will include practice, individual & collaborative assignments
You must take thorough, organized notes and you must complete assignments every day.
SUPPLIES -
- Chromebook – charged and ready to use
- A binder or folder dedicated to Calculus for keeping paper copies of notes, practice, and handouts
- Calculators– We will have TI N-spires for classroom use. If you do not have access to a calculator at home, don’t worry! There are online options for calculations available.
WEBSITES to bookmark: (They are linked in Google Classroom as well)
- Collegeboard AP Calculus
- Flipped Math
CLASSROOM EXPECTATIONS FOR SUCCESS:
- Participate (Use google classroom for agenda and flippedmath.com for lessons)
- At home - Watch video & take notes
- In class – Participate in collaborative breakout sessions, ask questions.
- Absent – Go to flippedmath.com, for that day, watch the video and complete the handout as instructed.
- Practice Daily - It is best to complete any practice the same day it is assigned.
- Tutorials – The sooner, the better. Just come on in during the times listed above or make an appointment for advisory or another time.
- Study for quizzes and tests by practicing!
- Form your study groups
ABSENT POLICIES: -
- You are given quiz and test dates at the start of each chapter. If you are absent the class before a quiz or test, you are still expected to take the quiz or test on the assigned day unless you have made previous arrangements with me. Use tutorials before the quiz or test.
- If you are absent the day of a quiz or test, you need to take the quiz or test within two school days or late work penalties will be applied. A placeholder grade of a zero will be recorded until the quiz or test is completed.
- If you are absent multiple days or there are unusual circumstances, see me in tutorials to come up with a plan.
LATE WORK:
- 10 points will be deducted for each school day an assignment is turned in late. After 5 days, a zero will remain for the assignment.
FINAL EXAM EXEMPTION POLICY –There will be NO final exam exemptions, fall or spring.
AP EXAM You are required to take the AP test scheduled for Monday, May 11th. There will be additional information covering expectations and the sign-up process soon.
It is imperative that you do not get even a single day behind in Calculus. Every topic we cover builds from a previous topic, so come in for help immediately if you fall behind. Email questions, use tutorials, send a message using Google Classroom. Remember, I am here to help you. All of your hard work will be worth it when you get college credit for this class. We are in this together!