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Gilroy Unified adds AP pre-calculus and AP Calculus BC to high-school offerings
Summary
After reviewing a two‑year pilot, the board approved adding AP pre-calculus and AP Calculus BC to the district course catalog; staff noted available AP resources and that teachers involved in the pilot received training.
The Gilroy Unified board approved two high‑school course changes after staff presented pilot results and implementation considerations. AP pre‑calculus — piloted at district high schools during the 2023–24 and 2024–25 school years — and AP Calculus BC were both approved for the district catalog.
District staff explained that AP pre‑calculus was piloted in place of the district’s math 3+ pathway and that the existing math 3+ textbooks satisfy AP pre‑calculus textbook requirements. Staff said using the College Board’s AP classroom resources would give teachers additional digital instructional resources, formative assessments and student supports. The pilot enrollment included multiple sections across the district’s comprehensive high schools and faculty feedback is mixed but generally positive; staff noted the course offers an opportunity for college credit or placement and cited research correlating college-level math exposure with higher bachelor’s-degree completion rates.
Trustees asked about teacher capacity and costs for AP summer institutes. Staff said current teachers who piloted AP pre‑calculus were already trained and that further teacher training would be budgeted as needed; trustees noted AP Calculus BC is taught in combined sections when enrollments are small. The board moved the informational item to action and approved both courses for district adoption.
