aspiring to go into math (or a math-heavy field) but goes to a small school without advanced math. what to do?

Title: Pursuing Math in a Small School Without Advanced Opportunities: Seeking Advice

I’m an aspiring math major, but I attend a small school where advanced math options are limited. Most students here only do what’s necessary to graduate, which typically means stopping after Algebra II. The highest course offered is Precalculus, and very few sign up for it. Despite attempts to provide AP Calculus AB, there often isn’t enough interest for a class to actually run since fewer than ten students meet the prerequisite of Precalculus. The student-teacher ratio for required classes is around 30:1, but drops significantly for non-required courses like math.

To give you some context, our district lacks advanced math classes. In middle school, students could advance one year ahead in math, but I missed out on that opportunity as the class was full. This meant that by the time I reached high school, I started with Algebra I just like most of my peers. It was during this time that I discovered my passion and strong aptitude for math. Unfortunately, the high school doesn’t allow students to skip courses even if they already know the material, nor do they offer credit-by-exam. Algebra I, Geometry, and Algebra II are all mandatory for graduation, meaning everyone has to complete these courses without exception.

By the end of my freshman year, I realized that I wanted to pursue a career in math, although I’m still exploring which area to focus on. The school allowed me to take both Geometry and Algebra II in my sophomore year, which has been incredibly rewarding—I currently have A’s in both classes, just like I did in Algebra I.

As I recently registered for classes for next year, I signed up for Precalculus, Physics, Financial Math (to fulfill CTE credit), a peer tutoring role for Algebra II, and the usual core classes for junior year. However, I know my desired courses may not all be available due to scheduling conflicts. While the average student might think it’s crazy, I genuinely love math despite how most students dread it.

If I manage to enroll in Precalculus junior year and succeed, I’m left with a concern: what will I do senior year when I’ve completed all available math courses? While there’s a possibility of AP Calculus AB being offered, the likelihood of an actual class forming is slim, especially given recent trends. I’m worried that not taking a math class senior year may negatively impact my college applications.

There are several reasons for the low enrollment in Precalculus. Beyond Algebra II, math isn’t required for graduation, and most students don’t see the value in taking Precalculus if they can’t progress to Calculus. Many students aiming for Calculus in high school participate in dual enrollment at a local community college, which is a possibility for me, but I’m unsure if I could handle college-level coursework in subjects outside of math. I struggle to maintain a C in standard English, and switching to dual enrollment would require sacrificing some of my junior-year classes. Plus, I’d have to leave school early most days to attend classes at a college that’s about half an hour away, making it difficult to keep up with the material in classes where I’m already challenged.

Ultimately, my biggest worry is how colleges will perceive my passion and potential in math. I don’t want to be seen as someone who coasts through math; I want to demonstrate that I’m pushing boundaries and that math is a crucial part of my life. How can I effectively showcase my dedication and potential in math on my college applications, especially when I can’t access the same resources as students from larger schools with robust math programs?