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Mathematics Courses
The Mathematics Department creates various avenues for students to build math skills. Our mission is to expand each student's math and quantitative reasoning skills in order to ensure success in their mathematical endeavors in high school and in their post-secondary education. Students are taught how to solve problems both with and without technology. Math courses are yearlong and, except for courses such as Statistics, are designed to be sequential. Due to the diverse backgrounds of entering students, all new students are placed in appropriate courses by the department chair. Enrollment in Honors, Advanced Placement and post-Advanced Placement courses requires departmental permission. Typical course progression options are listed below. Please see complete descriptions for more information. Sample course progression: Grade 9 Options Grade 10 Options Grade 11 Options Algebra 1 Honors Algebra 1 Geometry Honors Geometry Algebra 2 Honors Algebra 2 Geometry Honors Geometry Algebra 2 Honors Algebra 2 Precalculus Honors Precalculus Algebra 2 Honors Algebra 2 College Preparatory Math Precalculus Honors Precalculus Calculus AP Calculus AB AP Calculus BC Grade 12 & PG Options College Preparatory Math Precalculus/Honors Precalculus Statistics & Probability AP Statistics Calculus AP Calculus AB AP Calculus BC Multivariable & Vector Calculus Linear Algebra
ALGEBRA I
Level: Introductory Prerequisite: Pre-Algebra Topics in this course include linear equations and inequalities, graphing linear equations and inequalities, exponents, factoring, absolute value expressions and functions and an introduction to quadratic equations. Students will develop foundational algebra skills and prepare for Geometry.
HONORS ALGEBRA I
Level: Accelerated Introductory Prerequisite: Pre-Algebra and departmental permission Topics studied in-depth in this accelerated course include linear equations and inequalities; graphing linear equations and inequalities; exponents; factoring; and absolute value expressions and functions. In addition, students are introduced to quadratic equations and right-angle trigonometry. Students will develop foundational algebra skills and prepare for Geometry.
GEOMETRY
Level: Introductory Prerequisite: Algebra I This course is an introduction to the basic elements of Euclidean geometry; measurement, proof development, congruency and similarity in two- and three-dimensional settings; and area, volume and other applications of geometry. Students will develop geometric reasoning skills, reinforce algebra skills and prepare for Algebra II.
HONORS GEOMETRY
Level: Accelerated Introductory Prerequisite: Algebra I and departmental permission Students in this accelerated program are introduced to the basic elements of Euclidean geometry; measurement, proof development, congruency and similarity in two- and three-dimensional settings; and area, volume and other applications of geometry. Students will develop geometric reasoning skills, reinforce algebra skills and prepare for Algebra II.
ALGEBRA II
Level: Intermediate Prerequisite: Algebra I and Geometry This course focuses on manipulation of algebraic quantities and solving equations and inequalities. Students will gain skills in the topic areas of linear, quadratic, higher-degree polynomial and exponential functions. Students will be introduced to logarithms.
ALGEBRA II Essentials
Level: Intermediate Prerequisite: Algebra 1, Geometry, department permission This course focuses on building key skills with the essential topics in Algebra II. Students will study linear, quadratic, polynomial, exponential and logarithmic functions. The course will focus on applications and improving fluency with mathematical manipulation.
Level: Accelerated Intermediate Prerequisite: Algebra I, Geometry and department permission In this course, students study linear, quadratic, higherdegree polynomial, exponential, rational and logarithmic functions. There is a thorough introduction to trigonometry including right-angle trigonometric function, basic identities and some basic graphs. We end the course with another introduction to probability and set theory.
COLLEGE PREPARATORY MATH
Level: Intermediate Prerequisite: Algebra I, Algebra II and Geometry, teacher recommendation This course serves to reinforce algebra skills and prepare students for the next level through in-depth coverage of linear and quadratic equations, exponential and radical number concepts and trigonometric topics. Students gain confidence and improved readiness for college math. This course is not approved for NCAA credit.
PRECALCULUS
Level: Advanced Prerequisite: Algebra I, Algebra II and Geometry This course places an emphasis on functions – the study of linear, piece-wise, quadratic, higher-degree polynomial, rational, exponential, logarithmic and trigonometric functions are included. Students will participate in an in-depth study of trigonometric identities.
HONORS PRECALCULUS
Level: Accelerated advanced Prerequisite: Algebra I, Algebra II, Geometry and departmental permission The emphasis in this accelerated course is on functions – linear, piece-wise, quadratic, higher-degree, rational, exponential, logarithmic and trigonometric. In addition, students will participate in an in-depth study of trigonometric identities, polar equations, conic sections and limits. Students who successfully complete the course will be on track to take Advanced Placement Calculus.
STATISTICS & PROBABILITY
Level: Intermediate, Grade 12 and postgraduate Prerequisite: Algebra I, Algebra II and Geometry Students will embark on the study of group data applied to a variety of real-world problems. Graphic, numeric and algebraic analysis (with and without technology) and group projects will allow students to examine statistical and probability concepts from a broad perspective.
AP STATISTICS
Level: Advanced Placement. Prerequisite: Algebra I, Geometry, Algebra II, recommendation Students are exposed to four broad conceptual themes: exploring data – describing patterns and departures from patterns; sampling and experimentation – planning and conducting a study; anticipating patterns –exploring random phenomena using probability and simulation; and statistical inference – estimating population parameters and testing hypotheses. In addition to preparing students for the AP Statistics exam, this course prepares them to use their statistical knowledge to determine the validity of surveys and reports, analyze scientific data and design experiments in future college-level work. The AP exam in May is mandatory. Exam fee is charged.
CALCULUS: Calculus with Applications
Level: Advanced, Grade 11 or above Prerequisite: Algebra I, Algebra II, Geometry, Precalculus and departmental permission This course is the study of differentiation and integration and how both functions relate to the business world. Students use graphic, numeric and algebraic analysis with and without technology to develop foundational calculus skills with business applications.
Level: Advanced Placement, Grade 11 or above. Prerequisite: Precalculus and departmental permission This college-level course is intended for students who wish to develop a strong base understanding of the concepts of calculus. Topics include limits, calculating derivatives and integrals (polynomial, rational, logarithmic, trigonometric, exponential and inverse trigonometric functions), maxima and minima, slope fields and volumes of solids. Students will prepare for the AP Calculus AB exam. The AP exam in May is mandatory. Exam fee is charged.
AP CALCULUS BC Plus: Calculus II
Level: Advanced Placement, Grade 12. Prerequisite: AP Calculus AB and department permission This college-level course builds on topics learned in Calculus I. This course goes beyond the curriculum for AP Calculus BC in depth and breadth. Topics include integration by parts; partial fractions; integration by trigonometric substitutions; Euler's Method; Newton’s Method; logistics growth; sequence; Maclaurin and Taylor Series; and parametric, polar and vector functions. Students will prepare for the AP Calculus BC exam. The AP exam in May is mandatory. Exam fee is charged.
MULTIVARIABLE CALCULUS & DIFFERENTIAL EQUATIONS
Online***
Level: Post-Advanced Placement Prerequisite: AP Calculus BC (Calculus II); department permission This year-long course covers a typical college-level Calculus III curriculum, including vectors and vectorvalued functions, curves and surfaces in space, partial derivatives and gradients, multiple integration and line and surface integrals. In the course’s final unit, students learn how to identify and solve various kinds of differential equations, including exact first-order equations, second-order homogeneous and nonhomogeneous linear equations and partial differential equations, and they practice using such equations to model systems from science and engineering. Built on a foundation of sophisticated problem solving, the course also features 3D visualization and model-building activities that help students develop their geometric intuitions about doing calculus in higher dimensions. Offered Online through
One Schoolhouse. Fees apply.
LINEAR ALGEBRA
Online***
Level: Post-Advanced Placement Prerequisite: AP Calculus AB (Calculus I); department permission Through a wide variety of practical problems, conceptual questions, and visualizations, students learn how to think about vectors, the spaces in which vectors live, and linear mappings between those spaces. They develop powerful new ways of thinking mathematically and apply their new skills to solve a wide variety of problems from other fields, including computer graphics, economics, and population biology. This yearlong course covers a typical one-semester college linear algebra curriculum, including matrix algebra, vector spaces, eigenvalues and eigenvectors and applications to differential equations. Linear algebra is a required and very useful subject in college for many science and engineering majors, and it can be studied either before or after multivariable calculus. It’s a great fit for the student who has completed AP® Calculus AB or BC, who is passionate about a challenge to think in new ways and who wants to see math applied to the real world. Offered Online through One Schoolhouse.
