Math
The mathematics curriculum is structured to prepare students for an ever-changing world involving numbers, calculations, analysis, and critical thinking skills. Almost every career includes a mathematical component in order to do the job correctly. Students are guided in a sequence of courses which is most appropriate for them and is influenced by their aptitude, desires, and previous performance. We offer various levels of mathematics courses: Academic, Honors, and Advanced Placement (AP).
- Algebra I
- Geometry
- Algebraic and Geometric Connections
- Algebra II
- Precalculus
- Statistics
- Calculus
- Financial Literacy
- Mathematics & the Trades
Algebra I
This course is the initial mathematics course in the college and career readiness program. The course focuses on the study of linear and quadratic functions, and introduces students to other functions that will be developed in more depth in later courses. Topics include: solving equations and inequalities, working with linear functions (writing, graphing, and modeling), solving systems of linear equations and inequalities, solving and graphing absolute value functions, properties of exponents, working with quadratic functions (writing, graphing, modeling), and solving quadratic equations. Problem-solving techniques relating algebra to real-life applications are incorporated throughout the course.
Honors-level courses are designed to challenge the advanced learner. Students should expect to reach a deeper scope of skills than the academic class: a higher reading stamina, the motivation to revise work, critical thinking skills, and the propensity to finish complex tasks in a timely manner. Students in honors-level classes are expected to have a solid foundation of skills from previous courses, an ability to connect these skills to new learning, and the ability to apply them in problem-solving. Students taking an honors-level class have demonstrated the ability to take responsibility for their own learning and work fluidly both independently and collaboratively. These students should consistently aspire to achieve higher-level quality work through self-reflection and self-advocacy. These classes are recommended to students by teachers who have evaluated a student's past practice and achievement.
Geometry
The Geometry course includes an in-depth analysis of plane, solid, and coordinate geometry as they relate to both abstract mathematical concepts and real-world problem situations. Topics include logic and proof, angle relationships, parallel and perpendicular lines, triangles, quadrilaterals and polygons, perimeters and areas, volumes and surface area, similarity and congruence, trigonometry, and analytic geometry. The geometry course will also have units focused on data analysis. Emphasis is placed on developing critical thinking skills as they relate to logical reasoning and argument.
Honors-level courses are designed to challenge the advanced learner. Students should expect to reach a deeper scope of skills than the academic class: a higher reading stamina, the motivation to revise work, critical thinking skills, and the propensity to finish complex tasks in a timely manner. Students in honors-level classes are expected to have a solid foundation of skills from previous courses, an ability to connect these skills to new learning, and the ability to apply them in problem-solving. Students taking an honors-level class have demonstrated the ability to take responsibility for their own learning and work fluidly both independently and collaboratively. These students should consistently aspire to achieve higher-level quality work through self-reflection and self-advocacy. These classes are recommended to students by teachers who have evaluated a student's past practice and achievement.
Algebraic and Geometric Connections
This course is for students who have struggled in Algebra I and Geometry. Each unit in the course focuses on strengthening the mathematical skills students learned in Algebra I and Geometry through career-related applications: agriculture and agribusiness, business and marketing, health occupations, home economics, and industrial technology. Each unit of study will have lessons focused on mathematical skills, followed by laboratory activities and application problems. Units of study may include: shapes in two dimensions, shapes in three dimensions, ratios and proportions, scale drawings, using formulas, problems that involve linear equations, graphing data, solving problems with nonlinear equations, working with statistics, using right triangle relationships, geometry in the workplace, and working with spreadsheets. *Not NCAA Approved
Algebra II
Students entering this course should have a foundation of linear and quadratic functions from Algebra I. This course is the continuation and extension of Algebra I and Geometry, and students will initially build on their work with linear and quadratic functions and apply their understanding of these functions to contextual problems. Students will be introduced to several new functions in this course. They will study the characteristics of these functions both graphically and analytically and use them to model and solve a variety of problems. Functions and topics that will be studied include: functions and their inverses, polynomial functions, rational functions, radical functions, exponential and logarithmic functions, and conic sections. The course will also include some work with data analysis.
Honors-level courses are designed to challenge the advanced learner. Students should expect to reach a deeper scope of skills than the academic class: a higher reading stamina, the motivation to revise work, critical thinking skills, and the propensity to finish complex tasks in a timely manner. Students in honors-level classes are expected to have a solid foundation of skills from previous courses, an ability to connect these skills to new learning, and the ability to apply them in problem-solving. Students taking an honors-level class have demonstrated the ability to take responsibility for their own learning and work fluidly both independently and collaboratively. These students should consistently aspire to achieve higher-level quality work through self-reflection and self-advocacy. These classes are recommended to students by teachers who have evaluated a student's past practice and achievement.
Precalculus
This advanced mathematics course is designed to provide students with a strong foundation in algebra and trigonometry, preparing them for calculus and college algebra courses. There will be a comprehensive review of all the functions studied through Algebra 2: linear, quadratic, absolute value, polynomial, rational, exponential and logarithmic functions. The characteristics of these functions will be looked at both graphically and analytically, and they will be used in modeling real-world problems. The six trigonometric functions will be introduced and studied closely both from a right triangle approach and from a circular approach. These functions will be looked at both graphically and analytically, and will be used in problem-solving. Additional formulas and identities associated with the trigonometric functions will be used to evaluate and solve trigonometric expressions and equations. The use of trigonometry in solving vector problems will also be studied in the context of motion problems and force diagrams from physics, and there will be a review of conic sections. Polar coordinates and graphs will be explored, as well as arithmetic and geometric sequences and series.
Honors-level courses are designed to challenge the advanced learner. Students should expect to reach a deeper scope of skills than the academic class: a higher reading stamina, the motivation to revise work, critical thinking skills, and the propensity to finish complex tasks in a timely manner. Students in honors-level classes are expected to have a solid foundation of skills from previous courses, an ability to connect these skills to new learning, and the ability to apply them in problem-solving. Students taking an honors-level class have demonstrated the ability to take responsibility for their own learning and work fluidly both independently and collaboratively. These students should consistently aspire to achieve higher-level quality work through self-reflection and self-advocacy. These classes are recommended to students by teachers who have evaluated a student's past practice and achievement.
Statistics
This course is intended for students whose interests lie not only in mathematics but also in the social, physical, and life sciences. It is also highly recommended, as a large number of college majors and careers now require some level of understanding of statistics and data analysis. Topics include observing patterns and departures from patterns, deciding what and how to measure, producing models using probability theory and simulation, and confirming models. The course exposes students to the conceptual themes: Exploring Data, Sampling and Experimentation, Anticipating Patterns, and Statistical Inference. This course adheres to the philosophy and methods of modern data analysis with an emphasis on technological practices. The curriculum for Statistics provides activities that guide students to discover statistical concepts, explore statistical principles, and apply statistical techniques. Students work toward these goals through the analysis of data and through interaction with one another, with the instructor, and with technology.
Honors-level courses are designed to challenge the advanced learner. Students should expect to reach a deeper scope of skills than the academic class: a higher reading stamina, the motivation to revise work, critical thinking skills, and the propensity to finish complex tasks in a timely manner. Students in honors-level classes are expected to have a solid foundation of skills from previous courses, an ability to connect these skills to new learning, and the ability to apply them in problem-solving. Students taking an honors-level class have demonstrated the ability to take responsibility for their own learning and work fluidly both independently and collaboratively. These students should consistently aspire to achieve higher-level quality work through self-reflection and self-advocacy. These classes are recommended to students by teachers who have evaluated a student's past practice and achievement.
The purpose of the AP course in statistics is to introduce students to the major concepts and tools for collecting, analyzing, and drawing conclusions from data. 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 simulations
- Statistical Inference: Estimating population parameters and testing hypotheses
Advanced Placement (AP)
AP classes are college-level courses requiring an exceptional amount of study on the part of the student who is expected to take the College Board Advanced Placement Examination in the second semester. Students should expect to reach an advanced scope of skills compared to the standard or honors class: a higher reading stamina, the aptitude to think critically, and the propensity to finish complex tasks in a timely manner. Students taking an AP class have demonstrated the ability to take responsibility for their own learning and work fluidly both independently and collaboratively. These classes are recommended to students by teachers who have evaluated a student's past practice and achievement.
Calculus
This course is designed for students who wish to take calculus but do not want to take the Advanced Placement course, and for students who may need to strengthen their skills from precalculus. Students in academic precalculus classes who may need to take a calculus course in college should be encouraged to take this course. Topics include: limit theory, differential calculus including the development of the derivative; derivative techniques involving polynomials, trigonometric and inverse trigonometric functions, exponential and logarithmic functions, the power, product, quotient and chain rules and implicit differentiation; integral calculus including area approximation techniques, integration of polynomials, trigonometric, exponential and logarithmic functions, integration by substitution and integration by parts. Skills are applied to solving problems involving position, velocity and acceleration, tangent lines and finding linear approximations for functions, graph analysis, optimization, related rates, areas bounded by curves, average value of a function, volumes of solids, growth and decay. Applications in business, economics and in the physical sciences will be used throughout the course.
Advanced Placement (AP)
AP classes are college-level courses requiring an exceptional amount of study on the part of the student who is expected to take the College Board Advanced Placement Examination in the second semester. Students should expect to reach an advanced scope of skills compared to the standard or honors class: a higher reading stamina, the aptitude to think critically, and the propensity to finish complex tasks in a timely manner. Students taking an AP class have demonstrated the ability to take responsibility for their own learning and work fluidly both independently and collaboratively. These classes are recommended to students by teachers who have evaluated a student's past practice and achievement.
Advanced Placement Calculus AB is a college-level course designed for highly motivated students who are interested in pursuing a career in a math-related field. The course is designed to prepare students to take the Advanced Placement Calculus Examination Level AB, developed and offered by College Board, in early May. Students are required to take this test to get the AP credit for the course. Students should have a solid understanding of algebra, geometry, trigonometry, analytical geometry and the study of elementary functions. Topics include: limit theory, differential calculus including the development of the derivative; derivative techniques involving polynomials, trigonometric and inverse trigonometric functions, exponential and logarithmic functions, the power, product, quotient and chain rules and implicit differentiation; Integral calculus including area approximation techniques, integration of polynomials, trigonometric, exponential and logarithmic functions, integration by substitution and integration by parts. Skills are applied to solving problems involving position, velocity and acceleration, tangent lines and finding linear approximations for functions, graph analysis, optimization, related rates, areas bounded by curves, average value of a function, volumes of solids, growth and decay.
Advanced Placement Calculus BC is a college-level course designed for highly motivated students who are interested in pursuing a career in a math or STEM-related field. The course is designed to prepare students to take the Advanced Placement Calculus Examination Level BC, developed and offered by College Board, in early May. Students are required to take this test to get the AP credit for the course. Students should have a solid understanding of algebra, geometry, trigonometry, analytical geometry and the study of elementary functions. Topics include: limit theory, differential calculus including the development of the derivative; derivative techniques involving polynomials, trigonometric and inverse trigonometric functions, exponential and logarithmic functions, the power, product, quotient and chain rules and implicit differentiation; Integral calculus including area approximation techniques, integration of polynomials, trigonometric, exponential and logarithmic functions, integration by substitution and integration by parts. Skills are applied to solving problems involving position, velocity and acceleration, tangent lines and finding linear approximations for functions, graph analysis, optimization, related rates, areas bounded by curves, average value of a function, volumes of solids, growth and decay. Additional topics covered in the BC level include polar equations, differential equations, sequences and series, tests of convergence and divergence, Taylor and MacLaurin Polynomials.
Financial Literacy
The course is designed to prepare students for many real-life applications of mathematics. Topics include earnings, taxes, checking and savings accounts, transportation expenses, housing expenses, personal expenses, credit, credit cards, loans, life insurance, health insurance, retirement and estate planning, and writing a budget. Students will learn the mathematics behind these topics and will be given opportunities to research information that is applicable to their plans and create a budget.
Mathematics & the Trades
This course focuses on the algebraic and geometric skills required in a number of vocational and technical trades, such as plumbing, carpentry, automotive repair, electrical trades, construction, landscaping, HVAC, and culinary arts. It is a course intended for students who can benefit from additional practice and review of skills covered in Algebra and Geometry, and is highly recommended for students focused on pursuing a career in the vocational/technical trades. The course will reinforce many of the concepts covered in Algebra 1 and Geometry by providing more authentic applications in a number of career fields. Examples provided in class and in assignments will try to focus on student preferences, and hands-on activities will be used where possible and appropriate.