The mathematics department offers various sequences of courses designed to meet the needs of students with diverse skills, interests, and career aspirations. Students may move from one sequence to another when it is in the best interest of the individual student.
- AP/Honors Sequence: This group of course offerings begins with Enriched Geometry or Enriched Algebra II and allows students to take AP Calculus AB, AP Calculus BC, or AP Statistics. These courses are rigorous and are recommended only for the top, most talented, and most motivated students.
- Standard Sequence: This sequence is designed for the majority of students. Students typically begin in the 9th Grade with Geometry through Pre-Calculus, preparing them for college algebra and/or calculus. Students can also take Statistics in addition to Pre-Calculus during their senior year if their schedules allow.
- Foundations Sequence: This sequence meets the math requirements for the vast majority of colleges in the country. It provides a solid exposure to the ideas of mathematics at a pace that suits students with less complete backgrounds or who need additional explanations for mastery. Activities in these classes tend to be more structured in order to provide more guidance to students who need it.
All courses require the use of the “I-83 plus” or “TI-84” calculator. Geometry classes use the computer program “Sketchpad” for applications. The “TI-89” calculator is required in both AP Calculus classes.
Course Offerings
Algebra I: This course serves as a foundation for future high school work in math. It includes the traditional tropics of algebra in addition to an introduction to matrices, data analysis, and statistics.
Geometry: This course covers the standard material of Euclidean geometry including basic properties of geometric figures. An inductive, hands-on approach is used to develop geometric principles. Prerequisite: Algebra I.
Enriched Geometry: This course covers the standard material of Euclidean geometry including basic properties of geometric figures presented at a fast pace to allow more advanced supplementary topics. The course is designed for talented math students who have earned at least a "B" in Algebra I. Geometric properties are introduced using a hands-on, inductive approach and verified deductively in the spring term. Prerequisite: Algebra I and teacher recommendation.
Foundations of Algebra II: This course covers the same topics as Standard Algebra II. A few of the more rigorous problems are omitted to allow for more time for explanation and review. This course is designed for students who have encountered some difficulty with math in the past.
Standard Algebra II: This course provides more exposure to the major concepts of algebra with emphasis on developing problem-solving skills. Continuing threads in matrices, data analysis, and probability are developed. After completing this course students are prepared for functional analysis, statistics, or precalculus.
Enriched Algebra II: Standard topics (with matrices, data analysis, and statistics) are covered at a faster pace in order to complete more advanced work. Students should have completed geometry with at least a "B" average. Geometry teachers will recommend only the most motivated and disciplined students for the course.
Functional Analysis: This course follows Algebra II, and emphasizes the study of trigonometry. It is designed for students who will take Pre-Calculus the following year.
Pre-calculus AB: This course serves as a foundation for AB Calculus. Advanced topics in trigonometry and analytical geometry are covered along with graphical analysis of polynomial, rational and transcendental functions. Prerequisite: Enriched Algebra II or teacher recommendation from Algebra II or Functional Analysis.
Pre-calculus BC: This course serves as a foundation for BC Calculus. Advanced topics in trigonometry and analytical geometry are covered along with graphical analysis of polynomial, rational and transcendental functions. Prerequisite: Enriched Algebra II and teacher recommendation.
AP Calculus AB: This course is the equivalent of the first semester of college calculus, following the syllabus of the College Board. Topics of Pre-Calculus are reviewed and differential and integral calculus are explored through the inverse trigonometric functions. Students take the AP exam for AB Calculus in May, possibly earning one semester of college credit. Students enrolled in this course should have taken Pre-Calculus AB with at least a “B” average.
AP Calculus BC: This course is a faster paced calculus course, designed for the strongest Pre-Calculus BC students. It is the equivalent of the first two semesters of college calculus. Differential and integral calculus are explored through series and sequences. Students take the AP exam for BC Calculus in May, possibly earning two semesters of college credit. Students enrolled in this course should have taken Pre-Calculus BC with at least a “B” average, or Pre-Calculus AB with at least an “A”.
Statistics and Personal Finance: This course covers many topics in statistics and probability as well as personal financial topics, such as banking, investments, and credit.
Prerequisite: Algebra II.
AP Statistics: This course follows the syllabus of the College Board for a semester course in Statistics at the college level. It covers data analysis and inferential statistics. Recommendation from Algebra II or Pre-Calculus is required.
