Students must pass all math courses with a C or better to advance to the next math level.  Only classes passed with a C or better will count towards meeting college entrance requirements.  If a student earns a "D", he/she will receive high school credits towards graduation, but will not receive any credit towards meeting college entrance requirements and must still repeat the course and pass with a grade of C or better before advancing to the next math level.

Math courses offered at an Honors level are denoted with an H.  Students in honors classes investigate the same course content and standards in greater depth and students must be proficient at computing, applying processes, problem-solving, and analyzing complex mathematical concepts.  Assignments and assessments are more rigorous and an honors project is required.  Math students at all levels are expected to spend 45-90 minutes on average outside of class per class meeting completing assignments and studying for the class.  Students in honors or AP classes should expect to spend 30-60 minutes more outside of class per class meeting than their peers in regular courses.  Students qualify for an Honors or AP class by teacher recommendation and successful completion of the prerequisite courses.

Incoming nine-grade students must take an Algebra 1 placement test to determine whether they qualify for Essentials of Math, Algebra 1A, or a course beyond Algebra 1 AB.

Essentials of Mathematics (ESM)                                                        
Grade Level:  9-10 
Semester Course                                                                                     

 Essentials of Mathematics is the first semester course of a three-semester algebra course.  The course is designed to teach students fundamental algebra skills critical for success in subsequent math courses.  Some of the topics covered include simplifying expressions, real numbers, solving equations and inequalities, and graphing linear equations.

Prerequisites – None

 
Algebra 1 AB                                                                                          
Grade Level:  9-12
Annual Course - UC/CSU                                                                                     

Algebra 1 is a first year course in the study of algebraic expressions, equations, inequalities, and functions.  Some of the topics covered include simplifying expressions, real numbers, solving equations/inequalities, graphing equations/inequalities, writing linear equations/inequalities, absolute value equations/inequalities, systems of equations/inequalities, direct and inverse variation, exponents and exponential functions, polynomials, factoring, quadratic equations, rational expressions/equations, radicals, and connections to geometry.

Prerequisites – Pre-algebra or middle school math course


Geometry AB (H)                                                                                       
Grade Level:  9-12  
Annual Course - UC/CSU                                                                                

Geometry is a course in logic, proof, and measurement.  Students will develop their ability to construct formal, logical arguments and proofs in geometric settings and problems.  Some of the topics covered include definitions, postulates, and theorems regarding angles, segments and lines, arcs, congruent triangles, similar triangles, special quadrilaterals, parallel lines, circles, coordinate geometry, area and volume formulas, transformations, constructions, and right triangle trigonometry.

Prerequisites – Algebra 1, teacher recommendation for Honors


Geometry and Algebra Topics (GAT)                                                   
Grade Level:  9-11    
Semester Course                                                                                  

Geometry and Algebra Topics is a semester course that supports students who struggled in Geometry A.  The course is designed to teach students fundamental algebra and geometry skills critical for success in Geometry AB.

Prerequisites – Algebra 1


Mathematical Applications AB                                                               
Grade Level:  12    
Annual Course                                                                                     

Mathematical Applications is an annual course that is an alternative to Geometry AB for students who have not passed Geometry by their fourth year in high school.  While students will meet high school graduation requirements for math with this course, it does not satisfy college admissions requirements.  The course is designed to teach students basic algebra and geometry concepts and their applications in mathematics and the real world.

Prerequisites – Algebra 1


Algebra 2 AB (H)                                                                                       
Grade Level:  9-12            
Annual Course - UC/CSU                                                                          

Algebra 2 is a math course in the study of algebraic expressions, equations, inequalities, and functions.  This course complements and expands the mathematical content and concepts of Algebra 1 and Geometry.  Some of the topics covered include complex numbers, exponents, radicals, matrices, systems of linear equations, functions (absolute value, exponential, logarithmic, quadratic, radical, polynomial, and rational) and their behavior, solving nonlinear equations, conic sections, combinatorics, probability, and sequences/series.

Prerequisites – Algebra 1 and Geometry, teacher recommendation for Honors

 
Math Analysis AB (H)                                                                               
Grade Level:  9-12
Annual Course - UC/CSU                                                                                      

Math Analysis is a pre-calculus course which emphasizes a better understanding of functions and their applications and strengthens students’ mathematical reasoning and problem-solving skills.  Some of the topics covered include trigonometry, parametric equations, vectors, polar coordinates, complex numbers, matrices, polynomial functions, rational functions, exponential functions, logarithmic functions, sequences, series, and limits.

Prerequisites – Algebra 2, teacher recommendation for Honors

 
HS Calculus AB                                                                                         
Grade Level:  9-12          
Annual Course - UC/CSU                                                                        

High School Calculus is a first year calculus course.  Some of the topics covered include limits, continuity, derivatives, applications of derivatives (related rates, curve-sketching, optimization), integrals, applications of integrals (volumes, accumulation of change, differential equations), and techniques of integration.

Prerequisites – Math Analysis AND teacher recommendation

 
AP Calculus AB/BC                                                                                
Grade Level:  9-12     
Annual Course - UC/CSU                                                                                

AP Calculus AB is a challenging in-depth study of functions, graphs, limits, derivatives, definite integrals, antiderivatives, and real-world applications of differentiation and antidifferentiation.  Students will work with functions graphically, numerically, analytically, and verbally and understand the connections among these representations.  Some of the topics covered include limits, continuity, derivatives, applications of derivatives (rates of change, rectilinear motion, related rates, curve-sketching, optimization), integrals, applications of integrals (area, volumes, accumulation of change, differential equations), and techniques of integration.

AP Calculus BC includes all of the AP Calculus AB topics as well as applications using parametric, polar and vector forms, the geometric interpretation and numerical solution of differential equations, improper integrals, series, and Taylor polynomial approximations of functions.

Prerequisites – Math Analysis AND teacher recommendation

 
AP Statistics                                                                                               
Grade Level:  11-12                    
Annual Course - UC/CSU                                                            

AP Statistics is a college level mathematics course.  The purpose of the Advanced Placement course in statistics is to introduce students to the major concepts and tools for collecting, analyzing, and drawing conclusions from data.  Four major themes are covered in the course:

1)   Exploring data – observing patterns and departures from patterns

2)   Planning a study – deciding what and how to measure

3)   Anticipating patterns in advance – producing models using probability and simulation

4)   Statistical inference – confirming models

While exploring these themes, some of the topics that will be covered include distributions of data, measures of center, standard deviation, linear regression, correlation, data collection, sampling, randomization, probability and discrete random variables, binomial distributions, Central Limit Theorem, confidence intervals, tests of significance using large samples, small samples, means, and proportions, and Chi-square test.

Prerequisites – Algebra 2 AND teacher recommendation