Our mathematics curriculum promotes the optimal mathematical development of each student. Through innovative, challenging, and differentiated instruction we seek to develop student’s problem-solving and critical thinking skills and foster an appreciation for the power and beauty of mathematics. Students are encouraged to question, think, reason, compute, and communicate mathematically to solve real-world problems with enthusiasm, confidence, and creativity.
Students use graphical, symbolic, tabular, and numerical representations as they solve problems involving unknown quantities. Linear equations and linear relationships are examined in great detail and conceptual understanding is emphasized throughout the course. The graphing calculator is utilized and required. Students are introduced to quadratic equations, factoring, and irrational numbers.
Prerequisite: Algebra I
Students study parallelism, congruence, similarity, polygons, circles, area, volume, and transformations. Particular emphasis is placed on inductive and deductive reasoning, logic, and proof. Students use Geometer’s Sketchpad to explore relationships and formulate conjectures. Concepts of Algebra I are reinforced, including linear equations, graphing, and solving systems. Students are introduced to right triangle trigonometry and counting principles. Algebraic applications of geometry and problem solving are emphasized.
Intermediate Algebra II
Prerequisite: Geometry and departmental placement
Intermediate Algebra II is an Algebra II course with a slower pace and more concrete approach. Greater emphasis is placed on mastering fundamental algebraic concepts before moving into more abstract applications of those concepts. Counting principles of probability are reviewed.
Algebra II is an extension of Algebra I with new topics including transformations, higher-order polynomials, exponential, and logarithmic functions. Emphasis is placed on describing relations in multiple ways, developing problem-solving skills, and communicating understanding in verbal and written formats. Students investigate concepts and solve both with and without the use of the graphing calculator.
Honors Algebra II
Prerequisite: Qualification based on performance in Geometry and Algebra I (if available) and performance on an algebra readiness assessment
This class includes much of the same material as Algebra II plus a unit on trigonometry and rational functions, but with more theory and in greater depth. Significant emphasis is placed on communication (verbal, partner, and written) as well as on applications and problem-solving.
Prerequisite: Intermediate Algebra II, OR Algebra II and departmental placement
This alternative to Precalculus is a comprehensive review and extension of Algebra II topics with a study of functions, their graphs, and applications. Topics covered include matrices, trigonometry, conics, sequences and series, probability, and statistics. Much of the course content is similar to that of Pre-calculus, but material is presented at a slower pace. Please note: students in Algebra III/Trigonometry are not eligible to qualify for AP Calculus.
Prerequisite: Algebra II
This course is a study of functions and graphs including trigonometry, higher order polynomials, exponents, logarithms, analytic geometry, sequences and series, and transformations, also including some principles of probability. Students continuously seek understanding by communicating through use of words, tables, graphs, and algebra. Please note: students who have completed Algebra III/Trigonometry are not eligible to enroll in Pre-calculus. Students could continue to Intro to Calculus & Statistics (below).
Prerequisite: Algebra II or Honors Algebra II and qualification
An in-depth examination of polynomial, exponential, logarithmic, power, rational, and trigonometric functions (graphs, equations, and applications) in preparation for AP Calculus BC. Students communicate their understanding in verbal and written formats. In addition, students thoroughly explore sequences and series, probability, counting methods, and polar graphing, and begin the study of limits, derivatives, and continuity.
Intro to Calculus & Statistics
Prerequisite: Pre-calculus or Algebra III/Trigonometry
The first semester of this course is devoted to developing an understanding of elementary statistics—graphing and describing data, using data to draw conclusions, and gathering data through surveys and experiments. Students study normal distributions in depth, including standardizing normal variables and calculating probabilities. Second semester, students analyze selected topics from differential calculus, including limits, continuity, differentiability, and finding and applying derivatives. The final portion of the course focuses on financial mathematics, including investments, exponential models of growth for compound interest, and business calculus. In addition to some traditional assessments, the course emphasizes project based learning, simulations, and presentations. Computer skills are developed through the use of statistical software.
Sports Statisitcs & Sabermetrics
Prerequisite: Algebra II
In this math elective, students learn how talent is evaluated in the sports world based on the objectivity of nuanced statistics rather than the all-too-often subjective opinions of the “experts.” Topics such as sample size, regression, trend lines, and averages are on prominent display to demonstrate how individual players contribute to team wins. This course also examines the history of sports statistics, why some more traditional statistics fail to tell the full story of a player’s value, how the newer statistics fill in many of the gaps left by the traditional statistics, and the complexity of how the statistics are calculated.
Advanced Math Options
Prerequisite: Pre-calculus and qualification based on math and English grades
A secondary school equivalent of a one-semester introductory, non-calculus based, college course in statistics. Four broad conceptual themes emerge 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, and (4) Statistical Inference: Confirming models. Students are required to take an exam at the end of the course.
AP Calculus “AB”
Prerequisite: Qualifying grade average from Pre-calculus or honors Pre-calculus
A college-level study that begins with limits and continuity and continues with a study of derivatives and their applications, integration, and some applications of definite integrals, as well as a limited number of techniques of integration. A year-long course designed to prepare the student to take the AP Calculus AB exam. The course content is approximately equivalent to first semester of college-level calculus. Students who take AP Calculus (AB) prior to their senior year may not take AP Calculus “BC” in any subsequent year. Students are required to take an exam at the end of the course.
AP Calculus “BC”
Prerequisite: Qualifying grade average from Honors Pre-calculus
This college-level study begins with the applications of derivatives and continues with integrals and their applications, techniques of integration, infinite series, the calculus of parametric, and polar functions, as well as the calculus of two-dimensional vectors. The course content is approximately equivalent to the first two semesters of college-level calculus. Students are required to take an exam at the end of the course.
Prerequisite: Qualifying grade average from Pre-calculus or honors Pre-calculus. Open to non-IB students.
This course covers differential and integral calculus with applications for select functions. It also includes selected topics in statistics, probability and vectors. Students choose a topic and conduct a mathematical exploration paper during the first semester which is used as the IB internal assessment. Students will be prepared to take the IB Mathematics SL exam.
Calculus III/ IB HL Maths
Prerequisite: AP Calculus (AB or BC). Open to non-IB students.
Calculus topics with IB higher level topics: vectors, probability and statistics, matrices, higher level differential equations, and integration methods, complex numbers, lines and planes in three dimensions, and mathematical induction. Student selected options include advanced statistics, set/group theory, number theory, graph theory, and multivariable calculus topics. Students also have several written investigative papers on selected topics.
Open to IB students only.