Mathematics

Our math teachers are dedicated to helping our students develop their interest in math and build a math foundation that will help them to thrive in college and beyond. Our department philosophy and our approach to teaching and learning are founded on four core values:

  • Helping students develop a growth mindset toward math enhances their learning

    Too often, students have viewed struggle in math as an indication of failure or as an indication the student is not a “math person.” We believe all students can be successful in math. We want our students to know that successful people struggle quite often - in fact, as problem-solvers, mathematicians and really any other creative person, spend most of their time struggling with problems - and they enjoy the challenge. They view mistakes as feedback, not failure. If one approach doesn’t work, then their response is to figure out why and try another. We encourage our students to view struggle and mistakes as part of the learning process - and as an indication that they are challenging themselves. We want them to respond by trying again and we want to give them strategies for stronger resilience and perseverance. We believe in giving students multiple opportunities in the learning cycle to master a concept, with the teacher providing guidance and feedback along the way. The development of a growth mindset towards struggle will only become more important as students advance toward college and career, where success will depend on a desire to take on new challenges and a willingness to struggle with them.

  • Procedural fluency should come through conceptual understanding

    Fundamentally, we want students to be making sense of the math from the start of freshman year. Procedural fluency is important, but it should come through sense-making. Asking students to present and explain their thought process not only helps to verify understanding but also helps to show students that there is often more than one way to solve a problem. Sense-making discussion helps students understand why procedures work, which helps students apply them more adeptly and more flexibly.

  • We're developing problem-solvers

    Math is problem-solving, not recipe-following. And as students move on in math and in life, they will increasingly face problems they initially won’t know how to solve. From the start of freshman year, we want to help students develop important skills which will empower them as they move through the math curriculum. Defining objectives, applying previous math knowledge, and forming strategies for effectively utilizing all available resources are all essential problem-solving skills. These skills are important not only for success in our upper division courses, but also for success in college and career.

  • Collaboration improves learning and prepares students for college and career

    The Math Curriculum Course Map (below) illustrates the sequencing of course offerings. The math core consists of Algebra 1, Geometry and Algebra 2. Completion of the core, or its equivalent, is required before a student is allowed to enroll in advanced electives. There are regular and honors/AP sections of almost every course (e.g. Geometry and Geometry Honors). Three full years of math are required for graduation, but four is highly recommended.

The Math Curriculum Course Map (below) illustrates the sequencing of course offerings. The math core consists of Algebra 1, Geometry and Algebra 2. Completion of the core, or its equivalent, is required before a student is allowed to enroll in advanced electives. There are regular and honors/AP sections of almost every course (e.g. Geometry and Geometry Honors). Three full years of math are required for graduation, but four is highly recommended.

Courses

  • Algebra 1

    Term: Year

    UC / CSU Approved?: Yes

    Course Description: Algebra 1 is a freshman-level course which is required for all freshmen not taking a more advanced course. The course is designed to develop mastery of fundamental algebraic concepts, preparing students for future math courses. It covers the fundamentals of algebra such as binary operations with real numbers and variables, factoring, radicals and exponents.

  • Geometry

    Term: Year

    UC / CSU Approved?: Yes

    Prerequisites: Completion of Algebra 1 is required.

    Course Description: Geometry is a sophomore-level course which is required for all sophomores not taking a more advanced course. Students develop logical reasoning skills and creative problem-solving skills while discovering the fundamental concepts of Euclidean Geometry using technology and hands-on investigation. Topics include the properties and relationships among lines, planes, angles, triangles, circles and polygons.            

  • Geometry Honors

    Term: Year

    UC / CSU Approved?: Yes

    Prerequisites: Completion of Algebra 1 with a grade of  A- or better is required for enrollment.

    Course Description: Geometry Honors is a sophomore-level honors course. Students develop logical reasoning skills and creative problem-solving skills while discovering the fundamental concepts of Euclidean Geometry using technology and hands-on investigation. In addition to the topics listed in the description of our Geometry class, students may explore tessellations and non-Euclidean geometry.

  • Algebra 2

    Term: Year

    UC / CSU Approved?: Yes

    Prerequisites: Completion of Geometry is required.

    Course Description: Algebra 2 is a junior-level course which is required for all juniors not taking a more advanced course. It is designed to prepare students for college-level mathematics by further developing their mathematical vocabulary and problem solving skills in the context of realistic applications. Topics include lines, factoring techniques, quadratics, conic sections, logarithms, complex numbers and functions.

    Comments: TI 83 or TI 84 graphing calculator required.

  • Algebra 2 Honors

    Term: Year

    UC / CSU Approved?: Yes

    Prerequisites: Completion of Geometry with a grade of A- or better or Geometry Honors with a grade of B- or better is required. A strong record in Algebra 1 (A- or better in Algebra 1) is also highly recommended.

    Course Description: Algebra 2 Honors is a junior-level honors course. The course is designed to prepare students for college-level mathematics by further developing their mathematical vocabulary and problem solving skills in the context of realistic applications. In addition to the topics listed in the Algebra 2 course description, students will study matrices, sequences and series, and fundamentals of statistics.

    Comments: TI 83 or TI 84 graphing calculator required.

  • Accelerated Algebra 2 (Alg 2 + Precalc Hybrid)

    Term: Year

    UC / CSU Approved?: Yes

    Prerequisites: Completion of Algebra 1 with an A- or better and either completion of Geometry with an A- or better, or completion of Geometry Honors with a grade of B- or better is required.

    Course Description: Open to qualified juniors only. The course is designed to prepare qualified students for the regular Calculus course in their senior year. The course will cover a blend of topics from Algebra 2 and Precalculus, with a focus on the basic foundational knowledge for success in Calculus.

    Students taking Accelerated Algebra 2 have two advancement options - Calculus and Precalculus. Precalculus Honors is not an advancement option. Please note that a student must earn a B- or better in Accelerated Algebra 2 in order to qualify for Calculus as a senior, or a C- or better to qualify for Precalculus.

    Comments: TI 83 or TI 84 graphing calculator required.

  • Precalculus

    Term: Year

    UC / CSU Approved: Yes

    Prerequisites: Completion of Algebra 2 with a grade of B- or better*, Algebra 2 Honors with a grade of C- or better or Accelerated Algebra 2 with a grade of C- or better is required for enrollment.

    * Summer remediation is allowed for regular Algebra 2 students who have earned at least a C-, but less than a B-. Students should contact their counselor for more information regarding remediation requirements and how to sign up.  

    Note: These prerequisites still apply to students having taken a math elective (i.e. Discrete Math, Mathematics of Financial Analysis or Probability and Statistics) between Algebra 2 and Precalculus.

    Course Description: This fast-paced, intellectually-demanding elective course combines elements of trigonometry and analytic geometry to help build a mathematical foundation that will allow students to meet with success in a college-level calculus course. Topics include trigonometry, theory of functions, logarithms, matrices and sequences/series.

    Comments: TI 83 or TI 84 graphing calculator required.

  • Precalculus Honors

    Term: Year

    UC / CSU Approved: Yes

    Prerequisites: Completion of Algebra 2 with a grade of A- or better or Algebra 2 Honors with a grade of B- or better is required for enrollment.

    Note: These prerequisites still apply to students having taken a math elective (i.e. Discrete Math, Mathematics of Financial Analysis or Probability and Statistics) between Algebra 2 and Precalculus.

    Course Description: A fast-paced, intellectually-demanding elective course designed for students who enjoy a math course with rigor. In addition to the topics included in Pre-Calculus, students will study polar coordinates and graphs of polar equations, parametric equations, DeMoivre’s Theorem, vectors and the dot product, and arithmetic and geometric sequences.

    Comments: TI 83 or TI 84 graphing calculator required.

  • Calculus

    Term: Year

    UC / CSU Approved: Yes

    Prerequisites: Completion of Precalculus with a grade of B- or better*, Precalculus Honors with a grade of C- or better or Accelerated Algebra 2 with a grade of B- or better, is required for enrollment.

    * Summer remediation is allowed for regular Precalculus students who have earned at least a C-, but less than a B-. Students should contact their counselor for more information regarding remediation requirements and how to sign up.  

    Course Description: This elective course offers students the opportunity to explore the fundamental principles of Calculus at a pace that provides students time to understand, appreciate and apply these concepts, ultimately preparing students for a first-year college calculus course. Topics include limits, some techniques of differentiation and integration, and applications.

    Comments: TI 83 or TI 84 graphing calculator required.

  • Calculus AB AP

    Term: Year

    UC / CSU Approved: Yes

    Prerequisites: Completion of Precalculus with a grade of A- or better or Precalculus Honors with a grade of B- or better, Calculus with a grade of B- or better is required for enrollment.

    Course Description: Designed in accordance to the Advanced Placement curriculum, this elective course is equivalent to the first part of a college-level calculus sequence. Attention focuses on preparing students for the AP examination. Topics include limits, the derivative, techniques of differentiation, the integral, integration, and applications.

    Comments: TI 84 graphing calculator required. Students are required to take the AP exam at the end of the course.

  • Calculus BC AP

    Term: Year

    UC / CSU Approved: Yes

    Prerequisites: Completion of Precalculus Honors with a grade of A- or better or Calculus AB AP with a grade of B- or better is required for enrollment.

    Course Description: Designed in accordance to the Advanced Placement curriculum, this elective course is equivalent to the first and second parts of a college-level calculus sequence. Attention focuses on preparing students for the AP examination. In addition to the topics listed in Calculus AB AP, students will study elementary differential equations, parametric equations, sequences and series, and applications.

    Comments: TI 84 graphing calculator required. Students are required to take the AP exam at the end of the course. 

  • Mathematics of Financial Anlys 1

    Term: Semester

    UC / CSU Approved: Yes

    Prerequisites: Completion of Algebra 2 is required.

    Course Description: An elective course for juniors/seniors covering topics from Algebra 2, Statistics, Probability and PreCalculus, with an emphasis on real-world financial applications and modeling. Applications will include the stock market, investing, banking, credit cards, loans and automobile ownership. The course's focus in on mathetmatics that is used in your everyday life and how understanding mathematics can help you make sound financial decisions.

  • Mathematics of Financial Anlys 2

    Term: Semester

    UC / CSU Approved: Yes

    Prerequisites: Completion of Algebra 2 is required.

    Course Description: An elective course for juniors/seniors covering topics from Algebra 2, Statistics and PreCalculus, with an emphasis on real-world financial applications and modeling. Applications will include business models, employment, income taxes, home ownership, retirement savings and budgeting. The course's focus is on mathematics that is used in your everyday life and how understanding mathematics can help you make sound financial decisions.

  • Probability and Statistics

    Term: Semester

    UC / CSU Approved: Yes

    Prerequisites: Completion of Algebra 2 is required.

    Course Description: This junior/senior elective course introduces the basic concepts of probability and statistics using real-world examples/data. Probability topics include counting techniques, odds, simple probability and conditional probability. Statistics topics include graphical and numerical representations of distribution, sampling techniques, confidence and regression lines.

    Comments: TI 83 or TI 84 graphing calculator required.

  • AP Statistics

    Term: Year

    UC / CSU Approved: Yes

    Prerequisites: Completion of Algebra 2 with a grade of B- or better, Algebra 2 Honors with a grade of C- or better or Accelerated Algebra 2 with a grade of B- or better, is required for enrollment.

    Course Description: This elective course for juniors/seniors focuses on developing the ability to make logical and valid inferences from data. Rather than learning mathematical formula, students utilize the statistical functions of the TI-83 Plus. Attention also focuses on preparing students for the AP examination.

    Comments: TI 83 or TI 84 graphing calculator required. Students are required to take the AP exam at the end of the course.

  • Data Science

    Prerequisite: Completion of Algebra 2

    This course will introduce students to the main ideas in data science through tools such as Google Sheets, Python, Data Commons and Tableau. Students will learn to be data explorers in project-based units, through which they will develop their understanding of data analysis, sampling, correlation/causation, bias and uncertainty, probability, modeling with data, making and evaluating data-based arguments, the power of data in society, and more! At the end of the course students will have a portfolio of their data science work to showcase their newly developed abilities.