Mathematics

The Mathematics curriculum provides a sequence of courses designed to meet graduation requirements and college admissions expectations for students of varying abilities and learning styles. Throughout the curriculum the following skills are developed and refined: oral and written communication skills, problem solving skills and reasoning skills. Emphasis is placed on an analytical, graphical, and numerical approach using graphing calculators as the central tool.

Each student should possess a TI-83 Plus or TI-84 graphing calculator for use in the mathematics courses. This graphing calculator will be the calculator used throughout the four-year high school sequence in mathematics.

The course offerings are broad in scope to ensure that each student is properly challenged and motivated to do his/her best. For freshman year, acceptance into honors or accelerated courses is based upon junior high recommendations and performance on high school entrance exams. Acceptance into courses following freshman year is based upon teacher recommendations and prior high school grades in mathematics.

Students are required to complete three years of a mathematics sequence for graduation.  Students interested in pursuing math/science in college are encouraged to take a mathematics course their senior year.

Algebra 1 Modified: 1 Credit

Algebra 1 Modified is a highly structured introduction to algebra. Topics studied include: operations with variables, solving equations, positive and negative numbers, formulas, operations with polynomials, factoring, graphing, equations with two variables, working with algebraic fractions, decimals and percents, squares and square roots, and quadratic equations.
Homework requirement: 1-2 hours per week

Algebra 1 Regular: 1 Credit

Algebra 1 is the first year or a college preparatory sequence. Topics studied include operations with variables, the number line, solving linear equations, writing and graphing linear equations, solving systems of equations, operations with polynomials, factoring, operations with algebraic fractions, functions, roots, radicals, and quadratic equations. Special emphasis is given to real life applications and connections to geometry.
Homework requirement: 2-3 hours per week

Algebra 1 Honors: 1 Credit

Algebra 1 Honors is the first year of a college preparatory sequence, which provides a firm foundation for college calculus. Topics covered include the real number line, solving linear equations and inequalities, graphing, functions, systems of equations, polynomials and factoring, rational expressions, irrational numbers and radicals, and quadratic equations.
Homework requirement: 2-3 hours per week

Algebra 1 Accelerated: 1 Credit

Algebra 1 Accelerated is the first year of a college preparatory sequence, which includes advanced Placement Calculus. Topics studied include basic operations with real numbers, solving linear equations and inequalities, graphs and functions, polynomials and factoring, operations and equations with rational expressions, irrational numbers and radicals, quadratic equations and functions, absolute value, composite functions, permutations and combinations, and probability. Some topics are taken from advanced algebra.
Homework requirement: 3-4 hours per week

Geometry 2 Regular: 1 Credit

Geometry 2 is the second year of a college preparatory sequence. It is proof-oriented to emphasize deductive reasoning. Topics covered include congruent triangles, perpendicularity, parallel lines, quadrilaterals, polygons, similar polygons, the Pythagorean Theorem, circles, area, volumes and constructions. In addition, students study Algebraic applications of the properties.
Homework requirement: 2-3 hours per week

Geometry 2 Honors: 1 Credit

Geometry 2 Honors is the second year of a college preparatory sequence. This course is designed to prepare students for college calculus. Students are introduced to symbolic logic, and learn how to use deductive proof extensively. Topics covered include congruent triangles, perpendicularity, parallel lines, quadrilaterals, polygons, similar figures, Pythagorean Theorem, circles, area, volume and constructions. In addition, students study Algebraic applications of the geometry principles.
Homework requirement: 3-4 hours per week

Geometry 2 Modified: 1 Credit

Geometry 2 Modified is a highly structured introduction to geometry. A review of algebraic concepts is stressed with special emphasis given to the solution of algebraic equations and their application to geometry. Topics studied include triangles, perpendicularity, parallel lines, quadrilaterals, similar polygons, the Pythagorean Theorem, circles, area, volumes and constructions.
Homework requirement: 3-4 hours per week

Geometry 2 Accelerated: 1 Credit

Geometry 2 Accelerated is a fast paced, in-depth course, including some solid geometry. Topics covered include congruent triangles, perpendicularity, parallel lines, quadrilaterals, lines and planes in space, polygons, similar polygons, the Pythagorean Theorem, circles, area, volumes, locus, and constructions.
Homework requirement: 3-5 hours per week

Algebra/Trigonometry 3 Modified: 1 Credit

Algebra/Trigonometry 3 Modified is highly structured introduction to algebra and trigonometry. This course includes a review of real numbers, first degree equations and inequalities in one variable, special products, factoring, equations, fractions and fractional equations, graphs of linear equations, functions and relations, systems of linear equations and inequalities, exponents and radicals, quadratic equations, and the trigonometry of right triangles.
Homework requirement: 3-5 hours per week

Algebra/Trigonometry 3 Regular: 1 Credit

Algebra/Trigonometry 3 is the third year of a college preparatory sequence. Topics studied include the real numbers, first degree equations and inequalities in one variable, special products, factoring, algebraic fractions and fractional equations, graphs of linear equations, functions and relations, systems of linear equations and inequalities, exponents and radicals, quadratic equations, and circular and trigonometric functions.
Homework requirement: 3-4 hours per week

Algebra/Trigonometry 3 Honors: 1 Credit

Algebra/Trigonometry 3 Honors is the third year of a college preparatory sequence. Topics studied include linear functions and relations, systems of linear equations or inequalities, determinants, matrices, polynomials and rational expressions, radicals and irrational numbers, polynomial exponents and logarithms, trigonometric and circular functions, and trigonometric identities.
Homework requirement: 3-4 hours per week

Pre-Calculus 3 Accelerated: 1 Credit

Pre-Calculus 3 Accelerated studies the topics of linear and quadratic functions and inequalities, the conic sections, polynomials and rational functions, radical functions, composite and inverse functions, exponential and logarithmic functions, trigonometric functions, sequences and series, binomial expansion, mathematical induction, determinants, and polar coordinates.
Homework requirement: 3-5 hours per week

College Algebra/Analytical Geometry 4 Regular: 1 Credit

College Algebra/Analytical Geometry 4 completes a four-year college preparatory sequence. Topics covered include trigonometric functions, graphing trigonometric functions, trigonometric identities and equations, equations, inequalities, and problem solving, coordinate geometry and graphing techniques, functions, exponential and logarithmic functions, polynomial and rational functions, systems of equations, algebra of matrices, conic sections, sequences and series, mathematical induction, permutations, combinations, probability, and binomial expansion.
Homework requirement: 3-5 hours per week

Pre-Calculus 4 Honors: 1 Credit

Pre-Calculus 4 Honors completes a four-year honors level sequence, which gives a firm foundation for the study of college calculus. Topics studied include a review of the trigonometric functions and their graphs, applications of trigonometry, sequences and series, permutations, combinations, probability, topics from analytic geometry, the conic sections, systems of equations and inequalities, and polynomial and rational functions and limits.
Homework requirement: 3-4 hours per week

Advanced Placement Calculus AB: 1 Credit

Advanced Placement Calculus AB prepares students to take the AP Calculus examination. Topics studied include analytic geometry, limits, the derivative, integration, transcendental functions and applications of the derivative and of the integral.
Homework requirement: 3-5 hours per week

Post Calculus AB: 1 Credit

Post Calculus AB is the highest-level math course offered at the Academy, and is designed to continue the study of calculus beyond the AB curriculum. Topics studied include new techniques for integration, expanded applications for differentiation and integration, sequences and series, parametric, polar and vector functions, and an introduction to multivariable and vector calculus. Students will be prepared to take the A.P. Calculus BC exam.
Homework requirement: 4-6 hours per week