MATHEMATICS COURSE SEQUENCE
FOUR CLASSES IN MATHEMATICS ARE REQUIRED FOR GRADUATION FROM
Students may schedule more than one mathematics course in one school year as long as courses are taken in sequential order and each course requirement is met.
PRE-ALGEBRA - 2 credits
Grade 9
This is a full year course open only to Grade 9 students who have not previously taken a full year Grade 9 math course.
Pre-Algebra is designed to orient the student toward application and practice of mathematics concepts and skills. It includes basic topics from arithmetic, geometry, and algebra and prepares the student for Applied Algebra.
ALGEBRA I - 2 credits
Grades 9,10,11,12
Required: Must have successfully completed Pre-Algebra
Level: College Prep Challenge
This is a full year course open only to Grade 9 students who have not previously taken a full year Grade 9 math course.
Algebra I includes the study and application of the following topics: fundamental operations on real numbers, polynomials, factoring, fractions, inequalities, and irrational numbers. Algebra I is recommended for the academic student and may be elected by anyone satisfying the prerequisites.
*NOTE: A student may not receive credit for both Algebra I and Applied Algebra.
APPLIED ALGEBRA - 2 credits
Grades 10,11
Required: Must have successfully completed Pre-Algebra
This is a full year course.
Applied Algebra is designed to further orient the student toward application and practice of mathematics concepts and skills in hands-on laboratories and practical world of work problems. It covers topics of algebra and introduces students to various topics in trigonometry and statistics. This course will also address topics covered on the 11th grade PSSA assessments.
*NOTE: A student may not receive credit for both Algebra I and Applied Algebra.
GEOMETRY - 1 credit
Grades 9,10,11,12
A grade of “70" or better in Algebra I is recommended
Level: College Prep Challenge
Geometry is a course recommended for the college-bound student. It places emphasis on proof, the need for clarity and precision of language, and geometric visualization. A unit on formulas for plane and solid figures is included.
*NOTE: A student may not receive credit for both Geometry and Applied Geometry.
GEOMETRY HONORS - 1 credit
Grades 9,10,11,12
Required: Student should demonstrate the ability to do honors level work as evidenced by scoring “Advanced” on the PSSA assessment. Administration may make exceptions based on review of the student’s academic record.
Students who fail this course must repeat it or a subsequent class in a regular section before qualifying for another honors section.
Level: Honors Challenge
Honors Geometry places emphasis on proof, the need for clarity and precision of language, and geometric visualization. A unit on formulas for plane and solid figures is included. Honors Geometry includes more difficult examples on topics covered in Geometry.
APPLIED GEOMETRY - 1 credit
Grades 10,11
Required: Applied Algebra or Algebra I
This course continues the applied sequence and must be taken before Consumer Math. It stresses geometry topics.
*NOTE: A student may not receive credit for both Geometry and Applied Geometry.
CONSUMER MATH I - 1 credit
Grades 11,12
Required: Passing grade in Applied Geometry or passing grade in 3 high school math courses
Consumer Math I follows Applied Geometry and is also appropriate for academic students who have completed Geometry. In extremely special cases, with math department approval, it may be available to seniors who have only 2 high school math credits. Consumer Math I includes problems from everyday living experiences.
CONSUMER MATH II - 1 credit
Grade 12
Required: Consumer Math I
This course is available for seniors who have already completed Consumer Math I. The focus of this course will be mathematics of finance, computer use, and probability and statistics.
ALGEBRA II - 1 credit
Grades 10,11,12
A grade of “70“ or better in Geometry is recommended
Level: College Prep Challenge
Algebra II includes development and application of real number properties, the study of linear open sentences, an introduction to functions, factoring polynomials, the use of rational, irrational and complex numbers, and the study of quadratic equations.
ALGEBRA II HONORS - 1 credit
Grades 10,11,12
Required: A grade of “83" or better in Geometry or department approval.
Students who fail this course must repeat it or a subsequent course in a regular section before qualifying for another honors section.
Level: Honors Challenge
Honors Algebra II includes development and applications of real number properties, the study of linear open sentences, an introduction to functions, factoring polynomials, the use of rational, irrational and complex numbers, and the study of quadratic equations. Honors Algebra II includes more difficult examples on the topics covered in Algebra II.
TRIGONOMETRY - 1 credit
Grades 11,12
A grade of “70" or better in Algebra II is recommended
Level: College Prep Challenge
Trigonometry includes a right triangular and a circular approach, curve sketching, identities, solving triangles, logarithms and polar coordinates.
TRIGONOMETRY HONORS - 1 credit
Grades 11,12
Required: A grade of “8" or better in Algebra II or teacher recommendation/department approval. Students who fail this course must repeat it in a regular section before qualifying for either Introductory Calculus or AP Calculus.
Level: Honors Challenge
Honors Trigonometry includes a right triangular and a circular approach, curve sketching, identities, solving triangles, more difficult examples of the topics covered in Trigonometry.
PROBABILITY AND STATISTICS - 1 credit
Grades 11,12
Required: Algebra II
Level: College Prep Challenge
Probability and Statistics includes units from statistics and probability, advanced algebra and finance. It is recommended as a fourth year mathematics course for academic students who choose not to study Trigonometry or Calculus. However, students may receive credit for Trigonometry, Introductory Calculus or AP Calculus as well as for Probability and Statistics.
INTRODUCTORY CALCULUS - 1 credit
Grade 12
Required: A grade of “70" or better in Trigonometry or department approval
Level: Honors Challenge
Introductory Calculus provides an introduction to analytical geometry and calculus. It does not attempt to replace a first-year college calculus course.
*NOTE: A student may not receive credit for both Introductory Calculus and AP Calculus.
ADVANCED PLACEMENT CALCULUS - 1.5 credit
Grade 12
Required: A grade of “84" or better in Trigonometry or department approval
Level: Advanced Placement Challenge
Advanced Placement Calculus is a rigorous course, which parallels a college level calculus course. The student who enrolls is expected to prepare seriously to take an Advanced Placement examination in Calculus.
Students will be required to take the Advanced Placement exam. The cost of the exam will be covered by the school district.
*NOTE: A student may not receive credit for both Introductory Calculus and AP Calculus.
SAT PREPARATION COURSE - .5 credit
Grades 10,11
Required: Applied Geometry or Geometry
*This course is an elective credit, not a math credit.
SAT Preparation is a semester long elective course designed for the college-bound student who wishes to enhance his or her score on the Scholastic Achievement Test Reasoning Test. Students will be expected to complete homework assignments, practice quizzes and sample tests. Special SAT software is also available for students.
This course is designed to increase familiarity with the specific directions and question formats of the SAT Reasoning test. Students will receive basic Math and English skills needed for the test. They will learn specific strategies for approaching each type of question and the test in general.
A diagnostic pre-test based on an actual SAT Reasoning Test will be used to analyze and address student needs. Upon completion of the program students will take an actual SAT designed to record their progress and to boost their confidence.