Placement Information

Amador High and the Amador County Unified School District determine math placement for incoming 9th grade students based on a 3-tiered approach:

1.  Grades in prerequisite math classes taken in the 8th grade

2.  Performance on a standardized placement test, and 

3.  Passage of a subject-level Mastery Test

Each math course, beginning with Pre-Algebra and continuing through AP Calculus, has a skills- and understanding-based Mastery Test which must be passed with a grade of 100% before advancing to the next course.

Based on the above-listed criteria, students are placed in either Algebra I, Algebra ICP, or Geometry as incoming 9th graders.  Please see the Math Pathways graphic below.

Placement decisions are made by 8th grade teachers initially in the January preceding the school year, are revised in late May based on  the students' performance during the 8th grade year, and are reevaluated at the beginning of students' 9th grade year.

Click here to access Mastery Test Review and Preparation materials

Mastery Tests may be taken multiple times.  Teachers begin administering Mastery Tests in April.