Overview of AHS Courses and Pathways
Albany High School offers two courses for 9th grade students: Math 1 and Accelerated Math 1-2. Math 1 is aligned with California state standards for 9th grade, and provides students with pathways for university, community college, and career preparation, including AP Calculus AB and AP Statistics courses. Accelerated Math 1-2 is designed exclusively for students who intend to complete AP Calculus BC, the second semester of college-level calculus, while in high school. Accelerated Math 1-2, and the subsequent courses Accelerated Math 2-3, Honors Precalculus, and AP Calculus BC cover six years of high school Math content in four years. For more information, see the AHS Course Catalog on the school’s website.
All 9th grade math students are assessed within a month of the start of school to ensure they are placed in the appropriate course.
Placement Assessments
All 9th grade students default to enrollment in Math 1. For students who are looking for the additional challenge of the Accelerated Math pathway, Albany High School has developed a multi-faceted placement process in order to evaluate students’ readiness and adequately inform students and families of potential challenges and areas for growth. Evaluation takes place through multiple criteria, combining nationally normed assessments with individualized recommendations.
MDTP Placement Test - Developed by the UC/CSU Mathematics Diagnostic Testing Project, this assessment determines the level of mastery of 8th grade math knowledge. For more information: mdtp.ucsd.edu/assessments/9th-grade-assessment-tests.html
AMC 8 Examination - Developed by the Mathematical Association of America, this assessment evaluates a student’s problem-solving skills independently of knowledge of 8th grade math content. For more information: maa.org/math-competitions/amc-8
Teacher Recommendation - Current teachers will provide feedback on both cognitive and noncognitive skills of students.
For the MDTP Placement Test and AMC8 Examination AHS staff will use the predetermined pass scores developed for the assessments to determine eligibility for Accelerated Math. For students currently enrolled at Albany Middle School both the MDTP Placement Test and the AMC 8 Examination will be offered in class.
Eligibility and Enrollment
Students who meet all the criteria for placement in the three assessments above will automatically be enrolled in Accelerated Math 1-2 as 9th graders.
Students who meet the requirements in two of three criteria will consult with a member of AHS staff to review the results, discuss areas of strength and growth, and discuss additional preparation that may be required to be successful. After consultation those students may choose to enroll in Accelerated Math 1-2.
Appeals Process
Regardless of placement scores or placement recommendations by AHS staff, all families have the right to request placement in Accelerated Math 1-2. This request must be made in writing to the AHS Principal, and no other AHS staff member is authorized to change placement decisions. Students and families are strongly encouraged to provide additional relevant information to justify their request. To minimize disruptions to student schedules, appeals should be submitted before the start of the school year.