Algebra 1 Course Descriptions

Algebra 1

Algebra 1 formalizes and extends the mathematics that students learned in middle school.  At the heart of Algebra 1 is the study of functions.  Throughout the study of specific functions (notably linear, exponential, and quadratic functions), students will be able to see the structures of functions, to make generalizations about all functions, and to describe the uniqueness of specific functions.  Within the study of functions, students will apply properties of numbers and equality to carry out operations within different functions, all with the goal of seeing the applicability of mathematics to describe and model a wide range of natural or man-made events.  If students have not taken and passed this course in middle school, this is the first course in their high school math pathway.

Algebra 1 (Two Year Program)

Algebra 1 formalizes and extends the mathematics that students learned in the middle school.  At the heart of Algebra 1 is the study of functions.  Throughout the study of specific functions (notably linear, exponential, and quadratic functions), students will be able to see the structures of functions, to make generalizations about all functions, and to describe the uniqueness of specific functions.  Within the study of functions, students will apply properties of numbers and equality to carry out operations within different functions, all with the goal of seeing the applicability of mathematics to describe and model a wide range of natural or man-made events.

The first semester (Fundamentals) of the two-year Algebra 1 program provides a review of middle school Algebra math standards, with individualized attention to students’ specific skill deficits.  The second semester (1.1) begins instruction in Algebra 1.  Over three semesters (1.1, 1.2, and 1.3), students receive the Algebra 1 curriculum.  Successful completion of the third and fourth semesters (Algebra 1.2 and 1.3) is required to fulfill the Algebra 1 graduation requirement.  

Course Descriptions of Additional Math Options

Accounting 1A/1B

Accounting 1A/1B provides an introduction to the objectives, principles, assumptions, and concepts of financial accounting, which is a specialized branch of accounting that keeps track of a company’s financial transactions.  Using standardized guidelines, the transactions are recorded, summarized, and presented in a financial report or financial statement, such as an income statement or balance sheet. 

This course focuses on procedures and practices from the accounting cycle through financial statement presentation, with an emphasis on recognizing, valuing, reporting, and disclosing assets, liabilities, and equity.  Students will acquire the capability for developing a sound financial basis for accounting.  This course presumes no previous accounting knowledge. 

Accounting 2A/2B

Accounting 2A/2B introduces students to the concepts and applications of managerial accounting. Students focus on analysis and recording of various manufacturing costs, cost-volume-profit analysis, preparation of financial statements for a manufacturer, creation of static and flexible budgets and reports, evaluation of capital investments, and various costing systems.

AP Calculus AB

This yearlong course is designed for learners capable of college level work, follows the description put forward by the College Board, and prepares them to take the Advanced Placement exam.  Both AP Calculus AB and AP Calculus BC focus on students' understanding of calculus concepts and provide experience with methods and applications.  Through the use of big ideas of calculus (e.g., modeling change, approximation and limits, and analysis of functions), each course becomes a cohesive whole, rather than a collection of unrelated topics.  Both courses require students to use definitions and theorems to build arguments and justify conclusions.

The courses feature a multi representational approach to calculus, with concepts, results, and problems expressed graphically, numerically, analytically, and verbally.  Exploring connections among these representations builds understanding of how calculus applied limits to develop important ideas, definitions, formulas, and theorems.  A sustained emphasis on clear communication of methods, reasoning, justifications, and conclusions is essential.  Teachers and students should regularly use technology to reinforce relationships among functions, to confirm written work, to implement experimentation, and to assist in interpreting results.

AP Calculus AB is designed to be the equivalent of a first semester college calculus course devoted to topics in differential and integral calculus.   Please visit the College Board-AP Central website for more information (http://apcentral.collegeboard.com).

AP Calculus BC

This yearlong course is designed for learners capable of college level work, follows the description put forward by the College Board, and prepares them to take the Advanced Placement exam.    Both AP Calculus AB and AP Calculus BC focus on students' understanding of calculus concepts and provide experience with methods and applications.  Through the use of big ideas of calculus (e.g., modeling change, approximation and limits, and analysis of functions), each course becomes a cohesive whole, rather than a collection of unrelated topics.  Both courses require students to use definitions and theorems to build arguments and justify conclusions.

The courses feature a multi representational approach to calculus, with concepts, results, and problems expressed graphically, numerically, analytically, and verbally.  Exploring connections among these representations builds understanding of how calculus applied limits to develop important ideas, definitions, formulas, and theorems.  A sustained emphasis on clear communication of methods, reasoning, justifications, and conclusions is essential.  Teachers and students should regularly use technology to reinforce relationships among functions, to confirm written work, to implement experimentation, and to assist in interpreting results.

AP Calculus BC is designed to be the equivalent of both first and second semester college calculus courses.  This course applies the content and skills learned in AP Calculus AB to parametrically defined curves, polar curves, and vector-valued functions; develops additional integration techniques and applications; and introduces the topics of sequences and series.  Please visit the College Board-AP Central website for more information (http://apcentral.collegeboard.com).

AP Computer Science A

This yearlong course is designed for learners capable of college level work, follows the description put forward by the College Board, and prepares them to take the Advanced Placement exam.   AP Computer Science A introduces students to computer science through programming.  Fundamental topics in this course include the design of solutions to problems, the use of data structures to organize large sets of data, the development and implementation of algorithms to process data and discover new information, the analysis of potential solutions, and the ethical and social implications of computing systems.  The course emphasizes object-oriented programming and design using the Java programming language.

AP Computer Science A is equivalent to a first-semester, college-level course in computer science.  Please visit the College Board-AP Central website for more information (http://apcentral.collegeboard.com).

AP Computer Science Principles

This yearlong course is designed for learners capable of college level work, follows the description put forward by the College Board, and prepares them to take the Advanced Placement exam.  AP Computer Science Principles is an introductory college-level computing course that introduces students to the breadth of the field of computer science.  Students learn to design and evaluate solutions, and to apply computer science to solve problems through the development of algorithms and programs.  They incorporate abstraction into programs and use data to discover new knowledge.  Students also explain how computing innovations and computing systems (including the internet) work, explore their potential impacts, and contribute to a computing culture that is collaborative and ethical.  Please visit the College Board-AP Central website for more information (http://apcentral.collegeboard.com).

Algebra 2 & Honors

Algebra 2 continues students' study of functions including polynomial, exponential, rational, and radical functions. They build and interpret functions that model a relationship between two quantities by analyzing key features of the graphs and equations. Students make sense of periodic behavior as they study trigonometric functions and build fluency with values of sine, cosine, and tangent at various angle measures. Equation solving strategies expand to include higher degree polynomials and quadratics over the complex number system and exponential equations using the properties of logarithms.   Transformations are included in all units pertaining to functions.  Semester 2 of Algebra 2 fulfills the statistics graduation requirement (semester one is a prerequisite).  Concurrent enrollment in Geometry is an option.

Algebra 2 Honors:  Students will master all of the topics from Algebra 2 listed above, with a variety of additional topics to include an in-depth study of asymptotic behaviors associated with radical and rational functions. These additional topics (content objectives) are documented in the curriculum in red.

Algebra for Finance 1A/1B

Algebra for Finance 1A/1B applies computational skills to real world consumer situations. The content includes: algebra, linear equations and inequalities, graphing, exponential growth, present and future value of money, interest (simple/compound), credit cards (credit scores, finance charges, deferred payments, etc.), mortgages (fees, points, expenses, interest, fixed/adjustable interest rates, balloon payments, etc.), personal budgets, cash management strategies, net worth calculations, debt payoff, tax forms with tax tables, insurance (options, fees, expenses, etc.), retirement plans (savings, IRA's, ROTH, annuities, etc.), and stocks (gains, losses, selling, preferred/common stock, bonds). 

Students can take Algebra for Finance 1B without taking Algebra for Finance 1A.

Computer Programming

Computer Programming is a course designed to introduce basic programming concepts. Students will master concepts including integer arithmetic, basic sorts and searches, and use of data structures. Concepts of object-oriented programming and algorithm design within the syntax of a higher-level language will be introduced.

Geometry & Honors

The fundamental purpose of the course in Geometry is to formalize and extend students’ geometric experiences using more precise definitions and developing careful proofs. In Geometry, students take the basic distance and angle-preserving properties of rigid motions and similarity transformations as axiomatic, establish triangle congruence, and similarity criteria, then use them to prove a wide variety of theorems and solve problems involving, for example, triangles, other polygons, and circles.

Students study geometric measurement and solve problems involving length, area and volume, learning more sophisticated arguments for the circumference, area, and volume formulas that they learned in earlier grades. They use similarity of right triangles with given angle measures to define sine, cosine, and tangent in terms of side ratios. They prove theorems and solve problems about circles, segments, angles, and arcs.  Throughout the course, students use coordinates to connect geometry with algebra, and engage in mathematical modeling using geometric principles.

Geometry Honors:  Students will master all of the topics from Geometry listed above, with a variety of additional topics.  These additional topics (content objectives) are documented within in the curriculum in red.

Math for the Trades & Technical Careers

Math for Trades & Technical Careers emphasizes the advanced and applied algebraic topics needed for success in industry-based occupations.  The course is designed to introduce students to the mathematics used in various trades and apprenticeship programs through a focus on the practical application of mathematics.  

Students are expected to master skills without the use of a calculator, in addition to working with applied problems using manipulatives, calculators, spreadsheets, application software, and specialized technologies.  There will be a review of the real number system, fractions, measuring tools, unit conversions, ratios, proportions, percent, plane and solid geometry, systems of equations, trigonometry, and vectors.  

 All concepts are applied to industry situations with the goal and focus of preparing for industry entrance exams.

Pre-Calculus

Pre-Calculus is the preparation for Calculus. The course approaches topics from a function point of view, where appropriate, and is designed to strengthen and enhance conceptual understanding and mathematical reasoning used when modeling and solving mathematical and real-world problems.   Students will be provided with a rigorous algebraic study of rational, polynomial, exponential and logarithmic functions, radians, degrees, DMS, graphing trigonometric functions, trigonometric identities, and other coordinate systems.