Course Outline
All courses are aligned with the 2017 Massachusetts Mathematics Curriculum Frameworks
Course Description
Geometry
The concepts of Geometry are introduced in this course. Emphasis is placed on discovering postulates and theorems through exploration. Topics covered include segments and angles, parallel and perpendicular lines, triangle relationships and congruency, polynomials, similarity, areas of plane and solid figures. The course includes much Algebra review and the strand of data and statistics is also reviewed in preparation for MCAS. Right triangle trigonometry is briefly introduced at the end of the course. This is a freshman course and is also offered to sophomore transfer students.
Honors Geometry
This course covers all the topics in the standard Geometry course but at a faster pace. Students also work through two column proofs in addition to the informal proofs of the other Geometry course. The course includes much Algebra review and the strand of data and statistics is also reviewed in preparation for MCAS. Students are also introduced to right triangle trigonometry. This is a freshman course.
Algebra I
The concepts of Algebra are introduced in this course. Topics covered include operations with integers, solving equations and inequalities, graphing linear equations in two variables, solving and graphing linear inequalities, solving absolute value equations and inequalities, and solving systems of equations. This course also covers the probability and statistics topics as required by the Massachusetts Mathematics Frameworks. This is a sophomore course.
Honors Algebra I
This course covers all the topics in Algebra 1 and goes further into the study of quadratics and an introduction to adding and subtracting polynomial functions. This course also covers topics in probability and statistics. This is a sophomore course.
Algebra II
Students will do a brief review of linear equations and inequalities as well as the topics of systems of linear equations and inequalities. They will be introduced to quadratic, radical, and polynomial functions, and right triangle trigonometry. Students will also be introduced to transformation of functions and work on probability and statistic strands as required by the Massachusetts Mathematics Frameworks. This is a junior course.
Honors Algebra II
Students cover the same topics as in the standard Algebra 2 course, but at a faster pace. They also study, in greater depth, polynomial and rational functions. At the end of the year, they are introduced to exponential functions. This is a sophomore or junior course.
Pre-Calculus College Prep Level
This course completes the study of Algebra for our standard level students. Here they study rational, polynomial and radical functions. They are also introduced to exponential functions and logarithm as well as more with matrices. Circular trig is introduced. This is a senior course.
Pre-Calculus Honors Level
This course begins with a review of exponential functions and their inverse: logarithms. Students will spend a great deal of time in this course graphing functions, understanding that the algebra and the graphing are related. They will study circular trigonometry, go further into graphing local minimums and maximums of all polynomial functions, solve and graph rational functions, and be able to identify and explain all transformations of the functions they study. At the end of the year, students are introduced to Calculus. This is a junior or senior course and can be taken for college credits.
Financial Literacy
Students participating in this course will become proficient in using the Excel spreadsheet for numerous topics: event planning, budgeting, inventory, payroll, etc. They will also learn about taxes (filing by hand and on line), personal, school, town, and state budgets, and basic accounting. Projects include “purchasing” a car and keeping and balancing a checkbook for several “months”. This is a senior course.
Consumer Math
This is a half year elective for students who want to learn about budgeting, taxes, loans, mortgages etc. This course is open to any senior student who is not already taking financial literacy. This course can be taken in addition to any other full year course (except Financial Literacy), or can be paired with statistics to create a full year course. This is a senior course.
Statistics
This is a half year course that explores the many uses and misuses of statistics in our everyday life. Is Steph Curry a streaky shooter? Do NFL teams have a home-field advantage? Can a swimsuit make you faster? Who should I draft for my fantasy football team?
Did you know that exploring sports questions like these can help you understand principles of statistical reasoning? In this introduction to Basic Statistics, students will learn how to investigate data, perform simulations, and draw conclusions. Real scenarios will help you to think like a statistician- plus they’re fun!
This course can be taken in addition to a full year course or paired with Consumer math to make a full year course. This is a senior course.
Introductory Calculus
This course begins by solidifying skills with rational functions and limits. Students will study differentiation and integrals, as well as some of their applications. This is a senior course.