Mathematics Courses

All courses, unless otherwise noted, are UC/CSU - C Mathematics approved courses.
Courses are continually being revised or developed to challenge all students, both those needing high level mathematics skills and knowledge and those of average/remedial performance levels. The new curriculum relates mathematics more closely to practical applications. Instructional techniques will include manipulatives, cooperative group work, and use of scientific calculators.

Please review our Math Progression Chart here.

Algebra 1 - Grade 9

This course is designed to give a foundation in basic algebraic principles, which will prepare the student for advanced courses in mathematics. The student learns to work with signed numbers, fundamental operations with algebraic symbols, graphing, radicals, the solution of elementary word problems, factoring, linear and quadratic functions, and solving quadratic equations. Instructional techniques will include manipulatives, and the use of technology.

 

Geometry - Grades 9 - 10

Prerequisite: Completion of Algebra 1

This course reviews and extends the algebra concepts of Algebra 1 and introduces the fundamentals of geometry, which will prepare students for more advanced courses in mathematics. Topics covered include perimeter, area, volume, congruence, similarity, circles, patterns, and spatial visualization. Emphasis is placed on making conjectures from observations and justification of reasoning. Instructional techniques include manipulatives, cooperative groups, and technology.

 

Integrated Math 2 - Grades 10 - 11

Prerequisite: Completion of Geometry

This course is designed as a bridge between Geometry and Algebra 2. Students who pass Geometry, but require reinforcement of their understanding of the principles Algebra and Geometry as well as additional problem solving skill development will take this course. This course consists of about 40% Algebra 1 content, 30% Geometry, 30% Algebra 2 content. This is intended to provide a solid foundation for success in Algebra 2 the following year. Scientific calculators are required for both classroom and homework assignments. 

 

Algebra 2 - Prerequisite: Completion of Geometry

This course expands upon the mathematical content of Algebra 1 and Geometry. Reviews of those concepts are integrated throughout. Emphasis is placed on abstract thinking skills, the function concept, and the algebraic solution of problems in various content areas such as the solution of systems of quadratic equations, logarithmic and exponential functions, and sequences, the complex number system, mathematical probability, and right and oblique triangle trigonometry. Graphing calculators will be used extensively. All of this will be done in a setting of cooperative groups exploring new concepts and reviewing previously learned material. An emphasis is placed on students organizing key concepts in a meaningful way.

 

Accelerated Math:  Please see our Math Progression Chart & Acceleration FAQs here on the website

Compressed Math classes are designed as preparation for Advanced Placement Calculus AB and BC 

It is for the student who:

• often enjoys math for pleasure outside of school

• joins math programs and clubs for fun

• works on weekends and over the summer

• grasps concepts at an accelerated pace

• enjoys discussion and discourse

• has an excellent control of algebra and usage

• has strong organizational and time management skills

 

Compressed Math 1 - Grades 9 - 10 SMUHSD (Aragon) Placement Criteria: Students must have 2 of the following... An A grade in Algebra 1 Teacher recommendation CAASPP score of 4 (previous year in school) 70% on the MDTP Exam This course sequence, with Compressed Math 2 in the second year, condenses three years of math into two years. In the first year, students will complete Geometry and the first semester of Algebra 2. Please see the individual course descriptions for course content of Geometry and Algebra 2. Compressed Math 2 - Grades 10 - 11 Prerequisite: Completion of Compressed Math 1 This course sequence, with Compressed Math 1 in the first year, condenses three years of math into two years.  In this second year course, students will complete the second semester of Algebra 2 and Pre Calculus. Please see the individual course descriptions for course content of Algebra 2 and Pre Calculus.

 

 

Precalculus - Prerequisite: Completion of Algebra 2

This course blends together all of the pre-calculus concepts and skills that must be mastered prior to enrollment in a college-level calculus course. Content includes a study of the trigonometric functions (developed using the concept of the circular functions), such as graphs, identities, inverse trig functions, and solution of equations. It also covers applications of trigonometric functions, polar coordinates, and vectors. Finally, conic sections, rational functions and their graphs, parametric equations and their graphs, lines and planes in space, the concepts of area under a curve, rates of change, and limits, are studied. A graphing calculator is required for this course.

 

Path to Statistics - Prerequisite: Completion of Geometry. 

Grades 11 - 12

This course prepares students for college-level Statistics and is designed for those considering a degree in non-stem fields such as business, nursing, psychology, criminal justice, journalism, education, or for any student requiring knowledge of the fundamental procedures for data organization and analysis.  Topics include descriptive statistics, probability, binomial and normal distributions, hypothesis testing, inferences, correlation, and regression.  Throughout the course, students will learn and use analytical software (e.g., Google Sheets) to aid in statistical calculations and to represent data visually.

 

AP Statistics  - Grades 11 - 12

Prerequisite: Completion of Pre Calculus or (Data Science & Stats with Teacher Recommendation only)

AP Statistics is a college-level course that introduces the major concepts and tools for collecting, analyzing, and drawing conclusions from data. It emphasizes sound statistical thinking rather than routine procedures. Work includes a significant amount of reading, problem solving, and projects. The curriculum is a modern introduction to statistics that is equal to the best college courses both in intellectual content and in its alignment with the contemporary practice of statistics. Passing the AP Test in May with a grade of 3+ can earn one semester of college credits in statistics at some universities.  A TI-83 Plus or TI-84 graphing calculator is required for this course.  As with all AP classes, this course will be demanding and challenging.

 

AP Calculus AB - Prerequisite: Completion of Precalculus or Compressed Math 2. 

Although it is a year course at Aragon, AB Calculus covers the standard topics of differential calculus and integral calculus, which constitute one semester of Calculus at most universities. Students enter the course with the understanding that they are to prepare themselves to take the Advanced Placement Test, AB version, in Calculus, in May. Passing the test with a grade of 3+ can earn one semester of college credits in calculus at some universities. A graphing calculator is required for this course.  As with all AP classes, this course will be demanding and challenging.

 

AP Calculus BC - Prerequisite: Completion of Precalculus, Compressed Math 2, or AP Calculus AB.  

Calculus BC is an extension of Calculus AB and covers the topics of integral calculus, differential calculus, polynomial approximations, and series. Although it is a year course at Aragon, Calculus BC constitutes the second semester of Calculus at most universities. Students enter the course with the understanding that they are to prepare themselves to take the Advanced Placement test, BC version, in Calculus, in May. Passing the test with a grade of 3+ can earn one or two semesters of college credit at some universities. A graphing calculator is required for this course.  As with all AP classes, this course will be demanding and challenging.

 

Calculus Multivariable Honors - Prerequisite: Completion of AP Calculus BC

This course is the Calculus of Multivariable functions.  Although it is a year course at Aragon, Calculus Multivariable constitutes the third semester of Calculus at most universities.  The course covers topics in vectors, partial derivatives, double and triple integrals, line integrals and vector analysis.  Green’s, Stokes’ and Gauss’ Theorems are covered.

 

AP Computer Science A -Grades 11-12

Prerequisite: Completion of Algebra 2 or concurrent enrollment in Compressed Math 2

This course is designed to teach the fundamentals of the Java programming language, teach you to think like a software designer, and prepare you for the AP exam. This course will be taught using the Java programming language. Java is a good language for new programmers. This is a college level course.

Course Objectives:

• Understand and apply the main principles of object-oriented software design and programming: classes and objects, constructors, methods, instance and static variables, inheritance, class hierarchies, and polymorphism.

• Learn to code fluently in Java in a well-structured fashion and in good style; learn to pay attention to code clarity and documentation.

• Learn to use Java library packages and classes within the scope of the AP Java subset.

• Understand the concept of an algorithm; implement algorithms in Java using conditional and iterative control structures and recursion.

• Learn to select appropriate algorithms and data structures to solve a given problem.

• Learn common searching and sorting algorithms: Sequential Search and Binary Search; Selection Sort, Insertion Sort, and Mergesort

• Understand one- and two-dimensional arrays, the List interface, and the ArrayList class, and use them appropriately in programming projects

• Acquire skills in designing object-oriented software solutions to problems from various application areas

• Learn the case studies and accompanying exercises and questions provided by the College Board.