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 lecture, manipulatives, cooperative group work, and use of scientific calculators. All math courses except Algebra Support meet the UC and CSU “c” requirement.

Algebra 1-2

Prerequisite: None

Open to grades 9-12

Course Description: This two-semester 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, cooperative groups and the use of scientific calculators.

Algebra Support

Integrated 1-2

Geometry 1-2

Prerequisite: C or better in Algebra 1-2.

Open to grades 9-12

Course Description: This two semester course reviews and extends the algebra concepts of Algebra 1-2 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 scientific calculators.

Integrated 3-4

Algebra 3-4

Prerequisite: C or better in Geometry 1-2.

Open to grades 9-12

Course Description: This course expands upon the mathematical content of Algebra 1-2 and Geometry 1-2 and a review 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, 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.

Pre Calculus

Prerequisite: C or better in Algebra 3-4.

Open to grades 9-12

Course Description: This course blends together all of the precalculus 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, the inverse trig functions, and solution of equations. It also covers applications of trigonometry in complex numbers, 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 statistics are studied.

Calculus 1-2 AP (AB)

Prerequisite: C or better in Pre Calculus or consent of the instructor.

Open to grades 10-12

Course Description: Although it is a year course here 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. Passing the test with a grade of 3, 4, or 5 can earn one semester of college credits in calculus at some universities. This course is an AP course; students should expect 45 minutes to an hour of homework nightly and will have to study quite seriously to do well.

Calculus 3-4 AP (BC)   Year Course   

Prerequisite: “C” or better in Calculus AP, “B” or better in Pre-Calculus or consent of instructor.

Open to grades 9-12

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. Passing the test with a grade of 3, 4, or 5 can earn one semester of college credit at some universities. As with all AP classes, this course will be demanding and challenging.

Prerequisite: C or better in Algebra 3-4.

Open to grades 11-12

Course Description: This two semester college preparatory math course is an alternative to Trigonometry/Math Analysis and/or Calculus. It provides 10 elective credits of mathematics for college bound students not planning to major in the sciences. Topics include review and extension of Geometry and Algebra 3-4 skills, statistics, street networks, circuits, linear programming, coding information, and apportionment.

Statistics AP

Prerequisite: Math Analysis C or better or Algebra 4 with teacher approval

Open to grades 11-12

Course Description: This is a year long course to prepare students for the AP exam in the spring. Topics include data analysis using graphical and numerical techniques, data collection techniques, probability and statistical inference.