The Department of Mathematics is guided by the mandate to develop students who “are thinkers and not mere reflectors of other men’s thoughts” through diligent instruction in an exciting classroom environment that stimulates learning. This mandate is fulfilled in the three-fold purposes of studying mathematics:
To develop a logical and sequential pattern of thinking;
To lend human language to divine principles and laws (set in place at creation) which govern the intricate and orderly operations of our universe; and
To increase our knowledge of and appreciation for our Creator.
Motivated by these purposes, the Department encourages students to set a high standard of achievement where they not only attempt excellence, but strive to embody its motto “Praestolatio a Excellentia”, that is, to have “an expectation of excellence” in all their scholastic endeavors. To this end, we the instructors are committed to:
Providing placements tests so that students are placed in classes that will meet their needs and skill level;
Providing rigorous, but innovate, instruction that is supplemented by tutorial sessions;
Teaching mathematical concepts in the context of real-life situations with the aid of technology to facilitate understanding;
Providing incentives (exemptions, bonus questions and bonus points etc.) and some accommodations to ensure success all for students;
Supplementing traditional assessments with student-driven assessments such as meaningful projects and portfolios that employ a variety of approved mediums (oral presentation, videos, PowerPoint, etc.);
Offering of a Specialty Certificate in Mathematics to qualified students (see handbook); and
Offering a bevy of Advance Placement, Honors and mainstream courses in order to meet the needs and skill levels of all students.
We count it an inestimable privilege and honor to be partners in the academic career of each student.
Fundamentals of Mathematics
Fundamental of Mathematics is a course designed to bridge the gap between a student’s introduction to mathematics on the elementary level and the skills, methods, and concepts needed to be successful on the high school level. Its primary purpose is to review and reinforce fundamental concepts essential to the foundation needed for students to be successful in all subsequent courses in mathematics. The course will be taught at a pace that will ensure understanding and mastery of each concept. Strong emphasis will be placed
on knowing and understanding the vocabulary and concepts needed for proficiency in the mechanical manipulation of mathematical procedures.
Algebra I
Algebra I is an introductory course which provides students with the foundation for all other mathematics courses. Topics include the set of real numbers, polynomials, factoring, solving linear and quadratic equations, systems of equations and inequalities, exponents, radicals, graphing, rational expressions, and an introduction to function notation. The Graphing calculator is used extensively throughout the course. Prerequisites: Placement test and departmental approval.
Honors Algebra I
This course provides a more rigorous approach to the topics covered in Algebra I. Strong emphasis is placed on developing the skills needed for complex problem-solving. Students who complete this course with a minimum grade of 85% (B) will be considered for placement in subsequent honors courses. The graphing calculator is used extensively throughout the course. Prerequisites: Placement test (85% or above), Departmental approval.
Geometry
A course in geometry seeks to develop logical and critical thinking by exposing students to the laws of logics and the steps involved in both deductive and inductive reasoning. Topics include truth tables, laws of logics, segments, angles, parallel and perpendicular lines, polygons, congruence and similarity, circles and areas of polygons. While attention is given to the development of formal proof, more emphasis is placed on applications and problem-solving.
Honors Geometry
Honors Geometry is an accelerated, proof-based course that is primarily for students with a high aptitude in mathematics. It provides students with a more in depth and rigorous study of the topics covered in geometry. While attention is given to problem-solving and applications, greater emphasis is placed on the formal proof of important theorems and their applications in more complex problem-solving. Prerequisites: exceptional completion of Honors Algebra I (85% or above each semester) and/or departmental approval.
Algebra II (with trigonometry)
Algebra ll is a course that seeks to develop and expand the concepts introduced in Algebra 1. Additional topics include matrices, inverse and composite functions; quadratic, exponential, logarithmic functions; binomial expansion, and selected concepts in trigonometry, probability, and statistics. The graphing calculator is used extensively throughout the course. Prerequisites: successful completion of Algebra I
Honors Algebra II (with trigonometry)
Honors Algebra II is an accelerated course designed to prepare students for successful completion of advance courses in mathematics. Topics covered in algebra II are studied in greater detail with special emphasis given to the trigonometric functions. Proficient use of the graphing calculator is critical for an in depth understanding of the various algebraic concepts. Students who complete this course with a minimum grade of 85% (B) will be considered for placement subsequent honors mathematics courses. Prerequisites: exceptional completion of Honors Algebra I (85% or above each semester) and/or departmental approval.
Pre-Calculus (Honors)
Pre-calculus is an advanced course in which detail study is given to the analysis of polynomial equations and inequalities; several types of functions including polynomial, exponential, logarithmic, rational and the six trigonometric functions; law of sines and cosines, identities, polar coordinates, sequence and series, conic sections, and partial fractions. An introduction to the concept of limits will provide a basis for understanding the two major areas of calculus: the derivative and the integral. The graphing calculator is used extensively throughout the course. Prerequisites: exceptional completion of Honors Algebra II (85% or above each semester) and/or departmental approval.
Honors Algebra II with Pre-Calculus
This is a specialized course for highly motivated students who show exceptional promise in mathematics. It provides an in-depth study of the topics covered in Algebra II and Pre-Calculus with the aid of the graphing calculator to facilitate understanding. Students who successfully complete this course will be considered for placement in AP Calculus course. Prerequisites: exceptional completion of Honors Algebra I and Honors Geometry (85% or above each semester), and/or departmental approval.
Integrated Mathematics
Integrated Mathematics is a specially designed course that is offered to seniors only. It provides students with a review of the major concepts covered in the various branches of mathematics. Selected topics are taken from Logics, Geometry, Algebra I & II, Pre-Calculus, Trigonometry, Probability and Statistics. The graphing calculator is used extensively throughout the course. Prerequisites: successful completion of Algebra I & II, Geometry, and/or departmental approval.
AP Statistics (Honors)
AP Statistics, a non-calculus based course, introduces students to the detail methods and processes involved in both Descriptive and Inferential Statistics. Topics include collecting and describing data, designing and conducting experiments, measures of spread, position and central tendency; randomness and probability, statistical inference/hypothesis testing, and linear regression. Strong emphasis is placed on the interpretation of information and the presentation of conclusions in written form. The graphing calculator and Microsoft Excel are used extensively throughout the course. This course prepares students for the Advance Placement Test. Prerequisites: exceptional completion of Honors Algebra II (85% or above each semester), and/or departmental approval.
AP Calculus (AB) (Honors)
As a culminating mathematics course, AP Calculus is designed for students who have consistently displayed a high aptitude for mathematics. Detailed attention is given to the various concepts in both differential and integral calculus. Topics include limits and continuity, derivatives of various functions, applications of the derivative, antiderivatives and integration techniques, and the Fundamental Theorem of Calculus. This course prepares students for the Advance Placement Test for Calculus AB. The graphing calculator is used extensively throughout the course. Prerequisites: exceptional completion of Pre-Calculus or Algebra II with Pre-calculus (85% or above each semester) and/or departmental approval.
