Math Department
The Mathematics Department offers courses of varying levels of complexity to meet students’ needs to increase their problem solving skills, to prepare them for advanced education and future careers, and to develop their mathematical competencies and critical thinking. After a student has received thirty credits in mathematics to meet graduation requirements, there are various courses the students can pursue to meet their future needs.
Students will start their mathematics course progression based on their placement. This placement is determined by the student’s score on the Math Placement Exam, which students take during the spring of their eighth-grade year in conjunction with the placement recommendation from their middle school teacher. At some points along the way, students who have a strong aptitude for math and enjoy the subject may take two courses concurrently. Be advised that this would incur a large amount of nightly homework by doing so, though, and teacher permission is required for doubling up.
Due to the sequential nature of mathematics in general, students need to successfully complete the material in a course before progressing to the next level. Teachers will make individual recommendations to students for course registration based on current academic performance. If you have a question about which course for which to register, please see your current Math teacher.
Courses
Algebra Essentials
Algebra I
Differentiated Algebra I
Geometry
Differentiated Geometry
Algebra II
Differentiated Algebra II
AP Statistics
Trigonometry and Statistics
Pre-Calculus
Advanced Math
AP Calculus
AP Calculus (PACE)
Math Teachers
Stories about Math
Going 3D with sidewalk chalk in AP Calculus
AP Calculus students broke free from in-class worksheets to showcase their math prowess … on the sidewalks. And with chalk! Anne Driewer’s classes were turning
Counting M&Ms a colorful stats lesson
Here’s a class assignment where eating the ‘homework’ is encouraged (just not by your dog)! Students in Brianna Olson’s AP Stats class were given a
Factoring in teamwork to solve Algebra problems
Bill Schlautman’s Differentiated Algebra I class was busy working on factoring polynomials this week. Working in teams to solve individual problems to find a collective
Groupwork adds different learning opportunities in Geometry
Students in Anne Driewer’s Differentiated Geometry class put their knowledge to use to solve problems requiring the area of various complex shapes.
Course Descriptions
Algebra Essentials
Grades: 9
Length: Year
Algebra Essentials is designed to be taken along with Algebra I. It will cover basic skills required to be successful in all high school math courses, along with providing extra practice of skills learned in Algebra I. Topics covered will include fractions, operations with integers, simplifying algebraic expressions, solving basic equations and inequalities, graphing, decimals, percentages, probability, measurement, radicals, and basic geometry, although the list will change to reflect the specific needs of the individual student. All work is designed to be completed in class.
Algebra I
Grades: 9, 10
Length: Year
The goal of Algebra I is to offer students traditional algebra content. It will provide students with a transition from the concrete elementary mathematics to the abstract thinking of algebra and will engage students in practice and problem-solving strategies. Algebra I will expose students to factoring, rational and polynomial expressions, operations with radicals, solving linear and quadratic equations, order of operations, word problems, and how to solve systems of equations. Daily homework should be expected.
Differentiated Algebra I
Grades: 9, 10
Length: Year
The goal of Differentiated Algebra I is to offer traditional algebra content as a foundation for advanced math courses. It will provide students with a more rigorous transition from the concrete elementary mathematics to the abstract thinking of algebra and will engage students in problem-solving strategies at a deeper level. Differentiated Algebra I will enable students to become proficient in rational and polynomial expressions, operations with radicals, solving and graphing linear and quadratic equations, order of operations, word problems, and how to solve systems of equations. Daily homework should be expected.
Geometry
Grades: 10, 11, 12
Length: Year
Geometry is a course designed for students who successfully completed Algebra I or for those students who struggled in Differentiated Algebra I. The goal of Geometry is to offer students essential Geometry content and introduce the step-by-step thinking process. Geometry includes constructions and proofs as well as the study of the properties of circles, triangles, basic polygons, and 3-D shapes. Daily homework should be expected.
Pre-Requisites: Algebra I or Differentiated Algebra I
Differentiated Geometry
Grades: 9, 10, 11, 12
Length: Year
Differentiated Geometry is concerned about “how” and “why” you arrive at answers to problems, along with “what” the answer is. This step-by-step thinking process is applicable to the problem solving and in depth thinking processes required in everyday applications. This more rigorous course includes constructions and proofs as well as the study of the properties of circles, triangles, basic polygons, and 3-D shapes. Daily homework should be expected.
Pre-Requisites: Differentiated Algebra I or Algebra I with Teacher Permission
Algebra II
Grades: 11, 12
Length: Year
Algebra II is designed for students who successfully completed Geometry or Differentiated Geometry and need more practice in their Algebra skills. Algebra II offers a continuation of the traditional first year algebra course and progresses into the study or functions, complex numbers, polynomials, radicals, exponentials, and logarithms. Daily homework should be expected.
Pre-Requisites: Algebra I or Differentiated Algebra I. Students who have not completed Geometry or Differentiated Geometry need teacher permission to enroll.
Differentiated Algebra II
Grades: 10, 11, 12
Length: Year
Differentiated Algebra II offers an in-depth continuation of the traditional first year algebra course and progresses into the study or functions, complex numbers, polynomials, radicals, exponentials, logarithms, sequences, series, and matrices. With permission, sophomores may take Differentiated Algebra II concurrently with Differentiated Geometry. Differentiated Algebra II is strongly recommended for college-bound students. Daily homework should be expected.
Pre-Requisites: Differentiated Geometry or Geometry with teacher permission
AP Statistics
Grades: 11, 12
Length: Year
This course introduces students to the major concepts and tools for collecting, analyzing and drawing conclusions from data with the goal of understanding the fundamental concepts of statistics. Practical applications are emphasized. Students will design, conduct, and report on their own studies. The AP Statistics exam will be offered in May. Daily homework should be expected. Graphing calculator required.TI 83+ or TI 84 series is recommended.
Pre-Requisites: Algebra II
Trigonometry and Statistics
Grades: 11, 12
Length: Year
Students in the first semester of this course will study right-triangle trigonometry, progress into non-right triangle trigonometry, and then cover the unit circle as well as all of the properties, identities, graphs and applications of the six trigonometric functions. The second semester of the course will be an introduction to statistics, data collection, and data analysis. This will include basics of probability and an emphasis on applying concepts to real-life scenarios. Students will complete several projects. Daily homework throughout the year should be expected. Students may register for either or both semesters if they have already completed Pre-Calculus. Graphing calculator required. TI 83+ or TI 84 series is recommended.
Pre-Requisites: Algebra II or Algebra II Fundamentals]
Pre-Calculus
Grades: 11, 12
Length: Year
Pre-Calculus is the study of trigonometric, linear, quadratic, polynomial, exponential, logarithmic, and rational functions and provides the fundamentals for Calculus. Conic sections, right and non-right triangle trigonometry, and exponential growth/decay are also studied. Graphing calculators are a tool to help analyze functions in the course. This course is recommended for students who plan to major in science, math, engineering, business, or math-related fields and who plan on taking Calculus. It is highly recommended that students have at least a C average in each semester of Algebra II in order to be successful in Pre-calculus. Daily homework should be expected. Graphing calculator required. TI 83+ or TI 84 series is recommended.
Pre-Requisites: Algebra II
Advanced Math
Grades: 12
Length: Year
Advanced Math is offered to seniors who would like an additional year of math following Algebra II or Algebra II Fundamentals. The course reviews concepts from Algebra II and progress into trigonometry, statistics, probability, logic, discrete math, matrices, and consumer math. Daily homework should be expected.
Pre-Requisites: Algebra II Fundamentals or Algebra II with teacher recommendation (Not available to students who have completed Pre-Calculus)
AP Calculus
Grades: 11, 12
Length: Year
This course covers the topics of first-semester, college Calculus and also includes a review of Pre-Calculus. Students will learn the concepts, rules, and applications of limits, derivatives and integrals. Students may choose to take the AP Calculus AB exam or check with their college regarding the potential to start in the second semester of college Calculus. Daily homework should be expected. Graphing calculator required. TI 83+ or TI 84 series is recommended.
Pre-Requisites: Pre-Calculus (11th grader only with teacher permission)
AP Calculus (PACE)
Grades: 11, 12
Length: Semester
AP Calculus (PACE) is equivalent to first and second semester college calculus courses and includes the study of limits, derivatives, integrals, and series. This course will prepare students to take the AP Calculus BC exam for possible college credit. Students in this course may register for dual credit through Southeast Community College or Nebraska Wesleyan University. Daily homework should be expected.Graphing calculator required. TI 83+ or TI 84 series is recommended.