- HCS Scholars Academy High School
- Math Course Descriptions
-
Math Course Descriptions
In grades 9 - 12, students extend their understanding and proficiency in a variety of areas of mathematics including Advanced Algebra, Trigonometry, Statistics, Pre-Calculus, and Calculus. All courses are approached through a VNAG approach: Numerical, Analytical, and Graphical with additional emphasis on Verbal and Writing communication skills. Technology is an integral part of the mathematics curriculum. Students are immersed in a wide range of mathematical concepts and processes in preparation for college-level mathematics. Assessment is based on student understanding of mathematics concepts over problem-solving. All mathematics courses offered at the Scholars Academy are designated as Honors or Advanced Placement. The Scholars Academy offers AP Calculus AB, AP Calculus BC, as well as AP Statistics. All students in AP courses must take an exam administered by the College Board. High performance on AP exams may result in college credit or advanced placement.
Geometry Honors (Online)
This course is the mathematical study of shapes, their properties, and their relationships. The course competencies meet the state geometry standards. Emphasis is placed on student exploration and on formulating and defending conjectures. At the honors level, students are also expected to construct formal proofs of geometric principles. This course is designed to prepare students for further mathematical study.
Algebra 2 Honors
This course contains an in-depth study of functions, patterns, relationships, and concepts of number systems. This includes linear, quadratic, rational, exponential, absolute value, and radical functions. This honors-level course also includes a study of logarithmic and polynomial functions. A graphing calculator is required for instruction and assessment. This course prepares students for further mathematical study in Pre-Calculus Honors.
Algebra 3 Honors
This course is designed as a bridge between Algebra 2 and Pre-Calculus. It focuses on developing the student’s ability to understand and apply the study of functions and advanced mathematics concepts to solve problems. The course includes a study of polynomial, rational, exponential, logarithmic, and trigonometric functions. Emphasis is on active participation through modeling, group activities, and communication in mathematics. Students are expected to use technology, including graphing calculators throughout the course.
Pre-Calculus Honors
This course focuses on the development of students' abilities to understand and apply the study of functions and advanced mathematical concepts to solve problems. Topics include polynomial, rational, exponential, logarithmic, and trigonometric functions, in addition to sequences, series, vectors, conic sections, parametric equations, and polar equations. Emphasis is on activities, participation through modeling, group activities, and communication in mathematics. Students are expected to use technology, including graphing calculators throughout the course. This course is designed to prepare students for further mathematical study in AP Calculus.
AP Calculus AB
This course follows the curriculum prescribed by the College Board and is intended for students who have a sophisticated knowledge of mathematics. It is designed to be the equivalent of a first-semester college calculus course devoted to topics in differential and integral calculus. This course requires students to use definitions and theorems to build arguments and justify conclusions. Students are required to take the AP Calculus Examination in May. Placement and/or credit may be awarded at the college level if a qualifying score is obtained. Topics covered include functions, limits, derivatives, integration, and their applications. Topics will be addressed through the use of technology as well as analytically, numerically, verbally, and graphically. Students are required to have a graphing calculator.
AP Calculus BC
This course provides a study of elementary functions and is equivalent to the second semester of college calculus. Course content corresponds to the syllabus established by the College Board Advanced Placement Program. Students are required to take the AP Calculus Examination in May. Placement and/or credit may be awarded at the college level if a qualifying score is obtained. Students will receive a BC score and an AB subscore. Topics included in the curriculum are limits and their properties, differentiation and their applications, including related rates, optimization, and curve sketching, integration and their applications, including area, volume, and arc length, integration by parts, partial fractions, improper integrals, particle motion, differential equations, sequences and series including Taylor polynomials and power series, and polar curves. Students are required to have a graphing calculator.
AP Statistics
This college-level Advanced Placement course in Statistics will introduce students to the major concepts and tools for collecting, analyzing, and drawing conclusions from data. students study four broad conceptual themes: exploring data (observing patterns and departures from patterns), planning a study (deciding what and how to measure), anticipating patterns (producing models using probability and simulation), and statistical inference (confirming models). Students are required to take the AP Statistics Examination in May. Placement and/or credit may be awarded at the college level if a qualifying score is obtained. The content of this college-level course corresponds to the syllabus of the College Board Advanced Placement Program.