Math
Three years are required for graduation. Four years of Math are recommended for college admissions. Most colleges require Algebra 2.
Initial math is based on placement tests. All honors and math courses beyond Geometry will have pre-requisites.
- ALGEBRA 1A - GRADE 9
- ALGEBRA 1B - GRADE 10
- ALGEBRA 1 - GRADE 9
- ALGEBRA 1 HONORS - GRADE 9
- GEOMETRY - GRADES 9-11
- GEOMETRY HONORS - GRADES 9, 10
- Algebra 2/Trigonometry - GRADES 9-12
- Algebra 2 Lab - GRADES 11, 12
- ALGEBRA 2 CP - GRADES 11, 12
- ALGEBRA 2/TRIGONOMETRY HONORS - GRADES 9-11
- PRE-CALCULUS - GRADES 10-12
- AP PRECALCULUS - GRADES 10-12
- CALCULUS - GRADES 11, 12
- AP CALCULUS AB - GRADES 11, 12
- AP CALCULUS BC - GRADE 12
- STATISTICS - GRADES 11, 12
- AP STATISTICS - GRADES 11, 12
- Financial Algebra - GRADE 12
- INTRODUCTION TO COLLEGE MATH - GRADES 11, 12
ALGEBRA 1A - GRADE 9
This is the first of a two-year Algebra 1 course. Content includes using variables, translating words into symbols, and working with the real number system and its properties. Students will solve equations and word problems as well as proportions to real world problems. Graphing algebraic equations and solving systems of equations will also be studied. Together with Algebra 1B the following year, a full-year, comprehensive program in Algebra 1 will be completed.
- Homework Expectation: 2 hours per week
- Year
- 10 Credits
- UC Approved
- NCAA Approved: 5 credits of Math
ALGEBRA 1B - GRADE 10
Prerequisite: Minimum C- in the 1st and 2nd semester of Algebra 1A.
This is the second year of a two-year Algebra 1 course. Content includes using variables, translating words into symbols, and working with the real number system and its properties. Students will solve linear and quadratic equations and word problems, simplify and factor polynomials, graph linear, quadratic, and exponential equations. Simplifying algebraic fractions and fractional equations will also be studied. Together with Algebra 1A, a full-year, comprehensive program in Algebra 1 is completed. This course may not be taken over the summer.
- Homework Expectation: 2 hours per week
- Year
- 10 Credits
- UC Approved
- NCAA Approved: 5 credits of Math
ALGEBRA 1 - GRADE 9
Algebra 1 is a first-year high school Algebra course that begins with solving and graphing linear equations and inequalities. Students must understand the language of Algebra and have strong basic skills in operations with the real number system to continue their studies of polynomials and their factors, quadratic equations, rational expressions, radicals, and rational functions.
- Homework Expectation: 3 hours per week
- Year
- 10 Credits
- UC Approved
- NCAA Approved
ALGEBRA 1 HONORS - GRADE 9
Prerequisite: Minimum HSPT score of 565 or qualify with the Math Challenge Exam.
Algebra 1 Honors is a fast-paced first-year high school Algebra course which includes simplifying integers, combining like terms, graphing, factoring, exponents, multiplying binomials, systems of equations and solving linear and quadratic equations. Students will develop the ability to solve various types of equations, factor and solve polynomials and graph equations. This honors course will focus on higher level critical thinking and questions regularly involving fractions, decimals, and word problems.
- Homework Expectation: 3 hours per week
- Year
- 10 Credits
- UC Approved
- NCAA Approved
GEOMETRY - GRADES 9-11
Prerequisites: Continuing students must have a minimum C- in the 1st and 2nd semester of Algebra 1, or one full year of Algebra 1A and one full year of Algebra 1B with a minimum C- in each course. Incoming freshmen students can be placed into this course with a qualifying Math Challenge Exam score.
This course is designed for students with a solid foundation in Algebra I where students will be required to exhibit Algebra 1 skills. Students learn deductive proof writing, properties of angles, perpendicular and parallel lines, congruent triangles, similar polygons, circles, right triangles, area and volumes of solids, coordinate geometry and constructions.
- Homework Expectation: 2 hours per week
- Year
- 10 Credits
- UC Approved
- NCAA Approved
GEOMETRY HONORS - GRADES 9, 10
Prerequisites: Continuing students must have a minimum A in the 1st and 2nd semester of Algebra 1 and their current teacher recommendation or minimum B- in the 1st and 2nd semester of Algebra 1 Honors. Incoming freshmen can be placed into this course with a qualifying Math Challenge Exam score.
This course is an advanced college prep course which replicates the content from geometry. In this course, concepts are studied in greater depth at an accelerated pace with a greater emphasis on geometric proofs and trigonometry. The purpose of this course is to enable students to think logically and express complex ideas precisely through problem solving. Mastery of Algebra 1 skills is a requirement.
- Homework Expectation: 4 hours per week
- Year
- 10 Credits
- UC Approved
- NCAA Approved
Algebra 2/Trigonometry - GRADES 9-12
Prerequisites: All students must meet the state of California graduation requirement for a full year of Geometry course credit before moving into this course. Continuing students who do not meet a C- average on the weekly Algebra quizzes taken throughout the year in Geometry will be strongly encouraged to take Algebra 2 Lab. Incoming freshman students who have met the Geometry course credit requirement can be placed into this course with a qualifying Math Challenge Exam score.
This course will prepare the students for college and deepen their understanding of Algebra as well as introduce students to functional trigonometry. The course embeds mathematical practices and modeling into standards which includes structure, properties, and operations of the complex number systems, quadratic equations in one variable (including rational, irrational, and imaginary roots), rational logarithms, exponential functions, systems of equations and inequalities, matrices, graphs, higher degree polynomials, factoring, binomial theorem, review right trigonometry and introduce basic trigonometric functions, and application of content to problem solving. Graphing calculators are used to enhance the understanding of algebraic and trigonometric concepts. This course is designed to prepare students for Pre-Calculus and fulfills the Algebra requirement for admission to many colleges.
- Homework Expectation: 4 hours per week
- Summer Assignment Required: Due on 1st day of class
- Year
- 10 Credits
- UC Approved
- NCAA Approved
Algebra 2 Lab - GRADES 11, 12
Prerequisites: Placement for continuing students, in conjunction with their Algebra 2/Trigonometry course, is based on Algebra quiz scores from their Geometry course, teacher recommendation, counselor recommendation, and parent consent.
The Algebra 2 Lab is a yearlong course designed to support Algebra 2/Trigonometry students by providing daily pre-teaching experience focusing on the same essential math content they will encounter in their Algebra 2 class. This Lab is not a remedial program. The course is offered during zero (0) period, four (4) morning a week for 30-minutes. Students acquire transferable knowledge in Algebra content allowing them to draw on these experiences with confidence and persistence when they are in their Algebra 2 classroom. This course does not replace the mathematical requirements for graduation.
- Homework Expectation: none
- Year
- 10 Credits
ALGEBRA 2 CP - GRADES 11, 12
Prerequisites: Algebra 1A & 1B and Geometry or Algebra 1 and Geometry with minimum grades of C-. Summer Assignment Required: Due on first day of class.
Algebra 2 is a year-long course focusing only on Algebra 2 concepts without Trigonometry. Students will extend and deepen their understanding of numerical systems including complex numbers. The emphasis will be on linear, quadratic, polynomials, rational, exponential, and logarithmic functions, with graphs along with modeling practices. Students will also study discrete mathematics of series, probability, and data exploration. This course does not meet the trigonometry prerequisite needed to move into Precalculus or Introduction to College Math.
- Homework Expectation: 4 hours per week
- Year
- 10 Credits
- UC Approved
- NCAA Approved
ALGEBRA 2/TRIGONOMETRY HONORS - GRADES 9-11
Prerequisites: All students must meet the state of California graduation requirement for a full year of Geometry course credit before moving into this course. Continuing students must have a minimum B- in the 1st and 2nd semester of Geometry Honors and a minimum B- on the Algebra quizzes taken throughout the course. Continuing students from Geometry or Accelerated Geometry must have a minimum A- in the 1st and 2nd semester and a minimum A- on the Algebra quizzes taken throughout the course. Incoming freshman or new students can be placed into this course with a qualifying Math Challenge Exam score after meeting the state of California Geometry graduation requirement at their previous school.
Algebra 2/Trigonometry Honors is an accelerated course that is designed to delve into advanced algebra and trigonometry topics. Students further explore linear and quadratic functions. Students are introduced to polynomial rational, exponential, logarithmic functions, trigonometric functions, identities, and graphs. Very strong first-level algebraic skills are required to further study additional algebraic methods using critical thinking and introductory analysis. This course is designed to cover topics beyond the college prep standards for Algebra 2 and Trigonometry and prepares students for Pre-Calculus Honors.
- Homework Expectation: 5 hours per week
- Summer Assignment Required: Due on 1st day of class
- Year
- 10 Credits
- UC Approved
- NCAA Approved
PRE-CALCULUS - GRADES 10-12
Prerequisites: Minimum B- in the 1st and 2nd semester of Algebra 2/Trigonometry or minimum C- in the 1st and 2nd semester of Algebra 2/Trigonometry Honors or minimum C- in the 1st and 2nd semester of Intro to College Math. Algebra 2 CP students do not meet the prerequisites for this course.
This course is designed to prepare students to begin their college studies in introductory calculus. Students will study and graph linear, quadratic, polynomial, exponential, logarithmic, and trigonometric functions. Matrices, vectors, sequences, series and probability, and the concept of limits will be introduced.
- Homework Expectation: 4 hours per week
- Year
- 10 Credits
- UC Approved
- NCAA Approved
AP PRECALCULUS - GRADES 10-12
Prerequisites: Minimum B- in the 1st and 2nd semester of Algebra 2/Trigonometry Honors or minimum C- in the 1st and 2nd semester Precalculus. Any student who is not coming from Algebra 2/Trig Honors taken in person at JSerra will be required to take and pass an AP Math Placement Test. Current teacher recommendation required.
This advanced course prepares students to take the College Board AP exam in May. AP Precalculus is a high school level course necessary to prepare for college level mathematics, students must have very strong algebraic skills to further study functional applications and analysis. Functional and geometrical trigonometry topics are extended beyond introductory levels. High-level topics include nonlinear and linear systems with matrices, analytic geometry, and some discrete mathematics are covered in this course. This course concludes with an introduction to basic calculus topics.
- Homework Expectation: 4-6 hours per week
- Summer Assignment: Due on 1st day of class
- AP Exam Required: $105 Fee
- Year
- 10 Credits
- UC Approved for Honors
- NCAA Approved
CALCULUS - GRADES 11, 12
Prerequisites: Minimum B- in the 1st and 2nd semester of Pre-Calculus or minimum C- in the 1st and 2nd semester Precalculus Honors. Current teacher recommendation required.
This challenging course covers the elements of beginning college calculus. Topics to be studied include limits, differentiation and integration of polynomial, trigonometric, logarithmic, exponential, and other functions. This course is ideal for students who would like an introduction to calculus for college preparation but without taking a college-level course.
- Homework Expectation: 2.5-3 hours per week
- Year
- 10 Credits
- UC Approved
- NCAA Approved
AP CALCULUS AB - GRADES 11, 12
Prerequisites: Minimum B- in the 1st and 2nd semester of Honors Precalculus or minimum B- in the 1st and 2nd semester of Calculus. Any student not meeting the requirements from Honors Precalculus taken in person at JSerra will be required to take and pass the AP Math Placement Test. Current teacher recommendation required.
AP Calculus AB is a fast-paced course designed to be the equivalent of a first semester college Calculus course. AP Calculus AB covers important topics in both differential and integral calculus. AP Calculus AB students must have a strong foundation in reasoning with algebraic symbols and working with algebraic structures. Strong performance in Algebra 2 Trigonometry Honors and AP Precalculus is a reliable indicator of success in AP Calculus AB.
- Homework Expectation: 4-6 hours per week
- Summer Assignment Required: Due on 1st day of class
- AP Exam Required: $105 Fee
- Year
- 10 Credits
- UC Approved for Honors
- NCAA Approved
AP CALCULUS BC - GRADE 12
Prerequisites: Minimum B- in the 1st and 2nd semester of AP Calculus AB with a minimum passing score of 3 on the AP Calculus AB exam. Current teacher recommendation required.
AP Calculus BC is the equivalent of a semester of college Calculus that continues the field of study in Calculus. Topics covered in AP Calculus AB are quickly reviewed before delving into additional Calculus topics. Students study limits, derivatives, definite and indefinite integrals, polynomial approximations and (infinite) series. Though this is considered a study of single-variable calculus, parametric, polar, and vector functions will be studied. This course is designed to qualify the student for placement and credit in a course that is one course beyond that granted for AP Calculus AB.
- Homework Expectation: 4-6 hours per week
- Summer Assignment Required: Due on 1st day of class
- AP Exam Required: $105 Fee
- Year
- 10 Credits
- UC Approved for Honors
- NCAA Approved
STATISTICS - GRADES 11, 12
Prerequisite: Minimum B- in the 1st and 2nd semester of Algebra 2/Trigonometry or Algebra 2 CP, (or) minimum C- in the 1st and 2nd semester of Algebra 2/Trig Honors (or) minimum C- in the 1st and 2nd semester of Precalculus (or) minimum C- in the 1st and 2nd semester of Intro to College Math.
This course covers four major topics throughout the school year: producing data, organizing data, probability, and statistical inference. This course will utilize a TI 84 graphing calculator and technology to further explore and develop critical thinking, reasoning, and analytical skills. This course requires frequent written and oral analyses of data. Successful completion of this course prepares students for college-level statistics.
- Homework Expectation: 2-4 hours per week
- Year
- 10 Credits
- UC Approved
- NCAA Approved
AP STATISTICS - GRADES 11, 12
Prerequisite: Minimum A- in the 1st and 2nd semester of Algebra 2/Trigonometry or minimum B- in the 1st and 2nd semester of Algebra 2/Trig Honors or minimum C- in the 1st and 2nd semester of Statistics.
AP Statistics is an introductory college-level statistics course that introduces students to the major concepts and tools for collecting, analyzing, and drawing conclusions from data. Students cultivate their understanding of statistics using technology, investigations, problem solving, and writing as they explore concepts like variation and distribution; patterns and uncertainty; and data-based predictions, decisions, and conclusions.
- Homework Expectation: 4-5 hours per week
- AP Exam Required: $105 Fee
- Year
- 10 Credits
- UC Approved for Honors
- NCAA Approved
Financial Algebra - GRADE 12
Prerequisite: Minimum C- in the 1st and 2nd semester of Algebra 2/Trigonometry or Algebra 2 CP.
This course prepares students to think logically and critically about finances, both for the home and in their professional life. Students will learn to analyze real-world business problems and apply appropriate mathematical principles. Course content includes accounting principles, personal finance, marketing, purchasing, loan applications, financial and corporate planning, and financial accounting practice.
- Homework Expectation: 2 hours per week
- 2 Semesters (single semester can be taken)
- 5 Credits each semester
- UC Approved
- NCAA Approved
INTRODUCTION TO COLLEGE MATH - GRADES 11, 12
Prerequisite: Minimum C- in the 1st and 2nd semester of Algebra 2/Trigonometry. Algebra 2 CP students do not meet the prerequisites for this course.
This course is designed for students who have taken three years of mathematics (Algebra 1, Geometry, Algebra 2) and provides another year of mathematics. Introduction to College Math will prepare students for college mathematics and college placement exams. Students will develop the ability to transform functions, describe the behavior of functions, solve polynomial equations, graph a variety of functions, and develop a thorough understanding of rational and irrational numbers. The course not only provides students with application in mathematics but also provides a solid foundation for trigonometry and pre-calculus. Graphing calculators are required to enhance the understanding of algebraic concepts.
- Homework Expectation: 2 hours per week
- Year
- 10 Credits
- UC Approved
- NCAA Approved