Department Head: Susan Kelley

The Mathematics Department offers courses from the intervention level through Advanced Placement levels. All courses cover the state standards relevant to that course and many cover additional enrichment topics, especially academy and pathway sections.  Students also have opportunities to participate in contests throughout the school year and the Math-Science Club meets weekly during lunch.

Algebra 1-2

This course is required for graduation and for admission to the University of California or California State University systems.  College eligibility requires a grade of C or better.

Students complete one year of college preparatory Algebra in this two semester sequence. Incoming ninth graders are placed in this class based on scores on the placement exam and record from middle school.

This course covers the twenty-five standards listed for the course in the California Mathematics Framework. Topics include solving linear and quadratic equations, solving systems of equations, rational equations, simplifying radicals, graphing linear and quadratic equations, solving word problems, simple absolute value problems, using exponents, factoring second and third degree polynomials, and basic operations on monomials and polynomials.

Geometry 1 and 2

This course is required for graduation and for admission to the University of California or California State University systems. College eligibility requires a grade of C or better.

Students take this class when they have successfully completed Algebra 1 and 2. The course covers all of the California State Standards for Geometry. Topics include proofs, congruence, similarity, properties of parallel lines cut by a transversal, polygons, circles, perimeter, area, volume, three dimensional figures, special triangles and polygons such as squares, Pythagorean theorem, basic constructions, coordinate geometry, basic right triangle trigonometry, and transformations.  ALHS uses the Michael Serra textbook Discovering Geometry.

Advanced Algebra 1 and 2

This course is required for graduation for the class of 2014 and beyond.  It is required for admission to the University of California or California State University systems. College eligibility requires a grade of C or better.

Topics included in this course cover all of the state standards. The topics include solving equations and inequalities using absolute value, solving systems of equations in a variety of methods, performing operations on polynomials, complex numbers,, rational expressions, graphs of quadratic functions, logarithms, exponential functions, conic sections, combinations and permutations, probability involving combinations and permutations, binomial theorem, arithmetic and geometric series, inverse functions, and composition of functions.

Statistics and Probability 1 and 2

This is an introductory high school level course to statistics and probability. Students taking this course should have completed at least through Geometry and Advanced Algebra is highly recommended since topics covered in that course are often used in this course.

This course covers all of the standards listed in the California Framework, but covers many other topics in addition to those listed in the Framework. The course tends to have a hands-on approach so that students can generate their own data in many situations. Topics include linear regression, analysis of one variable data, introductory inference, and probability. Teachers often use a variety of sources for the class, including websites for additional enrichment.

Pre-Calculus 1 and 2

Prerequisites for this course are Algebra, Geometry, and Advanced Algebra. Success in this course is very dependent on students having a thorough knowledge of second year algebra and geometry since both are used and built on throughout the course. Students must have teacher recommendation to take this course and scores on CST math subjects are considered. A diagnostic test is given to determine if placement in this course is appropriate.

This course covers all of the traditional trigonometry topics as well as many analytic geometry topics. The standards listed under Trigonometry and Mathematical Analysis in the California Mathematics Framework are addressed in this course as well as almost all the topics in the Linear Algebra listing in the Framework.

Advanced Placement Statistics 1 and 2

This course is the College Board Advanced Placement Statistics course and includes all of the topics listed on the College Board website. The course has four main components: exploratory analysis, probability, experimental design, and inference. Students enrolling in this course must have fairly high reading and writing ability and must have successfully completed through Advanced Algebra (An A or B in that course is recommended). Teacher recommendation and parent approval is required to be eligible to take this course.

Advanced Placement Calculus 1 and 2

Students must complete Precalculus successfully to enroll in this course. Students must also pass a placement test and have teacher recommendation to enroll. This course is very similar to the UC Berkeley course and assumes students have had some background in Analytic Geometry in addition to Trigonometry before entering this course.

The course covers all of the topics in the College Board syllabus for this course as well as a few additional topics. Students taking this course must take the Advanced Placement exam in May of the year they take the course. Students who pass the Advanced Placement exam are then eligible for college credit at many universities.