Mathematics
The Sisters High School Math program strives to provide every high school student with a well-rounded math education.

Sisters High School offers a variety of Mathematics classes for all levels. We know that students progress through Math at a different paces and we have created a series of courses to support this.

Algebraic Arithmetic, Algebra, Geometry, Applications of Algebra 2, Algebra 2, Math 111/112, and Calculus are options for a Sisters High School students.

All classes work together to prepare a senior for college/career readiness.

Credits: 1 / Grade: 9

This course begins with a thorough review of basic math skills, then introduces the essential skills required for success in Algebra. Students will review procedures for hand calculation including addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division of whole numbers, decimals, and fractions. Students will demonstrate understanding of rational values expressed as fractions, decimals, or percents, and be able to convert values from one form to another. Students will be able to use fractions, decimals, and percents to solve problems. Students will evaluate expressions correctly using the rules for order of operations. Students will demonstrate understanding of prime and composite numbers. Students will be able to perform calculations with positive and negative numbers, including operations on integers, decimals, and fractions. Students will study commutative, associative, distributive, and identity properties.

Credits: 1 / Grade: 9-10 / NCAA Approved
Prerequisites/Requirements: Teacher placement, proficiency exam

This course covers basic algebra skills. It emphasizes the process of solving equations, as well as the relationships among tables, graphs, and equations of linear functions. Students will evaluate and simplify expressions following rules for order of operations. Students will evaluate and simplify expressions involving positive and negative numbers, and absolute value. Students will interpret graphs of data. Students will solve simple linear equations and inequalities and graph solutions on a number correctly and use the commutative, associative, distributive and identity properties. Students will learn about linear functions and how to interpret and create tables, graphs, and equations of linear relationships. Students will solve simple systems of equations and inequalities and be able to simplify monomials using exponent rules. Students will learn to add, subtract and factor polynomials, solve quadratic equations using zero product product (ZPP), as well as simplify radical expressions.

Credits: 1 / Grade: 9-11 / NCAA Approved
Prerequisites/Requirements: Algebra I

This course begins with a review of basic algebra skills, then covers essential concepts of plane Geometry. Problem solving using the tools of geometry will be emphasized. Students will define geometrical objects using correct notation and use algebra and computation to indirectly find measures of complementary, supplementary, vertical, exterior and remote interior angles. They understand relationships of angles created by a transversal crossing parallel lines and learn methods of proving triangle congruence and similarity. Students will complete simple proofs involving triangles, quadrilaterals, and other polygons and be able to calculate the angle measures, area and perimeter of various polygons. They will use right triangle trigonometry and the Pythagorean Theorem to find missing sides and angles. Students will understand circle geometry including circumference, radius, and area and be able to calculate surface area and volume of spheres, prisms, pyramids, cylinders, and cones.

Credits: 1 / Grade: 10-12
Prerequisites/Requirements: Algebra, Geometry

Students will explore patterns in data  collection, descriptive statistics, different measures of center, and learn the characteristics of a statistically sound experiment. In this course students will design experiments to test the probability of certain claims. Upon completion of this course, students will be literate in informational statistics and use this skill to understand how statistics can inform or mislead us. This course is founded in application and conducting experiments! Students will build skills that will serve them in everyday life and future college math/science courses.

Credits: 1 / Grade: 11
Prerequisites/Requirements: Algebra I or Algebra II (C or better)

The focus of this course is on advanced algebra topics and is designed to help students gain confidence and skills to think mathematically in their lives, gain math and student skills that will prepare the student for success in the traditional algebra 2 course at SHS, develop the students’ positive perspective of themselves in math classrooms, and help the student to learn strategies to deal with math anxiety in a productive and calming way. Students will understand patterns, relations, and functions and represent relations and functions as graphs, tables, formulas. Students will understand and use graphical, table of values and equation representations of functions as well as solve, factor, find roots and graph higher order polynomials. Students will apply linear, quadratic, rational, exponential, and logarithmic functions in real world settings.

Credits: 1 / Grade: 9-12 / NCAA Approved
Prerequisites/Requirements: Algebra I and/or Geometry (C or better)

The focus of this course is on advanced algebra topics. Students will understand patterns, relations, and functions as well as transformations of polynomial, rational, and radical functions. Students will represent relations and functions as graphs, tables, formulas and understand how to use number systems to include; natural numbers, whole numbers, integers, rational numbers, real numbers, complex numbers. They will develop and use the quadratic formula, and they will understand and use graphical, table of values and equation representations of functions. Students will solve, factor, find roots and graph higher order polynomials.

Credits: .5 / Grade: 10-12 College Credit: Yes (4 COCC credits) / NCAA Approved
Prerequisites/Requirements: Algebra II or college placement exam

This course is the study of functions including linear, quadratic, polynomial, rational, exponential and logarithmic. It presents a study of the complex number system along with the algebra and application of functions while solving applied and real world problems. There will be group activities, writing assignments and laboratory activities. A graphing calculator will be used and is required. Students will determine the domain and range of functions, read and write functional notation, determine increasing, decreasing, determine relative minimums and maximums, and determine even, odd or neither functions graphically and algebraically. Students will be able to shift, reflect, stretch and transform graphs and arithmetically combine and composition functions. They will find the inverse of a function algebraically and graphically. They will write quadratic functions in standard form , and they will use graphing, leading coefficient test, long division, synthetic division, the rational zero test to factor and find the zeros of higher order polynomials. They will understand the Fundamental Theorem of Algebra.

Credits: .5 / Grade: 10-12 / College Credit: Yes (4 COCC credits) / NCAA Approved
Prerequisites/Requirements: Math 111

A pre-calculus course covering circular and trigonometric functions. Applications and the use of a graphing calculator will be emphasized throughout the course. Group activities, writing assignments and laboratory activities may be required. A graphing calculator is required. Students will use degree and radian measures of angles and convert from one to another. They will find coterminal, complementary and supplementary angles in both degrees and radians and understand and use the unit circle. Students will know the six trigonometric functions and evaluate the six trigonometric functions using the unit circle, a calculator, reference angles and identities. Students will apply trigonometric identities, solve applications involving right triangles, graph the six trigonometric functions, and solve problems involving the inverse trigonometric functions. Students will solve problems involving bearing and harmonic motion. They will verify trigonometric identities, solve trigonometric equations, use trigonometric formulas, use the law of sines to solve problems, and determine ambiguous cases of SSA.

Credits: 1 / Grade: 11-12 / College Credit: Yes, AP Exam / NCAA Approved
Prerequisites/Requirements: Math 112

AP Calculus is a course that develops the students’ understanding of the concepts of calculus and provides experience with its methods and applications. The course will work under the premise that students will take the AP exam in May. Students will work with functions represented in a variety of ways: graphical, numerical, analytical, or verbal, and they should understand the connections among these representations Students will understand the meaning of the derivative in terms of a rate of change and local linear approximation and will use derivatives to solve a variety of problems. They will also understand the meaning of the definite integral both as a limit of Riemann sums and as the net accumulation of change and will use integrals to solve a variety of problems. Students will understand the relationship between the derivative and the definite integral as expressed in both parts of the Fundamental Theorem of Calculus. Students will be able to communicate mathematics both orally and in well-written sentences and should be able to explain solutions to problems and to model a written description of a physical situation with a function, a differential equation, or an integral. They will also be able to use technology to help solve problems, experiment, interpret results, and verify solutions and be able to determine the reasonableness of solutions, including sign, size, relative accuracy, and units of measurement. Students will develop an appreciation of calculus as a coherent body of knowledge. College credit is based on exams scores and varies based on the specific requirements of particular universities.