The vision of the Mathematics Department revolves around the Common Core State Standards.  The department’s vision is to focus on achieving New Jersey’s goal which is “to enable all of New Jersey’s children to move into the twenty-first century with the mathematical skills, understandings, and attitudes that they will need to be successful in their careers and daily lives.”  

The most compelling reason for this vision is that our children will be better served by higher expectations, by curricula that go far beyond basic skills and include a variety of mathematical models, and by programs that devote a greater percentage of instructional time to problem-solving and active learning. Our vision is based on the twin premises that all students can learn mathematics and that all students need to learn mathematics.

The following proficiencies developed by the department reflect the focus above:

• To demonstrate accuracy and facility in performing fundamental mathematical operations
• To analyze and solve problems of varying types and degrees of difficulty
• To develop an understanding of the nature and structure of mathematics that enables the student to apply principles and concepts in new context.

ALGEBRA I CP

Grade:   9

This course consists of the transition from numerical mathematics to symbolic mathematics. Students’ will learn how to apply the real number system, variables, expressions, equations, and inequalities analytically and graphically to various types of problem-solving situations.   Students will study linear, absolute value, exponential, quadratic, and radical functions. They will also study theoretical, experimental, and conditional probability as well as how to analyze data using various types of graphs and measures of central tendency.

ALGEBRA I HONORS

Grade:   9

This course covers the same material listed for Algebra I CP but at an accelerated pace. The accelerated pace allows time for students to complete the most advanced topics in each chapter. Students must be recommended for this course by the guidance counselor if they were highly successful in middle school mathematics.

GEOMETRY CP

Grade/s:  9 - 10

This course aims to give students an understanding of the fundamental concepts and relationships of plane, solid, and coordinate geometry. The course will increase the student's ability to think critically in mathematical and nonmathematical situations by showing various types of reasoning, including the formal proof. The use of precise language will be stressed in the stating of definitions, postulates, and theorems. Plane geometry will be integrated with arithmetic, algebra, and numerical trigonometry as much as it is possible, with emphasis placed on the algebraic solutions to geometric problems.

GEOMETRY HONORS

Grade/s:  9 - 10

This course covers the same material listed for Geometry CP but is at an accelerated pace. The accelerated pace allows time for students to complete the most advanced topics in each chapter.

ALGEBRA II CP

Grade/s: 10 – 11

The course extends the knowledge of functions and graphs from Algebra I.  Students will also explore new functions: piecewise, polynomial, logarithmic, and trigonometric functions.  The number system will be expanded to include complex numbers.  Data analysis will also be extended to include frequencies of data and standard deviation.

ALGEBRA II HONORS

Grades: 10 – 11

This course covers the same material listed for Algebra II CP but is at an accelerated pace. The accelerated pace allows time for students to complete the most advanced topics in each chapter.

PRE-CALCULUS HONORS/DUAL CREDIT (ACCC)*

Grades:  11 – 12

This course presents knowledge and understanding of the concepts, formulas, and methods of trigonometry and calculus.  It also provides for application to the physical world while stressing solutions of practical problems involving the theoretical aspect of science and mathematics. Trigonometric identities will be integrated into the course to show the relationship to algebra. Additionally, analytic geometry, some concepts of advanced algebra, complex numbers, probability and statistics, limits and logic will be included.  The use of technological devices will be incorporated during class activities.

HONORS  STATISTICS/ DUAL CREDIT (ACCC)*

Grade:   12

Students will work with data collection, descriptive and inferential statistics, probability, and technological tools to analyze statistics. The main topics of the course will include exploring data, planning a study, producing models using probability theory, and making statistical inferences. Students will work with statistical measures of centrality and spread, methods of data collection, methods of determining probability, binomial and normal distributions, hypothesis testing, and confidence intervals. Students will use multiple representations to present data including written descriptions, numerical statistics, formulas, and graphs.

CONSUMER MATH

Grade:   12

Consumer Math is designed as a fourth year math course for seniors. Emphasis will be placed on consumer applications of mathematics using problem solving strategies to develop critical thinking skills. The course will help students become effective consumers and will apply their skills to making real world consumer decision.  Skills needed to pass the eleventh grade PARCC will also be infused in the course.

CALCULUS A/B ADVANCED PLACEMENT (AP)

Grade:   12

The class is a college level course.  It concerns itself with the material of calculus of functions of one independent variable. A deep understanding of the concepts studied throughout high school is needed to understand calculus.  Those students who take the course will take the Advanced Placement Examination in order to potentially qualify for college credit.

SHELTERED MATHEMATICS

Grades:   9 - 12

Students may not select this course.  The course will be assigned after consultation with the counselor, the ESL instructor, and the Math instructor.  This class is designed to assist the Limited English proficient (LEP) student in his/her acquisition of the academic course content.

FINANCIAL LITERACY

Grades:   9 - 12

This course allows students to develop skills and strategies that promote personal and financial responsibility related to financial planning, savings, investment, and charitable giving in the global economy.  This includes an in depth look into taxes, family budgeting, credit cards, and financial results of career and lifestyle choices.

ROBOTICS (1/2 year course)

Grades:        10-12

This semester course allows students to explore the areas Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM). Students will first learn basic electronics. Students will create circuits with various materials including resistors, capacitors, and LEDs. Once a basic understanding of circuitry is established, students will then learn how to build and program robots. The programs will include using light and touch sensors to direct robots through obstacles and/or to have robots complete simple tasks. If time permits, other areas of STEM will be also explored.

*Dual Credit:  These courses are taken in conjunction with programs at the local community colleges (ACCC).  Students enroll in the high school course and receive credit for both. Transcripts of the college courses may be obtained from the appropriate college and submitted to the college of the student’s choice for credit consideration.