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The Math Department facilitates the development of effective problem-solvers and flexible, critical thinkers. We work to construct a foundation of skills and understanding which will result in mathematically confident young women who have broader options for the future.
Algebra
Grade: 9,10,11,12
Prerequisite: Department Consent
Credit: Requirement/1.0
Length: 1 Year
Among the topics studied are properties of the real number system, linear equations and systems of linear equations, factoring, simplifying polynomials, exponents, radicals, statistics, data analysis, and probability. Theory is combined with practical problems and applications. Graphing calculators are used extensively.
Accelerated Algebra
Grade: 9
Prerequisite: Department Consent
Credit: Selective/1.0
Length: 1 Year
Accelerated Algebra has basically the same content as Algebra, but topics are studied in greater depth and with enrichment topics added. Graphing calculators will be used extensively.
Geometry
Grade: 9,10,11
Prerequisite: Department Consent
Credit: Requirement/1.0
Length: 1 Year
Geometry emphasizes logical thinking. The course helps students to understand the properties of basic geometric figures and to apply these properties to other figures. Topics include angles, parallel lines, circles, polygons, area, congruence, similarity, proofs, and right triangle trigonometry.
Honors Geometry
Grade: 9,10
Prerequisite: Department Consent
Credit: Selective/1.0
Length: 1 Year
Honors Geometry has basically the same content as Geometry. Many topics are studied in greater depth and include enrichment topics. Further work with circles, chords, arcs, inscribed angles, secants, and tangents will be done.
Advanced Algebra Topics
Grade: 11,12
Prerequisite: Department Consent
Credit: Selective/1.0
Length: 1 Year
Advanced Algebra Topics reviews, extends, and builds on topics of Algebra and Geometry. The course is for students who desire a third or fourth year of math but need additional preparation before taking Advanced Algebra. Units of study include rational numbers, real numbers, variables, expressions, equations and formulas, relations, functions and graphs, equations in one variable, linear equations and functions in two variables, systems of linear equations in two variables, and inequalities.
Advanced Algebra
Grade: 9,10,11,12
Prerequisite: Department Consent
Credit: Requirement/1.0
Length: 1 Year
Advanced Algebra reviews, extends, and builds upon topics of Algebra with an emphasis on analytical thinking. Topics include functions, radicals, coordinate geometry, systems of equations, determinants, conic sections, complex numbers, rational expressions, exponential and logarithmic functions, right-triangle trigonometry, circular trigonometry, law of sines, and law of cosines. Graphing calculators will be used extensively.
Honors Advanced Algebra
Grade: 9,10,11
Prerequisite: Department Consent
Credit: Selective/1.0
Length: 1 Year
Honors Advanced Algebra has basically the same content as Advanced Algebra. Topics are studied in greater depth, and enrichment topics are added as time permits. Graphing calculators will be used extensively.
Pre-Calculus I
Grade: 10,11,12
Prerequisite: Department Consent
Credit: Selective/1.0
Length: 1 Year
Pre-Calculus I includes the study of functions, statistics, and trigonometry. It is for students who have finished an Advanced Algebra course. Pre-Calculus covers a wide range of topics. Functions, including linear, quadratic, logarithmic, exponential, and trigonometrics are studied to prepare for calculus and for course work in engineering and physical sciences. Statistics concepts are studied in depth as a foundation for the study of social science and business. Graphing calculators are used extensively.
Pre-Calculus II
Grade: 11,12
Prerequisite: Department Consent
Credit: Selective/1.0
Length: 1 Year
Pre-Calculus II is for students who have completed Pre-Calculus I. The course deals mainly with infinite and continuous processes. It includes logic, sequences, recursion and induction, combinatorics, and networks. The course is fundamental in computer science, engineering, and physical science as well as in business and social science. Graphing calculators will be used extensively.
Honors Pre-Calculus
Grade: 10,11,12
Prerequisite: Department Consent
Credit: Selective/1.0
Length: 1 Year
Honors Pre-Calculus combines the topics covered in Pre-Calculus I and Pre-Calculus II. Topics are studied in greater depth, and enrichment topics are added.
AP Calculus
Grade: 11,12
Prerequisite: Department Consent
Credit: Selective/1.0
Length: 1 Year
Advanced Placement Calculus is for students who have completed Pre-Calculus II or Honors Pre-Calculus. It is a college course for which most colleges grant advanced placement and credit depending upon the student score on the AB Advanced Placement exam. Topics include all elementary functions, limits, differential calculus, and integral calculus.
STATISTICS
Grade: 11,12
Prerequisite: Advanced Algebra or Department Consent
Credit: Selective/.5
Length: 1 Semester
This class will provide an introduction to statistical idea and statistical reasoning while connecting them to such fields as medicine, education, environmental science, business, psychology, sports, politics and entertainment. Students will learn to formulate questions that can be addressed with data and collect, organize and display relevant data to answer them. Students will learn to select and use appropriate statistical methods to analyze data and develop and evaluate inferences and predictions based on data.
Criteria for Honors Geometry
Incoming freshman:
- Must score at the 10th grade level or higher on the St. Mary's Academy entrance exam
- Must score at least 85% on the algebra placement exam
Criteria for Honors Advanced Algebra
Incoming freshmen:
- Must score at the 10th grade level or higher on the St. Mary's Academy entrance exam
- Must score at least 85% on the algebra and geometry placement exams
Criteria for staying in an honors class:
Besides being currently enrolled in an honors math class, students must meet all of the following:
- Maintain a B+ or better in their current honors math class for both semesters, and earn at least a C on the semester exams,
- OR -
- Maintain a B or better in their current honors math class for both semesters and earn at least a B on the semester exam
Criteria for moving from a regular math class to an honors math class:
- Meet the honors grading scale for an A
- Meet the criteria for "Qualities of an Honors Student"
- Must complete a short application including a 100 word essay
- Complete summer work set by the current teacher
Transfer students must score at least 85% on the department math test to qualify for an honors math class.
Susan Melvin, Department Chair
(Teacher's Website)
- BS Mathematics, Milligan College
- MST Mathematics, Portland State University
- Teaches Honors Geometry, Geometry, Pre-calculus II, and Advanced Algebra Topics
Cynthia Berger
- BS Mathematics, Montana State University
- M.Ed. Math Education, Eastern Washington University
- Teaches Pre-Calculus I and Geometry
Susan Hay (Teacher's Website - Accelerated Algebra)
- BS Geology, Brown University
- BS Biology, Brown University
- MAT, Lewis & Clark College
- MA Liberal Studies, Reed College
- Teaches Accelerated Algebra and Geometry
Cynthia Heller (Teacher's Website - Algebra 1) (Teacher's Website - AP Calculus)
(Teacher's Website - Honors Pre-Calculus)
- BS Mathematics, Portland State University
- Teaches Algebra, Honors Pre-Calculus and AP Calculus
Julia Stadler
- BA Chemistry, Rice University
- MS Chemistry University of California, Berkeley
- MA Teaching, Pacific University
- Teaches Advanced Algebra and Chemistry
Ellen Tevik (Teacher's Website - Adv. Algebra)
(Teacher's Website - Pre-Calculus 1)
- BA Mathematics, University of Oregon
- MAT Oregon State University Advanced Math
- Teaches Honors Advanced Algebra, Advanced Algebra and Precalculus I
Faculty and staff may be contacted by phone at (503) 228-8306 or by e-mail: webmaster@stmaryspdx.org. Address subject line to the specific teacher.
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