Mathematics
The Mathematics Department takes very seriously the idea that Villa Maria Academy is “college prep.” We offer a strong, fundamental program in mathematics. It is our goal to lay a strong foundation in each course for the next course which the students will take. Since our students take four years of math, this is critical. Students are placed in one of four “tracks” depending on their math scores on the placement exam, Iowa test scores, grade school achievement level and teacher recommendation. Besides the normal sequence of Algebra 1, Geometry, Algebra 2, and Pre-Calculus math, we offer the advanced student an opportunity to enter the accelerated tracks with the top track ending in AP Calculus. Students who successfully complete courses in the accelerated math curriculum will be able to earn college credit for some courses through Gannon University and/or the AP testing program.
REQUIREMENTS: 4.25 credits of Math
GANNON UNIVERSITY ARTICULATION AGREEMENT: Upon matriculation at Gannon University, students can earn 3 credits (MATH 111 or MATH 140) when they earn a B (85%) or better in the following classes: Algebra 1 H, Algebra 2/Trigonometry H or College Algebra/Trigonometry PreAP, Geometry H or Geometry PreAP and Calculus H or AP.
ALGEBRA 1 A # 1424 Grade level:9 Credit: 1.0
Algebra 1 provides the foundation for future mathematics courses. It begins the transition from the concrete reasoning of arithmetic to the abstract reasoning of higher mathematics. Students will learn to simplify algebraic expressions, and to solve and graph algebraic equations. They will also apply these skills to solving real world problems.
ALGEBRA 1 H # 1414 Grade level:9 Credit: 1.0
This accelerated course is intended for students who already show some proficiency with algebra skills. Students will learn to simplify algebraic expressions, and to solve and graph algebraic equations. They will also apply these skills to solving real world problems. The honors level explores topics in more depth, including some Algebra 2 topics, and moves at a faster pace than the academic course.
ALGEBRA 1 BRIDGE # 1432 Grade level:10 Credit: 0.5
This semester course is required of any student who receives a grade of 80% or below in Algebra 1 A. Students will review Algebra 1 concepts so that they are better prepared for Geometry and Algebra 2.
ALGEBRA 2 A #3434 Grade level:11 Credit: 1.0
Algebra 2 expands on the topics studied in Algebra 1. Topics include factoring, variations and graphs, linear and quadratic relations, systems of equations, imaginary and complex numbers, powers, radicals, and radical equations.
Prerequisite: Algebra 1 and 80 in Geometry A. Students earning 80 or less in Geometry must take the Geometry Bridge course.
ALGEBRA 2 /TRIGONOMETRY H # 3454 Grade levels:10, 11 Credit: 1.0
Algebra 2 I Trig expands on the topics studied in Algebra 1 and Geometry. Topics include factoring, variations and graphs, linear and quadratic relations, systems of equations, imaginary and complex numbers, powers, radicals, and radical equations, the trigonometric functions, right triangles, graphs of trigonometric functions, fundamental identities, inverse trigonometric functions, radian measures, triangles, and vectors.
Prerequisite: 85% in Geometry H or Department approval
ALGEBRA 2 / TRIG PreAP # 3464 Grade levels:10, 11 Credit: 1.0
This Pre AP Algebra 2 Trig course expands on the topics studied in Algebra 1 and Geometry with an emphasis on preparation for Calculus. Topics include factoring, variations and graphs, linear and quadratic relations, systems of equations, imaginary and complex numbers, powers, radicals, and radical equations, the trigonometric functions, right triangles, graphs of trigonometric functions, fundamental identities, inverse trigonometric functions, radian measures, triangle and vectors. This course required a commitment to a heavier work load than the regular honors course
Prerequisite: 85 % in Geometry PreAP or Department approval
ALGEBRA 3 A # 4472 Grade level:12 Credit: 0.5
This is a semester course that explores advanced algebraic concepts. Topics include systems of equations, quadratic equations, matrices, roots of polynomials, and graphing algebraic equations. This course will be taught in the spring semester. Academic level students must choose either this course or Statistics A, and may take both if they would like to count one as an elective.
Prerequisite: Trigonometry A or Algebra 2/Trigonometry H
CALCULUS AP #5474 Grade level:12 Credit: 1.0
Calculus AP is a rigorous course that follows the Advanced Placement Calculus "AS" curriculum. it includes both differential and integral calculus. Past AP exam questions will be used throughout the class so that students may gain experience and build confidence. The "Calculus AS" AP exam may be taken in May. The fee for this exam is approximately $90. Students taking this course can earn 4 college credits through the University of Pittsburgh.
Prerequisites: 85% in Algebra 2 H, Geometry H, Pre-Calculus H and Department approval.
CALCULUS H # 4484 Grade level:12 Credit: 1.0
The honors course in calculus provides an in-depth study of limits, differentiation, and applications. It will also provide an introduction to integration concepts.
Prerequisite: 85% in Algebra 2 / Trigonometry H or College Algebra / Trigonometry Pre-AP, or Department approval.
EXPLORING PROBABILITY
AND STATISTICS # 1411 Grade level:10 Credit 0.25
Exploring Probability and Statistics provides students with a basic introduction to these two topics. Students will collect, organize, and interpret data, and they will determine the probability and odds of random events. Real world data and activities will be used as often as possible. This is a required course for all sophomores.
GEOMETRY A # 2434 Grade levels:9, 10 Credit:1.0
Geometry provides an introduction to formal mathematics. Students will develop an understanding of logic and mathematical reasoning, and will apply these reasoning skills to relationships between geometric figures including points, lines, planes, triangles, polygons, and circles. They will also use these relationships and their algebra skills to solve real world problems.
Prerequisite: 80 Algebra 1 A. Students earning 80 or lower in Algebra 1 must take the Algebra 1 Bridge course.
GEOMETRY H # 2424 Grade levels:9,10 Credit:1.0
Geometry provides an introduction to formal mathematics. Students will develop an understanding of logic and mathematical reasoning, and will apply these reasoning skills to relationships between geometric figures including points, lines, planes, triangles, polygons, and circles. They will also use these relationships and their algebra skills to solve real world problems. Topics will be explored in depth with an emphasis on formal proof. Incoming freshmen wishing to begin with geometry must pass an Algebra 1 placement exam which is given in May.
Prerequisite: 85% in Algebra 1 H or Department approval
GEOMETRY PreAP # 2454 Grade levels:9, 10 Credit: 1.0
Geometry provides an introduction to formal mathematics. Students will develop an understanding of logic and mathematical reasoning, and will apply these reasoning skills to relationships between geometric figures including points, lines, planes, triangles, polygons, and circles. They will also use these relationships and their algebra skills to solve real world problems. Topics will be explored in depth with an emphasis on formal proof. This course requires a commitment to a heavier work load than the regular honors course. Incoming freshmen wishing to begin with geometry must pass an Algebra 1 placement exam which is given in May.
Prerequisite: 93% in Algebra 1 H and Department approval
GEOMETRY BRIDGE # 2442 Grade level:11 Credit: 0.5
This semester course is required of any student who receives a grade of 80% or below in Geometry A. Students will review Geometry concepts so that they are better prepared for their advanced math classes.
PROBABILITY AND STATISTICS AP # 4464 Grade levels:11-12 Credit: 1.0
This course introduces the student to the major concepts and tools for collecting, analyzing, and drawing conclusions from data. Students are exposed to four broad conceptual themes: exploring data, planning a study, anticipating patterns, and statistical inference. The use of technology is an integral part of the course. Students completing this course will be prepared to take the AP exam in May.
Prerequisite: 85% in College Algebra/ Trigonometry Pre-AP or Department approval
SAT/ACT PREP #5422 Grade levels:10-12 Credit: 0.5
This pass/fail course helps students prepare for standardized tests such as the SAT and the ACT. The course will be divided into three sections: verbal and writing skills, math skills and science skills. The verbal/writing section familiarizes students with the various aspects of the verbal and writing sections of the SAT and ACT tests. The topics covered are: sentence completion, reading comprehension, paragraph organization, identifying sentence errors, vocabulary and timed-writing responses. The math portion of the course includes practice with gridding student-produced responses, numbers, operations, algebra, functions, geometry, measurements, data analysis, statistics, and probability. The science portion of the course will include topics from biology, chemistry, physics, and the Earth/space sciences (geology, astronomy and meteorology). Students will practice skills such as graph reading, interpretation of scatterplots, interpretation of information presented in tables, interpretation of experimental results, and analysis and comparison of alternative viewpoints or hypotheses. This course helps prepare students by teaching them strategies for standardized test taking. Although this class cannot cover all topics as thoroughly as necessary, this class will provide specialized study skills, teacher and student feedback, and daily practice. Students will be required to purchase workbooks for use in this course. This course will be taught in the Fall semester.
Prerequisite: Algebra 2, or Geometry with concurrent enrollment in Algebra 2
STATISTICS # 5442 Grade level:12 Credit: 0.5
This semester course provides an introduction to statistics topics, including representing data, central tendency, variation, mathematical models, experimental design, and probability. This course will be taught in the spring semester. Academic level students must choose either this course or Algebra 3 A, and may take both if they would like to count one as an elective
Prerequisite: Trigonometry A or Algebra 2/Trigonometry H
TRIGONOMETRY # 5452 Grade level:12 Credit: 0.5
This semester course provides an extension of many of the concepts of algebra and geometry. Students will study the trigonometric functions, right triangles, graphs of trigonometric functions, fundamental identities, inverse trigonometric functions, radian measures, and triangles. All academic level students are required to take this course in the fall semester. They will then choose either Algebra 3 A or Statistics A for the spring, and may take both if they would like to count one as an elective.
Prerequisites: Algebra 2 A