ADVANCED ALGEBRA IIUS5030 (1 YEAR/1.0 credit) Grade 9 Prerequisite: Successful completion of 8th grade Algebra I+ or comparable class for new students and recommendation for the course.
This is an accelerated course covering the standard topics of Algebra II. The course is appropriate for students who are ready to understand and apply more advanced concepts. Students in this course can expect to be challenged with questions that put an emphasis on understanding, creativity, and multiple methods. This course is appropriate for rising freshmen students currently enrolled and earning a solid A in 8th grade Algebra 1+ or for new-to-Parker students taking an accelerated Algebra 1 course at their school. Topics covered include functions, linear functions, matrices, quadratic functions, power functions, polynomial functions, rational functions, exponential functions, logarithmic functions, conic sections, etc. Due to the amount and depth of material covered, this course meets 6 days per 8-day cycle with homework. After completing this course, most students will take Advanced Geometry US5251.
ADVANCED CALCULUS IUS5490 (1 YEAR/1.0 credit) Grade 12 PREREQUISITE: Successful completion of Precalculus US5460 or Advanced Precalculus US5465 and consent of department.
This course will continue the study of limits begun in Advanced Precalculus US5465 and Precalculus US5460 and develop a full treatment of differential and integral Calculus. Rules for calculating limits and derivatives will be covered extensively, with an additional focus on implicit differentiation, related rates of change and optimization problems. Integration will be treated as both the inverse of differentiation and as a process for solving for the area under a curve, with extensions to volumes and surfaces. Techniques of integration, including numerical approximation methods for definite integrals, will be emphasized. There will also be a study of rates (in and out), along with an introduction to differential equations. A graphing calculator is an essential tool and will be used throughout the course. Due to the amount and depth of material covered, this course meets 6 days per 8-day cycle with homework. This class may be taken concurrently with another math class.
ADVANCED CALCULUS I & IIUS5495 (1 YEAR/1.0 credit) Grade 12 PREREQUISITE: Completion of Advanced Precalculus US5465 with a solid A and consent of department.
This course will continue the study of limits begun in Advanced Precalculus US5465 and develop a full treatment of differential and integral calculus. This course is designed to be challenging and moves at an exceptionally fast pace. While it covers much of the same material as Advanced Calculus I US5490, it goes into greater depth and complexity on some topics. It also includes additional topics. These topics include: additional methods of integration, arc length, series approximations, and calculus with polar and parametric functions. A graphing calculator is an essential tool and will be used throughout the course. Due to the amount and depth of material covered, this course meets 6 days per 8-day cycle with homework. This class may be taken concurrently with another math class.
ADVANCED GEOMETRYUS5251 (1 YEAR/1.0 credit) Grade 10 PREREQUISITES: Successful completion of Advanced Algebra II US5030 and consent of department.
This is an accelerated course appropriate for students who have a strong background and interest in mathematics, who are ready to think abstractly and understand/apply more advanced concepts. Students will study Euclidean, Analytic and Spherical Geometry. Students will also begin their study of Trigonometry. Due to the amount and depth of material covered, this course meets 6 days per 8-day cycle with homework. After completing this course, most students will take Advanced Precalculus US5465.
ADVANCED PRECALCULUSUS5465 (1 YEAR/1.0 credit) Grade 11 PREREQUISITES: Successful completion of Advanced Algebra II US5160, Advanced Geometry US5251, and consent of department. The ability to manipulate algebraic expressions with ease and to follow the steps of a complicated proof are essential.
This course emphasizes the development of non-routine problem-solving skills and the strengthening of connections between different math topics. It builds on much of the conceptual foundation of functions established in Advanced Algebra II US5040. Beyond the topics covered in Precalculus US5460, students in this course will also study parametric equations, sequences and series, the complex number system, polar coordinates, vectors and matrices, combinatorics and probability, limits and continuity, etc. This course meets the needs of students who intend to take a calculus course the following year. Due to the amount and depth of material covered, this course meets 6 days per 8-day cycle with homework. This class may be taken concurrently with another math class.
ALGEBRA IIUS5010 (1 YEAR/1.0 credit) Grade 9 Prerequisite: Successful completion of 8th grade Algebra I or Algebra I+ or comparable class for new students and recommendation for the course.
This course covers the standard topics of Algebra II. It is designed for students who already have mastered Algebra I and are ready to deepen their algebraic understanding and reasoning. This course is appropriate for rising freshman students currently enrolled in either 8th grade Algebra I or Algebra I+ or for new-to-Parker students enrolled in an Algebra I course at their school. Topics covered include functions, linear functions, quadratic functions, systems of equations, exponents including negative and rational exponents, polynomial functions, exponential functions, logarithmic functions, rational functions, etc. After completing this course, most students will take Geometry US5211.
This course will explore first-year Algebra topics through both applied and algorithmic problems as well as the study of fundamental mathematical questions. An emphasis of an applied course is the connections between mathematics and its real-world applications. This class is appropriate for students who have not previously studied or need to strengthen their understanding of the introductory ideas of algebra.. Topics covered include real numbers and algebraic expressions, linear functions, linear graphs and functions, systems of linear functions, exponents, polynomial functions, quadratic functions, rational expressions and equations, radical expressions and equations, etc. After completing this course, most students will take Applied Geometry US5231.
APPLIED ALGEBRA IIUS5040 (1 YEAR/1.0 credits) Grade 11 PREREQUISITES: Successful completion of Applied Geometry US5231 and consent of department.
This course will explore second-year Algebra topics through both applied and algorithmic problems as well as the study of fundamental mathematical questions. An emphasis of an applied course is the connections between mathematics and its real-world applications. Trigonometry will also be studied during the second semester. This class is appropriate for students who need to strengthen their understanding of Algebra I in addition to learning Algebra II concepts. Topics covered include functions, linear functions, linear programming, quadratic functions, literal equations, exponents, exponential functions, logarithmic functions, introduction to trigonometry, trigonometric functions, applications of trigonometric functions, an introduction to radian measurement, etc. After completing this course, most students will take Statistics & Probability I US5380 and/or Statistics & Probability II US5390.
APPLIED GEOMETRYUS5231 (1 YEAR/1.0 credit) Grade 10 PREREQUISITES: Completion of Applied Algebra US5020 or Algebra II US5010 and consent of department.
Students in this class study the fundamental concepts and theorems of Euclidean geometry, with a particular concurrent focus on reinforcing and enhancing key algebra skills. This course is for students who would benefit from further development of their algebraic fundamentals to be most successful when studying Algebra II and Trigonometry. Major themes are congruence and similarity, parallel lines, polygons, circles, and measurement in two and three dimensions. Proof, construction, explanation, and articulating mathematical arguments are essential aspects of the course. Students write proofs and solve problems that involve finding lengths, areas, volumes and angle measurements. Throughout the year, significant emphasis will be placed on greater mastery of algebraic concepts. After completing this course, most students will take Applied Algebra II US5040.
CONCEPTUAL CALCULUSUS5480 (1 YEAR/1.0 credit) Grade 12 PREREQUISITES: Successful completion of Precalculus US5460 or Advanced Precalculus US5465 and consent of department.
The goal of this class is for students to understand the concepts of calculus as meaningful ideas. Two big ideas in calculus - the derivative and the integral - both relate to our everyday experience of motion. This course will explore the variations and applications of the two fundamental ideas of calculus by developing these concepts from different points of view that may include economics, architecture, baseball, and music. It will provide specific tools that solve practical problems as well as develop an intellectual perspective on how we analyze the world by shifting the emphasis from problem solving to understanding the concepts. Topics covered include limits, continuity and differentiability, derivative rules, applications of derivatives, integration, applications of integrations, differential equations, etc. A graphing calculator is an essential tool and will be used throughout the course. This course meets 6 days per 8-day cycle with homework. This class is intended to be an introduction to a college-level Calculus course. This class is intended to be an introduction to a college-level Calculus course.This class may be taken concurrently with another math class.
GEOMETRYUS5211 (1 YEAR/1.0 credit) Grade 10 PREREQUISITES: Successful completion of Algebra II US5010 and consent of department.
Students in this class study the fundamental concepts and theorems of Euclidean geometry. Major themes are the ideas of congruence and similarity, with particular application to triangles; parallel lines; angle relationships in triangles and polygons; the circle; and relationships involving lengths, areas, and volumes. Proof, explanation, and establishment of logical connections are essential aspects of the course; writing correct and concise deductive proofs receives major emphasis. Algebraic Geometry is integrated throughout the course, and a solid foundation in Algebra is assumed. After completing this course, most students will take Precalculus US5460.
MATH SEMINAR IUS5356 (Offered first semester/0.5 credit) Grades 11-12 PREREQUISITES: Successful completion of an Algebra II class and consent of department.
This course is intended for students with a strong interest in and curiosity for mathematics. Some of the many topics covered include: Number Theory, Theory of Equations, Matrices, Topology, Platonic Solids, and Knot Theory. Students who take this course are highly encouraged to continue with Math Seminar II, as connections will be made between the courses wherever possible. Due to the amount and depth of material covered, this course meets 6 days per 8-day cycle with homework. This class may be taken concurrently with another math class.
MATH SEMINAR IIUS5357 (Offered second semester/0.5 credit) Grades 11-12 PREREQUISITES: Successful completion of an Algebra II class and consent of department.
Students should have a strong interest in and curiosity for mathematics. Students who did not take Math Seminar I US5345 can still take this course. Some of the many topics covered include: Partial and Continued Fractions, The Fibonacci Number Sequence and the Golden Ratio, Infinite Polynomials, Set Theory, and Geometric Constructions. Due to the amount and depth of material covered, this course meets 6 days per 8-day cycle with homework. This class may be taken concurrently with another math class.
PRECALCULUSUS5460 (1 YEAR/1.0 credit) Grade 11 PREREQUISITES: Successful completion of Algebra II US5010 and Geometry US5211 and consent of department.
This course is intended to meet the needs of 11th graders who are interested in eventually studying Calculus. This course will include an in-depth study of trigonometry that builds on the student’s foundation of plane geometry and right triangle trig. Topics covered include polynomial functions, rational functions, exponential and logarithmic functions, conic sections, trigonometric functions, trigonometric identities, polar coordinates, polar functions, etc. This class may be taken concurrently with another math class.
PROBABILITY & STATISTICS IUS5380 (Offered first semester/0.5 credit) Grades 11-12 PREREQUISITE: Consent of department.
This course introduces students to fundamental concepts of probability. Topics covered include basic probability calculations, sample space and events, independent and dependent events, conditional probability, expected value, combinatorics, and discrete probability distributions. This course will allow students to explore a wide variety of mathematical topics through the lens of open-ended, non-routine problem solving. Course content will be approached in a collaborative atmosphere, as students will develop not only a variety of problem-solving strategies, but also effective interpersonal communication skills. Content may vary according to student interest and could also include topics from discrete math, including modular arithmetic, sequences, alternative number systems, voting theory, graph theory, number theory, and game theory. Students will engage in independent explorations on topics or problems of their choice as a way to extend course content and practice their creative thinking skills. A graphing calculator is an essential tool and will be used throughout the course. Due to the amount and depth of material covered, this course meets 6 days per 8-day cycle with homework. This class is not intended to be the equivalent of a college level Statistics course. This class may be taken concurrently with another math class.
PROBABILITY & STATISTICS IIUS5390 (Offered second semester/0.5 credit) Grades 11-12 PREREQUISITE: Consent of department.
This course is an introduction to the collection, organization, analysis, and interpretation of data. Topics covered include 1-variable data and the normal distribution, 2-variable data and linear regression, randomness and probability, experimental design, and an introduction to hypothesis testing. Heavy emphasis is placed on conceptual understanding and reasoning. While mathematical formulas and algebraic thinking are necessary to the discipline, calculators and spreadsheets are frequently utilized as tools for computation, simulation, and working with large data sets. Students complete some projects throughout the semester, incorporating statistical methods and techniques, gathering data, making predictions and drawing conclusions. A graphing calculator is an essential tool and will be used throughout the course. Due to the amount and depth of material covered, this course meets 6 days per 8-day cycle with homework. This class is not intended to be the equivalent of a college level Statistics course. This class may be taken concurrently with another math class.
STATISTICSUS5360 (1 YEAR/1.0 credit) Grades 11-12 PREREQUISITES: Successful completion of an Algebra II class and consent of department.
This course is an introduction to statistics comparable to a one-semester college course. Its objective is to foster the intelligent use and interpretation of data. Students study both descriptive statistics (how to talk about data) and inferential statistics (how to make predictions from data). Topics include 1-variable data and the normal distribution, 2-variable data and linear regression, random processes and probability distributions, confidence intervals, and hypothesis testing. In addition, students learn methods of experimental design, including observational techniques, sampling, bias, reliability and validity. Spreadsheets are used as a tool for simulation and working with large data sets. Students complete some projects throughout the year, incorporating statistical methods and techniques, gathering data, making predictions and drawing conclusions. A graphing calculator and a laptop are essential tools and will be used throughout the course. Due to the amount and depth of material covered, this course meets 6 days per 8-day cycle with homework. This class may be taken concurrently with another math class.
TOPICS IN TRIGONOMETRYUS5347 (Second Semester/0.5 credits) Grade 11 PREREQUISITES: Successful completion of Applied Geometry US5231 or Geometry US5211 and consent of department.
Trigonometry will be explored through both applied and algorithmic problems. An emphasis of an applied course is the connections between mathematics and its real-world applications. This class is appropriate for students who have already completed Algebra II and Geometry but are not taking Precalculus as a Junior. This course will happen simultaneously with the second semester of Applied Algebra II. After completing this course, students can take Statistics 5360 or Precalculus 5460 or Conceptual Calculus.
Francis W. Parker School educates students to think and act with empathy, courage and clarity as responsible citizens and leaders in a diverse democratic society and global community.
