Math

Students will work with teachers and parents/guardians during registration to select the most appropriate math course each year.  Graduation requires 3 math credits.  Courses indicated as elective credit do not currently fulfill any of the 3 required math credits for graduation.

The opportunity does exist for a high achieving student who takes Integrated Math I as a freshman to accelerate through the sequence of math courses to reach AP Calculus as a senior. The West Math Department recommends that students who wish to accelerate do so by doubling-up Algebra II Ext and Pre-Calculus during their junior year.  Juniors typically have more flexibility in their course schedule than sophomores. If there are any questions about the acceleration pathway to AP Calculus, students should ask their grading teacher or see the Math department chairs - Jason Myers or Jim Wendling.

Students are able to double-up with upper-level math courses. The most common double ups are with AP Statistics or Computer Science paired with one of math courses in the traditional course sequence.  Both AP Statistics and our CS courses paired well with Algebra III, Pre-Calc, and/or AP Calc depending on the student’s needs and interests beyond high school. Students should research requirements for higher education programs to see which class or classes fit their needs. needs.  Questions can again be referred to department chairs – Jason Myers or Jim Wendling.

Foundations of Math is offered as a skill building class for students in order to prepare them for Integrated Math I and the beginnings of the Common Core standards for high school mathematics.  Topics include: integers, fractions, expressions, equations, inequalities, slope & graphing, exponents, systems, writing equations and 2D Geometry.

Math I is the first of a two-year sequence of introductory high school math course defined by the Wisconsin Standards for Mathematics. Standards instructed include reasoning and solving equations, linear equations, inequalities, and systems of linear equations, linear and exponential functions, foundations of geometric thinking and reasoning, and an introduction to geometric principles, and statistics.

Integrated Math II covers the second year of the mathematics curriculum defined by the Common Core standards and is based on understanding and completion of Integrated Math I concepts. These include:

1. Quadratics
2. Functions
3. Geometric Figures (2D + 3D)
4. Similarities + Proofs
5. Right Triangle Trig
6. Circles
7. Conics
8. Probability

Materials needed in the class include a 1.5 or 2 inch 3-ring binder and a scientific calculator.

In this course students will be exposed to construction careers such as engineering, architecture, construction management, interior design, landscape architecture, and surveying. Students will learn safety, problem solving, tool use, and drawing interpretation and understand the interrelation of geometry in construction.  Students will use coordinate geometry in the study of area, perimeter, volume, transformations, congruence, and functions.  The class will be taught by both a Math and Technology & Engineering Education teacher so that students experience the connections between construction and geometry.  Successful completion of this course will result in the required 1.0 math credit for Math II and a 1.0 elective credit.  Students must also sign up for Construction in Math - listed under Technology Education.

Intermediate Algebra is a bridge course between Integrated Math I and Math II. Topics include linear, exponential, quadratic, polynomial, rational, and radical functions.

Algebra II covers the third year of the mathematics curriculum defined by the Common Core standards.  These standards include; Polynomial, rational and radical relationships, Function modeling, Statistics, and Trigonometry functions.  

Desmos Online Graphing calculators will be utilized in this course.

Algebra II Extended is an advanced level course covering the third year of the mathematics curriculum defined by the Common Core standards.  These standards include; Polynomial, rational and radical relationships, Function modeling, Statistics, and Trigonometry functions.  

Desmos Online Graphing calculators will be utilized in this course.

This is a year-long course designed for college bound students planning to take calculus.  Topics included are: function analysis, trigonometric functions, analytical geometry, complex numbers, polar coordinates, parametric equations, vectors, exponential and logarithmic functions, data analysis, curve fitting, rational functions, limits, and rates of change.  TI-Nspire graphing calculators will be utilized in this course.

NTC Equivalent Course: Trigonometry with Applications #10-804-196, 3 credits (Department: General Studies)

Algebra III is a course designed for students who would like to further strengthen their math skills before furthering their education in either the college or technical education setting.  Topics included are: function analysis, sequences and series, exponential and logarithmic functions, data analysis, systems of equations, rational functions and conic sections.

NTC Equivalent Course: College Algebra with Apps #10-804-195, 3 credits (Department: General Studies)

AP Calculus (AB) is a year-long course in introductory calculus with elementary functions. Students will have the opportunity to take the AP exam at the end of the year for potential college credit. This course is intended for students who have a thorough knowledge of college preparatory mathematics, Algebra through Pre-Calculus. In its simplest form, Calculus is the study of how “things” change. Practical examples of changes studied include: bacterial growth, stock market prices, profits/losses, snowfall, temperature, populations, insurance rates/claims, and fuel consumption, to name a few. Universities, the military, government agencies, airlines, engineering, software companies, and construction companies are only a few employers who seek individuals with a solid knowledge of calculus.

Even doctors and lawyers use calculus to help build the discipline necessary for solving complex problems, such as diagnosing patients or planning a prosecution case.

Despite its mystique as a more complex branch of mathematics, calculus touches our lives each day, in ways too numerous to calculate. A graphing calculator (TI-Nspire CAS) will be used throughout the course.

Note: Many colleges will grant up to six semester credits for successful completion (an AP score of 3 or higher) of the Advanced Placement Calculus test administered by the College Board in May each year.

AP Statistics is a year-long course with the opportunity of earning college credit through the AP exam at the end of the year. Students will describe data graphically and numerically, explore the design of surveys and experiments, and develop the skills used in making sound statistical decisions. Statistics is used and required by many fields of study (not just for the mathematically elite). Some of these areas include: health related studies such as physicians, pharmacists or nurses, psychology and sociology; business and economics; biology and other sciences; engineering; actuarial science; agriculture and food science; general research; and many others. A graphing calculator (TI-Nspire CAS) will be used throughout the course.

Note: Many colleges will grant 3 credits for successful completion of the Advanced Placement Statistics test administered by the College Board in May each year.  A score of 3 or better is considered passing at most universities.

Mathematics/Computer Science Electives

Computer Science courses do not count towards Math graduation requirements.

In this introductory course, students explore the structures and processes for developing solutions using computer code and the thinking skills and logic that will be applied in all other computer science classes. Students will learn structured programming through writing applications using the Python programming language.  Assignments range from writing simple games to designing useful scientific and business applications. Project Stem serves as the platform for this class which allows programming to be done on the Chromebook.

This course introduces students to the techniques used to design, build and maintain a quality website.  Students learn HTML (HyperText Markup Language), which provides the blueprint for creating correct structure and content of a web page, and CSS (Cascading Style Sheets), which applies the visual styling and layout features that make a web page functional, attractive and unique.  Learning how to develop web pages requires an eye for detail, solid reading and reasoning skills, and a working knowledge of HTML and CSS.  These key skills will enable students to construct websites for personal and professional use.

AP Computer Science A builds upon the foundations developed in the Introduction to Programming course.  Fundamental topics in this course include the design of solutions to problems, the use of data structures to organize large sets of data, the development and implementation of algorithms to process data and discover new information, the analysis of potential solutions, and the ethical and social implications of computing systems.  The course emphasizes object-oriented programming and design using the Java programming language.  Students must plan for and set aside appropriate time needed for designing, writing, testing and de-bugging programs.  A home computer is highly recommended.

There is a large need in the U.S. to increase the number of CS and IT graduates in both 2 and 4-year programs to fill the growing demand for programmers and IT specialists.  Data suggests that students who complete the AP Java course in high school enjoy far more success transitioning to college-level programming courses.  Students will be eligible to take the AP Computer Science A exam in May.

Exploring Computer Science allows students to explore a variety of fields in the very broad study of computer science. Topics include: App Development, Networking, Game Design, and Cybersecurity with the possibility of exploring Artificial Intelligence and Physical Computing (depending on time restraints). These skills extend those coding skills developed in Intro to CS and AP CS, but focus on different aspects of skills needed in the world of computing and projects. This course will hopefully inspire future computer scientists to challenge themselves in new areas of computing.