Petaluma
High School

Mathematics

Sequence of Math Courses

Course Descriptions


  • Math I

    This course is the first in the sequence of integrated and investigative high school mathematics program designed to formalize and extend the mathematics that students learned in the middle grades. It provides opportunities for using patterns, modeling, and conjecturing to build student understanding and competency in mathematics. The overarching goal of this course is to teach students how to learn math differently than they may have historically. The students will be expected to engage in collaboration, collection of data, experimentation, and conjecturing. Technology tools will also play an important role in learning. By using technology to collect, evaluate, and model data, students will be able to make conjectures and develop a robust understanding of the mathematical principles involved. This course aligns perfectly with the five goals of the UC mathematics requirement. The students will engage in mathematical sense making, make and test conjectures and justify conclusions, use mathematical models to represent real-world data, learn to provide clear and concise answers, and have computational and symbolic fluency. This course meets the subject area - c requirement for the UC/CSU approved course list. This course meets the math requirement for graduation and is required for a diploma.

  • Math 2

    (9-12) Prerequisite: Successful completion of Math 1.

    This course is the second in the sequence of classes in an integrated and investigative mathematics program. The focus is on quadratic expressions, equations, and functions; comparing their characteristics and behavior to those of linear and exponential relationships from Math 1. The need for extending the set of rational numbers arises and real and complex numbers are introduced so that all quadratic equations can be solved. The link between probability and data is explored through conditional probability and counting methods, including their use in making and evaluating decisions. The study of similarity leads to an understanding of right triangle trigonometry and connects to quadratics through Pythagorean relationships. Conic sections, especially circles, and their quadratic algebraic representations will round out the course. This course will meet the subject area – C requirement for the UC/CSU approved course list. This course meets the mathematics requirement for graduation.

  • Math Workshop

    (9-12) Prerequisite: Must be concurrently enrolled in Math 1 or Math 2.

    This course is a support class for students who are identified as being at-risk of not passing Math. In this class, students will review course content, preview upcoming course content, and have the opportunity for additional individual and small-group math support. This course is taken concurrently with Math 1 or Math 2. If a student is currently struggling in their math class, they should contact their counselor and ask about registering for Math Workshop. This course will meet the subject area – K requirement for the UC/CSU approved course list.

  • Math 3

    (10-12) Prerequisite: Successful completion of Math 2. 

    The course is the third in the sequence of integrated and investigative high school mathematics classes. The program is designed to formalize and extend the mathematics that students learn in the middle grades. It provides opportunities for using patterns, modeling, and conjecturing to build student understanding and competency in mathematics. The overarching goal of this course is to teach students how to learn math differently than they have historically. The students will be expected to engage in collaboration, collection of data, experimentation, and conjecturing. Technology tools will also play an important role in learning, and students will be using technology to collect, evaluate, and model data, allowing them to make conjectures and develop a robust understanding of the mathematical principles involved. This course aligns perfectly with the five goals of the UC mathematics requirement. The students will engage in mathematical sense making. Make and test conjectures and justify conclusions, use mathematical models to represent real-world data, learn to provide clear and concise answers, and have computational and symbolic fluency. This course meets the subject area - C requirement for the UC/CSU approved course list. This course meets the mathematics requirement for graduation.

  • Accelerated Math 1/2A

    (9) Prerequisite: Successful completion of Math 8 with a grade of A- or better. Please consult with your middle school instructor.

    The course is the first of the two-course accelerated core math pathway (Math 1, 2, 3 over two years). This pathway requires a great deal of independent work and a very strong understanding of prior mathematical content. It provides opportunities for using patterns, modeling, and conjecturing to build student understanding and competency in mathematics. As an integrated math course, the content of Accelerated Math 1/2A features both algebraic and geometric approaches to solving problems. Key concepts include functions (linear, exponential, and quadratic), geometric transformations and congruence, linear systems of equations, angle relationships, attributes of polygons, triangle congruence, similarity, right triangle relationships, and trigonometry. This class covers the materials from the Math I course as well as portions of the Math 2 course in the core pathway. This course meets the subject area - C requirement for the UC/CSU approved course list. This course meets the mathematics requirement for graduation.

  • Accelerated Math 2B/3

    Coming 2025-2026

  • Math Analysis Trigonometry

    (11-12) Prerequisite: Successful completion of Math 3 with a grade of C or better.

    This elective course is designed for students with a desire for a more advanced background in mathematics. Although the course exceeds the basic entrance requirements for most colleges, it is recommended for a wide variety of major fields of study. Topics include trigonometric functions and their inverses, graphs, identities and applications. Analysis topics include sequences and series, theory of equations, vectors and matrices, complex numbers, and polar coordinates. Also included will be an introduction to Calculus with emphasis on limit theory. This course meets the subject area - C requirement for the UC/CSU approved course list.

  • AP Precalculus

    AP PRECALCULUS
    (11-12) Prerequisite: Successful completion of Math 3 with a grade of C or better.

    This elective course strengthens and builds on students’ knowledge from Math 3 and prepares students for AP or college-level calculus courses. Students begin by revisiting and deepening their understanding of functions (linear, quadratic, polynomial, rational functions, exponential, logarithmic, and inverse), including how to identify and build the appropriate function model for real-world situations. Then students will expand on their knowledge of trigonometry using multiple representations of sinusoidal, polar, and parametric functions. Finally, students will apply their knowledge of a variety of functions to explore limits, the formal definition of the derivative, and basic derivative calculations. Students will be strongly urged to take the AP exam in the spring and may receive college credit with a passing score. This course meets the subject area - C requirement for the UC/CSU approved course list.  

  • AP Calculus A/B

    (12) Prerequisite: Successful completion of Math Analysis Trigonometry with a grade of C or better.

    This is a college level Calculus course designed for students with high mathematical motivation and ability. Topics include a study of the theory, techniques, and applications of limits, explicit and implicit differentiation, and integration. Functions, their inverses and graphs will be studied, including polynomials, trigonometric, and logarithmic functions. Students will be strongly urged to take the AP exam in the spring and may receive college credit with a passing score. This course meets the subject area - C requirement for the UC/CSU approved course list.

  • AP Calculus B/C

    (12) Prerequisite: Successful completion of AP Precalculus or AP Calculus AB with a grade of C or better.

    Students who have completed AP Calculus A/B are eligible. This is a college level Calculus course designed for students with high mathematical motivation and ability. The B/C course is a challenging class that covers all topics in the AP Calculus A/B course plus additional topics, including derivatives of polar and vector functions, Euler’s method, L’Hopital’s rule, improper integrals, logistic differential equations and polynomial approximations and series. Students should plan on taking the AP Calculus BC exam offered in May, and will receive a sub-score for the AP Calculus A/B exam. A passing score on the AP exam may provide students with the opportunity to receive college credit. This course meets the subject area - C requirement for the UC/CSU approved course list.

  • AP Statistics

    (11-12) Prerequisite: Successful completion of Math 3 with a grade of C or better.

    May be taken either in place of or concurrently with Trig/Math Analysis or Calculus. This is a college level Statistics course designed for students with high mathematical motivation and ability. Topics include exploring data, planning a study, anticipation patterns, and statistical inference. You will be expected to do homework regularly, which will include reading, analyzing, thinking and writing clearly. Students will be strongly urged to take the Advanced Placement exam in the spring and may receive college credit for a passing grade. This course meets the subject area - C requirement for the UC/CSU approved course list.

Mathematics Faculty


JB
PB

Peter Brede

Teacher

JE

Jennifer Eaton

Teacher

JF

Jeff Franklin

Teacher, Department Chair

SJ

Sarah Jacobs

Teacher

SR

Samantha Rolle

Teacher

MV

Matthew Valci

Teacher