In Prince William County Public Schools (PWCS), mathematics launches thriving futures. The PWCS strategic mission emphasizes preparing students to be critical thinkers, responsible digital citizens, innovators, visionaries, and resilient individuals. Guided by evidence-based, student-centered mathematics practices, PWCS students become thinkers and doers of mathematics to apply to their chosen future endeavors.
Department Chair
Cassandra Pettit
[email protected]
Staff
| Butzer, Katrina [email protected] |
| Demby, Joan [email protected] |
| Hesse, Pora [email protected] |
| Kim, Min [email protected] |
| Kim, Mina (Minyong) [email protected] |
| Mac Mahon, Steve [email protected] |
| Melaragno, Kimberly [email protected] |
| Nefissi, Sami [email protected] |
| Perez, Josie [email protected] |
| Pettit, Cassandra [email protected] |
| Pickhardt, Jason [email protected] |
| Pioso, Gloria [email protected] |
| Qumhieh, Haneen [email protected] |
| Thompson, Beverly [email protected] |
Advanced Middle Years Programme Algebra 1
International Baccalaureate Middle Years Programme (MYP) math courses promote both inquiry and application, helping students to develop problem-solving techniques that transcend the discipline and are useful in the world outside school. Success in Algebra 1 is widely considered to be a determining factor in success in upper level mathematics coursework. The skills in Advanced Algebra 1 build on algebraic thinking which students have experienced in kindergarten through middle school. Algebra 1 content includes arithmetic concepts, proportional reasoning, and functions. Graphing utilities (calculators, computers, and other technology tools) will be used to assist in teaching and learning. Advanced Algebra 1 provides instruction on all the Algebra 1 Standards and the following content from Algebra 2: absolute value equations and inequalities, simplifying radical expressions, and polynomial expressions with two variables. Students in this course will complete the Algebra 1 Standards of Learning test and are expected to continue their mathematics studies with Advanced Geometry. Credits 1 Grades 9
Advanced Middle Years Programme Geometry
International Baccalaureate Middle Years Programme (MYP) math courses promote both inquiry and application, helping students to develop problem-solving techniques that transcend the discipline and are useful in the world outside school. This course includes emphasis on two- and three- dimensional reasoning skills, coordinate and transformational geometry, and the use of geometric models to solve problems. The intent of this course is to provide students with many opportunities to explore, conjecture, reason logically, formulate and solve problems, and communicate mathematically. Graphing utilities, computers, dynamic geometry software, and other appropriate technology tools will be used to assist in teaching and learning. In Advanced Geometry, students are provided instruction on all the Geometry Standards along with the following content: Truth Tables and Two-Column Proofs, The Unit Circle, and The Law of Sines and the Law of Cosines. This course has an associated Standards of Learning (SOL) test. Students will participate in these tests only when they have not yet earned sufficient credit for graduation and/or satisfied federal testing requirements. Credits 1 Grades 9, 10
Advanced Middle Years Programme Algebra 2
Adv-MYP Algebra 2 is the prerequisite for IB Math: Applications and Interpretations SL and IB Math: Analysis and Approaches 1 (SL). The course incorporates and expands the knowledge from both Adv-MYP Algebra and Adv-MYP Geometry. The course includes all objectives from the PWCS Algebra 2 curriculum, including the study of functions, equations, inequalities, systems of equations, polynomials, rational and radical equations, complex numbers, and curves of best fit, with emphasis on and completion of projects and internationalism. Graphing technology is used throughout the course. This course has an associated Standards of Learning (SOL) test. Students will participate in these tests only when they have not yet earned sufficient credit for graduation and/or satisfied federal testing requirements. Algebra 2 is required for Advanced Studies Diploma. Credits 1 Grades 9, 10, 11
Advanced Middle Years Programme Algebra 2 - Extended
The course includes all objectives from the PWCS Algebra 2 curriculum, including the study of functions, equations, inequalities, systems of equations, polynomials, rational and radical equations, complex numbers, and curves of best fit. Advanced Middle Years Programme (Adv-MYP) Algebra 2 Extended is an accelerated course that integrates select Pre-Calculus concepts. Students are expected to master algebraic mechanics and understand the underlying theory and apply the concepts to real-world situations. The study of the trigonometric circular functions will continue from Adv-MYP Geometry and prepare students for further study of this topic. This course has an associated Standards of Learning (SOL) test. Students will participate in these tests only when they have not yet earned sufficient credit for graduation and/or satisfied federal testing requirements. Algebra 2 is required for the Advanced Studies Diploma. Credits 1 Grades 10, 11
IB Math: Analysis and Approaches 1 (SL)
IB Math: Analysis and Approaches 1 (SL) is the first year in a two-year mathematics course that fulfills the group 5 requirement in the IB Diploma Programme. The course is designed for math students who are preparing for studies in subjects such as chemistry, economics, psychology and business administration. the goal is to provide students with a solid foundation in Pre-Calculus topics such as functions and trigonometry, further extend their studies in probability and statistics, and begin their studies in calculus by exploring derivatives and integrals. Students will use technology as a tool for learning and develop an awareness of global contributions to the field of mathematics sciences. Students wishing to study subjects such as physics, engineering and technology should take the Mathematics HL course. Credits 1 Grades 10, 11
IB Math: Analysis and Approaches 1 (HL)
IB Math: Analysis and Approaches is the first year in a two-year course that has a substantial mathematical element and is designed for students interested in extending their developing of mathematical arguments, problem solving, and exploring real and abstract applications, with and without technology. This course includes the content from Mathematics Analysis SL with additional content and at a faster pace. Credits 1 Grades 11
IB Math: Analysis and Approaches 2 (SL)
This course is the second year of the two-year sequence that meets the requirements of the IB Diploma Programme. This course builds on and extends the knowledge base of IB Math: Analysis and Approaches 1 (SL) to include topics in calculus. Students in this course will complete a portfolio project (mathematics exploration) and take the Analysis & Approaches SL exams. Credits 1 Grades 11, 12
IB Math: Analysis and Approaches 2 (HL)
IB Mathematics: Analysis and Approaches 2 HL is the second year of the two-year sequence in mathematics that meets the requirements of the IB Diploma Programme. This course builds on and extends the knowledge base of IB Mathematics 1 HL. IB Mathematics 2 HL is the study of concepts, techniques, and applications of differential and integral calculus. Students in this course will complete one portfolio project and will take the Analysis & Approaches HL exams. Credits 1 Grades 12
IB Math: Applications and Interpretations (SL)
This course is a one-year course designed for students with varied backgrounds and abilities who are interested in social sciences, humanities, certain economics, statistics and engineering courses, and the arts. The emphasis of this course is to make explicit the applications of the mathematics being taught using technology, solving practical problems and exploring mathematical models. Students will complete a portfolio project (math exploration) and take the IB Math: Applications and Interpretations SL Exam. Credits 1 Grades 12
Math Standard Program
Algebra 1
Success in Algebra 1 is widely considered to be a determining factor in success in upper-level mathematics coursework. The skills in Advanced Algebra 1 build on algebraic thinking which students have experienced in kindergarten through middle school. Algebra 1 content includes arithmetic concepts, proportional reasoning, and functions. Graphing utilities (calculators, computers, and other technology tools) will be used to assist in teaching and learning. At the end of the year, students will take the Algebra 1 Standards of Learning test. Credits 1 Grades 9
Algebra 1, Parts 1 and 2
Algebra 1, in two parts, is offered for students who need additional time to complete the Algebra 1 curriculum. These two courses employ an interactive, hands-on approach to teaching Algebra concepts. This two-part course uses graphing technology, the data cycle, and contextual applications as the platform for learning Algebra. Emphasis is placed on making connections in Algebra to arithmetic, geometry, and statistics. Algebra 1, Part 1 and Algebra 1, Part 2 are each year-long classes. Schools may double block the courses so that they meet every day for a full block of time over the full year. This gives students the chance to earn the first math credit by the end of the 9th grade year in addition to an elective credit for Part 1. Schools may allow students to take Part 1 in the 9th grade year and Part 2 in the 10th grade. This course has an associated Standards of Learning (SOL) test to be taken at the conclusion of Algebra 1, Part 2. Students will participate in these tests only when they have not yet earned sufficient credit for graduation and/or satisfied federal testing requirements. Credits 1 Elective Credit for Part 1 and 1 Math Credit for Part 2 when student has passed both parts Grades 9, 10
Algebra, Functions, and Data Analysis
This course is designed for students who have completed Algebra 1 but would benefit from time to further develop algebraic concepts prior to taking Algebra 2. Students will study functions and their behaviors, data analysis, probability, and experimental design. Data will be generated by practical applications arising from science, business, and finance. Credits 1 Grades 10, 11, 12
Geometry
This course includes emphasis on two- and three dimensional reasoning skills, coordinate and transformational geometry, and the use of geometric models to solve problems. A variety of real-world applications and general problem-solving techniques, including Algebra skills, are used to implement these standards. Technology tools will be used. This course has an associated Standards of Learning (SOL) test. Students will participate in these tests only when they have not yet earned sufficient credit for graduation and/or satisfied federal testing requirements. Credits 1 Grades 9, 10, 11
Algebra 2
All students preparing for postsecondary and Advanced technical studies are expected to achieve the Algebra 2 standards. Emphasis will be placed on practical applications and modeling throughout the course of study. Technology tools will be used to assist in teaching and learning. This course has an associated Standards of Learning (SOL) test. Students will participate in these tests only when they have not yet earned sufficient credit for graduation and/or satisfied federal testing requirements. Algebra 2 is required for Advanced Studies Diploma. Credits 1 Grades 9, 10, 11, 12
Algebra 3 with Trigonometry
Algebra 3 with Trigonometry extends both Algebra and Trigonometry topics. Emphasis is on functions and their inverses, equations and inequalities, graph theory, matrices, sequences and series, conic sections, and algorithms. Trigonometry topics include triangular and circular definitions of the trig functions, trig identities, and solutions of trig equations. This course does not meet the prerequisite for Calculus AB or BC. Credits 1 Grades 11, 12
Math Electives
Statistics
This full-year course is an introduction to statistics that emphasizes working with data, graphs, and statistical ideas. Students are expected to develop and present professional quality statistical analyses. Technology tools will be used when appropriate to support instruction, especially to allow students to explore graphical, numerical, and symbolic relationships. Credits 1 Grades 10, 11, 12