The Carroll County Secondary Mathematics program is designed to prepare all students to be successful participants in a global community. Graduates of Carroll County Public Schools will know and be able to use mathematics in their chosen career path to directly enter the world of work, to continue their formal education, or both. The Secondary Mathematics program supports Carroll County students by providing a curriculum that is rigorous, closely aligned to MD College and Career Ready Standards, national standards, and relevant to student needs and interests. All mathematics courses focus on real-world applications, stress the appropriate use of technology, and are designed to prepare students for the MCAP assessments.
The high school program includes course sequences for students who wish to directly enter the world of work or military without further formal education, as well as for students who wish to continue their formal mathematics education. Three college-level Advanced Placement courses and college level Dual Enrollment courses are available for students who seek that challenge during their high school career.
For a complete list of all secondary mathematics courses, please see our High School Program of Studies.
- Conceptual Algebra
- Algebra I
- Technical Mathematics
- Algebra II
- Probability & Statistics
- AP Statistics
- Honors Calculus
- AP Calculus AB
- AP Calculus BC
- Honors Independent Study
In this course, students will strengthen their algebraic foundations in solving linear equations and inequalities in one variable, applying graphical and algebraic methods to analyze and solve systems of linear equations in two variables, and developing fluency writing and interpreting real world application problems. Students will perform operations with polynomials including addition, subtraction, multiplying, and factoring. In addition, they will compare/contrast linear, exponential, and quadratic functions both graphically and algebraically.
Prerequisites: This course will fulfill one of the four required graduation credits for mathematics.
Algebra I deepens and extends the understanding of linear and exponential relationships by comparing and contrasting them with each other and with quadratic functions and by applying linear models to data. Students will engage in methods for analyzing, solving, and applying quadratic functions, as well as solve systems of equations involving linear, exponential, and quadratic functions. In addition, students will create and solve equations and inequalities and examine data sets in one and two variables. Students will expand their experience with functions to include more specialized functions – absolute value, step, and piecewise defined functions. The Standards for Mathematical Practices will be applied throughout the course to help students experience mathematics as a coherent, useful, and logical subject that requires students to make sense of problem situations. This curriculum is aligned to the Maryland College and Career Ready Standards. Students will take the Maryland Assessment for Algebra I at the completion of this course.
Students explore more complex geometric situations and deepen their explanations of geometric relationships, moving towards formal mathematical arguments. Transformations are emphasized, and students draft geometric constructions and formally analyze their conclusions. Students extend their experience with two dimensional and three dimensional objects, build on their work with triangles, circles and other polygons, while continuing their study of quadratics by connecting the geometric and algebraic definitions.
Prerequisites: Algebra I.
The Technical Mathematics course is designed to deepen students’ math understanding of different branches of math by focusing on application skills that are used in current trades. This course is intended for students interested in pursuing a trade or two-year college program. The math concepts in this course are presented completely within the context of practical on-the-job applications, making math tangible and relevant. The practical math used in the trades includes mathematical concepts from algebra and geometry with applications relevant to these topics. Students will review applications of operations with integers, fractions, decimals, order of operations, exponents, multi-step equations, and plane geometry. Additionally, students will analyze real-world problems using statistical models as well as the application of triangle trigonometry, unit conversions, variation, and measurement of geometric figure. Special attention has been given to on-the-job math skills by using a wide variety of practical applications in the context of real world problems. This course will include students preparing for performance assessments that are often part of job applications, apprenticeships, the civil service exam, and other assessments related to specific trades and the workforce.
Prerequisites: Algebra I and Geometry
This course is designed to prepare students for college and career readiness as they explore polynomial, rational, radical, exponential, and logarithmic functions through multiple representations and applications. Students will build on their prior knowledge of solving linear, quadratic, and exponential equations and the effects of transformations on graphs of diverse functions.
Prerequisites: Algebra I and Geometry.
This course is intended for college-bound students who will use higher level mathematic as they continue their education after high school. Topics studied include trigonometric functions, radian measure, graphing trigonometric functions, trigonometric identities, inverse trigonometric functions, trigonometric equations, law of sines and cosines, vectors, conic sections, polar and parametric equations, sequences and series, and an introduction to limits.
Prerequisites and other notes: Algebra II (Level 8 highly recommended for Honors Trig/Pre-Calculus). Algebra II and Trigonometry/PreCalculus should be taken in back-to-back semesters or in back-to-back years to preserve the needed prerequisite skills.
The (.5) course is designed for students desiring to learn how to organize and interpret quantitative data and to understand concepts of probability. Applications in other content areas will be stressed. Topics included in the full credit course (1.0) are broken into four main categories: Exploratory Analysis, Planning a Study, Probability, and Statistical Inference. Focus will be on basic skills, statistical interpretation, and real world applications. Students will complete a culminating course project and be sufficiently prepared to take Statistics in college.
Prerequisites: Algebra II highly recommended.
Topics included in this course are broken into four main categories: Exploratory Analysis, Planning a Study, Probability, and Statistical Inference. Students are expected to sit for the AP Statistics Examination. Possible college credit can be earned with a score of 3, 4, or 5 on the examination. Students are encouraged to sit for the College Board’s Advanced Placement Statistics Examination.
Prerequisites: Algebra II
In this course students explore the concepts of limits, derivatives, and integrals and prepare for further studies in calculus. Limits are essential since they provide the foundation for both differential and integral calculus. Students will learn the interpretations, techniques, and applications of both derivatives and integrals.
Prerequisites: Trigonometry / Pre-Calculus.
In this course, students study graphs, functions, limits, derivatives, and integrals, and prepare for further studies in calculus. Students will learn the interpretations, techniques, and applications of both derivatives and integrals. Much work will be done with graphing calculators. Students are expected to sit for the College Board’s Advanced Placement Calculus AB Examination.
Prerequisites: Honors Trigonometry / Pre-Calculus or Honors Calculus.
Much emphasis is placed on preparing for the AP Calculus BC test. In addition to applying concepts from Calculus, students investigate advanced techniques of integration, polar and parametric equations, and infinite series. Topics such as Taylor, Power, and Maclaurin series will be emphasized. Students are expected to sit for the College Board’s Advanced Placement Calculus BC Examination.
Prerequisites: AP Calculus AB.
Independent Study: Mathematics allows students to work independently in an area of study or research which is an extension of a topic previously studied or an area of study or research not covered in the high school course of studies. Work is done during the student's unassigned time under the direction of a faculty advisor. Regularly scheduled conferences will occur. Students register only on the recommendation of their teacher and school counselor.
Prerequisites and other notes: Permission of the instructor and approval of the principal are required