Hershey High School provides a standards-aligned approach to mathematics that emphasizes higher-order thinking and exposure to authentic, real-world content. Throughout the program, students are given opportunities to investigate, hypothesize, and discover mathematical phenomena. Though most students complete four years of mathematics at the high school level, students must complete a minimum of three courses. Our core mathematics courses lead to Advanced Placement Courses in Calculus and then to Advanced Calculus. Our elective courses include Statistics and Advanced Placement Statistics as well as two programming courses including Advanced Placement Computer Science.

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In order to graduate, students are required to complete three courses from the following options. These courses are available to all students in the high school upon fulfillment of the following criteria: (a) completion of prerequisites and

(b) recommendation of current math teacher.

 

PRE-ALGEBRA

• Course: 300

• Credit: 1

• Grade: 9, 10

• This course is a study of the topics that will lead to success in Algebra. Topics include fluency with rational numbers and their financial applications, order of operations, polynomials, patterns, linear equations, and basic probability. Students who have already completed Algebra I or a two-year algebra sequence are not eligible for this course. 

• Prerequisites: None 

 

ALGEBRA I

• Course: 301

• Credit: 1

• Grade: 9, 10, 11

• ​NCAA Accepted

• This course is a study of patterns, variables and numeracy. Topics include slope and rate of change, linear equations, graphing on the Cartesian plane, systems of equations, absolute value, inequalities, probability, and statistics. The Algebra I Keystone Exam, a graduation requirement, is a major component of this course. 

 

COLLEGE PREPARATORY GEOMETRY

• Course: 306

• Credit: 1

• Grade: 9, 10

• NCAA Accepted

• This course is a study of algebra, graphing, ratios, geometric properties, problem solving, spatial visualization, conjecture and explanation (proof). Topics such as right triangle trigonometry, similarity, circles, polygons, and geometric probability will be discussed in connection with the larger ideas in the course.

• Prerequisites: Algebra I or its equivalent.

 

GEOMETRY

• Course: 313

• Credit: 1

• Grade 9 ,10, 11, 12

• This course is a study of algebra, graphing, ratios, geometric properties, problem solving, spatial visualization, conjecture and explanation (proof). Topics such as right triangle trigonometry, similarity, circles, polygons and geometric probability will be discussed in connection with the larger ideas in the course.

• Prerequisites: Algebra I or its equivalent.

 

ALGEBRA II

• Course: 309

• Credit: 1

• Grade: 10, 11, 12

• ​NCAA Accepted

• This course will follow the Algebra I and Geometry programs. The course is a study of exponents, radicals, polynomials, rational expressions, simultaneous equations, and quadratic functions. Treatment of problems is done through practical applications as well as theoretical explorations.

• Prerequisites: Geometry or CP Geometry

 

ALGEBRA II with TRIGONOMETRY

• Course: 310

• Credit: 1

• Grade: 9, 10, 11, 12

• ​NCAA Accepted

• This course includes such Algebra topics as linear and quadratic equations, functions, polynomials, rational expressions, radicals, exponents, conic sections, irrational numbers, as well as the foundations of trigonometry. Students taking this course are expected to have strong math skills.

• Prerequisites: B+ in CP Geometry 

 

TRIGONOMETRY, PROBABILITY, AND EXPONENTIAL FUNCTIONS

• Course: 311

• Credit: 1

• Grade: 10, 11, 12

• ​NCAA Accepted

• This course focuses on the study of right triangles. Topics include solving right triangles, solving oblique triangles, proving trigonometric identities, solving trigonometric equations, and graphing trigonometric functions. Units on exponential and logarithmic functions, sequences, and series are also part of the program.

• Prerequisites: Algebra II and Geometry 

 

PRECALCULUS

• Course: 312

• Credit: 1

• Grade: 10, 11, 12

• ​NCAA Accepted

• This is a rigorous course leading to Advanced Placement Mathematics. The topics include polynomial, rational, exponential, and logarithmic functions, series and sequences, parametric and polar equations, trigonometry, and limits. A graphing calculator is required for the course; the TI-84 Plus is the best choice. Students taking this course are expected to have strong math skills.

• Prerequisites: B+ in Algebra II with Trigonometry 

 

STATISTICS

• Course: 316

• Credit: 1

• Grade: 11, 12

• ​NCAA Accepted

• This course offers the student an introduction into the field of statistics with active learning. The course contains activities that guide the student to discover statistical concepts, explore statistical principles, and apply statistical techniques. The major topics covered include exploring data distributions and relationships, randomness, and inferential statistics. A graphing calculator is required for the course; the TI-84 Plus is the best choice.

• Prerequisites: Algebra II and Geometry 

 

ADVANCED PLACEMENT STATISTICS

• Course: 317

• Credit: 1

• Weight: .05

• Grade: 11, 12

• ​NCAA Accepted

• AP Statistics introduces students to the major concepts and tools for collecting, analyzing, and drawing conclusions from data. The topics presented are the same ones that a student would encounter in a first semester college level program in probability and statistics. Students will be exposed to four broad conceptual themes: exploring data, planning a study, anticipating patterns in advance, and statistical inference. The use of technology will be an integral part of the program. Completion of this course will prepare students to take the AP Statistics exam. A graphing calculator is required for the course; the TI-84 Plus is the best choice.

• Prerequisites: A-  in Precalculus 

 

ADVANCED PLACEMENT CALCULUS AB

• Course: 320

• Credit: 1

• ​Weight: .05

• Grade: 11, 12

• ​NCAA Accepted

• This is a college level study of the fundamentals of Calculus. The topics include functions, graphs, limits, derivatives, and integrals. Applications of these topics are also explored. Completion of this course will prepare students to take the AP Calculus AB exam. A graphing calculator is required for the course; the TI-84 Plus is the best choice.

• Prerequisites: B+ in Precalculus 

 

ADVANCED PLACEMENT CALCULUS BC

• Course: 321

• Credit: 1

• ​Weight: .05

• Grade: 11, 12

• ​NCAA Accepted

• Completion of this course will allow a student to take the more advanced Calculus BC Exam. A passing grade in the BC Exam may qualify a student for more college credit than the AB Exam. The BC course includes the same topics as the AB and the additional topics of polar coordinates, improper integrals, sequences, and series. A graphing calculator is required for the course; the TI-84 Plus is the best choice.

• Prerequisites: A+ in Precalculus 

 

ADVANCED CALCULUS

• Course: 322

• Credit: 1

• Weight: .05

• Grade: 12

• ​NCAA Accepted

• This course is a continuation of the study of Calculus from the AP Calculus program. Topics explored in the program include the calculus of parametric equations, series, three-dimensional analysis of vectors, and the calculus of vector-valued functions, and multivariable functions. A graphing calculator is required for the course; the TI-84 Plus is the best choice.

• Prerequisites: AP Calculus
   

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​​While the following courses count towards overall graduation requirements, they do not count towards

the three mathematics credits required for graduation.

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AN INTRODUCTION TO COMPUTER PROGRAMMING USING VISUAL BASIC 

• Course: 323

• Credit: 1

• Grade: 9, 10, 11, 12

• This is an introductory course in computer programming. Using the platform Visual BASIC in a Windows environment, the course emphasizes the development of problem-solving skills through the use of computer programming. The course explores the design of Windows-based software programs in the areas of education, business, mathematics, and computer graphics. As part of this course, the students will design and write their own programming projects. This course is a prerequisite for AP Computer Science.

• Prerequisites: Successful completion of Algebra II OR concurrently taking Algebra II with Trigonometry. 

 

ADVANCED PLACEMENT COMPUTER SCIENCE

• Course: 326

• Credit: 1

• Weight: .05

• Grade: 10, 11, 12

• NCAA Accepted

• This course builds upon the foundations of structured programming developed in An Introduction to Computer Programming Using Visual BASIC. The students will learn object-oriented programming using the programming language Java. The course is highly symbolic and requires strong problem-solving skills. Completion of this course will prepare the students for the AP Computer Science A exam. Students taking this course should have access to a computer outside of regular class time on which they can write, compile, and run Java programs.

• Prerequisites: Visual BASIC and teacher recommendation. 

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