LaGuardia Program Office: Academic Sequencing: Mathematics

The Mathematics Department is committed to expanding students' understanding and appreciation of mathematics through a comprehensive, content-based plan that acknowledges and addresses differences in motivation, goals, ability, and learning styles. All students must complete three years of Mathematics and pass a Regents examination.

Every LaGuardia student must complete at least three years of mathematics classes in our school and pass at least one math Regents to graduate. Most of our students elect to take a fourth year of math. Each mathematics class is annualized, which means students are expected to remain in the same class with the same teacher for the duration of the year.
Each student is placed in Algebra 1 unless he or she has both completed the course previously and passed the respective Regents.
LaGuardia Arts High School invites any accelerated student in a private or independent school whose educational institution does not offer Regents examinations in math to take the Regents at LaGuardia in June or August.

*Course availability and number of sections will depend on budgetary limitations.

Every student in a regular class is programmed for the next course in the departmental sequence automatically. No action on your part is required on Daedalus.
For honors, AP, and elective classes, please carefully read the information below to see if registration is required.
If a student were to fail a class, that student would be programmed for Summer/PM school. These classes are compulsory and ensure timely graduation!

Every student currently in the Math Honors Program who maintains an average of 85 or above on his or her report card will be programmed automatically for the next honors class in the sequence.

Students who would like to join the honors program will need to apply online through the Daedalus system. If a student's subject average is 90 or above , he or she will be accepted automatically. If the student does not meet this criterion, Daedalus will direct the student to add his or her name to a list that will be given to the Department Chair for evaluation.

We offer the following mathematics courses to seniors: AP Calculus AB, AP Calculus BC, and AP Statistics. If the number of students selecting these classes is too large, priority will be offered to the students with a subject average of 90 and above.

Integrated Algebra - This is the first mathematics course in high school. The completion of this course -- 1 to 2 years -- depends on the entry level of the student. Algebra provides tools and develops ways of thinking that are necessary for solving problems in a wide variety of disciplines such as science, business, and fine arts. Linear equations, quadratic functions, absolute value, and exponential functions are studied. Coordinate geometry is integrated into this course as well as data analysis, including measures of central tendency and lines of best fit. Elementary probability, right triangle trigonometry, and set theory complete the course. Students will take the Integrated Algebra Regents examination at the conclusion of this course.

Geometry - This is the second course in mathematics for high school students. In this course, students will have the opportunity to make conjectures about geometric situations and prove in a variety of ways that their conclusion follows logically from their hypothesis. Congruence and similarity of triangles will be established using appropriate theorems. Transformations including rotations, reflections, translations, and dilations will be taught. Properties of triangles, quadrilaterals and circles will be examined. Geometry is meant to lead students to an understanding that reasoning and proof are fundamental aspects of mathematics. Students will take the Geometry Regents examination at the conclusion of this course.

Algebra 2 and Trigonometry - This is the third of the three courses in high school mathematics. In this course, the number system will be extended to include imaginary and complex numbers. Students will learn about polynomial, absolute value, radical, trigonometric, exponential, and logarithmic functions. Problem situations involving direct and indirect variation will be solved. Data analysis will be extended to include measures of dispersion and the analysis of regression models. Arithmetic and geometric sequences will be evaluated. Binomial expressions will provide the basis for the study of probability theory, and the normal probability distribution will be analyzed. Right triangle trigonometry will be expanded to include the investigation of circular functions. The course will conclude with problems requiring the use of trigonometric equations and identities. Students will take the Algebra 2 and Trigonometry Regents examination at the conclusion of this course.

Pre-Calculus - This course includes a complete study of functions, both graphically and algebraically. Additional topics may include: analytic geometry, polar coordinates, sequences and series, systems of equations, matrices, probability, and statistics. Students become proficient in the use of the graphing calculator. This course is designed to prepare students for Calculus AB, Advanced Placement Course in addition to the SAT Mathematics Level 2 Subject Test.

Calculus AB, Advanced Placement - This is a full-year course in college-level calculus that culminates in the Advanced Placement (AB) examination. Included is the study of functions, graphs, and limits, derivatives, applications of derivatives, integrals, applications of integrals, the fundamental theorem of calculus, anti-differentiation, applications of the anti-derivative, and slope fields.

Calculus BC, Advanced Placement - This is a full-year course in college-level calculus that culminates in the Advanced Placement (BC) examination. Included is the study of: additional techniques for integration, calculus with parametric equations and polar equations, infinite series, and Taylor and Maclaurin series.

Statistics, Advanced Placement - This is a full-year course in college-level statistics that culminates with the Advanced Placement examination. Topics include: exploring data, planning a statistical study, methods of data collection, producing models using probability theory and simulation, and statistical inference.

The Program Office

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Academic Sequencing: Mathematics