Mathematics Department
Freshman algebra course placements are generally based on scores on the High School Placement Test administered at Cathedral during the eighth grade year. A student scoring at or above the 93rd percentile is placed in the Honors level; a student scoring between the 60th and 92nd percentile is placed in the Academic level, and a student scoring below the 60th percentile is placed in the College Preparatory level. Adjustments in level placement may be made throughout the student’s education at Cathedral High School with teacher/counselor recommendation. If a student wishes to switch levels, he/she needs the recommendations of both his/her current teacher and his/her former Cathedral math teachers (if applicable). No student who moves “down” a level for any reason other than a math teacher recommendation may move “back up” without teacher approval. Students who take a course at a level other than that recommended by the school may not switch levels until the end of the semester.
Daily homework and study are an expectation in all math classes, regardless of course or level.
“Doubling” in the honors math program means taking Geometry and Algebra II concurrently during the student’s sophomore year. It is the math department’s policy to discourage “doubling” of courses. The sole purpose for “doubling” courses is to allow the student to take AP or IB mathematics during the senior year of high school. Doubling is done at the honors level to prepare students for this college-level work. Students who “double” are expected to maintain a “B” average in both courses. If this expectation is not met, the student may be required to drop Algebra II and take it during the junior year.
Note: To be eligible for an IB Diploma, students must have completed Algebra 2 by the end of sophomore year.
*Calculators are required for all math courses. Students in Algebra 1 or Geometry may use a graphing calculator or a regular scientific calculator. Students in Algebra 2 or higher must have a graphing calculator. While the school cannot dictate which model of calculator a family purchases, Texas Instruments calculators are recommended. The recommended scientific calculator is the TI30XS and the recommended graphing calculator is the TI 83+ or TI 84+ (any version). It is each student’s responsibility to know how to use his personal calculator.
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