Carver E&S Mathematics
Mathematics Course Catalogue HERE.
Course Offerings:
- Algebra 1
- Honors Algebra 1 (Prerequisites: 9th grade entrance exam)
- Geometry (Prerequisites: Algebra 1)
- Honors Geometry (Prerequisites: Grade of A or B in Algebra 1, A1 Skills Assessment or Passing Keystone score for incoming 9th graders)
- Algebra 2 (Prerequisites: Algebra 1)
- Honors Algebra 2 (Prerequisites: Grade of A or B in Algebra 1, A1 Skills Assessment)
- Honors Algebra 2 and Precalculus Block (HA2PC) (Prerequisites: Grade of A in Algebra 1, A1 Skills Assessment)--WHAT IS HA2PC?
- Precalculus (Prerequisites: Algebra 1, Algebra 2)
- Honors Precalculus (Prerequisites: Grade of A or B in Algebra 1, Grade of A or B in Algebra 2)
- Honors Calculus (Prerequisites: Algebra 1, Algebra 2, Precalculus)
- AP AB Calculus (Prerequisites: Grade of A or B in Algebra 1, Grade of A or B in Algebra 2, Grade of A or B in Precalculus)--WHAT IS APAB?
- AP BC Calculus (Prerequisites: Grade of A or B in Algebra 1, Grade of A or B in Algebra 2, Grade of A or B in Precalculus, Grade of A or B in AP AB Calculus)--WHAT IS APBC?
Entrance Exam (for incoming 9th graders):
Students wishing to take an honors mathematics course as an incoming 9th grader are encouraged to take an entrance exam. The exam will be administered during the freshmen orientation at the end of the current school year. Students are encouraged to use the preparatory materials provided below and can email questions about the exam to Ms. Hogan at smhogan@philasd.org.
Entrance Exam Review Packet
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SOLUTIONS to Review Packet
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Entrance Exam Format and Scoring
The exam has 45 free-response (not multiple-choice) questions.
Students will have 60 minutes to complete the exam.
Students may use calculators with the following restrictions:
-Calculators may not be shared.
-Phones may not be used during the exam for any reason (so students cannot use the calculators on their phones.)
-Students must provide their own calculators (we will not have them to loan.)
The exam consists of five sections (9 questions each.)
Sections 1, 2, and 3 are PRE-ALGEBRA (PA score.)
Sections 4 and 5 are ALGEBRA (A1 score.)
All students should attempt to finish the first three sections to demonstrate fundamental understanding of the basics.
Students that have completed Algebra in a previous grade should ALSO attempt Sections 4 and 5 to demonstrate proficiency in Algebra 1.
Students scores on the PA section and the A1 section will be looked at both individually and collectively (meaning if you rock at Pre-Algebra but not at Algebra 1, don't panic, you'll likely land in an Honors Algebra 1 class.)
Students will have 60 minutes to complete the exam.
Students may use calculators with the following restrictions:
-Calculators may not be shared.
-Phones may not be used during the exam for any reason (so students cannot use the calculators on their phones.)
-Students must provide their own calculators (we will not have them to loan.)
The exam consists of five sections (9 questions each.)
Sections 1, 2, and 3 are PRE-ALGEBRA (PA score.)
Sections 4 and 5 are ALGEBRA (A1 score.)
All students should attempt to finish the first three sections to demonstrate fundamental understanding of the basics.
Students that have completed Algebra in a previous grade should ALSO attempt Sections 4 and 5 to demonstrate proficiency in Algebra 1.
Students scores on the PA section and the A1 section will be looked at both individually and collectively (meaning if you rock at Pre-Algebra but not at Algebra 1, don't panic, you'll likely land in an Honors Algebra 1 class.)
A1 Skills Assessment:
(Mandatory for 9th and 10th graders that want to apply for the Honors Algebra 2 and Precalculus block)
A1 Skills Assessment Info:
Date of Exam: The Thursday of the Q2 Report Card Conferences every February Location of Exam: Lunchroom Materials you need to bring: Calculator, Fully Charged Chromebook REGISTRATION INFORMATION IS SENT TO ALL 9TH AND 10TH GRADE STUDENTS IN LATE DECEMBER OR EARLY JANUARY EACH YEAR. Study Materials: Some are posted here, there will also be links to additional practice resources in the email that goes to all 9th and 10th grade students each year. Need more help? Ask your math teacher or ask Ms. Hogan by emailing her at smhogan@philasd.org |
A1 Skills Review Packet:
Detailed Solutions to A1 Skills Review Packet:
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How are Students Placed in Mathematics Courses?
Students request courses for the next school year during the course selection process (usually early spring each year.)
When students request to be placed in an honors or advanced placement course, multiple factors are considered to determine whether the honors/AP course is the best fit for the student.
Factors under consideration:
Finding the right math class is like finding the right shoe size. What fits one person might not fit another. Using a combination of grades, assessments, and teacher impressions, the Carver E&S mathematics department tries to put every student in a math course that will be challenging, accessible, and enriching.
When students request to be placed in an honors or advanced placement course, multiple factors are considered to determine whether the honors/AP course is the best fit for the student.
Factors under consideration:
- Grades: Primarily mathematics grades, but all grades are reviewed, as student performance across the board helps determine the student's abilities to juggle a heavy workload.
- Exam scores: Much like how colleges use the SAT/ACT as one factor in admissions, Carver E&S uses the exams listed below.)
- For incoming 9th graders applying for Honors Algebra 1 or Honors Geometry, the 9th grade placement test and Keystone scores will be considered.
- For students applying for Honors Geometry, Honors Algebra 2, or the Honors Algebra 2/Precalculus Block, the A1 Skills Assessment Score will be considered.
- For students applying for AP BC Calculus, the results of full-length AP AB Calculus practice tests will be considered.
- Teacher Impressions:
- Are you a hard worker? Do you collaborate well? Do you prepare for exams? Are you naturally talented? Do you know how to make a study schedule? Do you pay attention in class? Are you resourceful? All of these impressions from your teachers matter, especially if your grades or exam scores have you "on the fence."
Finding the right math class is like finding the right shoe size. What fits one person might not fit another. Using a combination of grades, assessments, and teacher impressions, the Carver E&S mathematics department tries to put every student in a math course that will be challenging, accessible, and enriching.
AP Calculus Pathway:
Why take an Advance Placement (AP) Mathematics Course?
Carver E&S offers two AP level courses in calculus and one in statistics.
AP exams can earn you actual college credit.
AP AB Calculus is equivalent to college Calculus I.
AP BC Calculus is equivalent to college Calculus II.
Students take AP AB Calculus first and then, if they qualify, AP BC Calculus the following year.
Passing both AP Calc exams can yield as many as 8 college credits.
Passing the AP Stats exam can yield up to 4 college credits.
Even students that don't do well enough to earn college credit have a "leg up" on other college freshmen because calculus and statistics are difficult. Students that have seen the topics in high school tend to perform better in college.
Most science and engineering majors require some calculus and statistics.
Carver E&S offers two AP level courses in calculus and one in statistics.
AP exams can earn you actual college credit.
AP AB Calculus is equivalent to college Calculus I.
AP BC Calculus is equivalent to college Calculus II.
Students take AP AB Calculus first and then, if they qualify, AP BC Calculus the following year.
Passing both AP Calc exams can yield as many as 8 college credits.
Passing the AP Stats exam can yield up to 4 college credits.
Even students that don't do well enough to earn college credit have a "leg up" on other college freshmen because calculus and statistics are difficult. Students that have seen the topics in high school tend to perform better in college.
Most science and engineering majors require some calculus and statistics.
Prep Materials for the Algebra 1 Keystone:
Students taking Algebra 1 are required to take the A1 Keystone by the state of Pennsylvania.
Here are some preparatory resources provided by Ms. Siegel. 1. Frequently asked questions (FAQ) for families (2019) 2. Student Study Guide 3. Keystone Practice (both Module 1 and Module 2) |
FAQ for Families:
Student Study Guide:
Keystone Practice Problems:
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SAT Prep Materials:
Most colleges look at SAT scores as a factor in the admissions process.
The best way to prepare for the SAT math section is to do lots of practice problems. There are only so many "tricks" the SAT can use, so doing many problems and checking your answers to figure out the tricks is incredibly helpful. Two full-length practice exams are included here, along with separate files for how to score your practice tests. Keep in mind that the SAT English sections are included in these PDFs. The best way to increase your SAT English score is to read...all the read...read books, read articles, read graphic novels...just READ. That said, doing SAT English practice problems is also a great way to help you learn what type of questions the SAT will ask. |
Practice Test #1
Scoring Practice Test #1
Practice Test #2
Scoring Practice Test #2
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