Mathematics
Math Placement for 2023-2024
MATH PLACEMENT for 2023-2024
Incoming 9th Graders (Current 8th Graders):
- Video presentations from the TL counseling department occur in early February. You will then fill out your course request for high school.
- Math 8 students: you will take a placement test at your middle school in early February to help find the correct high school math course for you. You can find practice problems HERE.
- Algebra 1 students: with completion of both semesters with a “C” or higher, you will be enrolled in Geometry your 9th grade year.
Current TL Students:
- TL Counselors are presenting information in your English classes early in the spring semester.
- Course requests are open from March 2 – 11.
- Examples of the math sequence can be found at the bottom of this page.
HONORS MATH PLACEMENT PROCEDURES
What Honors Math courses are offered at TL?
- Honors Algebra 2
- Honors Alg 2 & Honors Pre-Calculus “Double Block” Course (Juniors and Seniors only - Note this is the last year we will be offering this course)
- Honors Pre-Calculus
Who can sign up for Honors math courses?
Honors math courses are open to everyone! All students must take a placement exam prior to entry (study materials can be found below). The math department will make a recommendation about the most appropriate course level based on the results of the placement exam. Students who are recommended to the College Prep course based on test score may still choose to take the Honors course if there is room in the course. Student will receive remediation information and support from the math department. In those instances, a waiver process must be followed.
How are Honors courses different?
Do you love the elegance of mathematics? Does it make you happy that there is always more than one way to approach a math problem and yet the answer should make sense from every angle? Do you love being given something to ponder, without always being told what the answer is? So do we! And an Honors math class might be right for you.
Honors classes are ideal for students that love challenging mathematics course work and can justify their solutions to math problems clearly with words, diagrams and tables, equations, and graphs. Students especially interested in a STEM career should consider enrolling in Honors.
The pace is faster and the problems are more challenging. Honors students are expected to spend an average of 45 minutes to 1 hour nightly on homework, projects, and other supplemental work. Students are expected to show perseverance in solving complex problems.
So what do I have to do?
- Course requests are open from 3/6 - 3/10. Sign up for the Honors course you’d like to take on your Course Request Form.
- Log in to your SRCS google account.
- Sign up for a Placement Test using THIS GOOGLE FORM.
- Study for the exam using the materials found below. Get help before the exam on difficult topics.
Placement Test Sign-up Deadline:
Deadline to sign up for a placement test is Friday, March 10th, 2023
You will be notified of your testing location after signups are completed.
Placement Test Date & Time:
The placement test takes place during tutorial on Wednesday, March 29th, 2023. Note that this is a 7th period tutorial.
Placement Test Details:
- Bring ID with you.
- All tests are 20 questions or less.
- The testing window is capped at 55 minutes.
- There are no retakes for the exam because scores are used as a part of a recommendation only.
- Study materials are available below. Work through these BEFORE you take the test.
Study Materials:
Although very representative, this is not an exhaustive list of skills. Also, please feel free to pursue more resources on your own!
Essential Skills for Placement in Honors Geometry, Honors Algebra 2 or the Double-Block Course
Essential Skills for Placement in Honors Pre-Calculus
Questions about the placement process or honors courses?
Talk to your math teacher or see Ms. Millerick in Room 101.
Let us know how we can support you in the Honors Placement Process!
AP Math Courses
What AP Math courses are offered at TL?
- AP Statistics
- AP Calculus AB
- AP Computer Science Principles (counts as a science credit towards graduation, not a math credit)
- AP Computer Science A
Click HERE to find more information about AP Courses.
Trying to decide between AP Calculus or AP Statistics? Click HERE for help!
Trojan Tutoring via the Library: Your fellow Trojans are here to help you with peer tutoring!
- On the main TL website homepage, select "Departments"
- Select "Library"
- Scroll down until you see a light bulb icon with "Tutoring" below it.
- Fill out the questionnaire and then either the teacher librarian or the librarian technician will work on matching you with your peer tutor.
Teachers in the Terra Linda Math Department
Agnew, Morgan Statistics & Probability, Algebra 1
magnew@srcs.org
Borello, Melinda Geometry, AP Calculus AB
mborello@srcs.org
Foster, Hallie Algebra Readiness, Geometry, Algebra 2 P
hfoster@srcs.org
Lawrence, Kathryn Algebra A SDAIE, Algebra 1, Algebra 2 HP
klawrence@srcs.org
Luong, William Geometry, Algebra B
Marweg, Caitlin Algebra 1, Honors PreCalculus, AP Computer Science Principles
crmarweg@srcs.org
McCarthy, Jim Intermediate Algebra 2, Geometry
jmccarthy@srcs.org
Millerick, Melissa, Department chair, Algebra A SDAIE, Algebra 2
mmillerick@srcs.org
Reid, Amy Algebra B, Algebra B SDAIE, AP Statistics
areid@srcs.org
Wilson, Timothy Algebra A, PreCalculus P
twilson@srcs.org
The Mathematics Department at Terra Linda offers a variety of courses designed to meet each student’s needs and ability.
- Algebra Readiness (Course for English Learners only; supports given to become grade-level proficient)
- Algebra A (1st Semester of Algebra 1, taken freshman year)
- Algebra B (2nd Semester of Algebra 1, taken sophomore year)
- Algebra 1 (Full course offered in 1 year)
- Geometry (Full year Geometry course)
- Intermediate Algebra 2 (2nd year UC Algebra course for non-math/science pathway; Seniors have priority enrollment)
- Algebra 2 (2nd year UC Algebra course)
- Algebra 2 Honors (2nd year UC Algebra course for Calculus pathway)
- Algebra 2 Honors/Pre-Calculus Honors Double-Block Course (Exclusively for Juniors entering Algebra 2 interested in Calculus pathway; course requires 2 periods of math in scheduling, one odd period and one even period).
- Pre-Calculus (Intended for STEM or non-STEM majors. May be a terminal course; can also serves as an alternative to Statistics)
- Pre-Calculus Honors (Intended for STEM majors and students who will be taking Calculus)
- Statistics (Emphasis on probability and hands-on activities)
- AP Statistics (Advanced Placement in College level Statistics course)
- AP Calculus (Advanced Placement in College level Calculus AB course)
Students should earn a C- or higher in the prerequisite course in order to advance. More information about prerequisites can be found in the Terra Linda Curriculum Guide on the Counseling page.
Click HERE to find the full offering of Math pathways at TL
Sample Math sequences at TLHS
Example 1:
Algebra A → Algebra B → Geometry → Intermediate Algebra 2
Example 2:
Algebra 1 → Geometry → Algebra 2 → Statistics P, Pre-Calculus, or AP Statistics
Example 3:
Geometry → Honors Algebra 2 → Honors Pre-Calculus → Calculus AB, AP Statistics, or Stats P
Example 4:
Algebra 1 → Geometry → Alg 2 Honors/Pre-Calc Honors Double-Block → Calculus AB, AP Statistics, or Stats P
Example 5:
Algebra Readiness → Algebra A SDAIE → Algebra B SDAIE → Geometry
