Helix Charter High School
Mathematics Course Flow Chart

The Helix Mathematics Department has made a commitment to teach less courses so that we can be more effective and efficient working together planning lessons and assessments. Non standard moves are in fine lines and explained on page two.

From Middle School: Students have three options: Basic Algebra, Algebra 1C and Honors Math Prep/Geometry 1H. They are place in these course by teacher recommendations, SAT 9 Scores and GUHSD end-of-course assessments. Characteristics of each level of student are:

Basic Algebra 1S: A two quarter introductory algebra course designed to prepare freshmen students for successful completion of Algebra 1C. Candidates would have had a difficult time in middle school algebra or basic algebra. Also, candidates would not be good at doing quick mental multiplication of one digit whole numbers or adding/subtracting/multiplying/dividing simple positive and negative numbers. Other indicators are difficulty with fractions, decimals and percents. The course covers these arithmetic skills and various basic algebra topics such as solving equations and graphing lines. This course is focused on freshmen students and will attempt to keep the student to teacher ratio at or below 20 to 1.

Algebra 1C: A two quarter course in algebra for college bound students emphasizing problem solving, equations and graphing. Candidates would have done well in a middle school basic algebra course, preferably getting an A or B grade and performed well on the GUHSD Basic Algebra end-of-course assessment, 70% or higher. They would have the ability to do quick mental multiplication of one digit whole numbers and operations with positive and negative numbers. Other indicators are good skills with fractions, decimals and percents. This course meets the UC/CSU “C” requirement.

Honors Math Prep: A two week, four hour a day, preparatory course for incoming freshmen offered during the summer term designed to prepare students for Geometry 1H, our introductory honors level math class. The course covers the most significant topics from algebra at a sophisticated level. Algebra has been recognized in the California State Mathematics Framework as the foundation of all high school math courses. Historically, this preparatory course has improved students performance in our honors level math sequence. Students should score above 70% on the GUHSD Algebra 1 Assessment and be recommended by their middle school teacher for honors level work. We do not recommend that any student opt out of this honors prep course.

Geometry 1H: A two quarter course in Euclidean Geometry for the student with excellent math skills. The course emphasizes proofs in plane geometry, relationships in plane and solid geometry, and trigonometry. Students should have completed a full algebra 1 course with excellent grades, have a recommendation for honors level work from their middle school math teacher, have a high score on the GUHSD Algebra 1C end-of-course assessment (above 70%) and attend the Helix Honors Math Prep course in summer. This course meets the UC/CSU “C” requirement.

Nonstandard moves (fine line in flow chart):

College Prep to Honors Level: Students who desire honors level math need to get an “A” in college prep course and have a recommendation from their teacher to go into the subsequent honors level course. For example, a move from Algebra 1C to Geometry 1H.

Basic Geometry: Students who have successfully completed Algebra 1C should be encouraged to take Geometry 1C. Students who try but fail at Geometry 1C should take Basic Geometry. Depending on their future plans and success, they could reenter the college prep track or try college stats or finance. A student who struggles in math may be placed directly into Basic Geometry after completing Algebra 1C if their algebra teacher recommends the placement.

Finance: Students are recommended take Algebra 2C before this course because it will only help their understanding. However, we also see this course as an alternative placement for students who do not want to take Algebra 2C.

College Statistics: Our experience has shown that success in this class is more probable when students complete Algebra 2C. This is our new recommendation.


Future Plans: For our best math students we are planning to recommend the following sequence of courses:

Freshmen Year: Geometry 1H (Fall), Algebra 2H (Spring)
Sophomore Year: AP Statistics (Fall), Precalculus 1H (Spring)
Junior Year: AP Calculus
Senior Year: We are working on a option for this year.

Not all honors level math students would need to work at this pace, but it could be an option for those who would like the challenge. We feel that many benefits exist:
1) many more students taking AP Statistics
2) a break between Algebra 2H and Precalculus might actually improve understanding
3) more opportunities to take the various courses