Math Curriculum Progression
Curriculum Progression Roadmap
Our goal is to ensure that each student is placed in the math course that best supports their long-term success and growth.
The four options for math placement in the 9th-grade year are:
- Algebra 1
- Advanced Algebra 1
- Advanced Geometry
- Honors Geometry
All 8th-grade students planning to enroll at Charlotte Catholic will take a placement test at CCHS on February 21, 2026. This assessment will include a math evaluation of the student’s proficiency with key algebra concepts and their general problem-solving skills.The math test will consist entirely or mostly of open-response questions and calculators will not be permitted.
In addition to placement test performance, CCHS will consider the following factors when considering student math placement:
- Year-to-date math test average, excluding any extra credit, such as test corrections or bonus points.
- Report card math grades.
- The 8th-grade math teacher’s evaluation of the student’s standard of attributes such as attitude, work ethic, quality and timeliness of homework, and asking for help when needed.
- Standardized math test scores.
Students who took Algebra 1 in 8th grade
Completion of Algebra 1 in 8th grade does not automatically result in placement in high school Geometry during 9th grade. The above-mentioned criteria factors are reviewed and those students needing to solidify key algebra concepts may be placed in Advanced Algebra 1 in high school.
Algebra 1
Algebra 1 is a college prep math course providing a strong foundation of high school math, using a slower-pace and increased scaffolding, to support and prepare students for success in future math courses. This course provides a thorough and intensive reinforcement of math and pre-algebra skills learned in middle school. Students currently enrolled in Pre-Algebra yet needing continued reinforcement of key algebra concepts and skills may be placed into Algebra 1. Fundamentally, it is an introduction to high school Mathematics and is an appropriate course for students entering Charlotte Catholic with challenges in mathematical concepts and skills.
This course includes a thorough review of operations with integers, fractions, and decimals; It then proceeds to solving equations and inequalities in one variable; introduction to functions; linear functions; systems of linear equations and systems of linear inequalities; operations with polynomials; factoring polynomials; quadratic functions; and displays of categorical and quantitative data and numerical summaries of quantitative data.
The pace of this course is typically several days per lesson with homework most nights to practice the day’s learning objectives. Students will receive extensive arithmetic and pre-algebra skills instruction and practice.
Algebra 1 assessments include application of concepts and skills and are administered in the form of weekly quizzes and biweekly tests.
Advanced Algebra 1
Students are expected to arrive in Advanced Algebra 1 having mastered arithmetic and pre-algebraic concepts and skills developed in the middle school years. This course is a college prep math course, providing a needed foundation of high school math while preparing students for success in future advanced and potentially honors math courses. This course is an appropriate course for students entering Charlotte Catholic with a proven grasp of pre-algebra concepts and skills from middle school.
The pace of this course is typically 1-2 days per lesson with nightly homework practice of the day’s learning objectives.
This course includes a brief review of operations with integers, fractions, and decimals; solving equations and inequalities in one variable; introduction to functions; linear functions; systems of linear equations and systems of linear inequalities; operations with polynomials; factoring polynomials; quadratic functions; and displays of categorical and quantitative data and numerical summaries of quantitative data.
Advanced Algebra 1 assessments include far more application, synthesis, and evaluation level questions than simply basic skills and comprehension level questions and are administered in the form of weekly quizzes and biweekly tests.
Advanced Algebra 1 is completed more quickly and much more independently when compared to the slower pace and extensive scaffolding offered in Algebra 1. While arithmetic and basic pre-algebra is explicitly taught, scaffolded, and modeled in Algebra 1, it is quickly reviewed in Advanced Algebra 1 prior to instruction of Algebra 1 material. Students are expected to arrive in Advanced Algebra 1 having mastered pre-algebra concepts and skills developed in the middle school years.
Advanced Geometry
Select students currently enrolled in Algebra 1 in 8th grade may potentially progress to Advanced Geometry based upon the above-mentioned criteria. Advanced Geometry is an extension of Algebra 1 and a foundational course in preparation for Algebra 2 and future math courses.
Advanced Geometry provides the foundations of Geometry: points, lines, and planes; apply geometric reasoning: proofs; explore parallel/perpendicular lines; explore angle
relationships; explore relationships between lines and angles in circles; identify polygons and
apply properties of similarity; classify triangles and prove congruence; use applications of trigonometry; apply perimeter, area, volume to 3-D figures; probability
The pace of this course is typically 2-3 days per lesson with nightly homework practice of the day’s learning objectives.
Advanced Geometry assessments include more application and evaluation level questions rather than simply basic skills and comprehension level questions and are administered in the form of weekly quizzes and biweekly tests.
Honors Geometry
Select students currently enrolled in Algebra 1 may potentially progress to Honors Geometry based upon the above-mentioned criteria. Honors Geometry is an extension of Algebra 1 and a foundational course in preparation for Honors Algebra 2 and future math courses.
Honors Geometry presents a greatly increased rigor, content and pace is therefore designed for students who possess a very strong, responsible and dedicated work ethic in addition to having the ability to think critically, successfully problem-solve and work independently or as part of a group.
Honors Geometry includes the in-depth study of basic terms and symbols; congruence and similarity of polygons and circles; parallel and perpendicular lines; transformations and proofs.
The pace of this course is typically 1-2 days per lesson, which includes multiple learning objectives per lesson. Additionally, nightly homework practice of the day’s learning objectives is required and essential for success.
Honors Geometry assessments include far more detailed, in-depth and thorough application, synthesis, and evaluation level questions than is required in Advanced Geometry and are administered in the form of weekly quizzes and biweekly tests.
Honors Geometry is completed more quickly and much more independently when compared to the slower pace and teacher scaffolding offered in Advanced Geometry.
Students are expected to arrive in Honors Geometry having mastered Algebra 1concepts and skills developed in the middle school years in addition to having a very strong, responsible and dedicated work ethic.
All CCHS Math Courses
Common Thread:
• Are academically rigorous, college-prep courses.
• Prepare students for success in high school and college-level math courses.
• Provide students solid mathematical skills essential for any high school or college course where mathematical understanding, application, research, logic and critical thinking skills are required.
Success in every class is the result of:
• Daily attendance.
• Preparedness to work and to learn.
• Active participation by note-taking, practicing the problems presented, answering and asking questions.
• Completing homework as the practice that it is – authentically attempting all problems, working through each step, and reviewing resources such as notes and videos when unsure how to complete a problem.
• Reviewing notes daily.
• Perseverance and grit to work through the challenges that will come.
• Self-advocacy when needing extra help.