Core Mathematics Curriculum
Math 9, Math 10, PreCalculus, Statistics

All AHS students take 4 years of IMP (Interactive Mathematics Program®) mathematics as part of the core AHS curriculum. This math program is “untracked” in accordance with extensive research in mathematics education and equity, as well as the National Council of Teachers of Mathematics’s 2018 recommendations. We invite you to explore four influential articles and studies that have guided this decision. This model simultaneously offers valuable opportunities for interdisciplinary projects across core classes. 

The AHS math department chose the IMP model for its exceptional ability to address content and practice standards within a research-proven curriculum that is both problem-based and college-preparatory. While covering the same academic content as an “Algebra 1 - Geometry - Algebra II - PreCalculus” curriculum, IMP explores these content areas across grade levels, and within the context of solving novel and complex problems. This approach more effectively prepares students to address the varied problems (large and small) they will encounter in an ever-evolving world, as compared to a traditional math curriculum. Click here for more information about the IMP curriculum.

The AHS math program also places significant focus on data analysis and statistics, both within the IMP curriculum, as well as in a unique senior-level unit that prepares AHS students to apply statistics to their final senior project. This field of study holds a minor place in traditional math curriculum, yet a wide body of research suggests that data fluency is one of the highest ranked mathematical skills regarding post-secondary relevance and applicability. As of 2017, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics estimations showed that jobs that require data literacy and statistics are among the 10 fastest-growing occupations in the country. The College Board has also revised the SAT to reflect this reality. In a recent interview with David Coleman, the College Board CEO, 20% of the mathematics questions on the current SAT test data fluency, while 10% of the questions on the “evidence-based reading and writing” (previously “verbal”) section involve data analysis.

The CO State Standards for Mathematical Content are addressed within different units over the course of 4 years, as outlined in the following chart. The following course names have been adjusted for the 2020-2021 school year to more precisely communicate our course content to families and colleges.