Mathematics

Competencies for High School Entrance

The Catholic high schools expect that all incoming freshmen will have a solid foundation in arithmetic and have completed a study of "pre-algebra" so they are ready to begin Algebra 1. Completion of Algegra 1 and/or Geometry while still in elementary school does not give an applicant an advantage in admission to the high schools.

The high schools assume that incoming students are ready for Algebra 1. Students who have completed Algebra 1 or a higher math will be evaluated by each school for proper placement.

Students who excel in math but have not mastered Algebra 1 prior to freshman year have ample opportunity to accelerate their placement by attending summer school in order to take Calculus in their senior year.

• Be proficient in each of the arithmetic operations and their reciprocals using each type of numeral value (integers, fractions, decimals, and percents)
• Have a solid functional and conceptual knowledge of all sign conventions
• Be proficient in the application of the concepts of variables, equations, inequities, formulas, substitution, and other pre-Algebra skills
• Understand and use positive and negative numbers
• Use correct mathematics terminology
• Understand measurement and conversion
• Show understanding of the geometry of basic two and three dimension
• Use calculators to perform basic arithmetic operations, including powers and roots, to convert one type of number to another (fraction to decimal) and to check their work
• Survey their answers for "sense" in estimation of numerical value, direction (positive or negative), and units

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