Math Courses In High School (What Math Classes To Take)

If you are getting ready to start high school or wondering what courses to take, it helps to have an idea of what to expect.  The math courses you take in high school depend on your previous course work in earlier grade levels.

So, what math courses do you take in high school?  High school math courses include Algebra 1 for 9^th graders (freshmen), Geometry for 10^th graders (sophomores), Algebra 2 for 11^th graders (juniors), and Pre-calculus for 12^th graders (seniors). Advanced students may take other math electives, such as AP Calculus, AP Statistics, or IB math courses.

Of course, you might also be able to take summer courses or online courses to get advanced standing in math courses or to qualify for AP courses.

In this article, we’ll talk about the math courses you take in high school.  We’ll also take a brief look at the list of topics covered in each of these courses.

Let’s get started.

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Math Courses In High School

In high school, most students will take the following order of math classes in high school:

• 9^th grade: Algebra 1 (freshman year)
• 10^th grade: Geometry (sophomore year)
• 11^th grade: Algebra 2 (junior year)
• 12^th grade: Pre-calculus (senior year)

If you have advanced standing due to extra courses taken (online classes, dual enrollment courses at a college, etc.), then you may skip ahead or take electives like AP Statistics.

Grade Level	Standard Course	Advanced Course	Elective Course
9th	Algebra 1	Geometry Algebra 2	Probability Statistics SAT Prep
10th	Geometry	Algebra 2 Pre-calc	Probability Statistics SAT Prep
11th	Algebra 2	Pre-calc Calculus	Probability AP Statistics SAT Prep
12th	Pre-calc	Calculus AP Calc	AP Statistics SAT Prep

What Math Do 9^th Graders Take? (Math Courses For High School Freshmen)

Most 9^th graders in the U.S. will take Algebra I.  An Algebra 1 course includes topics such as:

• Linear equations
• Linear functions
• Inequalities
• Systems of linear equations
• Systems of inequalities
• Quadratic equations
• Quadratic functions
• Exponent rules (powers)
• Roots and radicals

A more advanced 9^th grader may take Algebra 2 or Geometry.  Of course, this depends on the student’s math background from 8^th grade.

If a 9^th grader has already taken the algebra prerequisites, an elective course such as probability or statistics is also possible.

(You can learn more about how statistics is used in business in my article here).

An SAT or ACT math prep course might also be a good idea in 9^th grade.  This is especially true if you want to qualify for competitive scholarships and improve your chances of winning.

If you are a 9^th grader and you want to compete in mathematics at the national level, consider taking a course to prepare for the AMC 10.  This math exam elementary algebra, geometry, number theory, and probability (there is no advanced algebra, geometry, or trigonometry).

You can take the AMC 10 if on the day of the contest you are:

• In 10^th grade or below
• Age 17.5 years or below

You can learn more about the AMC 10 math competition from the Mathematical Association of America.

What Math Do 10^th Graders Take? (Math Courses For High School Sophomores)

Most 10^th graders in the U.S. will take Geometry.  A Geometry course includes topics such as:

• Congruence
• Similarity
• Symmetry
• Right Triangles
• Trigonometry
• Circles
• Conic Section Equations
• Area
• Volume

However, in some schools, this course has been phased out in favor of algebra courses that teach some geometry along the way.  In that case, you might take Algebra 2 (advanced algebra) in 10^th grade.

A more advanced 10^th grader may also take Algebra 2 or even a pre-calculus course.  Of course, this depends on the student’s math background from 9^th grade.

If a 10^th grader has already taken the algebra prerequisites, an elective course such as probability or statistics is also possible.

An SAT or ACT math prep course is a good idea in 10^th grade.  This is especially true if you want to qualify for competitive scholarships and improve your chances of winning.

If you are a 10^th grader and you want to compete in mathematics at the national level, consider taking a course to prepare for the AMC 10.  This math exam elementary algebra, geometry, number theory, and probability (there is no advanced algebra, geometry, or trigonometry).

You can take the AMC 10 if on the day of the contest you are:

• In 10^th grade or below
• Age 17.5 years or below

You can learn more about the AMC 10 math competition from the Mathematical Association of America.

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What Math Do 11^th Graders Take? (Math Courses For High School Juniors)

Most 11^th graders in the U.S. will take Algebra 2.  An Algebra 2 course includes topics such as:

• Linear equations
• Systems of linear equations
• Functions (absolute value, piecewise, step, inverse)
• Inequalities
• Systems of inequalities
• Polynomials
• Power Functions
• Exponents
• Logarithms
• Rational Equations
• Radicals
• Complex (Imaginary) Numbers
• Quadratic equations
• Quadratic functions

A more advanced 11^th grader may take a pre-calculus or even a calculus course.  Of course, this depends on the student’s math background from 10^th grade.

If an 11^th grader has already taken the algebra prerequisites, an elective course such as probability or statistics is also possible.  These courses could be AP or IB, which are geared towards preparing for exams that grant college credit.

Taking a dual enrollment course at a nearby college (or an online course) gives you the chance to earn both high school and college credits at the same time.

An SAT or ACT math prep course is also a good idea in 11^th grade.  This is especially true if you want to qualify for competitive scholarships and improve your chances of winning.

If you are an 11^th grader and you want to compete in mathematics at the national level, consider taking a course to prepare for the AMC 12.  This math exam covers all of the topics on the AMC 10 plus trigonometry, advanced algebra, and advanced geometry.

You can take the AMC 12 if on the day of the contest you are:

• In 12^th grade or below
• Age 19.5 years or below

You can learn more about the AMC 12 math competition from the Mathematical Association of America.

What Math Do 12^th Graders Take? (Math Courses For High School Seniors)

Most 12^th graders in the U.S. will take Pre-calculus.  A Pre-calculus includes topics such as:

• Functions
• Function composition
• Inverse functions
• Polynomials
• Rational functions
• Trigonometric functions
• Trigonometric identities
• Limits

A more advanced 12^th grader may take a calculus course.  This depends on the student’s math background from 11^th grade.

If a 12^th grader has already taken the prerequisites, an elective course such as AP Calculus or AP Statistics is also possible.  These courses are geared towards preparing for exams that grant college credit.

Taking a dual enrollment course at a nearby college (or an online course) gives you the chance to earn both high school and college credits at the same time.

An SAT or ACT math prep course is also a good idea in 12^th grade (in the fall – spring will be too late to take the SAT or ACT and apply to college for spring admission).  This is especially true if you want to qualify for competitive scholarships and improve your chances of winning.

If you are a 12^th grader and you want to compete in mathematics at the national level, consider taking a course to prepare for the AMC 12.  This math exam covers all of the topics on the AMC 10 plus trigonometry, advanced algebra, and advanced geometry.

You can take the AMC 12 if on the day of the contest you are:

• In 12^th grade or below
• Age 19.5 years or below

You can learn more about the AMC 12 math competition from the Mathematical Association of America.

Conclusion

Now you know which math courses you take in high school and when you can expect to take them.  Remember that there is some variability depending on the school and your background from earlier grade levels.

If you are interested in online schools in Massachusetts, check out my article here.

You might also consider joining a local (or virtual) math circle to hone your mathematical abilities – learn more in my article here.

If you would like to hire a math tutor, check out this article first.

I hope you found this article helpful.  If so, please share it with someone who can use the information.

Don’t forget to subscribe to my YouTube channel & get updates on new math videos!

~Jonathon