Aliso Niguel High School, as part of the Capistrano Unified School District, offers a structured and flexible math program, meeting the diverse needs of all students. One of the notable programs is the accelerated math pathway, which is most frequently available to students who are a part of the Gifted and Talented Education program.
For many students, these accelerated pathways can begin as early as middle school. This feature allows students to progress through their math A-G requirements faster. This way, students can access more advanced coursework during their time at high school, allowing them to academically challenge themselves and prepare for college-level math.
The Capistrano Unified School District offers both standard and accelerated math pathways for students, allowing students to choose an option that best suits them that both aligns with their interests and capability in terms of difficulty. The different possible pathways allow students to focus on individual pacing and readiness.
Capistrano Unified School District offers a wide range of math courses, including Algebra 1, Geometry, Algebra 2, Honors Algebra 2, Honors Precalc, Precalc, Ap Stats, Ap Calc AB and AP Calc BC. Students are allowed to choose the sequence of these courses depending on their placement and personal preference. Students can choose their open path within the guidelines.
Honors Algebra II Trigonometry, and AP Calculus BC teacher Ann Beckler spoke on the different math classes offered at Aliso, “Yeah, I think that it’s really good that we offer so many different classes for all students… Students who start in middle school can build up to AP classes and can overall access more advanced courses in their time at high school.”
Incoming freshmen are placed into accelerated classes if they were a part of the GATE program during their time in middle school. In many cases, students who took accelerated or honors classes in middle school are qualified to enroll in more advanced classes during their freshman year.
Under the Capistrano Unified District, students can begin taking accelerated or honors math courses starting as soon as 6th grade, therefore allowing them to start very challenging courses in 9th grade.
Shaya Danesh (11) spoke on her accelerated path, “I took Algebra I in 8th grade, and so I was able to take Geometry in 9th grade. Now I feel like I can take more advanced classes in high school.”
Additionally, students can do some math courses during the summer. Summer math classes are offered either online or through summer school and allow students to take more advanced classes the following year.
The most popular summer course taken by students is Geometry, which is often taken the summer before the start of high school, freshman year. Students who have taken Algebra 1 in eighth grade can take geometry through the class offered by Capo Valley High School during summer and can take either Algebra II or Honors Algebra II trig in Freshman year.
Overall, the accelerated and standard math pathways offered at Aliso Niguel High School are for students of all math levels and are designed to balance flexibility. By offering different pathways, the district encourages individual choice and academic growth according to each student’s needs.
