High School Math Curriculum
Updating Our High School Math Curriculum
As we continuously strive to enhance the educational experience for our students, we want to share our updates to our high school math program. Beginning in the 2025–26 school year, we will offer a new course, Math I, focused on essential learning for all students and serving as a foundation for further math coursework. This course is the beginning of a regular review within our district curriculum design process to ensure we are aligned to current research, best practices, and learning standards.
Following a review of current research and standards, including our adopted Wisconsin Standards for Mathematics and the National Council of Teachers of Mathematics, we created Math I to build upon our student’s K-8 math curriculum and prepare them for future mathematics courses. Math I is focused on the following conceptual categories and domains within the Wisconsin Standards for Mathematics:
Number and Quantity (N)
- The Real Number System (RN)
- Quantities (Q)
Algebra (A)
- Seeing Structure in Expressions (SSE)
- Creating Equations (CED)
- Reasoning with Equations and Inequalities (REI)
Functions (F)
- Interpreting Functions (IF)
- Linear, Quadratic, and Exponential Models (LE)
Statistics and Probability (SP)
- Interpreting Categorical and Quantitative Data (ID)
Over the course of the 2025–26 school year our math team is focused on a study of essential standards and establishing college, career, and life ready pathways for all high school students. Our purpose is to establish a stronger foundation as students move through their high school coursework, intentionally making connections between concepts more clear, and supporting students’ overall mathematical understanding. Additionally, we are implementing and grounding our work in the Five Shifts named to guide educators in design principles for systems to ensure alignment to the standards. Students and caregivers can expect to see new math course pathways in preparation for the 2026–27 school year following the current update below which includes Math I (new in the 2025–26 school year).
Some Key Takeaways
The decision to review and update our high school math curriculum was made based on five factors:
- our Curriculum Renewal and Design cycle (see selection below Why Are We Making This Change?),
- newly released and adopted Wisconsin standards for mathematics,
- current research recognizing that every student needs to have some common outcomes in their first two years of high school,
- current research recognizing that advanced mathematics must be relevant beyond college entrance, enhancing courses through mathematical and statistical modeling,
- data collection including: student outcomes and careholders feedback.
These updates will ensure our mathematics teaching and learning will go deeper into each standard, focusing on critical areas for students as they build their foundational knowledge in their first two years of high school mathematics coursework.
- To learn more, review the First 2 Years (denoted F2Y) standards within the Wisconsin Standards for Mathematics.
We engaged our expert staff in the decision making process. This transition has been and will continue to be led by math teachers across our high schools.
Steering Committee Investment:
- 42 staff members engaged in 4K-12 Math Steering Committee work over the past two years, including teachers, instructional coaches, and site and district administrators
- 12 Steering Committee meetings held across the past two years as Years 1 and 2 work
In total, our steering committee invested 936 hours into work including the development of a vision statement, comprehensive qualitative data collection and review, quantitative data review and analysis, Catalyzing Change book study, math standards adoption, and essential standards selection.
We are committed to creating equitable structures in our math experience, ensuring that every student learns the essential concepts, and will not track students into qualitatively different pathways.
There are multiple pathways and opportunities for students to accelerate their math coursework in high school. Currently, students who want to get through AP Calculus and/or AP Statistics for their college or careers may still do so by taking concurrent courses.
- One example -
- Math I
- Geometry (future Math II)
- Algebra 2 (future Math III) and Pre-Calculus Compacted
- AP Calculus or Calculus AB/BC Compacted and/or AP Statistics
Additionally, students may choose from several STEM courses in our middle and high schools and apply to our STEM Academy program for dual enrollment at Madison College for their Junior and Senior years.
How do Colleges Recognize High School Courses?
To ensure that colleges recognize the rigor and content of courses like Math I, the district uses course codes that adhere to a standardized coding system. This coding system, used by high schools and colleges nationwide, facilitates the accurate translation of course content and level between institutions. When a student applies to college, their transcript includes these standardized codes, which are electronically submitted and interpreted by the college's system. This ensures that Math I is recognized as a course with comparable rigor as Algebra 1 and allows colleges to map it to equivalent courses in their own curriculum, preventing misunderstandings during the admissions process.
In addition, we ensure that our high school course guide clearly explains course alignments so colleges understand that Math I is comparable with the rigor of Algebra 1 and its requirements. Colleges are familiar with integrated math pathways, as these are increasingly common across the country. However, we acknowledge the need to ensure this does not pose an undue burden on students and will continue to work with families and college admissions offices to address any concerns.
Advanced Learning Program
Please note: The District has a process for parents/caregivers and teachers to request a conversation and assessment for potential subject acceleration through the Advanced Learning Program. That process remains unchanged with this update. Parents/caregivers and/or educators interested in considering a referral for subject acceleration should contact their building’s Advanced Learning Teacher.
Why are we making this change?
Every six years, a team of educators from our Sun Prairie Area Schools and district office embark on a thorough curriculum renewal and design process to ensure our students receive the highest quality education. This process involves integrating various components to create a comprehensive and effective curriculum. We are writing to inform you of this year’s updates, stemming from five key areas. These five areas are demonstrated below, and further detail is provided thereafter:
Wisconsin Standards for Mathematics Release (2021)
We are aligning our curriculum with the latest Wisconsin Standards for Mathematics released in 2021. Our district adopted these standards in the spring of 2023. By adhering to them, we ensure our students have the knowledge and skills necessary to succeed academically and beyond.
Qualitative Data Collection
Through qualitative data collection methods, including student interviews and surveys of math teachers, parents, caregivers, and community business partners, we gained valuable insights into areas where our current curriculum could be enhanced. This data-driven approach has enabled us to tailor our curriculum to better meet the needs of our students. You can see a summary of our data collection results, which were previously shared here.
Student Outcome Data
Our student outcome data reveals that our math achievement levels are below the state average and have been unchanging in recent years. By closely examining student performance, we can make targeted adjustments to enhance learning outcomes for all students.
Focus on Grade-Level Instruction
We recognize the importance of providing grade-level instruction that is developmentally appropriate, aligned to our adopted standards, and engaging for students. Our focus on ensuring common outcomes in our student’s first two years of high school math will support and intentionally prepare them for all other mathematical experiences in college, career, and life.
Current Research
Understanding current research in the field of mathematics education has been integral to our curriculum renewal process. By incorporating the latest research findings and best practices into our curriculum design, we ensure that our students benefit from evidence-based instructional strategies.
We are confident that these updates will foster a deeper understanding and strengthen our students’ identity around mathematics.
We are committed to partnering with you to support your student's academic success. If you have any questions or would like further information about the updates, please don't hesitate to contact us.
Thank you for your continued support and collaboration.
Dr. Sarah Chaja-Clardy
Director of Secondary Teaching, Learning, and Equity
srchaja@sunprairieschools.org
Dr. Lexi Vanden Heuvel
4K-12 Math Coordinator
llvande@sunprairieschools.org