High School Math Acceleration Options

In OUSD, we offer multiple math course pathways to support every student and their post-secondary goals and interests. The course sequence displayed below represents the most common pathways that our students take in high school. While this pathway is suitable for most students, we have additional pathways for students who are interested in accelerating in math so that they are able to enroll in Calculus by 12th grade.

Sample Pathways for Acceleration within OUSD

	Grade 9	Grade 10	Grade 11	Grade 12
Compression Course in 11th Grade	Algebra 1	Geometry	Algebra 2 + Math Analysis Compression	Calculus
Enrolling in 2 Math Courses (both within their OUSD school)	Algebra 1	Geometry and Algebra 2	Math Analysis	Calculus
Enrolling in 2 Math Courses (both within their OUSD school)	Algebra 1 and Geometry	Algebra 2	Math Analysis	Calculus
Enrolling in OUSD Algebra 1 Summer Intensive (the summer between 8th and 9th grade)	Geometry	Algebra 2	Math Analysis	Calculus
Enrolling in OUSD Geometry Summer Intensive (the summer between 9th and 10th grade)	Algebra 1	Algebra 2	Math Analysis	Calculus

What options are available at my high school?

Please consult with your high school counselor to explore the best option(s) for you.

Castlemont	9th graders can take both Algebra 1 and Geometry 10th graders can take both Geometry and Algebra 2
CCPA	10th graders can take both Geometry and Algebra 2
Fremont	9th graders can take both Algebra 1 and Geometry 10th graders can take both Geometry and Algebra 2
LIFE Academy	10th graders can take both Geometry and Algebra 2 11th graders can take both Algebra 2 and Math Analysis
Madison Park Academy	9th graders can take both Algebra 1 and Geometry 10th graders can take both Geometry and Algebra 2
McClymonds	9th graders can take both Algebra 1 and Geometry
Oakland High	9th graders can take both Algebra 1 and Geometry 10th graders can take both Geometry and Algebra 2
Oakland Tech	9th graders can take both Algebra 1 and Geometry 10th graders can take both Geometry and Algebra 2
Skyline	Algebra 2 + Math Analysis Compression

What acceleration options are available before 9th grade?

Acceleration before 9th grade is not necessary in order to have access to college ready math courses in high school.

OUSD Summer School in the summer between 8th and 9th grade

Intensive Algebra 1 Summer Program

June 9 through July 11, 2025; Holidays on June 19 and July 4

Tentative Schedule 9:00am - 3:00pm | Location TBD

Please complete our interest form to begin the registration process.

Students must:

earn a grade of B or higher
demonstrate proficiency on a common district Algebra 1 certification exam

If the above criteria are satisfied, the student may enroll in Geometry in 9th grade
Students will still need to take 3 years of math while enrolled in high school

Enroll in courses at Peralta or an online course

The course must be WASC accredited and be A-G approved

Prior to enrolling in a course, it is advised that students consult with their school counselor to ensure that their course qualifies
At Peralta, we recommend enrolling in one of these options:

Option 1 (one course): Math 201 (4 units)
Option 2 (4 courses): Math 210A (1 unit), Math 210B (1 unit), Math 210C (1 unit,) and Math 210D (1 unit)

The course must not begin until at least the 5th marking period of 8th grade

Math 8 is a prerequisite course for Algebra 1. Starting an Algebra 1 course in the spring will ensure that students have engaged with many of the Math 8 standards required for success in Algebra 1

Upon completion of the course, students must:

submit their transcript with a grade of B or higher to their high school counselor
demonstrate proficiency on a common district Algebra 1 certification exam

If the above criteria are satisfied, the student may enroll in Geometry in 9th grade
Students will still need to take 3 years of math while enrolled in high school
Note: Students must be present when registering students for courses at Peralta. Please reach out to your school counselor with any questions about the process.

If transferring to OUSD from a different district

Students must:

have “Algebra 1” or “Alg 1” on their middle school transcript
submit their transcript with a grade of B or higher to their high school counselor
demonstrate proficiency on a common district Algebra 1 certification exam

If the above criteria are satisfied, the student may enroll in Geometry in 9th grade
Students will still need to take 3 years of math while enrolled in high school

Algebra 1 Certification Exam

There will be a central process for administering, scoring, and reporting Algebra 1 certification exams in order to ensure equity across our schools. This exam will match the rigor of our Algebra 1 courses and require students to demonstrate conceptual understanding as well as fluency of procedures and skills and application of those skills.

Students must be available for one of these testing dates. (Please sign up here)

Friday, July 11, 2025 | 9:00-11:00 am | Oakland Tech

Friday, July 25, 2025 | 9:00-11:00 am | Fremont High School

What if my student is not interested in acceleration but instead would like additional support to feel ready for 9th grade Algebra 1?

Please consider signing up your rising 9th grader for our 9th Grade Math Boost Summer Program. This is a math enrichment course to support students to be as successful as possible in 9th grade Algebra 1. Students will engage in hands-on, engaging math tasks to strengthen Math 8 concepts and skills, and also preview Algebra 1 content. Students will be more confident and prepared for 9th grade Algebra 1!

9th Grade Math Boost

June 9 through July 11, 2025; Holidays on June 19 and July 4

Tentative Schedule 9:00am - 12:00pm | Location TBD

Please complete our interest form to begin the registration process.

What acceleration options are available between 9th and 10th grade?

Intensive Geometry Summer Program

June 9 through July 11, 2025; Holidays on June 19 and July 4

Tentative Schedule 9:00am - 3:00pm | Location TBD

Please complete our interest form to begin the registration process.

Students must earn a grade of B or higher.
If the above criteria are satisfied, the student may enroll in Algebra 2 in 10th grade.
Students will earn 10 math credits toward high school graduation.

Questions?

Please visit our FAQs or email us.

Courtney Ortega, Secondary Math Coordinator for Middle Schools

courtney.ortega@ousd.org

Keely Machmer-Wessels, Secondary Math Coordinator for High Schools

keely.machmer@ousd.org

OUSD Summer 2025 Math Course Offerings

Course	Description	Time/Dates
9th Grade Math Boost for rising 9th graders	A math enrichment course to support students to be as successful as possible in 9th grade Algebra 1. Upon completion of this program, students will feel more confident and prepared for 9th grade Algebra 1!	June 9 through July 11 Holidays on June 19 & July 4 Schedule 9:00-11:30am
Intensive Algebra 1 for rising 9th graders	A fast-paced course where students engage in a full year of Algebra 1 standards. Upon passing the course, students will be eligible to enroll in Geometry as a 9th grader.	June 9 through July 11 Holidays on June 19 & July 4 Schedule 9:00am - 2:30pm
Intensive Geometry for rising 10th graders	A fast-paced course where students engage in a full year of Geometry standards. Upon passing the course, students will be eligible to enroll in Algebra 2 as a 10th grader.

Algebra 1 Certification Exam

Friday, July 11, 2025 | 9:00-11:00 am

Friday, July 25, 2025 | 9:00-11:00 am