Mater Dei High School uses the traditional sequence of algebra, geometry and Algebra 2, with trigonometry taught within Algebra 2 under the course name Algebra 2/Trigonometry. This differs from the Integrated Math I, II and III sequence of the Irvine Unified School District, and grade-level equivalents between the two systems cannot be converted directly. The school’s math department lists five sample pathways on its website; this page groups them into four by starting point and explains the score requirements at each step, the rules for summer acceleration, and the highest course available.
Four Math Pathways
Foundational route (marked by the school as non-STEM)
- Grade 9: Algebra 1, with some students also taking Algebra I Lab
- Grade 10: Intermediate Geometry or Geometry
- Grade 11: Algebra 2 or Algebra 2/Trigonometry
- Grade 12: Statistics or Personal Finance
Standard route (starting with Algebra I in grade 9)
- Grade 9: Algebra I or Honors Algebra 1
- Grade 10: Geometry or Honors Geometry
- Grade 11: Algebra 2/Trigonometry or Honors Algebra 2/Trigonometry
- Grade 12: PreCalculus, Honors PreCalculus, or Statistics
STEM route (Algebra I completed in middle school)
- Grade 9: Geometry or Honors Geometry
- Grade 10: Algebra 2/Trigonometry or Honors Algebra 2/Trigonometry
- Grade 11: PreCalculus or Honors PreCalculus
- Grade 12: Calculus, AP Calculus AB, Statistics, or AP Statistics
Fastest route (Algebra I and Geometry completed in middle school)
- Grade 9: Algebra 2/Trigonometry or Honors Algebra 2/Trigonometry
- Grade 10: PreCalculus or Honors PreCalculus
- Grade 11: Calculus or AP Calculus AB
- Grade 12: AP Calculus BC or AP Statistics
The pathways differ in their starting points, which are determined by grade 8 coursework and placement at enrollment. The standard pathway reaches PreCalculus or Statistics in grade 12 without entering calculus; the STEM pathway reaches AP Calculus AB in grade 12; and only the fastest pathway reaches AP Calculus BC in grade 12.
Prerequisites at Each Step
The table below is compiled course by course from the course catalog. Courses marked with a “diagnostic test” also include a test on the first day of class.
| Course (grade levels) | Prerequisites |
|---|---|
| Honors Algebra I (grades 9-12) | HSPT math score of 9.0 or higher, or a passing score on the Honors Algebra I Qualifying Exam |
| Honors Geometry (grades 9-12) | B or higher each semester in Honors Algebra I, or an A each semester in Algebra I plus a passing score on the Honors Geometry placement test |
| Honors Algebra 2/Trigonometry (grades 9-12) | B or higher in both semesters of Honors Geometry, or an A in both semesters of Geometry plus a passing placement test; a diagnostic test is also given on the first day of class |
| PreCalculus (grades 10-12) | B or higher in both semesters of Algebra 2/Trigonometry, or C or higher in both semesters of Honors Algebra 2/Trigonometry; Algebra 2 students need a B or higher in both semesters and must pass the summer Trigonometry course with a B or higher |
| Honors PreCalculus (grades 10-12) | A B each semester in Honors Algebra 2/Trigonometry, or an A each semester in Algebra 2/Trigonometry plus a passing score on the Honors PreCalculus placement test; a diagnostic test is also given at the start of the course |
| Calculus (grades 11-12) | C or higher each semester in PreCalculus or Honors PreCalculus; the school notes that this course is not aimed at the AP exam |
| AP Calculus AB (grades 11-12) | B or higher each semester in Honors PreCalculus, or an A each semester in PreCalculus plus a passing score on the AP Calculus AB placement test; a diagnostic test is also given at the start of the course |
| AP Calculus BC (grades 11-12) | An A each semester in Calculus, or B or higher each semester in AP Calculus AB; a diagnostic test is also given at the start of the course |
| AP Statistics (grade 12) | B or higher each semester in Algebra 2/Trigonometry, C or higher in PreCalculus, and a passing score on the diagnostic test at the start of the course |
The prerequisites follow two patterns. First, moving between honors levels requires only a B, while moving from a regular course to honors requires an A each semester plus a placement exam. Second, AP Calculus BC follows AP Calculus AB or regular Calculus as a second-year calculus course, which differs from the common arrangement of choosing either AB or BC.
Summer Acceleration and Outside Courses
Summer Credit Advancement courses cover a full year of content in five weeks. Summer school in 2026 runs from June 15 to July 17; mathematics offerings include Algebra 2/Trigonometry ($830), Geometry ($830), PreCalculus ($860, pre-approval required), and one-semester Trigonometry ($435, pre-approval required). The school states that most math advancement courses require 85% or higher in the previous math course. Grades of C or higher are recorded on the transcript and count toward the GPA; a D or F in either semester results in the student being dropped with no grade recorded and placed in the corresponding course in the fall. Students who withdraw in writing by 4:00 p.m. on July 10 leave no record, but fees are not refunded.
Incoming freshmen placed in Algebra I or Honors Algebra I who want to take Geometry directly in grade 9 may apply for the Geometry Readiness course in the summer before enrollment, with pre-approval from the mathematics department; students who take the freshman math preparation course (HSP Math) may also be reconsidered for placement.
The rules for outside courses are stricter. To take a course outside the school (in summer or during the school year), students must first submit and receive approval for an Application to Take a Non-MD Course for Credit Recovery/Advancement, and must consult their counselor in advance. Only Mater Dei High School summer school courses appear on the school's transcript; once enrolled, students must complete all graduation requirements at the school. For this reason, students who want to reach calculus a year early usually use the school’s own summer school: Geometry or Algebra 2/Trigonometry in the summer after grade 9, and PreCalculus in the summer after grade 10. Students on the Algebra 2 pathway who want to move up to PreCalculus must also pass the one-semester summer Trigonometry course with a B or higher.
The Highest Available Course
The top of the math sequence at Mater Dei High School is AP Calculus BC and AP Statistics. AP Statistics is offered only in grade 12 and requires a B or higher each semester in Algebra 2/Trigonometry and a C or higher in PreCalculus. The school course catalog does not include multivariable calculus, linear algebra or differential equations, nor AP Precalculus. The catalog also does not list any dual-enrollment math courses offered with a community college.
Computer science courses are housed in the science department: Introduction to Coding and Honors Coding are open from grade 9, and AP Computer Science A generally begins in grade 11 and requires a B or higher in both semesters of Algebra I. Under UC rules, AP Computer Science A is in category c (mathematics), but at the school it counts only toward elective graduation credit.
Math Course List
Mathematics
| Course | Level | Grades | Prerequisites / Conditions / Notes | UC A-G |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| AP Calculus AB | AP | 11-12 | B or higher each semester in Honors PreCalculus, or an A each semester in PreCalculus plus a passing score on the AP Calculus AB placement test; a diagnostic test is also given on the first day of classCourse number 443; students must take the May AP exam | c |
| AP Calculus BC | AP | 11-12 | An A each semester in Calculus, or B or higher each semester in AP Calculus AB; a diagnostic test is also given on the first day of classCourse number 445; at the school, BC follows AB or regular Calculus as a second year of calculus | c |
| AP Statistics | AP | 12 | B or higher each semester in Algebra 2/Trigonometry, C or higher in PreCalculus, and a passing score on the diagnostic test on the first day of classCourse number 438; students must take the May AP exam | c |
| Hn Algebra 2/Trigonometry | Honors | 9-12 | B or higher in both semesters of Honors Geometry, or an A in both semesters of Geometry plus a passing score on the Honors Algebra 2 placement test; incoming freshmen need an entrance exam math score of 11.0 or higher, an A in both middle school Algebra I and Geometry, and a passing Qualifying Exam; a diagnostic test is also given on the first day of classSchool-designated honors course, weighted in the school GPA but not in the UC GPA; Course number 433; transcript abbreviation: Hn Alg 2 Trig | c |
| Hn Algebra I | Honors | 9-12 | Entrance exam math score of 9.0 or higher, or a passing score on the Honors Algebra I Qualifying ExamSchool-designated honors course, weighted in the school GPA but not in the UC GPA; Course number 413; covers about 25% more content than the regular class | c |
| Hn Geometry | Honors | 9-12 | B or higher each semester in Honors Algebra I, or an A each semester in Algebra I plus a passing score on the Honors Geometry placement test; incoming freshmen need an entrance exam math score of 11.0 or higher, an A in middle school Algebra I, and a passing score on the Honors Geometry Qualifying ExamSchool-designated honors course, weighted in the school GPA but not in the UC GPA; Course number 422 | c |
| Hn Pre-Calculus | Honors | 10-12 | A B each semester in Honors Algebra 2/Trigonometry, or an A each semester in Algebra 2/Trigonometry plus a passing score on the Honors PreCalculus placement test; a diagnostic test is also given on the first day of classUC-approved honors course, weighted for UC admission; Course number 442 | c |
| Algebra 2/Trigonometry | CP | 9-12 | C or higher in both semesters of Honors Geometry, or B or higher in both semesters of Geometry; incoming freshmen need an entrance exam math score of 11.0 or higher, a B or higher in both middle school Algebra I and Geometry, and a passing Qualifying ExamCourse number 429; Credit Advancement available in summer school; transcript abbreviation: Algebra 2/Trig | c |
| Algebra I | CP | 9-12 | None; students with an HSPT score of 7.5 or below may be required to take Algebra I Lab concurrentlyCourse number 412 | c |
| Algebra II | CP | 9-12 | Completion of Algebra I and GeometryCourse number 428; Algebra 2 for the non-STEM route; transcript abbreviations: Algebra 2, Algebra II | c |
| Calculus | CP | 11-12 | C or higher each semester in PreCalculus or Honors PreCalculusCourse number 440; the school notes that this course is not aimed at the AP exam | c |
| Geometry | CP | 9-12 | Completion of Algebra I; incoming freshmen need an entrance exam math score of 10.0 or higher, a B or higher in middle school Algebra I, and a passing score on the Geometry Qualifying ExamCourse number 421; Credit Advancement available in summer school | c |
| Intermediate Geometry | CP | 10 | —Grade 10 course on the non-STEM route in the school's math pathway chart; transcript abbreviation: Interm Geometry | c |
| Pre-Calculus | CP | 10-12 | B or higher in both semesters of Algebra 2/Trigonometry, or C or higher in both semesters of Honors Algebra 2/Trigonometry; Algebra 2 students may also qualify with a B or higher in both semesters plus a B or higher in the summer Trigonometry courseCourse number 441; Credit Advancement available in summer school with pre-approval | c |
| Statistics | CP | 12 | C or higher each semester in Algebra 2 or Algebra 2/TrigonometryCourse number 437 | c |
| Trigonometry | CP | — | One-semester summer school course; pre-approval requiredAllows Algebra 2 students to complete trigonometry content before moving into PreCalculus; the school course catalog calls it Trigonometry for Advancement | c |
| Personal Finance | CP | 12 | —Course number 411; offered by the mathematics department and approved by UC as an area g elective; transcript abbreviation: Prsnl Finance | g |
| Algebra I Lab | Other | 9 | Students with an HSPT score of 7.5 or below may be required to take it concurrently with Algebra ISupport course in the school's math pathway chart; not on the UC A-G list | — |
Frequently Asked Questions
Irvine families often ask: does Mater Dei High School use integrated math or traditional algebra and geometry?
It uses the traditional sequence. Math courses at Mater Dei High School proceed from Algebra I to Geometry, Algebra 2/Trigonometry and PreCalculus, followed by Calculus or Statistics; it does not use the integrated Math I, Math II and Math III sequence of the Irvine Unified School District. Trigonometry is taught within Algebra 2, which is why the course is named Algebra 2/Trigonometry. Families transferring from Irvine middle schools should first confirm with the school's math department which course their middle school math course corresponds to.
An Irvine student finished Algebra I in grade 8. Can the student take Geometry in grade 9 at Mater Dei High School?
Yes, but three conditions must all be met. The Mater Dei High School course catalog states that incoming freshmen who enter Geometry directly need an HSPT math score of 10.0 or higher, a B or higher in middle school Algebra I, and a passing result on the math department's Geometry qualifying exam; direct entry into Honors Geometry requires 11.0 or higher, an A in middle school Algebra I, and a passing result on the Honors Geometry qualifying exam. Students placed only in Algebra I may also apply for the Geometry Readiness course in the summer before enrollment, with prior approval from the math department.
Irvine families want to know: what is the highest math course available at Mater Dei High School?
The highest is AP Calculus BC. At Mater Dei High School, AP Calculus BC requires prior completion of regular Calculus (A each semester) or AP Calculus AB (B or higher each semester); it is a second-year calculus course offered in grades 11 to 12. To reach BC in grade 12, a student must take AP Calculus AB in grade 11, which means starting grade 9 in Algebra 2/Trigonometry. The school course catalog does not include multivariable calculus, linear algebra or AP Precalculus.
Can Irvine students take math early in summer at Mater Dei High School, and what should families watch for?
Yes. Mater Dei High School summer school offers credit advancement courses that cover a full year of content in five weeks. Summer school in 2026 ran from June 15 to July 17, and math courses included Geometry ($830), Algebra 2/Trigonometry ($830), PreCalculus ($860, prior approval required) and one-semester Trigonometry ($435, prior approval required). The school states that most math advancement courses require 85% or higher in the previous math course; grades of C or higher are recorded on the transcript and counted in the GPA, and a D or F in either semester results in withdrawal with no grade recorded.
Does Mater Dei High School accept math courses that Irvine students take outside school?
Prior approval is required. Mater Dei High School states that only its own summer school courses appear on the school transcript, and that once enrolled, students must complete all graduation requirements at the school. To take an outside course, a student must first submit the Application to Take a Non-MD Course for Credit Recovery/Advancement and consult a counselor, and the school does not guarantee that an outside course will satisfy its requirements. Students who want to accelerate over the summer should generally enroll in the school's own summer school.
Irvine families ask: are honors math courses at Mater Dei High School weighted by UC?
Most are not. According to the UC A-G list for the 2026-27 school year, Honors Algebra I, Honors Geometry and Honors Algebra 2/Trigonometry at Mater Dei High School are not UC-approved honors courses; they are weighted at the school but count as regular courses in a UC application. The only math courses UC weights are Honors PreCalculus (Hn Pre-Calculus), AP Calculus AB, AP Calculus BC and AP Statistics.
