Frisco ISD math pathways

Frisco ISD's example pathways

Frisco ISD's middle school Academic Guide shows these "Examples of Math Course Pathways." Boxes with two courses are shown the way the guide shows them.

The third pathway shows Geometry and Algebra II in the same year. The middle school guide says students "may not take Geometry and Algebra II concurrently during the school day," so ask your counselor how students fit both in.

Most high school math courses come in two levels: on-level and Advanced (for example Geometry or Geometry Advanced). The district's slides say your math teacher and counselor help you decide which upper-level class is right for you.

What to pick for 9th grade

Frisco's slides for this year's 8th graders explain it by the math you take now:

• In Math 8 now: Algebra I or Algebra I Advanced in 9th, then Geometry, then Algebra II, then PreCalculus or AP Precalculus in 12th.
• In Algebra I now: Geometry or Geometry Advanced in 9th, Algebra II in 10th, PreCalculus or AP Precalculus in 11th, then AP Calculus AB, AP Calculus BC, AP Statistics or dual credit math in 12th.
• Finished Algebra I and Geometry (or more) in 8th grade: the slides say you "may need to write in the names of the next math courses" to fill out your 4-year plan.

Either way, the slides say to "make sure you have one math class selected for every year of high school." See Choosing your 9th grade courses for the rest of the schedule.

Getting ahead in middle school

• Advanced math (6th–8th) moves faster and compacts the state standards, so students "reach more advanced/AP courses" later. Middle schools offer Math 6, 7 and 8 Advanced and Algebra I Advanced for high school credit.
• Geometry in 8th grade: the course catalog lists Geometry Advanced for 8th grade. The guide says 8th graders in Geometry "may be required to take the 8th Grade Math STAAR test."
• Not at the same time: middle school students may not take Geometry and Algebra II together.
• Skipping Algebra I by exam: Frisco "strongly encourages" students to avoid earning Algebra I credit through an Exam for Acceleration, because of the "foundational learning" in that course.
• Your GPA: high school credit courses taken in middle school count in your high school GPA. See GPA and class rank.

After Algebra II

Course catalog options for your last years of math (each needs the course before it):

• PreCalculus or AP Precalculus (after Algebra II and Geometry).
• AP Calculus AB or AP Calculus BC (after PreCalculus).
• Statistics or AP Statistics (after Algebra II).
• Dual credit with Collin College (11th–12th): College Algebra and Statistics after Algebra II; PreCalculus and Calculus I in 12th after College Algebra; Calculus III after Calculus BC (a 4–5 on the AP exam or the college's math test), then Differential Equations.
• Other fourth-year courses: AQR, Math Models, Algebraic Reasoning, and IB Mathematics for students in the IB program.

Every course, with its grades and prerequisites, is in the Frisco ISD course catalog.

Four credits and Algebra II

• You need 4 math credits to graduate. See graduation requirements.
• Frisco ISD's default plan leads to the Distinguished Level of Achievement, which requires Algebra II. It's also part of what Texas automatic admission needs.
• GPA points: Advanced math courses are Tier II (up to 5.5) and AP math courses are Tier III (up to 6.0). See How many AP classes should I take?

Official sources

• Frisco ISD 2027-28 Middle School Academic Guide (PDF) (pp. 14, 20, 24 and 26 (Examples of Math Course Pathways))
• Frisco ISD slides: Complete your Four Year Plan (2027-28) (math slide)
• Frisco ISD 2027-28 High School Academic Guide (PDF) (STEM and Multidisciplinary charts)
• Frisco ISD: 2027-28 Academic Guides and Course Catalog