Math and Science

Please follow the links under the “Academics” heading to the left to find more information.

The curriculum of Veritas Christi Hybrid Academy takes a classical approach and uses the Socratic method of discussion. This page covers math and science for all grades. See also the page for humanities and fine arts. Some classes alternate across years.

Progression of Math

(Math placement to be based on student testing)

Junior High Math — Students study order of operations, adding, subtracting, multiplying, and dividing fractions and decimals. Students also learn how signs change when adding, subtracting, multiplying, and dividing integers. Students learn the placement of negative numbers, fractions, and decimals on a number line. There is also a review of place value and rounding whole numbers, fractions, and decimals. Students have plenty of practice in all these skills to prepare them for pre-algebra. We use the Saxon 7-6 curriculum for this course.

Pre-Algebra — Students' study of pre-algebra focuses initially on numbers and their properties, especially integers, decimals, fractions, and percentages. Students are then introduced to elementary set theory and move on to geometric figures and their properties. Finally, they study linear equations.

Algebra I — Students study algebra and focus on developing skills for solving equations with one or two variables. We also introduce students to functions and their graphic representations. The concepts and skills the students gain in this course are the foundations for all future mathematics at Veritas Christi Academy. Larson book.

Geometry — Students learn to extract mathematical information from visual images of geometric objects, to understand the mathematical relationships between geometrical objects, and to understand the structure and role of proofs in geometry. Merrill book.

Algebra II/Trigonometry— Students study the general concepts behind functions and then particular classes of functions: polynomial, rational, root, logarithmic, logistic, and exponential. They are taught to represent functions graphically, symbolically, and numerically. Students study the definitions and applications of trigonometric functions and vectors. Students then begin with a focus on matrices, especially their use in solving equations with more than two variables. Topics in discrete mathematics and conic sections are also studied. Merrill book.

Pre-Calculus — Students' study of Pre-Calculus begins with a review of basic functions before moving into higher order polynomial, rational, exponential and logarithmic, and trigonometric functions and their applications. It also covers matrices, analytic geometry, and sequences, series, and combinatorics. Pearson Book.

Calculus — to be offered in the future

Progression of Sciences

(Student’s science experience and ability will determine the placement of entry-level vs. advanced sciences)

Entry Level Sciences (Geared toward Middle School)

Life Science — Students study nature by learning and incorporating the skills of a scientist in observing, inferring, predicting, classifying, and making models in regular nature journaling. The students learn the scientific method in performing experiments and writing a clear and comprehensive lab report. Students will be introduced to classifying organisms, discovering cells, and genetics. They will also cover viruses, bacteria, protists, fungi, plants, invertebrates, and vertebrates.
"Science Explorer" Series.

Earth and Space Science — Students continue to hone their skills in observation and employing the scientific method as they learn about what occurs inside the earth, on its surface, and in space. Topics include plate tectonics, earthquakes, the atmosphere, and astronomy. Students will be using the Prentice Hall "Science Explorer" Series.

Alternates with

Physical Science — Topics include: atoms and bonding, electricity and magnetism, energy, and simple machines and catapults. Students continue to use the Prentice Hall "Science Explorer" Series.

Advanced Sciences (Geared toward High School)

Biology — Discussion, projects, and hands-on labs to gain understanding in concepts of biological science including the cell and its organelles, cellular functions including respiration, photosynthesis, growth, and division. Cellular transport and DNA structure including transcription and translation are discussed. The students learn an understanding of genetics and its role in evolution by natural selection. Students learn the classification system of organisms by kingdom, phylum, class, and species. In the lab, students dissect many organisms, including crayfish, starfish, bony fish, frog, and fetal pig. Dissecting organisms at multiple levels of complexity, students compare and contrast various systems. Labs also include microscope study of unicellular organisms, a family genetics project, and the construction of a cell model. Holt text.

Chemistry – Hands-on lab approach to help incorporate the student’s understanding of matter and life, measurements in chemistry, atoms and the periodic table, molecular compounds, chemical reactions, gases, liquids and solids, solutions, acids and bases, and nuclear chemistry. The course continues on to an exploration of organic chemistry understanding the formation of organic molecules, recognizing them, and creating them by drawing or forming 3-dimensional models. The third section of this class moves onto a study of biochemistry, understanding how the chemistry of the cell is involved in energy and life. Prerequisites include students completing algebra which the students can take simultaneously, and completion of a middle school science class with lab experience. Apologia text.

Physics — In this class, students will learn about the physical forces that govern our universe through in-class discussion, hands-on labs, and real-world applications. Topics include free fall, two-dimensional motion, vectors, Newton's Laws, Universal Law of Gravitation, light and sound waves, optics, electricity, circuits, and magnetism. Prerequisites include the successful completion of Algebra I, with a strong understanding of the basic trigonometric functions. Apologia text.