Mathematics

At San José Unified School District, we believe every student deserves access to high-quality mathematics instruction—regardless of the school they attend. Mathematics builds confidence, strengthens problem-solving skills, and opens doors to future opportunities for every student.

This work aligns directly with our district’s Strategic Plan and our commitment to ensuring all students are future-ready. San José Unified is committed to providing equitable access to high-quality instruction, eliminating predictable disparities in student outcomes, and creating learning environments where every student thrives. Strong mathematics instruction is essential to that vision.

To ensure every child receives strong, engaging, and consistent mathematics instruction, we are strengthening our districtwide commitment to shared, high-quality instructional materials and to consistent implementation across all schools.

Beginning in August 2026:

• All TK–8 schools will fully implement Classroom Mathematics California (CMC) as the district’s core mathematics instructional program through Math 8

• All high schools will consistently implement SAVVAS as the core instructional program for Algebra 1, Geometry, and Algebra II within the AGA pathway

This means students across San José Unified will experience stronger alignment in mathematics instruction from elementary school through high school.

Students deserve consistency—not only in the materials we adopt, but in how those materials are used to support learning.

When implementation varies widely, students can experience:

• Gaps in learning between grade levels
• Uneven access to rigorous, grade-level mathematics
• Different expectations from one classroom or school to another
• Challenges when students move between schools
• Confusion for families trying to support learning at home

A strong curriculum only improves outcomes when it is used consistently and thoughtfully.

By strengthening implementation across all schools, we are advancing our strategic plan and Local Control and Accountability Plan (LCAP) vision to prepare our students to be the thinkers, leaders, and creators of tomorrow. This helps ensure:

• Every student has access to standards-aligned, grade-level mathematics instruction
• Learning builds coherently from year to year
• Teachers collaborate around shared lessons, strategies, and expectations
• Professional learning is focused and meaningful
• Families experience clearer, more consistent communication about math learning

This is not about making every classroom identical—it is about ensuring every student receives the same strong foundation and has access to excellent first instruction every day.

In addition to strong grade-level mathematics instruction for all students, San José Unified offers advanced mathematics pathways for students ready for accelerated coursework. Our goal is excellence and access: every student should receive the right level of challenge and support at the right time. Advanced pathways are designed for students who demonstrate mastery-based readiness for accelerated content—not merely early exposure.

San José Unified’s middle school math placement process uses consistent data points across all schools, including assessments, classroom performance, and other academic indicators. Student placement is reviewed annually and adjusted as needed to ensure students are both challenged and supported. Students may be placed into:

• Accelerated Math 6
• Accelerated Math 7
• Algebra 1 in middle school
• Geometry in grade 8 for students on the most accelerated pathway

Students enrolled in Accelerated Math 6 and Accelerated Math 7 continue to use Classroom Mathematics California (CMC), with instruction designed to compact and accelerate grade-level standards. Students who take Algebra 1 or Geometry in middle school transition to the district’s high school mathematics curriculum because these courses are credit-bearing and aligned with California’s secondary mathematics standards. This ensures they receive the same rigorous instructional program, expectations, and preparation as students taking those courses in high school.

For example, students taking Algebra 1 in grade 7 may continue to Geometry in grade 8, while some grade 8 students may be placed directly into Algebra 1 depending on demonstrated readiness.

Students cannot skip or take concurrent math courses, and SJUSD does not accept outside coursework for middle school mathacceleration. Mathematics learning is intentionally sequenced to build conceptual understanding and support long-term success. Families are encouraged to review the district’s Middle School Math Placement Guide (English | Spanish) , placement criteria, and Board Policy 6152.1 to better understand pathways and placement decisions.

Consistent Instruction Across All High Schools

As we strengthen implementation in grades TK–8, San José Unified is also committed to strong, aligned mathematics instruction across our high schools. For students enrolled in Algebra 1, Geometry, and Algebra II in the AGA pathway, the district has adopted SAVVAS as the core instructional program. Beginning in August 2026, teachers of Algebra 1, Geometry, and Algebra II are expected to use SAVVAS consistently across all schools. This ensures that students have access to the same high-quality learning experiences, expectations, and opportunities for success, regardless of which high school they attend.

Our goal is simple: every student, in every classroom, every day, experiences rigorous, engaging, and accessible mathematics. Access to excellent mathematics instruction should not depend on which classroom a student enters—it should be true for every child in San José Unified.