Mathematics Department

The mathematics curriculum provides student with a strong foundation in algebra, geometry, precalculus, and in many cases, calculus. The department believes that problem-solving skills-analysis, plan for solution, completion, review and extension of solution are essential to critical, logical thinking in all disciplines. Our curriculum presents students with opportunities to develop these skills along with basic mathematical concepts.

Middle School:

Pre-Algebra I:

The concepts covered in this course will include operations with rational numbers, addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division of integers, properties of operations, writing and solving one-step equations and inequalities, properties of exponents, ratios and unit rates, proportional reasoning, proportional relationships and scales, percent problems, and solving multi-step equations.

Pre-Algebra II:

Pre-Algebra II is a continuation of the previous course. The concepts in this course will include solving multi-step equations and inequalities, linear functions, graphing, spatial thinking, area and volume, investigating right triangles, Pythagorean Theorem, data analysis, probability, nonlinear functions, and polynomials.

Algebra I: (Required – Year Long – 1 credit – Grade 8/9)

This is the first in a sequence of mathematics courses designed to allow students to complete precalculus or calculus in their high school program and enter college at the calculus level. It includes linear, quadratic, and exponential expressions; functions and their graphs; simple equations; sample statistics; and curve fitting.

Upper School:

Algebra I: (Required – Year Long – 1 credit – Grade 8/9)

Geometry: (Required – Year Long – 1 Credit – Grade 9/10)

This is the second in a sequence of mathematics courses designed to prepare students to enter college at the calculus level. It includes transformations in the coordinate plane, similarity, congruence and proof; right triangles and right triangular trigonometry; properties of circles; and statistical inference.

Algebra II: (Required – Year Long – 1 Credit – Grade 10/11)

This is the third in a sequence of mathematics courses designed to prepare students to enter college at the calculus level. It includes exponential and logarithmic functions, polynomial functions of higher degree, rational and radical relationships, mathematical modeling, and normal distributions.

Pre-Calculus: (Required – Year Long – 1 Credit – Grade 11/12)

This is the fourth in a sequence of mathematics courses designed to prepare students to enter college at the calculus level. It includes trigonometric and inverse trigonometric functions; basic trigonometric identities and the laws of sines and cosines; sequences and series; vectors; conics; matrices; the central limit theorem; and confidence intervals.

AP Calculus AB: (Elective – Year Long – 1 Credit – Grade 12)

Topics include limits, derivatives and integrals of algebraic and transcendental functions, continuity, applications of derivatives to related rates, maxima and minima, curve sketching, integration formulas, applications of the definite integral, and methods of integration. The objectives for this course follow the College Board syllabus, preparing students for the Advanced Placement exam.

*Requires departmental recommendation based on solid A achievement in prior coursework, including a demonstrated potential to actively participate and succeed in a college-level course. Must take College Board AP exam in the spring.

AP Calculus BC: (Elective – Year Long – 1 Credit – Grade 12)

Topics include limits, derivatives and integrals of algebraic and transcendental functions, continuity, applications of derivatives to related rates, maxima and minima, curve sketching, integration formulas, applications of the definite integral, methods of integration, graphing, and integrating in polar coordinates, infinite sequences and series, power series, vectors, and differential equations. The objectives for this course follow the College Board syllabus, preparing students for the Advanced Placement exam.