All mathematics courses are open to all students. Placement in the ninth grade is based on previous courses taken and a placement exam that is administered prior to entering. Geometry will only be offered in the ninth grade if a minimum number of students are qualified to enroll. Students that enroll in Geometry as freshmen are expected to take Pre-Calculus and Calculus. This is a demanding mathematics curriculum and students and parents should discuss this sequence with guidance counselors and mathematics instructors before electing to enroll.
Mathematics courses are sequenced to prepare students for the MCAS test taken at the end of their sophomore year. In addition to our regular curriculum all freshmen and sophomores are required to take Essential Strategies for Improving Math in preparation for the MCAS test.
The Mathematics department uses two guides to set curriculum. The National Council of Teachers of Mathematics Standards and the Massachusetts Mathematics Frameworks are used extensively throughout. The need to understand and be able to use mathematics in everyday life and in the workplace has never been greater. With this in mind, we believe students should be learning important mathematical concepts and processes with understanding. Our focus on understanding comes from the connections of mathematics to the real world. Throughout our curriculum we show these connections: Graphic designers routinely use geometry, carpenters often apply the principles of trigonometry, as do surveyors, navigators, and architects. Algebra is used throughout computing and business modeling, from everyday spreadsheets to sophisticated scheduling systems and financial planning. With these experiences we hope to prepare students to be able to adapt flexibly to the changing needs of the workplace.