Our core mission is to develop joyful and engaged students who live life with purpose. We believe the best learning happens when students are happy to come to school, have opportunities to follow their passions and are able to participate in deep learning experiences that challenge them.
When engaged students learn with joy, they develop strong relationships with their peers and caring adults who spark and support their learning both in and out of the classroom. Their journey at HSC prepares them to live with purpose—to understand their world and to inspire, lead, act and make a difference in unique ways.
Middle School Math
We recognize that the middle years are a time of significant growth and development for students. Each student’s learning pathway will be unique, and their learning skills and academic growth will progress at different rates. Teachers employ Universal Design for Learning (UDL) strategies such as flexible learning materials, differentiated teaching and learning strategies, and varied assessment strategies to ensure genuine and individualized learning outcomes for each student.
What does math extension look like in the Middle School classroom?
• Using Universal Design for Learning (UDL), teaching and learning is structured so that all learners are appropriately challenged within the grade-level curriculum.
• Math extension opportunities are built into the curriculum and readily available for all students. In-class extension pathways focus on breadth and depth of knowledge and can include Univeristy of Waterloo Problem of the Week, logic and deductive reasoning puzzles, additional math contests, or student-selected passion projects.
• After demonstrating the required knowledge, thinking, communication, and application expectations within the math curriculum, students work with their teacher to choose a personalized extension pathway for continued in-class engagement and challenge.
• Math extension activities challenge students’ academic and learning skill development by encouraging students to work independently to transfer, synthesize, and apply math skills beyond the familiar context of classroom learning.
• Teacher check-ins provide encouragement, feedback, and support for students engaged in independent math extension activities.
• All students participate in a math contest as part of the Middle School math program.
• While extension opportunities often challenge students to apply concepts and knowledge beyond the taught classroom context, the curricular program is not modified for students to work ahead in grade level.
Opportunities beyond the classroom
• Grade-level specific math extension pages on myHSC
• Opt-in math contests
• Grade 8 Accelerated Math program: This program will allow interested students to work towards challenging the Grade 9 MTH1W mathematics exam in June of their Grade 8 year. Students who achieve a high level of success on the exam may choose to enrol in Grade 10 MPM2D math class in September of their Grade 9 year. The Accelerated Math program requires students to attend extra math sessions in addition to their regularly timetabled Grade 8 math class.
Curricular and Co-curricular Math contest Opportunities
GRADE 5
Curricular Math Contests
• Caribou Math Contest (6 per year)
• Canadian National Mathematics League (CNML) 5
Optional Co-curricular Math Contests
• Math Olympiad
• Beaver Computing Contest and Math Olympiads (5 per year)
• VEX Robotics Club and VEX Robotics Competition Team
GRADE 7
Curricular Math Contests
• CNML 7
• Gauss 7
Optional Co-curricular Math Contests
• Caribou Math Contest
• Math Olympiad
• Beaver Computing Contest and Math Olympiads (5 per year)
• AMC 8 Contest (open to select Grade 7 students)
• VEX Robotics Club and VEX Robotics Competition Team
GRADE 6
Curricular Math Contests
• CNML 6
Optional Co-curricular Math Contests
• Caribou Math Contest
• Math Olympiads
• Beaver Computing Contest and Math Olympiads (5 per year)
• Gauss 7 (open to select Grade 6 students)
• American Mathematics Competitions (AMC) contest (possibly available to select Grade 6 students)
• VEX Robotics Club and VEX Robotics Competition Team
GRADE 8
Curricular Math Contests
• CNML 8
• Gauss 8
Optional Co-curricular Math Contests
• Caribou Math Contest
• AMC 8 Contest
• Math Olympiad Contest
• Beaver Computing Contest and Math Olympiads (5 per year)
• VEX Robotics Club and VEX Robotics Competition Team