MATHEMATICS COURSES MATHEMATICS COURSES

Philosophy And Placement

The Mathematics Department fosters and nurtures a positive disposition and appreciation for mathematics through a rich and engaging curriculum. Students have multiple opportunities to develop their analytic skills and conceptual understanding individually and collaboratively. Teachers provide rigorous, comprehensive, and interactive instruction with technology integrated throughout the curriculum to develop students’ critical thinking and problem-solving skills. Students in turn build confidence in their abilities as they embrace the challenges of the problem-solving process, pushing themselves outside of their comfort zone with perseverance. Students reason both abstractly and quantitatively, and effectively communicate this reasoning both orally and in writing. Teachers support and challenge all learners, providing choices and opportunities appropriate for their individual interests and development.

Upon enrollment at Windward, the Mathematics Department Chair uses the results of diagnostic testing and/or previous math progress to place students in the appropriate math class. Detailed course descriptions are listed below. If a student wants to advance in the curriculum progression by taking a summer math course to substitute for a full year course at Windward, they must obtain approval from the Mathematics Department Chair prior to taking the course. Students must also have their transcripts sent to Windward’s Registrar and pass Windward’s final exam for the respective course prior to the first day of classes. To transition to Honors from a regular level course, students must have earned an A for at least the two most recent years of math, have their current teacher’s recommendation, and obtain permission from the Math Department Chair. To advance to the next level in non-Honors courses, students must have earned a passing grade in the prerequisite course.

We encourage students and families to embrace the growth mindset, especially when faced with difficulty in a particular class. For more information and resources specifically related to math, see: https://www. youcubed.org/.

Requirements

Students take math in 7th and 8th grade, and a minimum of three years of mathematics is required in grades 9-12, including Algebra 2/Trigonometry. The University of California requires three years (four years are strongly recommended) of college preparatory mathematics, which include Algebra 1, Geometry, and Algebra 2.