A Message from the Chair of the Mathematics Department

The Besant Hill School Mathematics Department offers a substantive sequence of college-preparatory courses for students with varied learning styles and academic interests. Our goal is to prepare every student to reach his or her potential in a supportive, academically-focused environment. In every mathematics course, we want students to learn what it means to explore and discover mathematics. We want students to know what it means to collect data, observe patterns, make conjectures, and generalize these findings; what it means to produce a coherent logical argument-to think deductively; what it means to create a mathematical model; what it means to represent a solution analytically, geometrically, numerically and verbally; what it means to analyze a problem and persevere until it is solved; in essence, what it means to develop the habits of mind of a mathematician and to think critically. We believe all students can succeed and come to appreciate the power and beauty of mathematics.

The Mathematics Department offers several courses for a variety of instructional levels. At Besant Hill School, students are required to take at least three years of math. As such, beginning students will take either Algebra I, Geometry, or both classes depending on skill level. After completing these two courses, students are offered Algebra II, or Advanced Algebra, and then Pre-calculus. Students wishing to pursue a career in math or science or just looking for a challenge may take AP Calculus.

Alexis Spina
Mathematics Department Chair

"The important thing is not to stop questioning.
Curiosity has its own reason for existing."
-Albert Einstein