Math

The Math Department’s goal at Bishop Seabury Academy is to teach each student to his or her highest ability. Each student will master fundamental algebraic skills including simplifying expressions, solving equations, graphing, and modeling. Every student is expected to take seven years of math. Teachers strive to make the material accessible to all students.

A graphing calculator is required in some classes, although there are times when it is not used. These occasions vary according to teachers and topics.

All incoming sixth-grade students are placed into Math 6. (Both classes will use the same basic curriculum, but based on the students' diverse skill levels, one may be an accelerated, enrichment-based class, while the other might be more focused on foundational math skills with review as needed. Placement is made by the math department and may be based on a combination of factors including a Seabury placement test, standardized test scores, teacher recommendations, student comments in their application, and sometimes student interviews.). 

Students usually follow one of two course sequences. The standard sequence is Math 6, Math 7, Pre-Algebra; Algebra I, Geometry, Algebra II, Pre-calculus, and Calculus or Statistics. Better-prepared students take Math 6, Algebra I, Geometry, Algebra II, Pre-calculus, Honors Calculus 1, and Honors Calculus 2 or Statistics. Students who enter the school in other than sixth grade may follow a different sequence depending on their experience. Students who are not ready for Honors Calculus may take an alternative senior level math course.

The math department currently consists of four teachers, all full-time. The teachers are knowledgeable and experienced.

The teachers truly care about their students and are committed to helping them master the material.

The curriculum is advanced in that nearly every student gets seven years of math and most take at least one calculus course.  The curriculum and the teachers accommodate the different ability levels of students.

Courses