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Mathematics Department
Statement of Program Intent
In an increasingly technological world, the mathematics program offers a quality curriculum essential to the future of our students. It is an approach designed to enable every student to acquire an understanding of fundamental skills and concepts. Students are assisted in achieving high expectations through courses designed at a level appropriate to each individual. This program will help students develop confidence in their mathematical ability by providing extended opportunities for individual success.
Instructional emphasis is placed on problem solving, mathematical reasoning and communication of mathematical ideas. The learning environment encourages students to ask questions, explore mathematics using various tools and technology, and recognize the growing relevance of mathematics to everyday situations. The mathematics program advocates the development of higher-order thinking skills and provides for modes of instruction necessary to enable student success.
Incoming students are individually placed into mathematics classes based on their ability and their previous mathematics coursework. The following flowchart shows some possible sequences of courses:
Mathematics Department Honors Placement
The math department assigns a student to a class not by grade level, but based on the courses the student has completed prior to coming to Hill-Murray. Students are placed at a level in which they can succeed. A math teacher serves as placement coordinator for the department. In making the placement, the coordinator considers the student’s grades from his/her math courses, the previous teacher’s recommendation, and the student’s standardized test scores. If a student has completed Algebra 1 and has appropriate standardized test scores, the student is invited to the Algebra 2 placement test. If the student earns a high enough score on this exam he/she will be placed in Algebra 2 8/9, an advanced course. Students that are successful in this course are eligible to enroll in Honors Geometry followed by Honors Math 3 (a pre-calculus class) and then AP Calculus, provided that they continue to demonstrate the required competency.
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