Greenhills School Course Guide
Upper School Mathematics
Department Philosophy
- The department strives to graduate students who are well acquainted with mathematical concepts and applications and who value and enjoy mathematics. Students develop proficiency in problem solving, communication, and reasoning. Building confidence through success is an underlying objective of all courses.
- Classes are small, with an average class size of approximately 15 students, allowing for a variety of instructional and learning techniques—class discussion, discovery exercises, small group interaction, individual help, individual and group projects, and labs. The classes include a high level of active student involvement and frequent interaction between students and between student and teacher.
- Technology is integrated into our courses as a learning tool, while teachers continue to stress the need for understanding math concepts. The graphing calculator is used extensively as an aid in exploration and discovery as well as for computation. Faculty and students also use overhead display calculators, calculator-based data collection devices, computer algebra systems, interactive geometry software, statistical software, and a variety of other computer applications.
- The department offers the traditional range of college preparatory mathematics, from Algebra I to Calculus AB and BC. In addition, one-semester courses are offered in Statistics I and AP Statistics. Although there are two levels of instruction in most courses, students are able to switch between levels when appropriate. The completion of three years of upper school math fulfills the graduation requirement. However, nearly all students continue to take mathematics courses through their senior year and are all are ready to study college math. View a visual illustration of course sequence options available to students as well as typical college placement.
- For the past five years, between 40% and 60% of the senior class completed at least one AP level math class (AB Calculus, BC Calculus, or AP Statistics). Of these students, over 90% earned grades of 3 or above on one of the AP examinations. Students who take the SAT II subject area tests routinely score very high in both Level I and Level II math.
- The department seeks to develop the full potential of all students. Math teachers are sensitive to and accommodate differences in learning styles. They meet with students who seek additional help and facilitate peer tutoring. Extra-curricular enrichment activities are available. The upper school has an active chapter of Mu Alpha Theta, the national math honor society, and competes at the Math Field Day in Flint. Interested students have the opportunity to take part in competitive examinations on the state and national level.
- All members of the department have strong backgrounds in mathematics. Through professional development within and outside the school, the math faculty renews their enthusiasm and expands their awareness of the current issues in mathematics education. Our math curriculum is constantly discussed as we strive to serve our student population with an eye on their future as college students.
