Mathematics

After being a UPrep student for a year, our daughter has grown exponentially in her math skills. Her teacher’s high expectations have challenged her to go outside of her comfort zone and try to solve problems she would not have tackled before. We are grateful to have her learn from such exceptional educators.” –Current UPrep parent

Our mathematics education is designed to give students the power of problem-solving, the ability to participate intelligently in civic affairs, the skills needed to pursue educational and career choices, and an appreciation of the richness and beauty of mathematics along with its importance in our culture.

All classes provide opportunities for students to organize their thinking, reason logically, choose critically from different problem-solving strategies, learn and apply various technologies, express their ideas both orally and in writing, and work cooperatively with their peers.

Meet A Math Teacher

Read a Q&A with Math Teacher Kira Rivera.

UPrep's Middle School math teachers took my daughter from saying 'I hate math' to now math being her favorite class! –Current UPrep parent

Courses

MIDDLE SCHOOL MATH

6th and 7th grades
Required
Yearlong, two years

This two-year program strengthens students’ number sense, reinforces foundational mathematical concepts (decimals, fractions, percents, integers, and their operations), and develops problem-solving skills. The units of study include statistics, number sense, sequences, pre-algebra, algebra, probability, and geometry foundations. Throughout each unit, students are challenged to develop strong study skills, problem-solving strategies, and collaboration skills in order to deeply explore content. Making use of mixed-age groupings, the lessons are highly differentiated to provide students with appropriately challenging practice. This twoyear curriculum is designed to revisit topics, reinforcing and extending them throughout the second year of the sequence. Sixth grade students who show complete mastery of the two-year curriculum benchmarks in one year are recommended to take Algebra I in 7th grade. Students who do not show mastery of curriculum benchmarks at the end of the second year are recommended to take Pre-Algebra in 8th grade.

PRE-ALGEBRA

8th grade
Based on department recommendation
Yearlong

The Pre-Algebra course engages students in the study of mathematics, calling upon their curiosity, intuition, powers of reasoning, imagination, and perseverance. This course emphasizes skills in applying various algorithms, developing and using mathematical properties and relationships, applying mathematics in realistic situations, and representing concepts in preparation for higher-level mathematics courses. The curriculum reviews the more sophisticated topics from 7th grade math and moves deeper into topics in algebra, from polynomial operations through all aspects of linear functions, and all the way to an overview of quadratics. The program’s guiding philosophy is to expose students to rigorous experiences that will prepare students for Algebra I.

ALGEBRA I

7th or 8th grade
Yearlong

Students develop skills and concepts needed to solve problems using variables. Learning occurs through discussion, exploration, and group work, with the teacher acting as a guide to facilitate the process of understanding. Topics include real, rational, and irrational numbers; solving linear and quadratic equations; graphing linear and quadratic equations; systems of linear equations; factoring polynomials; properties of exponents; properties of radicals; and simplifying rational expressions. The emphasis is on solving problems algebraically, as well as through a variety of methods, including modeling and graphing. We also work to develop students’ communication skills, which are essential to the progression of their mathematical competence.

Intensives

MATH IN ART, TECHNOLOGY, AND HISTORY (M.A.T.H.)

MATH IN ART, TECHNOLOGY, AND HISTORY (M.A.T.H.)

7th or 8th grade

This intensive elective course equips students to see the math that is present in the everyday world. Students explore the mathematics in architecture; the patterns in natural phenomena such as plants, lightning bolts, and rivers; the algorithms involved in computer programming and solving the Rubik’s cube; and the patterns in art like tessellations and the golden ratio. M.A.T.H. students develop the ability to recognize the mathematics in literacy and language, culture and the arts, and information and communication technology as they gain the skills and attitudes that foster lifelong learning and an appreciation of mathematics in the everyday world.