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.

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

A UPrep Math student holds up artwork he created using angles and protractors.

Courses

Math 6

6th Grade
Yearlong

Math 6 focuses on understanding and accuracy with operations with rational numbers (integers, fractions, and decimals). Students are engaged in a variety of problem-solving activities and applications. Topics of study include rational numbers, geometry, statistics, proportions, ratios, and an introduction to irrational numbers. Math 6 focuses on helping students build positive math student habits such as collaboration, note-taking, and work organization. Math 6 prepares students to have fluency with rational number operations and a basic understanding of proportions and geometry to expand their knowledge in Math 7. Students placed by the recommendation of the Math Department.

Math 6A

6th grade
Yearlong

This one-year program allows students who have mastered rational number operations to strengthen foundational mathematical concepts through problem-solving and applications. The units of study include proportions and percent operations, probability and statics, geometry, sequences, radicals and exponents, and introduction to algebraic thinking. Throughout each unit, students are challenged to develop strong study skills, problem-solving strategies, and collaboration skills to deeply explore content. Successful completion of this course prepares students to take Algebra I in 7th Grade. Students placed by the recommendation of the Math Department. Yearlong.

Math 7

7th Grade
Yearlong

Math 7 reinforces and deepens foundational mathematical concepts (integers, fractions, decimals, and their operations) while developing problem-solving skills and challenges students with pre-algebra and algebra concepts. The units of study include statistics, sequences, and algebra foundations. Throughout each unit, students are challenged to develop strong study skills, problem-solving strategies, and collaboration skills to deeply explore content. This curriculum is designed to revisit topics learned in 6th grade, reinforcing and extending them throughout the year. At the end of the year, students are placed into Algebra I or Pre-Algebra based on mastery of the material. Prerequisites: Math 6 or students are placed by the recommendation of the Math Department.

PRE-ALGEBRA

8th grade
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. Students are placed by the recommendation of the Math Department.

Middle School 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. Students are placed by the recommendation of the Math Department.

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
Elective

The overall goal of this intensive elective course is to equip students with a lens to see the math that is present in the everyday world. Students in M.A.T.H. will explore the mathematics that exists in architecture; the patterns in natural phenomena like 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 will develop an ability to recognize mathematics in literacy and language, culture and the arts, information and communication technology, and will have the skills and attitudes that foster lifelong learning and appreciation of mathematics that exists in the everyday world.