Mathematics
Building Curious, Confident Mathematicians
We believe that the math classroom is a place for all types of learners. We provide the scaffolding and support that students need while maintaining high expectations for all and creating regular opportunities for challenge. Whether it’s through pictures, words, mathematical expressions and equations, or some combination of the three we always teach topics through multiple lenses which provides students with different access points.
A Thoughtful Approach to Mathematics
Our approach to math education progresses smoothly from the Lower School through eighth grade. Students think deeply about class topics and spend time making sense of new ideas and grappling with hard problems. Pedagogically, each year includes solidifying skills from previous years, so students leave BPC with a store of intentional tools and approaches that offer a solid baseline for the remainder of their mathematical lives.
Developing Creative Problem-Solvers
Our students are not just learning rote mechanics, but rather going on a journey. The question becomes how to clear the next hurdle rather than how to learn the next topic. An open-ended approach means students can think expansively and creatively about solving problems, and end up teaching and learning from their peers.
We develop a conceptual understanding that supports students in establishing their own mathematical tools that complement and underpin standard processes. When our students approach a problem, they are not just applying an algorithm; they are estimating, predicting an outcome, and using tools they themselves helped build in collaboration with classmates.
Learning and Thinking Together
We believe that learning in community elevates all students. By fostering different strategies and approaches, we build creative problem-solving skills and value novel perspectives on a problem. Being flexible and willing to challenge our thinking gives students the freedom to explore fresh, innovative approaches.
We value students’ ability to communicate and articulate their thinking with each other as a crucial element of the learning process. Rather than just simply giving an answer, we encourage students to develop the skills to express their thought processes to themselves and others. This deepens understanding, empathy, and student connection.
Math Faculty
Our school has been fortunate to have had an outstanding math faculty since its inception. Your child’s math teacher will be familiar with their learning profile, screen them for challenges, guide them to draw on their strengths, and keep them at their learning edge. Our lower and upper school math specialists also work with classroom teachers to differentiate, plan curriculum, evaluate student progress, and provide additional scaffolding for those who need it.
Math Team and Math Clubs
After school, students in 6th-8th grade can join one of our two Math Clubs to pursue their passion for solving high-level math problems. Our Math Team competes in a number of Bay Area competitions annually, and some of our students participate in the Berkeley Math Circle, as well as other local math organizations.
