Advanced Math

The advanced math program at SBS has been in existence since 2000 and is available to students in grades 6-8.  Graduates of SBS have the opportunity to test out of Algebra 1 upon entering high schools, both public and private.  Overall student success rate has averaged between 85%-95%. Students have been placed in Geometry, Geometry Honors, Algebra 2, Algebra 2/Trig, and Algebra 2/Trig Honors.
 
Students are placed in advanced math each year after evaluation of STAR diagnostic testing, Mathematics Diagnostic Testing (MDTP), pre-course evaluation, and teacher recommendation. Extensive data analysis is gathered at the beginning and end of the year to ensure student success.   Class is fast paced with emphasis on critical thinking and problem solving.  Students will be expected to make sense of problems and persevere in solving them, reason abstractly and quantitatively, use appropriate tools, attend to precision, construct viable arguments, and critique the reasoning of others.
 
The 6^th grade advanced math curriculum consists of a combination of 6^th and 7^th grade common core mathematics curriculum.  Concepts covered include numerical expressions and factors, Algebraic expressions and properties, ratios, proportions, percent, equations, inequalities, surface area and volume, integers and rational numbers, graphing, statistical measures, and data analysis. 
 
The 7^th grade advanced math curriculum consists of 8^th grade common core curriculum.  Concepts covered  include operations with rational numbers , expressions and linear equations, linear inequalities, solving problems involving angles, surface area, volume and informal geometric constructions, working with right triangles and the Pythagorean theorem, drawing inferences about populations based on data sets, developing understanding of and applying proportional relationships, model functional relationships, solving systems of equations, slope, and graphing of linear equations.
 
The 8^th grade advanced math curriculum is high school level Algebra 1 aligned with common core.  Algebra 1 is intended to build a foundation for all higher math classes.  Concepts covered include a review of algebraic expressions, integers, and mathematical properties that will lead into working with variables and linear equations.  There will be an in-depth study of graphing, polynomials, quadratic equations, functions, data analysis, radicals, and systems of equations.  At the end of the course students are expected to take the Algebra challenge test at their respective high school for entrance into the next level of math.