Advanced Mathematics
Since 2000, St. Bonaventure Catholic School has offered an Advanced Mathematics Program available to students in grades 6-8. Through this program, graduates of SBS have the unique opportunity to test out of Algebra I upon entering high schools, both public and private, and place in Geometry, Geometry Honors, Algebra II, Algebra II/Trig, and Algebra II/Trig Honors. Overall student success in math at SBS has averaged between 85% and 95%.
Students are selected for Advanced Math after evaluation of STAR diagnostic testing, Mathematics Diagnostic Testing (MDTP), pre-course evaluation, and teacher recommendation. Extensive data analysis is conducted at the beginning and end of each school year to ensure student success. Classes are fast-paced, with an emphasis placed upon critical thinking and problem solving. Students are 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 respectfully critique the reasoning of others.
Sixth Grade
The 6th grade Advanced Math Curriculum combines 6th and 7th 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.
Seventh Grade
The 7th grade Advanced Math Curriculum consists of 8th grade Common Core Mathematics 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 datasets, understanding and applying proportional relationships, model functional relationships, solving systems of equations, slope, graphing linear equations.
Eighth Grade
The 8th grade Advanced Math Curriculum consists of high school level Algebra I aligned with Common Core. Algebra I 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. An independent study high school level Geometry course is also offered to students who qualify based on recommendation and assessment criteria. This course requires completion of Algebra I.