Mathematics | The Dunham School, Baton Rouge, LA

The curriculum in Math 5 utilizes problem-based learning that allows students to think critically about a real-world math problem, evaluate options, collaborate, and present solutions. Additionally, visual models are used to deepen students’ conceptual understanding of priority skills with whole numbers, fractions, and decimals. The later portion of the course focuses on names and characteristics of 2D and 3D figures. Finally, in preparation for algebra, students are introduced to numerical expressions and graphing on the coordinate plane.

Students in Math 6 or Math 5 Advanced explore foundational algebraic concepts and statistical modeling through an active, problem-based approach. Learners investigate core middle school learning strands, including multi-step operations with rational numbers, absolute value, and graphing on the coordinate plane. Throughout the course, students collaborate with peers to write and evaluate variable expressions, solve one-step equations, and interpret dependent and independent variables from real-world data tables. A central focus of the curriculum is dedicated to proportional reasoning, where students discover how to analyze ratios using tape diagrams, scale unit rates, and convert between customary and metric units. Additionally, learners develop a deep understanding of percentages by applying them to financial contexts, calculating real-world variables like tax, tips, and sale prices.

This course advances students from basic numerical operations to sophisticated algebraic and spatial reasoning. In Math 7 and Math 6 Advanced, students extend their knowledge of positive rational numbers and the coordinate plane to fluently operate with negative integers, fractions, and decimals. The introductory ratio and rate concepts mastered in Grade 6 are expanded into computing complex unit rates and modeling linear proportional equations of the form y = kx. Furthermore, students transition from solving basic one-step equations to writing and graphing multi-step linear inequalities. Finally, the curriculum elevates basic geometric and data visualization skills by challenging students to calculate the area and circumference of circles, determine the surface area of composite three-dimensional prisms, and draw population inferences from random statistical sampling.

This course serves as the culmination of middle school mathematics, solidifying students' conceptual understanding and procedural fluency. This rigorous curriculum emphasizes a strong pathway to algebra by guiding students through real numbers, multi-step linear equations, and the analysis of functions. Students actively develop their algebraic reasoning by modeling linear functions and mastering the real number system through targeted work with irrational numbers, radicals, and scientific notation. Simultaneously, the course establishes a robust foundation for high school geometry by exploring physical models of congruence, similarity, and the practical applications of the Pythagorean Theorem. Students expand their geometric toolkit by executing transformations on the coordinate plane and deepen their data literacy by using scatter plots to evaluate bivariate trends, synthesizing the various learning strands of middle school math into a unified framework.

Serving as the college preparatory course, Algebra I delivers a comprehensive curriculum framed through a systematic function-based approach to prepare students for higher-level high school mathematics. Students analyze real-world relationships by evaluating mathematical data using function notation, learning to explicitly identify domain, range, and the zeros of functions across various classes of functions. Through distinct mathematical models, learners thoroughly investigate linear equations, absolute value inequalities, systems of equations, and direct or inverse variation relationships. In the second semester, students explore quadratic and exponential relationships, developing the analytical skills required to graph parabolic curves and solve quadratic equations by completing the square or using the quadratic formula. Beyond foundational polynomial arithmetic and trinomial factoring, academic units challenge students to perform operations on complex rational expressions, solve rational equations, and master the real number system by simplifying, operating with, and solving equations containing radicals (1 credit).

Algebra I MAC is thoughtfully taught in small groups to maximize student engagement and peer collaboration while providing a comfortable learning environment that readily implements personal accommodations. The coursework in Algebra I MAC guides students through essential, digestible skills such as using the order of operations, translating expressions, and solving multi-step equations and inequalities. To fully prepare students for future math coursework, the curriculum introduces key function families, including linear, quadratic, and exponential functions, and emphasizes foundational factoring techniques. Designed to pinpoint and address core mathematical gaps, this curriculum empowers students with the mindset needed to thrive in future math courses (1 credit).

Algebra I Honors delivers a comprehensive curriculum framed through a systematic function-based approach to prepare advanced eighth-grade students for future collegiate dual enrollment and Advanced Placement tracks. Through a systematic function-based approach, students explore the real number system by simplifying, operating with, and solving radical equations alongside a foundational introduction to right triangle trigonometry. Learners analyze complex real-world math relationships using formal function notation to evaluate the domain, range, and zeros across linear systems, absolute value inequalities, and direct or inverse variation problems. This advanced course focuses heavily on quadratic and exponential relationships, challenging students to graph parabolic curves, solve quadratics by completing the square or the quadratic formula, and model real-world trends using exponential growth, decay, and simple or compound interest formulas. Beyond standard polynomial operations and trinomial factoring, students master advanced units that require them to perform operations on complex rational expressions and solve rational equations to confidently model, prove, and decode algebraic patterns. (1 credit, weighted).

Serving as a comprehensive college preparatory course, Geometry explores the properties and applications of Euclidean geometry through active conceptual investigation and technical hands-on constructions. Students thoroughly investigate parallel and perpendicular lines, coordinate plane properties, and the precise classification of triangles and quadrilaterals. The core curriculum focuses deeply on proving and applying geometric theorems related to congruence, similarity, right triangle trigonometry, and proportional reasoning. Beyond two-dimensional modeling, students analyze parts of a circle, including secants, tangents, and central angles, and solve three-dimensional problems involving the surface area and volume of prisms, cylinders, pyramids, cones, and spheres. Throughout the academic year, students routinely examine relevant ACT and SAT questions embedded within each unit to strengthen their formal test-taking stamina and analytical reasoning skills (1 credit).

This foundational course offers an investigative approach to Euclidean geometry, specifically scaled for students who benefit from an accessible pace, small-group instruction, and personalized accommodations. Utilizing a combination of hands-on investigations and direct instruction, students explore the core structures of points, lines, planes, parallel relationships, and coordinate graphing. The curriculum integrates units on congruence and similarity as they relate to rigid and non-rigid transformations on the coordinate plane. Furthermore, the coursework prioritizes essential topics such as triangle classifications, polygon properties, and circle elements. Students calculate the perimeter, area, and volume of fundamental two- and three-dimensional shapes, including composite figures and shaded regions. To help bridge foundational skills with future standardized testing demands, students also examine relevant ACT and SAT geometry questions as they tie directly into each unit of study (1 credit).

 Geometry Honors is an accelerated and highly rigorous course available to qualified freshman and sophomore students who meet the benchmarks established by the mathematics department. This pathway elevates traditional Euclidean geometry into an advanced study of deductive reasoning, demanding that students write formal paragraph and two-column mathematical proofs. In addition to the units covered in the college preparatory course, the honors level curriculum expands its study of trigonometry; students master right triangle trigonometric ratios alongside complex applications involving angles of elevation and depression. Learners move beyond basic right triangle properties to analyze oblique triangles through the laws of sines and cosines. This comprehensive curriculum also incorporates a dedicated unit on probability, instructing students on geometric probability models, permutations, combinations, and conditional outcomes. Available to qualified freshman and sophomore students, the honors level curriculum routinely integrates advanced ACT and SAT questions into every unit of study to maximize abstract problem-solving under testing constraints and build a definitive foundation for future Advanced Placement and dual enrollment coursework (1 credit; weighted).

Serving as a comprehensive college preparatory course, students in Algebra II achieve procedural fluency within the real and complex number systems, demonstrating mastery of operations with imaginary numbers and solutions to radical equations. Students learn to solve quadratic functions by factoring, completing the square, and using the quadratic formula. Framing the content through distinct mathematical models, learners relate quadratic functions to the parabolic graph using transformations in vertex form and study their applications in projectile motion as preparation for physics. Beyond graphing these core relationships, academic units investigate polynomial division, complex rational equations, and the properties of exponential functions alongside their inverse logarithmic models (1 credit).

This foundational course is designed for students who benefit from an accessible pace, small-group environments, and personalized accommodations to strengthen their understanding of intermediate mathematical concepts. The curriculum prioritizes absolute value equations, linear inequalities, and the imaginary number system. Students build core mathematical skills by learning to solve quadratic functions by factoring, completing the square, and using the quadratic formula. Framing the content from a function family perspective, learners relate quadratic functions to the parabolic graph using transformations in vertex form and study their applications in projectile motion as preparation for physics. Additionally, students explore the inverse relationship between exponential and logarithmic models. The course also reinforces basic trigonometric, data analysis, probability, and standardized test preparation (1 credit).

Algebra II Honors is an accelerated and highly rigorous course designed for qualified students seeking preparation for college-level dual enrollment Pre-Calculus through Louisiana State University. This advanced curriculum fast-tracks traditional intermediate algebra to cultivate mastery of the complex number system, multi-variable matrix systems, and higher-order polynomial functions evaluated through the Remainder, Factor, and Rational Zeros Theorems. Students move beyond standard algorithms to master the operations, transformations, and behaviors of linear, quadratic, polynomial, and rational functions. To connect algebraic equations with practical math applications, students learn to solve quadratic functions by factoring, completing the square, and using the quadratic formula, relating them to the parabolic graph using transformations in vertex form and studying their applications in projectile motion as preparation for physics. Students conduct sophisticated graphical and algebraic investigations into exponential functions, uncovering the properties that define growth or decay while deeply analyzing their structural inverses, the logarithmic functions. Furthermore, the honors pathway incorporates an advanced study of trigonometry on the coordinate plane. Dedicated practice with standardized test questions is integrated into every unit of study, challenging students to apply their algebraic knowledge quickly and effectively under typical testing parameters (1 credit; weighted).

Pre-AP Algebra II is explicitly structured to cultivate the abstract thinking, problem-solving stamina, and conceptual depth required for AP Pre-Calculus and AP Calculus. The expansive curriculum unifies advanced analytic geometry, including conics, parametric equations, and matrix operations, with thorough investigations into quadratic, polynomial, rational, and exponential models. To establish the precise foundations necessary for Advanced Placement mathematics, students conduct sophisticated investigations into higher-degree polynomial and rational function transformations, deeply analyzing behaviors such as asymptotes, end behavior, and the inverse relationship between exponential and logarithmic models. This course also features a highly advanced study of trigonometry. To foster complete college readiness, academic units systematically integrate targeted exam practice questions, training students to break down, analyze, and solve complex problems under typical standardized testing parameters (1 credit; weighted).

This senior-level course is tailored for students who benefit from an accessible pace and targeted instruction to solidify their mathematical framework before entering college. Through structured lessons, learners build confidence solving a wide-variety of equations and inequalities. Students investigate the behaviors of fundamental function families and learn to relate equations to their coordinate graphs. Additional units emphasize right triangle trigonometry and probability. By focusing on active review and systematic practice, the course directly targets and repairs lingering skill gaps, building quantitative readiness and algebraic confidence for college placement exams and future career pathways (1 credit).

Pre-Calculus expands on essential algebraic structures to ensure college readiness. In this course, the study of trigonometry includes a concise, foundational review of right triangle applications and standard unit circle relationships, allowing for an expanded center of attention on advanced algebra. To optimize student outcomes on college entrance exams, academic units systematically blend ACT practice items with core lessons, training students to solve complex problems efficiently under constraints. Students leave this course with the skills needed to excel in non-calculus college math sequences (1 credit).

Designed specifically for advanced mathematics students, this full-year course translates into official college credits through Louisiana State University. In the fall semester, students complete LSU's Math 1530 (Differential Calculus), analyzing limits, continuity, the definition of the derivative, and advanced techniques of differentiation, including the chain rule and implicit differentiation. Learners analyze the structural behaviors of transcendental and inverse functions while investigating practical calculus applications such as concavity, relative extrema, and optimization. In the spring semester, the course shifts into LSU's Math 1540 (Integral Calculus), examining antiderivatives, the Fundamental Theorem of Calculus, numerical integration, and advanced substitution techniques. Students evaluate regional areas between curves, volumes of rotation, and arc lengths while solving real-world applications involving work and fluid forces. Due to the collegiate nature of the curriculum, students must manage a significant workload, completing all daily homework assignments, quizzes, and unit exams exclusively on the MyMathLab online digital platform rather than traditional paper assessments. This fast-paced dual enrollment pathway empowers students to build an early college transcript before graduation (1 credit; weighted).

As the premier and most rigorous pre-calculus pathway, AP Pre-Calculus follows the strict conceptual framework established by the College Board to prepare students for the abstract demands of AP Calculus AB/BC. Rather than focusing solely on algebraic manipulation, this course challenges students to master the theoretical behavior of functions through dynamic modeling, covariational reasoning, and rate-of-change analysis. The curriculum systematically explores four core building blocks: Polynomial and Rational Functions, Exponential and Logarithmic Functions, Trigonometric and Polar Functions, and Functions Involving Parameters, Vectors, and Matrices. Students conduct rigorous mathematical investigations into complex properties like end behavior, limits, asymptotes, and coordinate transformations, while establishing fluency with circular function behaviors, unit circle modeling, and formal identity proofs. To maximize success on the national Advanced Placement examination, academic units integrate analytical performance tasks and college readiness items that train students to defend mathematical claims using precise written justifications (1 credit; weighted).

Following the official curriculum framework established by the College Board, AP Calculus AB provides an advanced, college-level study of single-variable calculus. Over eight sequential units, students transition from limits and continuity to defining derivatives and mastering advanced rules like the chain rule and implicit differentiation. Learners actively apply these mechanics to model real-world behaviors such as particle motion, related rates, optimization, and concavity. The second half of the course emphasizes integration and accumulation of change, requiring students to evaluate Riemann sums, solve separable differential equations, and compute volumes of solids of revolution. Throughout the year, students cultivate core mathematical practices by connecting representations, justifying reasoning, and utilizing correct notation. This rigorous training builds the exact structural problem-solving endurance and descriptive writing stamina required to excel on both sections of the national AP examination (1 credit; weighted).

Following the official College Board framework, this course explores single-variable mathematics through the structural lens of Change, Limits, the Analysis of Functions, and Series. The curriculum deepens core integration units by introducing advanced analytical techniques, including integration by parts, linear partial fractions, and the evaluation of improper integrals. It also expands differential equations to include Euler’s method and logistic growth modeling before moving into planar motion, vector-valued functions, and polar coordinates. A substantial portion of the final phase demands rigorous conceptual mastery of infinite sequences and series, specifically focusing on convergence tests and Taylor or Maclaurin polynomial approximations. Students are consistently expected to implement complex procedural rules, defend mathematical claims using formal theorems, and communicate with accurate mathematical notation. This advanced training fosters the exceptional cognitive stamina and abstract reasoning needed for the AP examination and to transition directly into multivariable calculus (1 credit; weighted).