Academics

Mathematics

Department Chair Message

From the Math Department Grades 6-12

The MS/HS Mathematics Department at North Salem continues to strive for a high level of excellence in mathematics as prescribed by the New York State Standards and the National Council of Teachers of Mathematics for all students.  Our instruction encompasses both the state and national mathematics standards which includes numbers and operations, mathematical reasoning, geometry and measurement, functions and algebra, mathematical modeling, probability and statistics, and patterns and sequences.  It is the goal of this department to develop in each student strong problem solving skills and an appreciation of mathematics.

At the Middle School level, we prepare our students for the 6th, 7th and 8th grade New York State assessment.  We continue to apply new and improved teaching strategies to help students reach mastery on the state assessment.  These include writing and problem solving strategies.  During the school year we encourage the Middle School students to participate in Math Club.  Here students can participate in competitions by tackling challenging math problems.  Extra help is always available from math teachers and from Math Honor Society members.

At the High School level, we are preparing our students for the Integrated Algebra regents exam, which is the New York State benchmark for high school graduation.  All high school students are required to take and pass the Integrated Algebra exam with a grade of 65 or better in order to receive graduation credit.  Upon successful completion of Integrated Algebra, students can then continue with Geometry and Algebra II/ Trigonometry.  Each Course ends with a regents exam.  The High School Math Department also offers additional math courses, which include: Mathematical Modeling, Pre-Calculus, Accounting, AP Calculus AB, AP Calculus BC, and AP Statistics.  Our High School students can also participate in Math Club.  Here our students compete with students from other high schools, as part of NY Math League, for individual and group distinction in Math throughout New York State.   High School Students who achieve a final math average of 88% or better over 2 years may apply for the North Salem Math Honor Society, which is a chapter of Mu Alpha Theta and the NYS Math Honor Society.  Applications for membership are available each September and an induction breakfast is held in November.

We encourage parents to check the North Salem Website.  Many math teachers post their daily assignments on their teacher webpages and parents and students can e-mail teachers directly with questions.