Middle School Math

Students need to learn math concepts and how to apply them in today's fast-paced, ever-changing world. A boarding school education assists with that, as students have the freedom to think creatively.

Students progress at amazingly different rates in the math arena. For that reason, careful consideration is given when placing students entering Randolph-Macon Academy Middle School for the first time. It is not unusual for a student to be tested to ensure he or she will be best served by the class placement.

Students who excel at math may be able to take more advanced math courses at the Upper School.

General Math

A foundational course is taught in the sixth grade, stressing the development of competence in the fundamental operations of addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division with whole numbers, fractions, and decimals. This course also touches on estimation and problem solving. The goal of this course is to ready students for applications and problem solving as a means of achieving mastery of basic operations.

MathPlus

Some seventh grade students are not ready for Pre-Algebra, typically because of weaknesses in the higher order math fundamentals. MathPlus allows those students to receive an extra year of foundational instruction in such problematic areas as decimals, fractions, ratios, and coordinates, before they attempt the more abstract challenges of Pre-Algebra.

Middle School students are placed in math classes based on their abilities.

Pre-Algebra

This course, primarily for seventh graders, is designed to aid students in the transition from the fundamentals of arithmetic to the abstract concepts of algebra. The curriculum is structured to aid the students in making that important transition in thinking. Elements of the course also involve probability, an introduction to geometry, and statistics.

Algebra I

Algebra I is the first course in the college preparatory mathematics program. Students learn basic algebraic concepts. They develop skills in simplifying expressions and solving equations and practice graphing linear and quadratic equations. They learn to manipulate variables as they develop a facility with signed numbers, simple factoring, and multiple formulas. This course provides the foundation for high school mathematics.

Prerequisite: Pre-Algebra.

Honors Algebra I

Students are challenged in Honors Algebra I to learn and apply the curriculum described above in order to solve complex problems in algebra. A strong background in pre-algebra is a must for
students to qualify for this course. Students must be recommended for this course.

Prerequisite: Completion of Pre-Algebra or equivalent with grade of A or a grade of B with teacher approval.