Starting on January 15, a third math option was opened to seventh grade students, Math 7. Math 7 is a grade-level math class aligned with California State Standards. Previously, all students were placed in Pre-Algebra or Honors Pre-Algebra. Both courses are considered accelerated in that they are two years of program taught in one year.

In an email sent to parents, Director of Lower and Middle School Dr. Zanita Kelly notified families of the new math option. She wrote, “As we talk with families and our teachers, we recognize the need to create more pathways for students of varying math background, preparation, and ability readiness to succeed in our math program both in the short and long term.”

Many seventh graders expressed frustration with their pre-algebra class. The class was too fast paced and didn’t allow them to fully understand each concept. At the beginning of the year, 7th grader Lettie W. was spending hours of her time studying math and feeling overwhelmed by the material. Since joining Math 7, Lettie has found relief. “[Joining Math 7] has given me a lot more time with my family. My parents were sad because I was in my room a lot doing math homework,” she said.

 Dr. Kelly has always believed there should be a differently paced math class to promote diversity within the Middle School curriculum. “All students are [automatically] accelerated starting in middle school. I felt [not having more options was] going to be an issue eventually. A lot of kids needed tutoring and extra support to keep up,” said Dr. Kelly.

7th grader Posy B., a current student in Math 7, said, “It’s been helpful, and I think I’m understanding [math] more.” 

For 7th grader Sophia O., her main struggle at the beginning of the year was preparing for assessments. In Math 7, the pacing of the class allows her to fully learn material. “We learn things at a slower pace, so I absorb things more. I can definitely review what I’ve learned,” she said.

The math program pathway for students in Math 7 will be taking Math 8 in eighth grade and Algebra 1 in ninth grade.

The new option is not only helpful for students currently enrolled in the Math 7 class, but also for incoming ninth graders who did not have the chance to take Algebra 1 in their previous middle school. Previously, these students would have had to take Algebra 1 outside of school in order to enroll in the Geometry or Honors Geometry, which was the traditional course for ninth grade students. 

With Math 7 added into the curriculum, the new pathway provides students a supportive background in preparation for Upper School. Upper School students now have the option to take whichever math courses they prefer—and that does include the option to access the highest levels of the math curriculum. Mr. James Evans, Director of Teaching and Learning, said, “We never want to stop Upper School students from being able to get to calculus if they show a desire and an ability to do that.” 

“For a girls’ school to have our program set up where it makes any percentage of our girls feel like they can’t do math, I think is an injustice and a disservice,” Dr. Kelly said. “Every girl can do math.”