Mathematics
The Mathematics Department features small classes where discussion, written problem-solving, and individual and collaborative work are all emphasized as students master new concepts.
Our faculty is committed to offering courses at a variety of levels, ensuring every student is appropriately engaged, stimulated, and, above all, genuinely challenged.
Our Approach
Our courses feature a diverse range of topics of advanced coursework matter, including computer science courses, and follow a spiral curriculum where students revisit topics again and again with increasing sophistication. Students also regularly use technology to gain deeper insights into the mathematical relationships they’re studying.Our Courses
The Ninth Grade ProgramWhat better way to cement math skills and see how they help explain the world around us than by integrating mathematics with physics? Thacher’s science and math teachers have coordinated the ninth grade program so that the language, skills and applications across both disciplines are coordinated throughout the year. The entire ninth grade class engages in a lab all at once several times a year. Yes, a giant double-period lab in the gym with everyone: fun, learning, and practical applications at the same time. The experience creates truly memorable learning.
Sophomore Through Senior Years
We believe that it’s critical to teach strong foundational concepts while continuously incorporating cutting-edge offerings, including programming, computer science, and robotics, into our curriculum. Our Math Department features honors calculus and statistics, for example. We offer Calculus at three different levels, Multivariable Calculus and Linear Algebra for students who are prepared and want to pursue mathematics at college levels. As students work their way through Thacher’s program, our math faculty members are regularly available outside of class for individual instruction and reinforcement of learning.
Programming and Robotics
Computer programming and robotics classes and club activities complement each other well, challenging students to take the programming languages they’ve learned—including Java, Python, Ajax, PHP, MySQL, HTML, CSS, and others—and explore their practical uses as they code and control NAO humanoid and LEGO Mindstorms robots or develop their own web applications.A one-trimester introductory programming course allows any student to gain a foundation in computer programming. AP Computer Science and advanced courses in robotics, data structures, and programming focus on complex, interdisciplinary concepts and often emphasize independent projects that students develop themselves—from a custom-built scheduler that reconciles schedule conflicts among students to a web-based alternative grading system for the School—that often have specific, practical uses in our own community. Above all, students integrate engineering, art, design, and mathematics, transforming their relationship to each field in the process.
Math Requirement
It is expected that every entering ninth grader will have completed a comprehensive Algebra 1 course that includes quadratics.
Students enrolling who have only taken Pre-Algebra (Math 8 or equivalent) or Basic First Year Algebra (Math 1 or equivalent, which does not include extensive study of rational expressions, irrational numbers, and quadratic equations) will need to cover the required material in the spring or summer.
- Josh
“No matter where and when I spent time with Mr. Meyer, whether in a van heading to a mathematics competition, in a computer science class, or in his cozy living room, he has always been both supportive and inspiring. More than just a teacher, he has been a mentor and friend to me.”
Seoul, South Korea
Math Department Faculty
List of 8 members.
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Dr. Kamala Qalandar
Mathematics and Science Departments, Director of Programs for Technology and InnovationUniversity of California, Santa Barbara - BABio
University of California, Santa Barbara - PhD -
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Dr. Jonathan Swift
Mathematics, Physics, and Astronomy Teacher and Director of the Thacher ObservatoryUniversity of California, Berkeley - PhDBio
University of California, Los Angeles - BS -
A college preparatory boarding school for grades 9-12
Notice of nondiscriminatory policy as to students: The Thacher School admits students of any race, color, national, and ethnic origin to all the rights, privileges, programs, and activities generally accorded or made available to students at the School. It does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national, and ethnic origin in administration of its educational policies, admission policies, scholarship and loan programs, and athletic and other School-administered programs.