Mathematics is more than numbers and equations. It is a journey, a process of thinking, an exercise in problem-solving that requires both an understanding of basic concepts and the ability to think critically. The role of the Mathematics Department at St. John’s is to help students connect to mathematics, its ideas, and its applications.

  • Four years of math are required for all students, who must complete courses through Algebra II. All courses are designed for college preparation, so students will be prepared for college-level math.
  • The department offers courses that satisfy all levels of mathematical skills, from basic Algebra and Geometry through honors courses and on to AP classes in Statistics and Calculus at both the AB and BC levels.  
  • Through classroom discourse, technology, and teacher guidance, students learn to conjecture, invent, and solve problems. They build a foundation in math that will serve them well in whatever their ultimate career path they ultimately choose. 

Faculty

Course Offerings

Freshman YearSophomore YearJunior YearSenior Year
Algebra 1GeometryAlgebra 2Algebra 3
Honors Algebra 1/Algebra 2PrecalculusTrigonometry
GeometryHonors Algebra 2Honors PrecalculusPrecalculus
Honors Algebra 2Honors PrecalculusAP StatisticsHonors Calculus
  AP Calculus ABAP Statistics
  AP Calculus BCAP Calculus AB
   AP Calculus BC

All 8th-grade students should have mastered (without a calculator): 

  • Arithmetic concepts, such as adding, subtracting, multiplying, and dividing whole numbers, fractions, decimals, and integers 
  • A basic understanding of exponents 
  • Correct order of operations when performing computations 
  • Simplifying like terms: 2x + 5y - 6x – 10y = -4x – 5y 
  • Solving a linear equation: 9x+3=14x+8 
  • Applying the distributive property: -7(3x-+9)
  • Graphing ordered pairs on a coordinate plane 
  • Basic geometry formulas: area and perimeter of squares, rectangles, triangles, and trapezoids 

Students should also have developed good organizational and note-taking skills. On notes, homework, tests and quizzes, work should be written neatly and arranged in an orderly fashion. When solving a problem, a premium is placed on showing work in steps under the problem. 

Extracurricular Opportunities

During the fall semester, the Math Department offers the following math competitions: 

In October, students are invited to compete in the University of Maryland’s High School Math Competition (UMD), which is open to all DC and MD high school students. Part I involves 25 multiple-choice questions during a 75-minute period. Those students who do well advance to take Part II, which involves completing five, free-response problems during a two-hour period. Approximately 10% of all Part I competitors advance to Part II. Each year the top three students are awarded a scholarship for full tuition and expenses at the University of Maryland. For additional information, please go online.  

In November, the Math Department offers two American Mathematics Contests (AMC10 and AMC12) which both involve completing 25 challenging multiple-choice questions without using a calculator during a 75-minute period. Students who perform well advance to take the American Invitational Mathematics Examination (AIME) in the spring (a three-hour, 15-question contest with all answers integers between 0 and 999). Approximately half a dozen students have qualified for AIME over the last 15 years. Those students who do well on the AIME may be added to Team USA to compete in the Junior Math Olympiad. For additional information, please visit MAA website.

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Academics

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