Educational Excellence Since 1912
Hamden Hall Country Day School
Educating students in PreSchool through Grade 12

Math and Science Curricula 101: Parents Garner In-Depth View

When it comes to the transition from sixth-grade to Middle School math and science, parents can count on our faculty to ensure an appropriate and well-thought-out progression.

Sixth-grade parents were recently offered an in-depth view of our Middle School math and science curricula by a panel of our educators. The informal conversation enlightened parents about the grade level move. Since two years will pass in the blink of an eye, Upper School faculty were also on hand to offer insight.

Mathematics Co-Chair Kiki Carlson noted that students will shift from grade-based coursework to level-centered learning.

“We differentiate by level starting in the seventh grade instead of by grade as is done in the Lower School,” she said. “Students split up based on what their preference is and their motivation. We work with each individual student and evaluate them constantly to ensure they’re at the right level.”

Consistent evaluation is the key to all of Hamden Hall’s academic offerings, according to Head of School Bob Izzo.

“At Hamden Hall, we have students who take the highest level Advanced Placement math class, BC Calculus, as early as the tenth grade. So in order to meet the needs of these exceptional math students, we now provide Multivariable Calculus and Linear Algebra – two college-level math courses,” he said.

To showcase their prowess for mathematics, students engage in Mathcounts, a nationwide middle school mathematics competition, and join the Math Team in Upper School. Mathematics Co-Chair Maria Agulian noted that the team is made up of more than 70 students this year who gather weekly – whether there are competitions or not – just to work on problem solving.

Mr. Izzo expounded that Hamden Hall consistently places four or five students on the 45-member Connecticut Math Team, meaning that our students represent 10 percent of the entire state team!

“That’s a remarkable number given that the public and private schools we compete against have significantly higher student populations than Hamden Hall,” he said.

In the Science Department, Beth Richter, a Hamden Hall alumna, spoke of the relevance of the seventh-grade science curriculum, which includes cell structure and function, human biology and more, and is lab-based.

“The students connect immediately because the things we learn about are really relevant to them and their changing bodies,” she said.

Real-world issues as enhanced by hands-on labs continue in eighth grade via studies in the physical sciences including government policy. Students learn how to use chemicals and indicators.

“It’s a good foundation to go into Upper School biology and chemistry classes,” said Ms. Richter. “It’s really problem solving as students see a lot of problems in this world and they want to fix them.”

Upper School Science Chair Gina D’Angelo noted the unprecedented number of electives junior and senior science enthusiasts get to choose from, including forensics, genetics, anatomy, oceanography, astronomy, sustainability, zoology, and more. Dr. D. also discussed the AP offerings in biology, chemistry, physics, and computer science.

“We offer a very strong foundation for kids to move on to in college if they’re going into science,” she explained. “My former students tell me, ‘wow – I know what I need to know about in chemistry, biology, and physics.’”

For both Middle and Upper School students who are interested in independent and/or small group research projects, Dr. Frank Gasparro touted Hamden Hall’s signature Science, Innovation & Design Program (SID).

“It’s not just a club because you can’t just sit around,” he said. “The acronym I use is OICE: organized, initiative, commitment, and execution.”

This year some SID students are designing a Mars rover to enter into a NASA-sponsored contest. The building component of the project is being done in collaboration with the MakerSpace design lab. In past years, SID students have also been published in scientific journals.

Parents also had an opportunity to meet senior Dylan Balter, and juniors Ainsley Baker and Akash Jyothish, all of whom have a passion for math and science and display that by doubling up on courses at Hamden Hall – despite the myriad extracurriculars they participate in. Dylan ticked off a plethora of math and science courses he’s taken at Hamden Hall. His AP Chemistry teacher touted his student’s prowess.
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Hamden Hall Country Day School is a nurturing and inclusive community with a dynamic learning environment that promotes academic excellence by understanding each child and fostering their individual growth.