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Mathematics

The mathematics department strives to enhance comprehension and skill acquisition, encourage participation, strengthen critical thinking and problem-solving skills, stimulate interest, and build confidence in handling mathematical topics.
 
The department structures courses and classes so that students attain graphical, numerical, algebraic, and verbal understanding. We cultivate the ability to write mathematical models, make conjectures, and give reasoned arguments in support of assertions.
 
The school’s minimum requirement ensures that a student will have attained proficiency in Algebra 1, Euclidean Geometry, and Algebra 2 in order to graduate. In reality, it is an expectation that every student will take four years of mathematics, advancing to the highest level possible. In addition to Algebra 1, Geometry (and Honors), Algebra 2 (and Honors), and Pre-Calculus (and Honors), we offer AP Calculus AB and BC, AP Statistics, and AP Computer Science. Students can elect to take Financial Algebra, Introductory Calculus, and Introductory Statistics. In addition, we offer Multivariable Calculus, Linear Algebra, and/or Differential Equations for students who complete AP Calculus and AP Statistics.
 
Students will leave Westminster School well prepared for the study of mathematics in college. We also aim to inspire an appreciation for and comfort with math, so that regardless of whether they make it a part of their college experience, our graduates are prepared to use math throughout their lives.
  • Algebra 1

    This first-year course introduces the fundamental concepts of algebra. Its aims include mastering basic algebraic skills and developing competence with the graphing calculator. Students are introduced to variables, order of operations, algebraic expressions, functions, and equations. Properties of signed numbers and other axioms lay the foundation for solving first-degree equations and systems of equations. Students study linear and quadratic functions, their solutions and graphs, and investigate word problems modeling these functions. The year concludes with a study of polynomials, inequalities, and the properties of exponents.
  • Geometry

    This course consists of the study of shapes in two- and three-dimensional space using the formal language of definitions, postulates, and theorems. Students develop inductive and deductive reasoning skills and learn to construct two column proofs. The properties of parallel lines, congruent and similar shapes, ratio and proportion, the Pythagorean Theorem and right triangle trigonometry, special quadrilaterals, circles, geometric probability, and areas and volumes of plane and solid figures are the primary topics in the course. Alongside this agenda, there is also an ongoing review and enhancement of algebra skills. Specifically, we focus on solving linear and quadratic equations and systems of equations, manipulating and operating on fractions and radical expressions.
     
    Prerequisite: Algebra 1
  • Geometry Honors

    This course is a fairly traditional study of shapes in two- and three-dimensional space, reasoning from the definitions and postulates that form the foundation of geometric language. Students develop both inductive and deductive reasoning skills, and learn to use formal, informal, and paragraph proofs. The properties of parallel lines, congruent and similar shapes, ratio and proportion, transformations, right triangles and the Pythagorean Theorem, right triangle trigonometry, geometric probability, Platonic solids, areas and volumes of plane and solid figures, and an introduction to trigonometry are the broad topics considered. Algebra and graphing are incorporated into almost every aspect of the course, with algebra skills practiced all year as part of weekly review assignments. The honors course moves at a faster pace and delves more deeply into each of the core concepts of geometry than the regular sections. Students are regularly challenged to solve non routine problems and to extend their knowledge by making new discoveries.
     
    Prerequisites: Algebra 1 and permission of the department
  • Algebra 2

    This course reviews the basic skills of Algebra 1 while building on the notion of a function. Problem-solving and graphing the following types of functions are emphasized: linear, quadratic, polynomial, exponential, logarithmic, radical, and rational. Topics first introduced in Geometry and Algebra 1 are further developed. The graphing calculator is used regularly to enhance and support comprehension.
              
    Prerequisites: Algebra 1 and Geometry
  • Algebra 2 Honors

    This course builds upon the student’s knowledge of linear and quadratic functions developed in Algebra 1 and then explores polynomial, exponential, logarithmic, radical, and rational functions. The course also includes the study of graphs produced by the intersection of cones and planes. This course is designed to challenge the more advanced mathematical student by developing skills to analyze different techniques, exploring real-world applications, and by using technology appropriately to examine data and develop solutions. There is an emphasis on being efficient when solving problems. The students will graph many different types of functions, analyze data, and apply their algebra knowledge to new scenarios.
              
    Prerequisites: Algebra 1, Geometry Honors, and permission of the department
  • Pre-Calculus

    This course reviews the functions studied in Algebra 2, deepening student comprehension of these functions and their applications. The course thoroughly investigates polynomial and rational functions, trigonometric, logarithmic and exponential functions, as well as power models, with a focus on transformations and graphing.
    The graphing calculator is used extensively throughout.
     
    Prerequisites: Algebra 2
  • Pre-Calculus Honors

    This course continues the study of functions begun in Algebra 2, building in greater abstraction and generalization. The course thoroughly investigates polynomial, rational, power, logarithmic, exponential, and trigonometric functions. Students also work with limits and difference quotients. Transformations and graphing are emphasized, and the graphing calculator is used extensively. Additional topics include probability, the binomial theorem, series and sequences, and a variety of trig applications. Most students in this course will go on to AP Calculus AB in the following year.
     
    Prerequisites: Algebra 2 and permission of the department
  • Pre-Calculus/Calculus Honors

    This course, designed for the very strongest math students, is intended to prepare students to go straight to AP Calculus BC. In addition to the topics covered in Pre-Calculus Honors, the course also covers parametric equations and conic sections, and does a more thorough treatment of trigonometric applications, including vectors, DeMoivre’s Theorem and polar coordinates. In the spring, there is a thorough treatment of limits, the definition of the derivative and some derivative rules, and derivatives are applied to curve-sketching and optimization.
     
    Prerequisites: Algebra 2 Honors and permission of the department
  • Financial Algebra

    This course is algebra-based, applications-oriented, and technology-dependent. The course addresses college preparatory mathematics topics from Algebra 2, Statistics, Probability, Precalculus, and Calculus under eight financial umbrellas: Discretionary Expenses, Banking, Investing, Credit, Employment and Income Taxes, Automobile Ownership, Independent Living, and Retirement Planning and Household Budgeting. The course allows students to experience the interrelatedness of mathematical topics, find patterns, make conjectures, and extrapolate from known situations to unknown situations. The mathematics topics contained in this course are introduced, developed, and applied in an as-needed format in the financial settings covered. Students are encouraged to use a variety of problem-solving skills and strategies in real-world contexts, and to question outcomes using mathematical analysis and data to support their findings. The course offers students multiple opportunities to use, construct, question, model, and interpret financial situations through symbolic algebraic representations, graphical representations, geometric representations, and verbal representations.
     
    Prerequisite: Algebra 2
  • Statistics

    This course is designed for Sixth Formers who have completed Algebra 2 or Pre-Calculus and who wish to pursue mathematics outside of the calculus track. Students make extensive use of graphing calculators in this course as they study combinatorics, probability, normal distributions, and basic inferential statistics. Topics are typically presented in the context of real-world examples from athletics, psychology, sociology, and business.
     
    Prerequisite: Algebra 2
  • Introduction to Computer Science

    The introduction to computer science course is a software development course. The course covers the planning, design, accessibility, creation, and deployment of websites. The course will allow students the opportunity to delve deeper into the field of Computer Science, of which Web Development is a subsection. Web Development will encourage students to take advantage of their own creativity while also implementing basic to advanced concepts in Computer Science during the process of creating web pages. This will be a project based course. The course will cover HTML, CSS, and JavaScript. Students will learn how these three languages intersect with each other in order to create a modern webpage. JavaScript, an object-oriented programming language, will be a main focus of this course. The concepts introduced through JavaScript will carry over to other object-oriented languages such as Java, C++, and Python. If time permits within the course, students will be able to create their own webpages and deploy them for others to view via hyperlinks.

    Prerequisite: Algebra 2

  • Calculus

    This course covers topics studied in the first semester of a typical college-level calculus course, from limits to volumes of revolution. Techniques of differentiation and integration, and the application of these concepts are handled in-depth. A review of Pre-Calculus topics, including trigonometric and exponential functions, is incorporated throughout the year.
              
    Prerequisites: Pre-Calculus and permission of the department
  • AP® Calculus AB

    This is a college-level course that follows the syllabus determined by the College Board. Students study limits, continuity, differentiation, related rates, applications of the derivative to graphing, curve sketching, maximum and minimum problems, motion of a particle, area between curves, volumes of revolution, and first order differential equations in-depth.
     
    Prerequisites: Pre-Calculus Honors Students seeking enrollment in an Advanced Placement course need departmental approval. The department will discuss each AP candidate on an individual basis, taking into consideration previous academic achievement, work ethic, study skills, and the ability to learn independently.
  • AP® Calculus BC

    This is an introductory undergraduate-level differential and integral course that follows the syllabus determined by the College Board. Students study all the AB Calculus topics as well as vector functions, parametric and polar equations, velocity and acceleration vectors for motion on a plane curve, methods of integration, length of a path, and infinite sequences and series, including Taylor Polynomials.
     
    Prerequisites: AP Calculus AB or Pre-Calculus Honors. Students seeking enrollment in an Advanced Placement course need departmental approval. The department will discuss each AP candidate on an individual basis, taking into consideration previous academic achievement, work ethic, study skills, and the ability to learn independently.
  • AP® Computer Science

    This is a college-level course that follows the syllabus determined by the College Board. The course is taught primarily using the Java programming language to illustrate object-oriented development, top-down development, encapsulation, and procedural abstraction. The fundamental concepts of programming are studied in-depth, including programming style and expression, modularization, arrays, records, loops, files, implementations, sorting and searching data, and testing and maintenance of software.
     
    Prerequisites: Pre-Calculus. Students seeking enrollment in an Advanced Placement course need departmental approval. The department will discuss each AP candidate on an individual basis, taking into consideration previous academic achievement, work ethic, study skills, and the ability to learn independently.
  • AP® Statistics

    This is a college-level course that follows the syllabus determined by the College Board. This course examines probability theory, data collection and analysis, distributions, statistical inference, hypothesis testing, regression, and modeling. A graphing calculator with statistics features is used throughout the course.
     
    Prerequisites: Pre-Calculus. Students seeking enrollment in an Advanced Placement course need departmental approval. The department will discuss each AP candidate on an individual basis, taking into consideration previous academic achievement, work ethic, study skills, and the ability to learn independently.
  • Multivariable Calculus

    (Not offered 2025-2026)
    The Multivariable Calculus course will extend the concepts of the calculus of one variable, applying them primarily to three-space. Analysis of motion in three dimensions and exploration of surfaces are among the major topics explored along with applications in Physics and elsewhere.
     
    Prerequisite: AP Calculus BC. Students seeking enrollment in the Multivariable Calculus course need departmental approval. The department will discuss each candidate on an individual basis, taking into consideration previous academic achievement, work ethic, study skills, and the ability to learn independently.
  • Linear Algebra

    This course introduces linear algebra, emphasizing both theoretical foundations and practical applications. Students will develop an understanding of vector spaces, linear transformations, and matrix operations, with a focus on problem-solving and mathematical reasoning. The course will incorporate real-world applications in fields such as computer science, engineering, physics, and data science. Students will have developed a strong foundation in the fundamental concepts, theories, and applications of linear algebra. The course balances theoretical understanding with computational skills and real-world applications. By the end of the course, students will be equipped with the skills to analyze and apply linear algebra concepts in various mathematical and scientific contexts.

    Prerequisite: AP Calculus BC. Students seeking enrollment in the Linear Algebra course need departmental approval. The department will discuss each candidate on an individual basis, taking into consideration previous academic achievement, work ethic, study skills, and the ability to learn independently.

Faculty

  • Photo of Mike MacDonald
    Mike MacDonald
    Head of the Mathematics Department
    (860) 408-3732
    Cross Country
    Track and Field
    Northeastern University - B.S.
    Bio
  • Photo of Daniel Aber
    Daniel Aber
    String Ensemble Director
    (860) 408-3728
    Computer Science
    Swayze Award 1992
    Cornell University - B.A.
    Wesleyan University - M.A.L.S.
    Bio
  • Photo of Peter Doucette
    Peter Doucette
    (860) 408-3729
    Squash
    Tennis
    Williams College - B.A.
    Bio
  • Photo of Anthony Griffith
    Anthony Griffith
    (860) 408-3730
    Soccer
    Basketball
    Lacrosse
    Ultimate Frisbee
    Swayze Award 2006
    O'Brien Award 2020
    Wake Forest University - B.S.
    Wesleyan University - M.A.L.S.
    Bio
  • Photo of Maya Leete
    Maya Leete
    Learning Specialist
    (860) 408-3004
    Field Hockey
    Lacrosse
    University of Tennessee at Knoxville - B.S.
    Bio
  • Photo of Luke McKenna
    Luke McKenna
    Soccer
    Track and Field
    Siena College - B.A.
    Bio
  • Photo of Ethan Na
    Ethan Na
    (860) 408-3024
    Wheaton College MA
    Squash
    Tennis
    Wheaton College - B.S.
    Bio
  • Photo of Patrick Owens
    Patrick Owens
    Executive Director, Horizons at Westminster & Hartford Partnerships
    (860) 408-3006
    Basketball
    Georgetown University - B.S.
    University of Pennsylvania’s Graduate School of Education - M.S.Ed.
    Bio
  • Photo of Tricia Sisk
    Tricia Sisk
    (860) 408-3734
    The College of the Holy Cross - B.A.
    Bio
  • Photo of Peter Ulrich
    Peter Ulrich
    Director of Work Program
    (860) 408-3733
    Soccer
    Squash
    Work Program
    Middlebury College - B.A.
    Wesleyan University - M.A.L.S.
    Bio
  • Photo of Bryan Vargas
    Bryan Vargas
    Spanish
    Volleyball
    Basketball
    Bowdoin College - B.A.
    University of Pennsylvania - M.A.
    Bio
  • Photo of Kelly Wosleger
    Kelly Wosleger
    Sixth Form Dean, Program Director, Horizons at Westminster & Hartford Partnerships
    (860) 408-3731
    Program Director, Hartford Partnerships & Horizons at Westminster
    Soccer
    Swayze Award 2020
    O’Brien Award 2024
    Fairfield University - B.A.
    Fairfield University - MBA
    Bio

Contact Us

995 Hopmeadow Street
Simsbury, Connecticut 06070

P. (860) 408-3000
F. (860) 408 3001
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In keeping with our support for a diverse community, Westminster abides by all applicable federal and state laws and does not discriminate on the basis of any protected characteristic, including race, color, religious creed, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national and ethnic origin, ancestry and/or disability in administration of its educational policies, admissions policies, scholarship and loan programs, and athletic and other school-administered programs. Westminster 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. 
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