Mathematics and Science

Math: Our math program addresses the needs of students at every level of math capability. Students graduating from the high school need four full years of math, and can take classes ranging from practical math, in which they practice keeping a checkbook log and paying bills, to calculus. Throughout the math program, but especially at the elementary and middle school levels, the emphasis is on concept formation, and manipulatives and multi-sensory educational techniques are used where appropriate. Math students have an opportunity to apply their learning in a real-world situation by managing and staffing our school lunch store. Students take inventory, do ordering, set prices, make change, and interact with hungry fellow students every afternoon, and they do a wonderful job.

Science: Students are required to take four years of science at the high school level, and we individualize the curriculum to accommodate the learning levels and needs of the students. Middle school science is an integrated, hands-on curriculum exploring different themes each year through a multidisciplinary approach. At the high school level, classes are offered in Environmental Science, Physics, Chemistry, and Biology on a four year rotational schedule. Additionally, we offer Human Biology and Psychology as semester courses and are planning to offer other specialized semester long science courses in subjects such as Astronomy and Genetics in the near future.

There is a school-wide Science Fair every February, and every science student is required to participate. The top three finishers from the middle and high school levels compete in the Southeastern Michigan Science Fair at Washtenaw Community College, a part of the Intel International Science Competition. Additionally, each fall we have an Engineering Field Day, a school-wide competition in which students build structures and vehicles according to specifications and compete against each other in order to see which structures work best.