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Bosque School
Bosque School

Math

Upper school students work together on a math problem at a white board

In response to research about how students learn best, the Bosque School math department grounds core skill development in inquiry and exploration. Robust student engagement with mathematical thinking is essential to our approach.In the mathematics department, our teaching emphasizes collaboration and intentionally balances challenge and support. Our approach instills the confidence that leads to transformative math learning. Bosque School math students ask questions and take risks, becoming independent thinkers and resilient problem-solvers. Our intentional methodology draws on the most recent initiatives in mathematics education, including research from leading institutions, Illustrative Mathematics, the MidSchoolMath Conference, Building Thinking Classrooms in Mathematics, and research at Stanford University.

From 6th through 12th grade, students master technical skills and develop problem-solving strategies. All students are required to complete three years of math in middle school and four years of math in upper school. In their junior or senior year, some students choose to "double up" in math by adding an elective math class beyond the regular or advanced course sequence. There are various entry points to our advanced math program, ensuring students are in the course that best suits them at each stage of their development. Students who participate in our most advanced math program graduate having completed Calculus II. Moreover, exceptional math students may be eligible for dual enrollment in math classes at CNM or UNM.

Three students work together in math class
Two students raise their hand to answer a question in math class

Two-and-a-half-week immersive courses (offered each May) provide additional opportunities for students to apply their math and STEM passions, skills, and knowledge through interdisciplinary classes. Some recent STEM-related Immersives include Journey into Science and Medicine (middle school), forensics (upper school), and Engineering the Future (upper school).

Seniors with passions for mathematics can choose to deepen their commitment, knowledge, and expertise by grounding their yearlong senior capstone research under the guidance of math faculty. Some recent STEM-related capstone research topics include: 

  • Why can't we print more money? An analysis of the applicability of modern monetary theory to social programs in the U.S. and monetary neutrality. 
  • Unique factorization and Lagrange’s four-square theorem
  • Solar Panels and Hydrogen Fuel Cells: The Power Combo of the Future; a mathematical model 
  • How could Bitcoin be adopted and regulated by mainstream finance?

Motivated math students also deepen their immersion in math learning through extracurricular participation in middle school and upper school math contest prep clubs, which offer opportunities to compete in local and national contests, such as the UNM-PNM Statewide Math Contest and MATHCOUNTS.