Math

Math Department

The Mathematics Department at John Dewey High School is committed to expanding students’ understanding and appreciation of mathematics through a comprehensive, content-based plan that acknowledges and addresses differences in motivation, goals, ability, and learning styles. Each mathematics classroom is equipped with a set of graphing calculators for daily use and we encourage use of the online DESMOS graphing calculator available on student’s Chromebooks and/or home computers.

Jamila Henry, Assistant Principal

Criteria for Mathematics Towards Graduation 

AP Courses Offered

AP Pre-Calculus: AP Pre-Calculus is a single-period one year course designed to be the equivalent a college precalculus course or a college algebra with trigonometry course. Throughout the course, students explore everyday situations using mathematical tools and lenses. Students develop an understanding of modeling and functions, and examine scenarios through multiple representations. The course framework outlines content and skills needed for careers in mathematics, physics, biology, health science, social science, and data science.

AP Calculus AB:  AP Calculus AB is a single-period one year course designed to be the equivalent of the first semester of college calculus. The course culminates in the AP Calculus AB Exam. Students will apply their knowledge of Algebra, Geometry, and Trigonometry, and synthesize those with their knowledge of limits from Precalculus to gain a deeper understanding of functions. Students will work with numerical, algebraic, graphical and verbal representations of functions related to both real-world and theoretical applications. Students will work on challenging problems with and without technology, and they will explain their thinking in words and in formal mathematical notation.

AP Computer Science Principles: This course is designed to be equivalent to a first-semester introductory college computing course. In this course, students will develop computational thinking skills vital for success across all disciplines, such as using computational tools to analyze and study data and working with large data sets to analyze, visualize, and draw conclusions from trends. The course engages students in the creative aspects of the field by allowing them to develop computational artifacts based on their interests. Students will also develop effective communication and collaboration skills by working individually and collaboratively to solve problems, and will discuss and write about the impacts these solutions could have on their community, society, and the world. The course is single-period for the entire school year.

AP Computer Science A: This course introduces students to computer science with fundamental topics that include problem solving, design strategies and methodologies, organization of data (data structures), approaches to processing data (algorithms), analysis of potential solutions, and the ethical and social implications of computing. During the course, students learn how to write code in the programming language: Java. We explore many concrete topics and complete multiple projects throughout the year. Examples include creating a chat bot that responds to user input, creating an interactive Tic Tac Toe game, and redefining individual pixels of a picture to manipulate the image. This course is single-period for the entire school year.

Core Mathematics Classes 

Algebra 1

Geometry 

Algebra 2 (regents level)

Algebra 2 (non-regents level)

Financial Data Analysis

Pre-Calculus

Staff List