Edmunds Elementary PTO

Parent Teacher Organization

Math Opportunities

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Interested in the math opportunities at Edmunds and BHS?  This is only a sample of the great math opportunities – courses, competitions, and activities – available as your child moves through BSD.  All BSD contacts below are happy to answer any questions and they look forward to working with your children in the coming years!

ELEMENTARY SCHOOL/ALL AGES

Extracurricular Activities:

  • Khan Academy: khanacademy.org This nonprofit organization provides a free, online resource with multiple courses for all ages (pre-K through college math, as well as other subjects).
  • Art of Problem Solving – free and paid online courses with a focus on math for grades 5-12 at https://artofproblemsolving.com/alcumus.

EDMUNDS MIDDLE SCHOOL

Extracurricular Activities:

  • EMS MATHCOUNTS: Alan Matson, EMS Coach.  MATHCOUNTS is a nationwide problem-solving competition for all middle school students.  During MATHCOUNTS sessions, students study problem solving techniques and explore how math applies to various activities such as games, codes, cards, and dice.  Open to all students interested in math, competitions are not required.
  • EMS Chess Club: For all skill levels, this club offers a space to learn, practice, and compete.  Led by experienced instructors, students enjoy friendly matches and a supportive community where critical thinking and social interaction flourish.
  • Homework help is available to all students after school every day.  It is a drop in space to work with afterschool staff on difficult projects and catch up on classwork.

State & National Tests/Competitions:

Courses:

  • Algebra in 8th grade.  Students who reach a certain grade threshold in their 7th grade math class can elect to take Algebra in 8th grade.  After successfully completing Algebra, students can take Geometry with their middle school instructor’s recommendation.

BURLINGTON HIGH SCHOOL

Extracurricular Activities:

  • BHS Math League: Norm Tremblay, Math League Advisor & Lead Teacher Mathematics Dept. ([email protected]) BHS Math League is a fun and inclusive club that competes in five meets a year from October – March.   
  • In addition to Math League, BHS has a variety of amazing afterschool clubs, including activities for homework help, chess, coding, and much more.

State & National Tests/Competitions:

  • Math League competitions.  Students in Math League participate in 5 competitions against other schools.   Students take three timed tests during each meet with the scores of the tests tallied to determine top scores and winners.  The topics for Math League are taken from Arithmetic, Algebra, Geometry, Algebra II, some Statistics, and some Pre-Calculus.
  • AMC (American Mathematics Competition) 10/12, in the Fall (depending on interest).  The AMC 10 & AMC 12 develop positive attitudes toward analytical thinking and mathematics that can assist in future careers.  They are the first in a series of competitions, including: American Invitational Mathematics Exam, USA Mathematical Olympiad & Junior Mathematical Olympiad, European Girls’ Mathematical Olympiad, that eventually lead all the way to the International Mathematical Olympiad (Invitational Competitions: https://maa.org/math-competitions/invitational-competitions). 
  • Vermont High School Prize Examination (aka UVM Math Contest).  This competition is a two-hour and 41 question test prepared and scored by the UVM Dept. of Mathematics.  It is open to all secondary students in Vermont and covers algebra, geometry, trigonometry, set theory, probability, counting techniques, and general reasoning. https://site.uvm.edu/mathcontest/
  • Vermont Math Talent Search: Sponsored by the Vermont State Mathematics Coalition.   Four times during the school year a set of challenging math problems are posted, covering arithmetic, Geometry, algebra, and pre-calculus.  Students have four weeks to solve the problems.  Top students are given prizes and honored with a dinner; high school-aged winners are provided with full scholarships to attend the week-long summer Governor’s Institute in Mathematical Sciences at UVM.  Top scorers are invited to the American Regions Math League championship at Penn State, as members of the Vermont Math All Stars. https://vtmathcoalition.org/about-the-talent-search/

BHS 2024-25 Courses: (Note: upon teacher recommendation, some students may double up with math courses in order to progress more quickly through the sequence of classes):

  • First Years: Elements of Math, Pre-Algebra, Integrated Math 1, or Freshman Geometry
  • Integrated Math 2 & 3, Algebra 2*, Pre-Calculus*, and Calculus*

(* Option to take honors/AP version of course if prerequisites are met)

  • Junior/Senior: Applied Personal Math, Math of Money, Statistics, Trigonometry, Intermediate Algebra, AP Statistics
  • In addition to the above, the Agency of Education’s Dual Enrollment Program allows rising Juniors and Seniors (having earned 12+ high school credits) to enroll in college classes either in person or online.  This is a great opportunity for students to get a feel for what college is like.  The Agency of Ed. issues 2 vouchers per student.  Vouchers cover tuition only.  Vouchers can be used in one of the following three ways:
    • Students sign up and take college classes at the college or online at a participating college.  Current local participating schools include Champlain College, Community College of Vermont, Saint Michael’s College, and UVM. 
    • Historically, a few classes taught by CCV instructors at BHS during the school day
    • Concurrent enrollments (new partnership with Saint Michaels College as of 23-24) – a high school course has been vetted by a university to be of a college level taught by a highly qualified teacher; the students take the class at BHS and opts in to earning a college credit.

Contact: Kate Stein, Flexible Pathway Coordinator at BHS ([email protected]).  More info: https://bhs.bsdvt.org/guidance/dual-enrollment/