Brentwood Mathematics

19 October 2023Christian M, Privett ‘26

Unpredictable – like an active volcano – mathematics is a transilient field of study. Despite its seemingly mechanical nature, mathematics is unparalleled in its constant change to fit humanity’s dynamic advancement because it illustrates humankind’s understanding of the universe’s mechanics. 

It could even be considered everything that ever was, or ever will be; a thread of similarity linking everything and everyone in existence. 

Vast like the Pacific Ocean – on whose shores our school sits –  the range of mathematics’ usage is invaluable and comprehensive. It can be used to understand everything from minuscule ideas, like the trajectory of a apple falling from a tree in the school orchard; to immense enigmas, like the impetus of creation. It translates the unknown into something comprehensible. 

Although humanity’s current combined knowledge is just a grain of sand in a limitless, expansive universe, the ever-changing field of mathematics allows humankind to understand the world around us better.

Mathematics courses at Brentwood prepare students to solve real-world problems to ensure that students are given more opportunities in the near future. Seth Z, Privett ‘24 who takes the Advanced Topics shared: “Brentwood’s math program is one of the best. It has given me more college opportunities than I could ever imagine”.

Unlike many other schools, the mathematics program allows students from various backgrounds to attend a course befitting their level; students who are proven to be mathematically beyond their grade have the opportunity to take higher-level mathematics courses.

The program aims to transform students into innovative thinkers to guarantee their post-secondary education and work success. This is done by ensuring that students not only understand the topic at hand, but are also able to apply it. For instance, in the Pre-Calculus 12 course, students are prepared for Calculus by learning all of the topics in depth. Pre-Calculus 12 teacher Ms Sarah Wolinsky – also my Privett Assistant Houseparent – believes that “In order to set students up to succeed in Calculus, they need a really good understanding of functions and graphs. In Pre-Calculus 12, we really go in depth to make sure students understand what is going on in order to increase their chances of success.”

Although the Pre-Calculus 12 course at Brentwood is a tough adversary, it is extremely useful for students who expect to attend colleges in the STEM field because it reinforces their knowledge so that they are ready to perform well in their future courses and jobs. Calculus is almost always a requirement for STEM applications.

Brentwood’s mathematics program is not only creating more opportunities for students, but also paving the way to a better, more advanced future.

Christian M, Privett ‘26