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Enriching Minds Through Mathematics
The academic programs at BSS are grounded in responsive teaching and result in great learning, and this is especially true in mathematics.
At our recent Academic Excellence: Math at BSS presentation for parents, we shared how our math program is designed to engage, empower, inspire and foster confident, curious learners. “BSS math teachers engage all students, equipping them to thrive in an increasingly dynamic, data-rich and quantitative world,” said Sheila Barclay, Head of the Math Department for the Middle and Senior School.
Math at BSS cultivates a growth mindset in which girls are comfortable taking risks. Our students are encouraged to make their thinking visible, collaborate with peers and develop confidence and agency. The program blends inquiry — making, testing, reflecting and connecting ideas — with explicit instruction and purposeful practice to develop fluency in both concepts and problem-solving skills. BSS teachers embed reflection throughout the learning process, helping students understand not just what, but also how they learn. Drawing from a wide range of resources, they offer multiple approaches that both address individual needs and extend learning for those who are ready. As Junior School STEM Lead Teacher Radhika Raj noted, teachers focus on guiding students through the process (not just the final answer), using tools like games and hands-on activities to make concepts stick.
These approaches yield outstanding results. According to Dr. Kristen Clarke, Dean of Teaching and Learning, this year, students wrote a record 336 Advanced Placement exams, with 92% scoring 3 or higher and the highest number of AP Scholars to date. External assessments such as the PSAT (Preliminary Scholastic Aptitude Test) and MAP (Measures of Academic Progress) demonstrate continued growth, while initiatives like our Grade 8 Reach-Ahead Math course provide pathways for students to deepen their skills.
Student voices underscore this impact. At the event, a Grade 12 student described modeling tidal patterns with advanced functions, while a Grade 8 student shared how math skills powered a hallway-cleaning design project.
