Students and parents should expect courses to go into greater depth than is usually the case in the secondary school setting. Go to Course Descriptions Return to index The Mathematics Program The Governor's School offers an outstanding experience in mathematics that prepares students for competitive college and university mathematics programs. Student scores on nationally normed aptitude tests see significant gains when students spend three years in the RVGS math program. One of the most common comments made by RVGS graduates reflects how well they were prepared in mathematics. The initiatives in mathematics meet and extend the guidelines for mathematics instruction outlined by the National Council of Teachers of Mathematics.
Students emerge well prepared for college and university math instruction.
Significant increases in math SAT and PSAT scores are not at all unusual. The mathematics program requires that students enter with an above average grasp of algebra and geometry. A compacted program in algebra and statistics taught in close concert with the science and computer applications courses is followed by topics in advanced algebra, trigonometry, precalculus, calculus, and discrete mathematics. Additional special courses are available for students who complete a full year of calculus as juniors. All students are required to begin using a graphing calculator on day one.