Browse Our Curriculum

Department

Mathematics

Whether math is your passion or not, Chatham Hall’s mathematics program is for you. Our small classes and extra assistance help allay the math anxiety that some girls feel. And our results are exceptional. In a recent survey, nearly 92 percent of our graduates reported receiving a high level of encouragement in math, science, and technology. In addition, the average SAT math score for our alumnae completing our boarding school curriculum was 588, compared to 477 nationally for females and males combined.

NOTE: Students may double up in math by taking Algebra 1 and Geometry or Geometry and Algebra concurrently, with permission.

Algebra I
Discrete - Math

This one-semester elective course will work to expose students to multiple concepts that provide the foundation for various math topics including logic, number theory and methods of proof, sequences, induction, and recursion, set theory, relations, counting principles, probability, and graph theory. The course can be paired with Personal Financial Literacy for 1 math credit.
Geometry
Algebra II
Applied Algebra & Trigonometry

This course builds on the concepts begun in Algebra 2, providing an opportunity to review key skills and learn others as a bridge course to precalculus. Algebraic skills to be reviewed will include factoring polynomials, simplifying algebraic expressions, and the basics of exponential functions. In addition, characteristics of functions will be explored along with their applications. New algebra skills to be learned will include the basics of logarithm functions and their applications, solving 3x3 systems of equations, and the fundamentals of matrices among others. Following the algebra content, the skills involved in right triangle trigonometry, special right triangle trigonometry, and oblique triangle trigonometry will be explored. Students are required to have a TI-84 Plus or TI-84 graphing calculator.

Year-Long Course – 1 Credit

Prerequisite: C- or better in Algebra 2 or successful score on placement test.
Probability and Statistics

Probability & Statistics will expose students to the basic statistical concepts and methods in a manner that emphasizes understanding the principles of data collection and analysis rather than theory. Much of the course will be devoted to discussions of how statistics is commonly used in the real world and will include projects that allow students to work with real-world data. Students will examine graphical and numerical summaries of data to describe the distribution of a variable, or the relationship between two variables. Furthermore, they will produce their own data to learn how to design good surveys and experiments, collect data from samples that are representative of the whole population, and avoid common sources of biases. Lastly, students will study probability and inference using the language of probability and the properties of numerical summaries computed from random samples to draw conclusions about populations of interest.

Year-Long Course – 1 Credit

Prerequisite: Successful completion of Algebra 2 or Algebra 2 placement test.
Precalculus
Honors Precalculus
Calculus
Advanced Calculus
Advanced Statistical Analysis
Advanced Linear Algebra

Linear algebra studies linear spaces and the mappings between them. Almost every area of mathematics uses the tools of linear algebra in some form or fashion. Basic examples include n-dimensional space, rotations, and reflections. Spaces such as the polynomials of degree less than or equal to n and the continuous functions on a closed interval are studied as well. The first half to two-thirds of the course cover traditional topics such as matrices, solving systems of linear equations in n unknowns, rank, dimension, determinants, linear transformations, inner-products spaces, and matrices with complex entries. Other topics that could be covered dependent on student interests and background are canonical forms, application to multivariable calculus and differential equations, and bilinear/quadratic forms.

Prerequisites: Advanced Calculus and a completed application for approval.
Robotics, Engineering, & Coding
Advanced Computer Science Coding

Department Faculty

Nathan Witkowski

Mathematics Department Chair; Mathematics Teacher; Coach

nwitkowski@chathamhall.org
Bio
Nathan Witkowski came to Chatham Hall in 2019 and now serves as the Mathematics Department chair and coaches throughout the year. He received both a M.A.T. and B.S. from Liberty University.
Eric Ebert

Mathematics Teacher; Robotics Mentor

eebert@chathamhall.org
Bio
Eric Ebert came to Chatham Hall in 2021 most recently from the Carrollwood Day School where he taught several levels of high school math. After serving nine years in the U.S. Marine Corps, Eric received a B.S. in mathematics from the University of Iowa and a M.A. in mathematics from the University of Missouri-Columbia where he is currently pursuing a Ph.D. He has taught at several schools, including Casady School and the Johns Hopkins University Center for Talented Youth. Eric loves eating with colleagues in Yardley Dining Hall, as well as cooking, cycling, reading novels, and playing games.
Molly Thomas P'06, '08

Physics & Algebra Teacher; Robotics Mentor

434-432-2941

mthomas@chathamhall.org
Bio
Molly Thomas has been teaching at Chatham Hall since 1993 and is a parent of two Chatham Hall graduates. She currently teaches science and mentors the robotics team, the Tutu Turtles. A graduate of Longwood College, Molly majored in physics and mathematics before going on to earn a M.A.P.E. from the University of Virginia. Molly's favorite Chatham Hall tradition is graduation where she enjoys seeing how the students have matured during their time here.
Dan Waters P'14

Mathematics, Computer Science, & Makerspace Teacher; Robotics Mentor

Ext 263

dwaters@chathamhall.org
Bio
Dan Waters P'14 came to Chatham Hall in 2017 after years teaching in Danville Public Schools. He currently teaches math, computer science, and art electives, as well as mentors the School's robotics team, the Tutu Turtles. Dan attended North Carolina State University where he earned a B.S. in technology education. His favorite School tradition is the Lantern Ceremony, and his hobbies include pickleball, woodworking, and driving his golf cart.