Mathematics & Computer Science

Please note that beginning with the 2023-24 school year, the Mathematics department will be changing its process related to testing out of courses. Please see a recent email sent to families here explaining the change.

The Overlake Mathematics and Computer Science Department delivers a rigorous curriculum which provides students with the opportunity to take at least one year of calculus while at Overlake.  Algebraic skills are emphasized throughout a modern, streamlined curriculum. Overlake Math teachers believe that all Overlake students have the ability to pursue any course of study at the university level and that early exposure to calculus both motivates and facilitates further study in science and mathematics.

In the Middle School, students work together in a differentiated math classroom as a single community in 5th and 6th grade. In 7th and 8th grade, students are placed into either a 2-year Algebra sequence or a 2-year Algebra/Geometry sequence. All Overlake Middle School students leave 8th grade with a high school level course in Algebra and are on track to study Calculus at the college/AP level while in the Upper School.

In the Upper School, Honors courses are offered in Geometry, Algebra 2, and Precalculus, and AP courses are offered in Calculus. They are intended for students who show special interest and aptitude in math. To earn a recommendation for honors or AP courses students must demonstrate the ability to master concepts quickly, be independent learners, and earn top grades in prerequisite courses.

A wide array of electives in computer science and statistics covering topics from mobile app development to data visualization are available for Upper School students at The Overlake School. There are opportunities for students with any level of experience in computer science and statistics to explore and enrich their understanding of the subjects.

For more information on course sequencing and tracking, please see the Mathematics and Computer Science Department Program Overview.

Graduation Requirements

In order to graduate from The Overlake School, students must earn a minimum of three credits in core Math courses (Algebra, Geometry, Algebra 2, Precalculus, Calculus, AP Calculus AB, or AP Calculus BC) in the Upper School. Almost all recent Overlake graduates have completed four or more credits in Math. Students who have completed high school level mathematics courses in Middle School (either at Overlake or another school) cannot use those courses towards graduation and must still earn three Math credits in the Upper School. Computer Science and Statistics electives are not core math courses and may not be used to satisfy graduation requirements.

The Overlake School offers a Summer Accelerated Geometry course for exceptional students who have completed their first course of Algebra in 8th or 9th grade. Per school policy, no non-Overlake summer course credit will be accepted for graduation or acceleration purposes without prior approval from the department chair and Upper School Head. It is possible, though rarely recommended, for exceptional Upper School students to test out of a required math class over the summer. All summer test out requests must be made to the department chair before May.

For more information on mathematics over the summer and testing out of a course, please see the Overlake Summer Math Guide.