By Beth David, Editor
For the first time ever, Fairhaven High School is the highest scoring South Coast school in math, with 90% proficient and advanced rating on the state’s MCAS test. Last year, FHS was in second place.
The test is taken by sophomores throughout the state.
According to Phil Harding, Mathematics/Teaching & Learning Supervisor, the state average score is 78%, so FHS is scoring significantly higher than the state average. He said they had their highest ranking ever in the Advanced category with 71% of students reaching that target.
Three students had perfect scores: Matt Mitchell, Jack Brown and Aaron Almeida.
“We also had many girls with near-perfect scores on the test and they make up a majority of my high scorers in our Honors Pre-Calculus course,” wrote Mr. Harding in an email.
The math MCAS Average Student Growth Percentile, which measures student progress against similar students throughout the state as measured from grade 8 to grade 10, was 69%. That rating puts FHS in first place for all southcoast schools for growth and 16th place for the entire state for standard public high schools, according to Mr. Harding.
Also, last year FHS had the highest number of students ever pass the AP Calculus exam and the AP Statistics exam. This earns them college credit, but more importantly gives them great preparation for any college program that is in their future, he said.
“We are so proud of our students,” wrote Mr. Harding in an email. “Their hard work truly paid off in these tests and more importantly it will help them in the future with college, jobs, etc. Also, we are very proud of the work done by our mathematics teachers. They are a very demanding group, yet they are also exceptionally kind, supportive and encouraging. Furthermore, they strive continuously to improve their own performance and work tirelessly with the students before, during, and after school.”
Mr. Harding also said that the Math Team won the opening match in Math League this year. They plan on competing for the league championship, which they won in 2013.
“These kids do take their math seriously!” said Mr. Harding.
Click to download the entire 11/10/16 issue: 11-10-16-roadracelunch
