Our Philosophy

Our math program emphasizes a balance of conceptual understanding, problem-solving, and differentiated instruction to meet each student's needs. We move beyond traditional rote learning by encouraging students to discover problem-solving methods and develop their number sense and critical thinking skills. As students progress, they refine their methods, seeking more efficient and elegant solutions, with traditional algorithms introduced only after a deep understanding of the underlying mathematical concepts. This fosters critical thinking and creativity, building a strong foundation for future advanced study.

Our curriculum offers content with low entry points and high levels of complexity, allowing all students to access challenging problems suited to their level. For example, in third grade, students explore a "function machine" that transforms numbers based on a rule, starting with simple addition. While discovering this pattern lays a foundation, advanced students can delve deeper, connecting it to function tables, graphing, and other concepts typically covered in algebra. This layered approach is a fundamental aspect of math education at Open Window across all grades.