Building Foundations, Fostering Independence in High School Math 

WAB’s High School Math program builds on the strong foundations students developed in Middle School, guiding learners from Grades 9 through 12 to further independence, critical thinking, and real-world problem-solving. By providing choice, challenge, and support, the program helps students see themselves as confident, analytical thinkers ready for university and beyond. 

In Grades 9 and 10, students choose between Standard and Extended math courses. Standard courses prepare students for the Diploma Program (DP) Standard Level (SL) courses, while Extended offers more content, a faster pace and pathways to Higher Level (HL) courses in DP. Students learn how to manage more homework and increasingly complex concepts, developing the organization, self-management, and thinking skills that will carry them through the DP. 

Agency in Action 

A defining feature of WAB, including in its High School Math program, is student agency. In Grades 9 and 10, for each unit, students choose between Teacher-Directed Learning (TDL) and Self-Directed Learning (SDL), reflecting on their readiness and confidence.  

“Some students try SDL for a couple of units and then realize they’d benefit from TDL,” explains Victor, High School Math Teacher. “They learn to evaluate what works best for their own learning, that’s real agency.” This system empowers students to take ownership of their learning, reflecting, adapting, skills that extend beyond the classroom. 

Preparing Students for the Pace and Rigor of Grades 11 and 12 

This growing self-knowledge matters. The DP in Grades 11 and 12 moves at a much faster pace and demands sustained rigor. To thrive, students need more than mathematical understanding; they must know how they learn best and be able to self-regulate, maintain motivation, and manage a substantial independent workload. 

The MYP Math program is intentionally designed to prepare students for this transition. It provides not only the disciplinary knowledge required for success in DP Analysis & Approaches or Applications & Interpretation, but also the competencies at the heart of deep learning: critical thinking, persistence, research skills, communication, and the ability to apply mathematics flexibly in unfamiliar situations. 

This alignment ensures students enter the DP ready in their mathematical thinking, their learning habits, and their ability to navigate challenge. 

Learning Through Collaboration and Communication 

Collaboration and communication are also central to their mathematical learning. Students solve problems in randomized groups, working on questions displayed on walls or tables, discussing strategies, and challenging each other’s reasoning. “It’s about asking questions, justifying solutions, and thinking critically together.” This approach ensures that students don’t just arrive at answers, but can explain, model, and defend their reasoning, skills essential for DP exams and beyond.  

Math Connected to the Real World 

Mathematics at WAB is deeply connected to the real world. In High School, students work with authentic data, such as World Bank statistics or real-life scenarios like plane ticket booking, analyzing trends, graphic and visualization, interpreting results, and questioning reliability. Students apply mathematics to authentic contexts, integrating modeling, statistics, and problem-solving. Interdisciplinary projects take this a step even further. For example, in an upcoming Grade 11 unit, students will design a doghouse considering geometry, physics, economics, and sustainability principles, blending math with design, critical thinking, and creativity. 

Graduating Future-Ready  

By graduation, students leave WAB with strong mathematical skills but also with independence, agency, and the ability to communicate and apply their learning. “They learn to think creatively, take ownership, and connect mathematics to the world around them,” Victor reflects. “It prepares them to be future-ready, confident problem-solvers in whatever path they choose.”