Beyond the Equation: Math that Matters at WAB 

WAB’s Middle School Math program is driven by nurturing curiosity, building confidence, and helping every student see themselves as capable problem-solvers. By giving students agency, flexibility, and real-world purpose, math at WAB is individualized and supportive; we meet students where they are. Within each unit, students follow a personalized path that ensures both challenge and support for every learner. 

At the start of each unit, teachers work to understand students’ current levels and learning needs. From there, lessons unfold flexibly: some students move quickly through concepts they’ve mastered, while others take more time to strengthen foundational understanding. This individualized approach replaces traditional labeling with a culture of growth, belonging, and confidence. 

“There’s no sense of, ‘you’re in this group, so you’re at this level,’” says MS Math Teacher Margaret Sun. “That’s not who we are at WAB. We’re compassionate. We believe every student can grow, and our job is to help them see that.”

Each day in Middle School math, learning is dynamic. Students might begin by meeting their math mentor,  a teacher who helps guide their learning journey, before choosing how to engage with the day’s lesson. Some join a Teacher-Directed Learning (TDL) session for more structured instruction; others work in Teacher-Supported Learning (TSL), solving problems collaboratively while teachers circulate to question, guide, and extend their thinking. 

“It’s a very reciprocal process,” Margaret adds. “We don’t just give answers — we ask students to explain their thinking, reason it out loud, or even teach it back to us. That’s when true understanding happens.” 

In this kind of environment, mistakes are not failures but stepping stones to deeper learning. Students learn to reflect, revise, and persist, supported by peers and teachers who celebrate effort and growth. 

“It’s a safe and caring space,” says Margaret. “It’s okay to not know something yet. Students feel supported to grow and that’s what builds confidence.” 

Real-world applications make math come alive at WAB. Students take on playful yet complex challenges like estimating how many people can fit on Tiger Field, or how many blades of grass cover it. Others explore geometry and spatial reasoning by calculating the number of wood chips in the playground. These everyday investigations help students see that math is all around them. 

That sense of purpose deepens through interdisciplinary learning, like the Grade 8 Math and Design IDU (Interdisciplinary Unit). In this hands-on project, students combine geometry, coding, and engineering to design and program robotic cars that navigate mazes. Success depends on precise calculations, from radius and circumference to wheel rotations, turning abstract formulas into real movement and measurable outcomes. Success doesn’t depend on the fastest calculations, but those who think creatively, test ideas, and adapt. 

Math learning also extends through clubs and enrichment programs, like the Math Competition ASA, where students collaborate, problem-solve, and compete in a spirit of fun and challenge. At WAB, students participate in well-known contests such as AMC 8, Caribou, Kangaroo, and Purple Comet. These competitions encourage creative thinking, multiple solution strategies, and deep exploration of mathematical concepts. Students reflect on their methods, share insights with peers, and set personal goals that stretch their understanding. 

“Math gives students the tools to make sense of complexity,” Margaret explains. “Whether it’s analyzing data in science, managing resources in a service project, or coding in robotics, they start to see how everything connects.” 

By the time they leave Middle School, students have not only developed strong mathematical foundations but also built independence, self-agency, and a genuine enjoyment of problem-solving, preparing them well for High School and beyond. Math  becomes less about getting the “right” answer and more about understanding why,  a shift that ultimately changes how students see themselves as mathematicians. 

Big thank you to Ms. Margaret Sun, MS Math Teacher, and MS students, Junwoo, Isabelle, Sarah, Kaitlyn, Lauren and Anne for their input and insights for the article.