MATHEMATICS AND COMPUTER SCIENCE
“We will always have STEM with us. Some things drop out of the public eye, but there will always be science, engineering, and technology. And there will always, always be mathematics.”
— Katherine Johnson, African-American mathematician —
Our Mathematics and Computer Science program challenges students to be confident, independent thinkers, who know how to apply math and computer science in real-world situations. Through an active learning environment, students become fluent readers, writers and communicators in mathematics – with the goal of engaging a greater number of students in the possibilities of STEM careers that transform our world.
MAT201: Geometry with Advanced Algebra 1
9th graders master both geometry and advanced algebra concepts, gaining the technical vocabulary, notational fluency, the analytical skills, and the conceptual thinking that matters for problem solving.
CSC133: AP Computer Science Principles
Available to 10th-12th students, this course introduces students to the creative aspects of programming, abstractions, algorithms, large data sets, the Internet, cybersecurity concerns, and computing impacts.
MAT621: Honors Multivariable Calculus
For students who have completed AP Calculus, O’Dowd is one of only a few high schools in the state that offers this course - which lays the mathematical foundation for machine learning and theoretical computer science.
118%
Increase in AP Course Enrollment since 2017
6+
STEM Clubs, including Mathletes
7
AP and Honors Courses
Dynamic Futures in Math:
O’Dowd Moves Students Ahead of the Curve
In accordance with leading-edge research from the Stanford Graduate School of Education, we developed an innovative new two-year geometry, algebra, and trigonometry sequence - a course remodel designed to prepare students to be problem solvers in today’s tech and data economy.
Mathematics and Computer Science
Carlos Trujillo and Sarah Firestone '13,
Department Co-Chairs
Carlos has a BA in Mathematics from UC Berkeley and an MA in Teaching from the University of San Francisco. Since 2011, he has taught O’Dowd students to approach math with a growth mindset, so they can approach life fearlessly pursuing their dreams and passions.
Originally from Berkeley, Sarah is a proud Dragon. After graduating from UC Santa Cruz with a BA in Mathematics she went on to earn an MA in Teacher Education at UC Berkeley. She has been a faculty member at O’Dowd since 2019, and she loves to teach math because of how it helps students critically analyze causal relationships and social issues.
Carlos Trujillo
