At The Storm King School, mathematics is much more than numbers and formulas — it’s taught as both a practical and academic discipline that helps students develop logic, creativity, and confidence. The School’s mathematics program challenges students to think deeply, communicate their ideas clearly, and collaborate to solve complex problems. It’s this kind of rigorous learning that has created a new generation of problem solvers — the SKS Mathletes.
Storm King students progress through a thoughtfully structured math program, beginning with foundational courses like Algebra Skills and Algebra I, and moving through Geometry, Algebra II, Precalculus, and Calculus. Advanced students can take AP Calculus, AP Statistics, Multivariable Calculus, and Advanced Topics in Mathematics, covering college-level material such as vector calculus, linear algebra, and number theory. This sequence develops both technical skill and reasoning ability, which prepares students for competitive problem-solving.
Inspired by Elijah F. ’27, the SKS Mathletes began competing this fall, with team members Dung V. ’27, Vivian C. ’29, Chung Wo “Johnny” C. ’29, and Zhaoyi “Johnny” L. ’27 working under the guidance of Math Department Chair Alanna Rosenthal. The team competes in Section A of the DUSO League, which includes schools from Dutchess, Ulster, Sullivan, and Orange counties in New York, such as Warwick Valley, Washingtonville, Cornwall, Goshen, and Monroe-Woodbury High Schools.
Each meet consists of four ten-minute rounds. The first three rounds have two individual questions each, and the final round is a relay, requiring teamwork where each question depends on the previous answer. Students earn points for correct responses, which are totaled for the team.
The Mathletes won their first meet with 15 points, narrowly edging out other schools. Elijah led the team with 4 out of 6 points, while Vivian correctly answered both opening questions. The team came close to scoring in the relay round, advancing to the final question with a correct answer chain.
The team followed with a second consecutive win at Goshen High School, earning 13 points. Despite a tougher question set, Elijah again led the team with 4 out of 6 points and was the only student to solve the second question correctly.
The early achievements of the Mathletes highlight the strength of Storm King’s math program. Classroom skills such as reasoning, problem-solving, and collaboration have directly contributed to success in competition, showing how students apply what they learn both in and beyond the classroom. These experiences help to prepare students for college-level study and real-world problem solving in a rapidly changing world.
