Dr. Richard Newcomb, Head of Department
School mathematics should engage students in real mathematics. This view is central to the teaching and learning of mathematics at Cistercian. Every departmental course at Cistercian seeks to engage our students in formal and informal mathematical reasoning modes. The journey from arithmetic to calculus begins with Cistercian’s Middle School mathematics curriculum. The focus is first on developing the students’ understanding of rational arithmetic and basic geometry. The second two years of Middle School are considered together as introducing algebra into the treatment of both arithmetic and geometry.
Mathematics in Upper School begins with Euclid’s geometry. Students need to learn geometry, not only because it is indispensable for all of applied mathematics, engineering, architecture, physics, and calculus but even more importantly because it has, simply speaking, set the standard that any piece of reasoning must meet to be called a branch of mathematics. Forms VI and VII continue the earlier forms, but the weaving of geometry and algebra is now more complete. Cistercian’s mathematics curriculum culminates in Form VIII with a yearlong calculus course taught at the college level with a material selection that allows willing students to take the Advanced Placement exams in calculus.
At the same time, topics from discrete mathematics, such as counting and probability, are essential and are included in each required course. Moreover, students wishing to delve deeper into these topics can take advantage of various Upper School mathematics electives and join Cistercian’s Math Club or one of our many math teams.
Mathematics Department Faculty
Fr. Lawrence Brophy , O.Cist
Class of 2001
Phone: (469) 499-5427
PhD, University of North Texas, Denton, TX.
STB Pontificio Ateneo Sant'Anselmo, Rome, Italy.
MTh University of Dallas, Irving, TX.
MS, BS Texas A&M University, College Station, TX.
Head of Upper School;
Form Master (Form IV);
Math (Form VI).
Mr. Michael Humphries
Phone: (469) 499-5421
MS University of Texas at Dallas, Richardson, TX.
BA University of Dallas, Irving, TX.
Director of Summer Programs;
Standardized Testing Coordinator;
Math (Form I);
Math (Form V).
Mr. Nicholas Merrick
Phone: (469) 499-5400
MBA Harvard University, Cambridge, MA.
BS University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA.
Finance Elective.
Dr. Grant Mindle
Phone: (469) 499-5420
PhD, MA Harvard University, Cambridge, MA.
BA Claremont McKenna College, Claremont, CA
Math (Forms II, IV);
Upper School Quiz Bowl Sponsor;
Middle School Quiz Bowl Sponsor;
Middle School Math Club Sponsor.
Dr. Richard T. Newcomb II
Phone: (469) 499-5432
PhD University of Wisconsin–Madison, Madison, WI.
BA University of Chicago, Chicago, IL.
Head of Mathematics Department;
Math (Forms VI, VIII)
Math Club Advisor;
Upper School Chess Club Advisor.
Mr. Gregory L. Novinski
Class of 1982
Phone: (469) 499-5413
MS University of Texas at Arlington, Arlington, TX.
BA Texas A & M University, College Station, TX.
Assistant Headmaster;
Director of Community and Engagement
Math (Forms VII-VIII).