How to Get Set to use Calculators (Grades 8-12)

As a family with an entering 8th grader or as a new student in our upper school, we wanted to let you know that you will need to have a TI-Nspire CX Graphing Calculator for the upcoming school year.   These calculators are utilized in both our math and science classes throughout your child’s upper school experience.  In addition, this calculator will continue to be of service through college.

Please Note:  The calculator you need to purchase is the TI-Nspire CX Graphing Calculator.  Do NOT purchase the TI-Nspire CX-CAS.  The CX-CAS is NOT approved for some standardized tests including the ACT and will not be the calculator used in classes at CLPS.  It is critical that everyone have the correct calculator in the classroom.  Also, please note that these calculators can sell out as the start of the school year draws closer, so do NOT wait to purchase your calculator.  The calculator can be purchased on Amazon by clicking here. The calculator can also be found at places such as Staples, Wal-Mart, and Best Buy (some stores do not stock the calculator year round and prices can vary).

Further, our goal is to make the transition into using this advanced calculator as seamless and easy as possible.  As such, we have put together an online training module to support students in setting up and understanding how to use their calculators.  You will be receiving notification at the beginning of August about how to access this online training module.  Students have traditionally completed the online module in about 1 to 1.5 hours.

In addition, we will have a dedicated time to work with students new to the calculator on Mock Day.  During this time, we will also engrave each students name on his or her calculator.  This is a vital step in making sure your child’s calculator does not get lost.

We want to offer a word of caution as well.  There is a software code that comes with the purchase of the calculator to access the downloadable software.  Please make sure you do not throw this code away.  It is typically located on the box or in the directions paperwork.  Even more, sometimes parents have chosen to try to secure a used calculator.  We do not recommend this route because more times than not the software code is no longer valid, and the calculators may have suffered some kind of damage.

Attached is an FAQ that seeks to provide additional information about the use of the calculators at CLPS.  I would also encourage you to watch this short video by clicking here to get a sense of the opportunities this calculator presents to our students in terms of investigation, critical thinking, and number sense growth in the classroom. 

We look forward to the coming year as we continue to grow our academic programs in pursuit of excellence.

Video Tutorial

Calculators Frequentyly Asked Questions