Classes for Fullfilling High School Math Requirements

RE: Alternatives to taking math at BHS
Laurel Springs (www.laurelsprings.com) is an on-line school aimed mostly at homeschoolers. We have signed her up for Algebra 2 on-line. They use the Boxer Math program (www.boxermath.com) which is very engaging. I would like to see BHS offer this in addition to the traditional math program at BHS. I think it could be very cost effective and provide alternatives for kids who are not succeeding in the classroom. (The cost of the BoxerMath might only be $50. The balance of the $500 goes to Laurel Springs, which, by the way, has a full 6 yr accreditation from WASC). The on-line program has some distinct advantages (as well as some disadvantages of course) over the in-class program at BHS. The students can actively interact with what is being displayed and get pop-up explanations of things on the screen. They can go at their own pace (do lots one day, 15 minutes the next) and get immediate feedback on what they need to review (reduces the sense of failure and provides the confidence needed for success). This was recommended to me by someone whose daughter completed geometry and enjoyed it so much she is now taking Alg. 2.

This course was still in development. Our family gives it mixed reviews.

Our daughter enjoyed using one of the programs used in the course, The Geometer's Sketchpad, which is available independently elsewheres, and we have recently bought a copy for her continued use (we were not allowed to keep the copy provided by Stanford). However, the EPGY proprietary program, The Proof Environment, was buggy, unwieldly, and frustrating for our daughter to use. (Admittedly, this program was still in development, however we did pay full price for the 2- semester course.)

Technical assistance, and help were somewhat available, but not thorough, and were not helped by a "distance medium" and frustration of a teen.

Not surprisingly, when tested at the outset of 9th grade this year, our daughter had weaknesses in the area of geometric proofs (2nd semester).

(Fortunately she has a fabulous math teacher this year, at International High School in SF, who is able to tailor coursework to her needs, and keep her moving forward, filling in gaps, without the need for repitition.)

In its favor, the program did provide a way for our daughter to continue with math in middle school, which would not have been otherwise possible. Other programs from EPGY are fully developed and tested.

The website you want, as referenced by Parents of Teens is: http://www-epgy.stanford.edu. The phone number is (650) 329-9920.

-As our daughter prefers me to remain, Anon

RE: Stanford "Distance Learning" Program

The program I think you're looking for is Stanford's "Educational Program for Gifted Youth" ("EPGY"). It includes classes in math of all levels (K-college level), physics, and writing. There is a web site at http://www-epgy.stanford.edu. The phone number is (650) 329-9920.

UC Berkeley Online Extension Classes