Curriculum Guide

Math

Western Academy uses a tutorial model for math instruction; the class meets daily. Students are placed under the guidance of an individual teacher in small classes. The classes are then subdivided into smaller study groups. While Saxon's math texts provide rigorous training in mathematical concepts and reinforce those concepts in a spiraling technique, the teacher works with each boy individually and in small groups to give instruction. While each boy is required to do one lesson's problem set each day, a boy who is motivated to move at a faster pace is empowered to do so; and the boy who needs more instruction on a concept can receive it individually or in a small group from his teacher. In this model we have the flexibility to provide rigorous training and to allow your son to move at a more individual pace. For this reason we list the texts below without fixing them to particular grade levels.

Texts: Math 54 by Saxon.
Topics: Addition, subtraction, fractions, decimals, multiplication and division (including memorization of times tables).

Texts: Math 65 by Saxon.
Topics: Basic geometry, fractional and decimal operations, continued development of multiplication and division.

Texts: Math 76 by Saxon.
Topics: Fundamental geometry, simple algebra, multiplication and division of fractions and decimals.

Texts: Math 87 by Saxon.
Topics: Review and mastery of operations with fractions and mixed numbers, reciprocals, ratios, proportions, exponents, square roots, scientific notation, order of operations, algebraic addition, simple equations, perimeters, circumferences, areas, and volumes.

Texts: Algebra ½, Algebra 1, and Algebra 2 by Saxon.
Topics: Converting decimals, fractions and percents; geometric area and volume of various shapes; averaging quantities; order of operations; changing rates; algebraic steps; ratios; word problems; probability; exponents; square roots; scientific notation; and distance problems.