Date: June 16 to July 25, 2025 (Note: The class does not meet on June 19 and the week of June 30)

Meets: Monday through Friday, 9 AM to 3 PM

Grade: Rising 8th-9th graders

Cost: $5,045 early bird pricing; $5,230 after March 31

Lunch is included.

Instructor: Paul McCarthy

Course Description: This UC-approved course consists of a rigorous study of Algebra I. It is appropriate for students who have a strong background in Prealgebra and who are looking to accelerate a year in math by completing Algebra over the summer and going on to Geometry for the next school year. Algebra I offers a comprehensive exploration of major skills and concepts of elementary algebra. Topics include operations on real numbers, manipulation of variables, and solving equations and inequalities; straight lines, linear inequalities and systems of linear equations; exponents, polynomials and factoring polynomials; rational expressions and equations; square roots and higher index radicals; and solving quadratic equations by completing the square and using the quadratic formula.  Most units include applications of the skills under consideration, and an emphasis is placed on developing analytical and problem-solving skills. 

Summer Algebra I is a challenging and fast-paced course that is only appropriate for strong and motivated students of mathematics. We will require applicants to take a placement test to evaluate their suitability for this course. In addition to the 6 hours of class each day, students will be expected to do nightly homework. We will cover the entire algebra curriculum in just five weeks (with daily quizzes, weekly tests and a final exam at the end of the course), so the instructor recommends making sure potential students will be able to handle this pace, and that they have no other major commitments for the five weeks of class. 

If you don’t perform as well as you hoped on the placement exam, it doesn’t mean you’re not a capable student or that you lack knowledge from the prerequisite course. The readiness exam helps us determine whether this program’s intense and fast-paced five-week format is the best fit for you. Our goal is to challenge students appropriately while ensuring their experience is engaging and productive — not overwhelming. Your success and well-being are our top priorities!

Instructor Bio:

Paul McCarthy has been teaching Mathematics at Branson since 2012. During this time, he has also served as faculty advisor for extra-curricular activities ranging from the Model United Nations Club to the Meditation Club. A graduate of New South Wales University with a degree in Engineering and a Masters in Education. Paul began his teaching career at St Ignatius College Sydney, Australia in 1991. He has taught all levels of math from Algebra to Calculus, and was also a boarding master and rugby coach for over 10 years.