Algebra 2 Apex

[Jordan Tucker]

VMIan undergraduate experience like no other. Since 1839, this historic military college has produced leaders of integrity and honor. The Institute is ranked #5 in the nation for return on investment by Money Magazine.

Cadets participate in a challenging four-year core curriculum of 14 nationally recognized majors in engineering, the sciences, and the humanities, with an array of enrichment opportunities. The Institute boasts a student to teacher ratio of 10:1.

VMI boasts one of the leading Reserve Officer Training Corps (ROTC) programs in the United States. The program challenges cadets to focus on strengthening both mind and body while pursuing ideals of discipline, honor, and respect. The Institute also offers one of only 14 Coast Guard Auxiliary University Programs in the nation.

VMI inspires and is committed to excellence. The Corps of Cadets is able to utilize the training offered by a 24/7 military environment and apply a mindset of overcoming adversity towards their academic and athletic goals, and for those who commission, towards exemplary military service.

VMI is deeply connected to its alumni and the surrounding Lexington community. There are a number of opportunities across post for the public to support the Institute's mission and cadets, seeing first-hand what makes VMI no ordinary college.

The open textbook movement seeks to address some of these shortcomings by offering flexible, low-cost alternatives. The source files for these texts are open under generous copyright restrictions; you may edit a text to suit your purposes. The update cycle is geared towards fixing mistakes and adding valuable content, not making profits.

Authoring an open textbook is no small feat. It requires a great amount of time to write, and even then, a quality product is not ensured. Authors benefit greatly from professional editors, professional graphic artists, plus the feedback that comes from paying colleagues to review a text before it goes to publication.

The APEX model for writing textbooks provides a solution to the above problems. Authors collaborate on a text; all parts of the text writing process is handled by a variety of like-minded people so that the individual time/resource commitment is reduced to manageable levels. Some write the text; others write exercises; others produce graphics; some edit, ensuring the text has "one voice"; others write helpful LaTeX (or other suitable software) macros; others review.

The APEX model for writing texts was developed here at VMI as some of the faculty considered writing texts but balked at the time commitments necessary. So far, three texts have been produced (see links below). The matrix algebra and MATLAB/Mathcad texts were produced first and are not "true APEX" texts. Each was written primarily by one author, with a little collaboration from others. However, in the Fall of 2011, VMI awarded Lt. Col. Gregory Hartman a Jackson-Hope New Directions in Teaching and Research grant, providing him course releases so he could collaboratively write a Calculus text. A text covering "Calc I" through "Calc III" has been written and is the text used in our Calculus courses. While the primary author is Lt. Col. Hartman, three other authors have contributed, and another colleague has provided editing.

Below are links to pdfs of each of the above volumes. The color versions look nicer, though the black & white versions are better suited for printing (the texts from Amazon.com are black & white to reduce cost).

All students are automatically enrolled in Pathway 1 which offers one grade level course per year for three years. This standard middle school math sequence prepares students to enroll in Algebra 1 in the 9th grade and provides a solid foundation which prepares students to succeed in their college studies and/or careers. Most MCMS students complete Pathway 1.

Students that choose Pathway 2 are enrolled in Math 6 for their 6th grade year and Math 7 for the 7th grade year. During the 7th grade year students also complete a Math 8 Apex independent study course online. The course is rigorous and standards aligned. Students that successfully complete Math 7 and Math 8 Apex courses may enroll in a standard in-person Algebra 1 course in grade 8. This sequence of courses prepares students to enroll in

Geometry in the 9th grade. Students will complete the Math 8 Apex course independently and outside of their 7 period day at MCMS. However, the Apex course is supported by an optional, drop-in teacher tutorial twice per week either before or after school. This sequence of courses prepares students to enroll in Geometry in the 9th grade. This pathway allows students to accelerate their learning by completing four courses over three years

Any student can choose to accelerate their math learning by participating in Pathway 2 or 3. Students who typically find success in accelerating their math learning in the middle grades are students that are highly motivated, exceed grade level expectations on classroom and standardized exams, and are independent students who are able to communicate and problem solve when a concept is unclear. Families should expect double the workload when choosing to accelerate math since students are learning concepts of two math courses in one year. Decisions to accelerate mathematics need to be carefully considered. There are numerous opportunities to advance at the high school level when a child is more mature and has had the opportunity to develop a strong academic foundation.

The goal of middle grades mathematics is not to accelerate rather to build a solid foundation of learning to ready students for higher levels of mathematics. Higher level mathematics is not more important, it's just more complex. Middle grade mathematics is equally important as it is critical to the long term understanding of abstract concepts. If you are unsure if your child is ready to accelerate make sure to ask some important questions:

If you are unsure if your child is ready, we recommend Pathway 1 or 2. Pathway 1 allows for a solid math foundation. Pathway 2 is concurrent enrollment in Math 7 and the independent study Math 8 Apex course. If your child decides part way through the year that this is not the right time for acceleration, a schedule change is not required, they just unenroll from the Math 8 Apex course. If your child enrolls in the MCMS Math 8 Pathway 3 and changes their mind, there may or may not be space in the preferred elective class and a schedule change that impacts more than one class may be required.

Yes. Algebra 1 is taught by a Miller Creek teacher. If my child enrolls in Pathway 2, how many hours a week should my child spend on Apex Math 8? Students should expect to spend approximately 4 hours a week on the Math 8 course.

Your child will begin their Apex Math 8 course at the beginning of September. You will receive communication from the MCMS teacher that oversees the Apex course at the end of August. Students may add Apex Math 8 until the sixth week of school. (updated December 2022)

All students are presented with rigorous coursework and for some students, additional scaffolding is required. Students receive differentiated instruction within the classroom as well as during Study Hall. Some students have a modified math course and receive small group intervention. Students can also access support through online platforms.

Students enrolled in Apex will have a designated Miller Creek teacher who they can email with questions and/or support. Additionally the teacher will have a drop in tutorial twice per week. It will be scheduled either before or after school.

If your child enrolls in the MCMS Pathway 3 and changes their mind, there may or may not be space in the preferred elective class that they would transfer into and a schedule change impacting more than one class may be required.

Students have due dates for each lesson. Due dates are assigned to help families balance the lessons over the year. If a child misses a due date as a result of an illness or conflict, there is no penalty. The due dates are a suggested pacing to help each student successfully complete the course, master the content, and be prepared for algebra next year. There are assessments that indicate progress throughout the year.

Our main phone line will be down for much of the day on Friday, October 21st. If you have an urgent request, please contact us via email (email addresses are listed at the bottom of each program's page).

Bright students are often ready for subject material beyond what is typical for their grade, but it is not always feasible for small or rural schools to offer advanced classes. The Iowa Online AP Academy (IOAPA) provides free access to nearly 30 online advanced courses for Iowa students who do not have access to these courses in their schools.

Do you have a middle school student ready for Algebra II or a high school student capable of tackling college-level English? IOAPA classes include Advanced Placement courses for high school students and high school-level courses for eligible middle school students. IOAPA students are typically talented and gifted students from rural schools, but any eligible Iowa student may register.

Schools are eligible to utilize a particular IOAPA course if they are unable to offer that course on-site. Courses are limited to six students per class at each school. For a full list of policies and requirements see our policy guide.

High school students should be able to handle the academic rigor of a college-level course, as well as the self-discipline and motivation necessary for an online course. Additionally, students should not be over-committed in their curricular and/or extracurricular activities. Review suggested prerequisites listed in the course catalog and use pre-tests for AP Calculus AB, AP Chemistry, AP Physics B, and AP Statistics.

Middle school students should be capable of handling coursework at the level of an average student two or three years older. They should also have or be capable of developing the self-discipline and motivation necessary for an online course. For more detailed information about determining the best fit, see our middle school recommendations guide.

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