During 8th grade, our focus shifts to two critical milestones for later success: careful high school selection and completing Algebra 1.

BEAM boys write essays to prepare for high school

At BEAM, one of our goals is to provide our students access to the same advanced learning opportunities that more affluent student have. In New York City, students must apply to be matched with high schools across the city (about 80,000 students apply each year), and so one concrete measure of access is attendance at strong high schools. The high school students attend is also one of the biggest predictors of their future opportunities. For these reasons, guiding our students through the high school admissions process is a top priority at BEAM.

Completion of Algebra 1 is the second key milestone for staying on par with more affluent peers. Yet Latinx and Black students are less likely to attend middle schools that offer Algebra, and even if they attend a school that offers the class, they are less likely than white and Asian peers to be enrolled. If students are unable to take and pass Algebra in middle school, they are often prevented from taking Calculus in high school. Therefore, we offer an Algebra 1 course and tutoring in our office hours to provide an avenue for all students to take the class, even if their middle school does not offer it.

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In 8th grade, we also begin our individual advising program to help students access other programs for advanced study (such as the Center for Talented Youth at Johns Hopkins). Additionally, we provide learning opportunities such as trips to Splash at Yale and Google’s New York City offices, a college day, and a career day. These opportunities engage students and help them envision the options they have if they continue to pursue mathematics at a high level. Finally, the intellectual community established during the summer is sustained through these events and end-of-semester parties to celebrate successes.

High School support

In high school, every student has a unique situation: different schools, different courses, different backgrounds, and different interests.  BEAM offers programs to both support and challenge students.  Learn more about our High School Programming.