WHITTIER – Río Hondo College will guide local middle and high school students through the math sequence, pre-algebra through pre-calculus, to prepare them for advanced math levels such as AP calculus and AP statistics, and higher education, with the new summer Río Hondo Math Academy.

The academy is made possible through a partnership with El Rancho and Pioneer high schools and Los Nietos, Whittier City and East Whittier City school districts. This year, the Math Academy was expanded to include middle schools after originally being only available to El Rancho and Pioneer high school students.

The Río Hondo Math Academy, led by Dean of Educational Centers Yolanda Emerson, will run for 24 instructional days throughout June and July. The Math Academy is free to all high school students and incoming seventh- and eighth-grade students at participating districts.

“Math is one of the disciplines that students are intimidated by or think they’re not good at – and we want to change their mindset and let them know that math can be fun,” Emerson said. “When you understand math and how it works, it gives students an ‘ah-ha’ moment which helps them become interested. We want to make sure they finish algebra and have strong math foundations so that they can go to college.”

Each participant will be provided with special workbooks to develop their math skills and will learn directly from Río Hondo College math professors. Tutoring will also be available after each six-hour day, to provide additional in-depth assistance to students.

Emerson said the program is an excellent way for students to boost their math skills, prepare for their future, save time by completing high school credits early, and save money by earning college credit by completing college level math courses before they finish high school.

Interested students can learn more about the Río Hondo College Math Academy here.

“We are thrilled to offer the Río Hondo Math Academy to support and increase math achievement in our local middle and high schools,” Superintendent/President Dr. Marilyn Flores said. “I would like to thank our K-12 partners from our feeder districts who support and believe in this program giving students the support needed to succeed in mathematics and providing them with an early start on their college education.”