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STEM - Math & Logic Ages 12-15

Algebra 1: Foundations & Beyond

Does your child understand proportional relationships, but is curious about what comes next? Do they enjoy puzzles and patterns, and are they ready for the first level of abstraction in math? Are you looking for a math class that's engaging and fun, and teaches your child the concepts behind math instead of making them memorize formulas or fill out worksheets? If so, your child may be ready to find X in math and begin learning linear equations and more. Algebra 1 is where a student starts thinking like a real mathematician.

Duration 16 Weeks (Aug - Dec 2026)
Class Size 8 Students Max
Format Live Online
Mentor Suri

Course Overview

Course Details

Algebra 1 is where your child stops doing math and starts thinking like a real mathematician.

Ready to Unlock X

Does your child understand proportional relationships but wonder what comes next? Do they enjoy puzzles and patterns and feel ready for the first real layer of abstraction in math? Algebra 1 is when a student learns to solve for variables and to both do and undo math: how each equation is the opposite of another, and how patterns and ratios turn into equations and graphs.

Concepts, Not Memorization

Unlike many math courses, there is no memorizing or busy work here. Each lesson builds directly off the one before it, making a stream of logic that starts with concepts your child already knows and grows one step at a time.

Shortcuts When They Want Them

If your child does better learning shortcuts or just wants the quick solution, do not worry. Those are shown and revealed naturally throughout the progression, so nobody feels stuck waiting.

A Space to Explore and Choose

This is an environment where your child explores and discovers the patterns that make math work instead of memorizing formulas, and they get to lean into the equations and concepts that interest them most.

What Your Child Will Learn

Students review proportions and ratios, learn to solve and graph linear equations and inequalities, and understand exponents and radicals. The course works as a review for a student who has forgotten parts of it, a preview of math to come, or a broad overview of the most important points of Algebra 1.

Skills That Last for Years

By the end of the course, students understand the rules for solving equations, a skill that stays relevant throughout all of their future years of math.

Materials Needed
  • An internet connection and a can-do attitude!

The Gateway to Every STEM Path

Algebra 1 is the course that opens the door to chemistry, physics, computer science, and every math class that follows. Your child builds genuine understanding of variables, equations, and patterns here, not just memorized procedures. Parents tell us their kids stop saying 'I can not do math' and start solving problems on their own.

Understanding Math Instead of Memorizing It

Most algebra classes ask students to memorize formulas and repeat them on worksheets. This one teaches the concepts behind the formulas so your child actually understands what they are doing and why. That deeper understanding is what separates students who struggle later from students who thrive.

For Credit Option

YSA is a UC-registered online publisher and WASC-accredited Supplementary Education Center, which means our courses can count toward official college credit requirements. State schools can recognize the courses your student takes here, adding real legitimacy to your homeschooling journey or building on top of your student's existing transcript. That unlocks two ways to enroll: For Credit -- Your student earns official, accredited credit toward their transcript. For-credit students complete weekly assignments that build toward their transcript grade. Outside-of-class work ranges from 1-2 hours per week. Perfect for families who want documentation that reflects what their child is actually capable of -- to show the world how brilliant they are. For Enrichment -- Your student takes the very same course purely for the love of learning. No grades, no outside-of-class work, no credit attached. Just the content, the community, and the growth. Same course. Same mentor. Same experience in class. You choose what fits your family.

If you homeschool, this works seamlessly. If your student attends another school full time, we create a report card and transcript that we share with you, and you share with the school. It is up to your primary school to accept it and add it to your student's official transcript.

What Your Child Will Gain

  • Build genuine mathematical understanding through exploration and discovery, not memorization and worksheets
  • Develop problem-solving strategies and logical reasoning skills that transfer to every academic subject and real-world situation
  • Work at their own pace with a mentor who adapts to their learning style, celebrates their strengths, and pushes them to grow
  • Gain confidence with challenging material in a small group where every student gets real individual attention and support

Meet Your Mentor

Suri

Suri

Mentor & Mathematics Instructor

When I was a child, two things about me were quickly made apparent: firstly, that I was very different from most my peers, as many neurodiverse children are. But more importantly, it was discovered that I loved math in every single way from the bottom of my heart- and that I was determined to make sure everyone else did, too. In every year since, I have remained committed to helping others discover the joy of learning that I have. I love teaching math because each student is unique, and explores their curiosity in different ways- and that means I get to learn and grow as an educator alongside each student, and discover the best ways to push them to be as curious and full of love for learning as possible. In my personal life, I dedicate a questionable amount of time to playing video games, I collect stuffed animals, and I mass-produce cookies and other baked goods. I also watch over people's pet cats while they go on vacation, so there's a fuzzy feline in my apartment more often than not.

WHAT PARENTS ARE SAYING

What Parents Are Saying About Suri

Parents don't just see happier kids. They see sharper thinking, stronger friendships, and a child who actually wants to log on.

★★★★★

"My son used to hide his math homework from me. Now he pulls me over to show what Suri taught him about linear equations, and that turnaround alone was worth every penny."

V

Vanessa A.

YSA parent

★★★★★

"Algebra 1 was the wall my son hit every single year. Suri got him solving for X and actually explaining how he did it. I have never seen him this proud of his math."

M

Marcus D.

YSA parent

★★★★★

"My son used to hide his math homework from me. Now he pulls me over to show what Suri taught him about linear equations, and that turnaround alone was worth every penny."

V

Vanessa A.

YSA parent

★★★★★

"Algebra 1 was the wall my son hit every single year. Suri got him solving for X and actually explaining how he did it. I have never seen him this proud of his math."

M

Marcus D.

YSA parent

★★★★★

"My daughter is twice-exceptional and most math courses lose her in the first week. Suri met her exactly where she was and never once made her feel behind."

P

Priya S.

YSA parent

★★★★★

"This is the first math course my kid has not begged to quit. She logs on early because she genuinely likes Suri's course."

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Renee C.

YSA parent

★★★★★

"My daughter is twice-exceptional and most math courses lose her in the first week. Suri met her exactly where she was and never once made her feel behind."

P

Priya S.

YSA parent

★★★★★

"This is the first math course my kid has not begged to quit. She logs on early because she genuinely likes Suri's course."

R

Renee C.

YSA parent

★★★★★

"Suri does not hand out formulas to memorize. My son finally understands why the math works, and that changed how he sees himself as a student."

T

Tobias M.

YSA parent

★★★★★

"My daughter made real friends in Suri's small group and lights up every session. The confidence in math followed the sense of belonging."

A

Amy W.

YSA parent

★★★★★

"Suri does not hand out formulas to memorize. My son finally understands why the math works, and that changed how he sees himself as a student."

T

Tobias M.

YSA parent

★★★★★

"My daughter made real friends in Suri's small group and lights up every session. The confidence in math followed the sense of belonging."

A

Amy W.

YSA parent

Try It From The Inside Satisfaction Guarantee Young Scholars Academy 100% satisfaction guarantee badge

Our Promise To You

If you’re not 100% in love with the course, you have options depending on how you enrolled:

Pay In Full Option

You can switch to another course of equal or lesser value that’s a better fit or get a credit to use toward a future course.

Payment Plan Option

You can either get credit toward a future course, switch to another course of equal or lesser value that’s a better fit, or stop all future payments after a 30-day processing period.

No risk. No stress. Just the learning and belonging you have been looking for.

We can offer this because we know what we do works for thousands of other families. Kids become more self-confident. They find their people. And families tell us this is the place where their student finally feels welcome. We know it will work for your family, too.

All-Access Passes have separate terms and conditions. Please see the All-Access Pass pages.

It goes without saying, but we’ll say it anyway... to qualify for the satisfaction guarantee policy, you have to actually attend the classes. This is not a cancellation policy. It’s a satisfaction guarantee. You can’t be satisfied or dissatisfied if you don’t attend.

Y

About Young Scholars Academy

Young Scholars Academy is a virtual village that offers one-of-a-kind, engaging enrichment courses and community for 5-18-year-old bright, quirky kids to empower them to develop their strengths, make like-minded friends, cultivate life skills, build confidence, and feel great about themselves under the loving care of expert mentors. description2: >- Picture a place where your child fits in, is celebrated, mentored, and loves learning the unique content their beautiful brain craves. That happens every day at YSA for over 1,200+ families, and it can happen for your family, too.

WASC Accredited · 1,200+ Families · 93% Re-Enroll · 47+ States, 17 Countries, 6 Continents

Learn more about YSA

QUESTIONS ABOUT THIS COURSE

Questions About Algebra 1

Everything you need to know before enrolling your child.

Is this course rigorous enough for my advanced math student?

Yes. Our math courses are designed for students who need more depth and complexity than their current program provides. Small groups of 8 students max mean your child works at their level with peers who share their intensity for mathematics. Our mentors adapt to each student and push them to grow, not just repeat what they already know.

Can my child join from anywhere?

Yes. YSA families join from 47+ states and 17 countries across 6 continents. All you need is an internet connection. We schedule sections across multiple time zones so families worldwide can find a time that works.

How does this course work?

Algebra 1 meets once per week for 50 minutes, every week from August through December. Your child joins the same tight-knit group of up to 8 students and the same mentor all semester long. Same friends, same mentor, a new challenge every week.

What if my child is not the right age for this course?

Our gifted and 2e students experience such asynchronous development that hard age limits rarely tell the full story. If your student should be aged up or aged down, contact us at support@youngscholarsacademy.org or click the chat in the bottom right corner of the screen. We do this all the time.

What if my child has had a difficult time learning virtually?

Please don't confuse reactive distance learning with what happens at YSA. When a kid is engaged in a course they chose, with a mentor who gets them and peers who share their interests, the screen disappears. They're not on a screen. They're with their people. Parents tell us their children fight to log on to YSA.

What if my child doesn't love this course?

If your child isn't loving a course by the end of the first week, swap into a different course. Same semester. No questions. Not the right fit within the first month? We'll stop payments, switch courses, or issue credit toward any future course. The credit never expires. And you keep every bonus you've received. Over 93% of YSA families don't just stay. They add more courses.

Does my child need to turn their camera on?

No. Cameras are always optional. Always. Many of our students start with cameras off and turn them on when they're comfortable. Our mentors engage every student equally, cameras on or off.

Does my child need a diagnosis to enroll?

No. If you're here, you're in the right place. We don't require paperwork, evaluations, or labels. Whether your child has been formally identified as gifted or twice-exceptional, whether you suspect it but haven't pursued testing, or whether you just know your kid's brain works differently and nothing else has fit, they're welcome here.

Can I use ESA or charter funds for this course?

Yes. YSA is an approved vendor with 10+ state ESA programs including Arizona ESA, Utah Fits All, ClassWallet, My Tech High, Florida Step Up, and others. Enroll directly to secure your child's spot, submit the invoice to your ESA, and your payment method is refunded when funds transfer. Many families pay zero out of pocket.

How do I enroll?

Click "See Available Times" on this page, pick the section that fits your schedule, and your child's spot is secured immediately. No phone call. No placement test. No prerequisite.

Their best year starts here.

Right now, a kid who thinks like your kid is in a course they chose, with a mentor who was once just like them, surrounded by friends who don't think they're weird... they think they're interesting.
Your child is one click from finding out what that feels like.