Algebra I Explorations

Enrollment Form
InstructorJack Chung - Graduate of Edna Brewer, Oakland High, and MIT
WhenWednesdays, 7:00-8:30 pm via Zoom,
starting on September 23, 2026 for Unit 1 and with a course end date of early May 2027.
CostFree
Parent information
session		View the Parent Information Session details
Info session was hosted on September 9th.

What is this course and who is it for?

First and foremost, this course is intended to supplement students’ math learning and is not a replacement for a fully accredited Algebra I course.

This course is for students who are interested in learning Algebra I. 8th grade students who achieved “Advanced (Level 4)” on their 7th grade CAASPP test and “A” or “A-” in 7th grade math are the most likely to be prepared for the material that will be covered in this class, but all students are welcome.

This course is currently targeting middle school students from OUSD and aims to serve three categories of students by integrating the Illustrative Mathematics curriculum, which is used by OUSD, along with curriculum from Silicon Valley High School (see syllabus: Part 1 and Part 2).

  1. Students who are taking Algebra I outside of OUSD
    • This course will help students taking Algebra I at Laney College or Silicon Valley High School become more prepared for the OUSD July 2027 Algebra I Certification exam. It will complement those self-paced online courses by giving students access to live instruction and group work that will deepen their understanding of Algebra I.
    • In addition, this class will tackle several topics (e.g. statistics, quadratics) that are not covered in sufficient depth by the Laney or SVHS online courses.
  2. Students not currently taking Algebra I
    • This course will help students taking the OUSD 8th grade summer Algebra I course gain a greater depth of understanding of Algebra I than is possible in a 5.5-week summer course by previewing all the material that will be covered in that course.
  3. Students taking Algebra I at an OUSD high school
    • For students already enrolled in Algebra I at an OUSD high school, this course will reinforce key concepts, provide additional examples and guided practice, and offer extra support to strengthen their understanding and confidence in Algebra I.

Will my student receive credit for taking this course?

No. While this course will cover the similar content that is covered by OUSD’s Algebra I course, your student will not receive academic credit for taking it.

This course will help deepen your student’s understanding of Algebra I that will help them build a stronger foundation for high school math and beyond and increase the likelihood that they will be able to pass the OUSD Algebra I Certification exam in July 2027.

To receive academic credit for Algebra I before entering 9th grade, your student will also need to enroll in an Algebra I course at an OUSD-approved program or OUSD Summer School.

When will the course meet and what will it cover?

This course will meet weekly via Zoom on Wednesday evenings from 7:00–8:30 pm, starting on September 23, 2026 for Unit 1, with a course end date of early May 2027. Some Wednesday sessions will be skipped due to holidays and school breaks.

Before each session, students are expected to review the relevant material from the Illustrative Mathematics curriculum. Students may also optionally watch the corresponding lessons from the Khan Academy Algebra I course for additional preparation and reinforcement.

During the first 45–60 minutes of each session, the instructor will highlight key concepts, explain important ideas, and work through examples and solutions step-by-step. The remainder of the session will be structured as an office hour, giving students an opportunity to ask questions, review challenging concepts, and receive additional clarification and support on related topics.

Some homework will be assigned, but completing it will be optional. An optional unit quiz will be offered at the end of each unit to help students assess their understanding of the material and identify areas that may need additional review.

How will the course be structured?

The course will consist of 7 four-week mini-courses, one for each unit in the curriculum. Tentative dates are listed below.

UnitTopicTentative dates
1Expressions and Operations9/23, 9/30, 10/7, 10/14
2Equations and Inequalities10/21, 10/28, 11/4, 11/18
3Relations and Functions12/2, 12/9, 12/16, 1/6
4Linear Equations and Inequalities1/13, 1/20, 1/27, 2/3
5Systems of Equations and Inequalities2/10, 2/17, 2/24, 3/3
6Exponents, Radicals, Exponential Functions3/10, 3/17, 3/24, 4/7
7Polynomials, Quadratic Functions4/14, 4/21, 4/28, 5/5

No classes: 11/11, 11/25, 12/23, 12/30, 1/6, 3/31

Why is this course being offered and who is the instructor?

We are offering Algebra I enrichment to middle school students in Oakland to help ensure they have the same opportunities to succeed in mathematics as students in other school districts. Many surrounding districts offer students the opportunity to take Algebra in middle school, which can better prepare them for advanced math courses in high school and beyond. By providing this opportunity, we want Oakland students to remain competitive academically, build a strong foundation in mathematics, and be prepared to pursue higher-level courses in high school. Most importantly, our goal is to give students the support and preparation they need to succeed in math and expand their future academic and college opportunities.

Jack Chung attended Oakland Unified School District (OUSD) from kindergarten through 12th grade and has a strong connection to the Oakland community. Having grown up and attended school in Oakland, Jack is passionate about giving back to the community and helping provide educational opportunities that support the next generation of Oakland students.

How many students will be selected for the course and when will I find out if my student has been selected?

To ensure that the instructor has enough time to answer questions and provide individualized support, enrollment will be limited to approximately 20 students for Unit 1. Logistics and re-enrollment for future units will be determined and communicated at a later date.

Registration for Unit 1 will open following the Parent Information Session. Additional information about the registration and selection process, including when families will be notified, will be provided at that time.