Math is a subject that can be learned by everyone. Basic skills are the foundation for most abstract thinking. Students who come to the Valdes Institute should be ready for a rigorous curriculum with mastery required. We believe that students will attain high standards when we expect that of them.

The program philosophy, created in 1989, consists of several key components.

  • All students can learn math.
  • Teachers have to believe all students can learn math.
  • Sound teaching will work with all students.
  • Minority students do not need “watered down math” in order to be successful in high level math.
  • Parents must be totally involved with their children’s education.
  • All students should enter high school with skills to be successful in Algebra.
  • This project is “teacher initiated” and teachers make all the important educational decisions.
  • This is a common effort by elementary, middle, and high schools, and university teachers to solve an educational problem.
  • We believe that math is a vehicle to teach students how to think; if students are successful in math, anything is possible.
  • Truly heterogeneous learning will be achieved when all high school students are able to succeed in calculus before high school graduation.