Study at Home, Enroll Abroad
March 22, 2006 - Posted in Online Education, Study AbroadNew IMACS Partnership Allows Children All over the Country to Earn High School Credit Through Accredited, Advanced Courses
Austin Brooks lives in Houston, Texas, and spends over four hours each day as a teen athlete practicing tennis and an additional two hours in the gym. His routine is unlike most 16-year-olds, so it makes sense that his education is also a little different than the average student.
Brooks is a sophomore and a student in the Institute for Mathematics and Computer Science (IMACS) through its online offerings. Brooks is also earning high school credit for the class thanks to a partnership with the University of Miami Online High School (UMOHS) where Brooks is enrolled as a student.
Brooks is one of thousands of students taking advantage of unique curriculum offered through online courses, such as those at IMACS. The online collaboration allows students across the country to benefit from the world-class curriculum at the school.
“I have found the IMACS course to be very challenging, but rewarding as well. What better way can a student learn about computer science than on the computer? I am already benefiting from what I have learned in daily use of my computer,” Brooks said.
The coursework taught through IMACS online represents the culmination of over 35 years of curriculum development work by an international group of mathematicians, computer scientists and educators, involving funding from federal, state and private institutions in the U.S.
The fully accredited program offered by UMOHS, coupled with the unique IMACS courses allows students to go above and beyond traditional classroom lessons and study advanced mathematical concepts and college level content while still in high school.
“Our program has been very popular with advanced students who want to master these concepts and prepare for college. We’ve had so many success stories from former students who have gone on to breeze through tough programs at the college level,” said Terry Kaufman, president of IMACS.
Distance learning opportunities, such as those offered by IMACS, can supplement regular high school programs where advanced placement coursework may not be taught. With more and more budget cuts being made to advanced courses in high schools and middle schools across the country, parents are looking for a way to help give their children an edge.
“This new partnership will allow students to take advantage of this distance learning opportunity to earn high school credit in advanced and honors courses that may not be offered in their own high school. Even middle school students can take advantage of this great opportunity to broaden their minds through a rigorous curriculum and earn high school credit,” said Kaufman.
Several courses in mathematics and computer science are being offered through the UMOHS, which is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools and the Commission on International and Trans-Regional Accreditation.
Students who enrolled in the advanced courses have regular communication with their instructor via telephone, e-mail and instant messages. The courses are designed to challenge students through online assignments, quizzes and tests, as well as critical thinking assignments.
According to Brooks, getting help from an instructor is never a problem.
“The course notes are crystal clear, and when I do have a question, I am able to reach an IMACS instructor instantly. I know that a regular high school program could not have covered so much material in the same time frame,” Brooks said.
For more information about the courses offered through IMACS on-line or at any of their locations, visit www.eimacs.com.
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Contact:
Institute for Mathematics and Computer Science (IMACS)
Terry Kaufman, 954-791-2333
tkaufman@imacs.org
Source: Institute for Mathematics and Computer Science