New Pre-Algebra Boot Camp Preps Students for Fall

“Are you guys ready for a challenge?”

South Orangetown Middle School Math teacher Jennifer Abrahamsen is leading the school’s first-ever Pre-Algebra Boot Camp for incoming seventh graders! 

Roughly 40 students registered for the week-long program, which is being offered twice–this week and next. All students enrolled in Pre-Algebra for 2025-26 were invited to participate and those unable to attend will receive a packet of practice problems to work through over the summer.

“I decided to do this because I’m going to be taking Pre-Algebra, which is a higher level class and I want to be prepared,” said Rylee.

“I came to see what it’d be like,” Owen noted. “It’s fun.”

The boot camp was developed at the suggestion of Instructional Math Coach (Gr. 7-12) Karen Connell in response to teachers’ assessment of student needs.

“I’m very excited about it,” reported Abrahamsen. “Some of our students come into Pre-Algebra with additional math knowledge, but most come with what they’ve learned through sixth grade and the jump can be daunting. The boot camp is structured to expose them now to concepts that seventh and eighth graders commonly struggle with understanding. The more they see these things and the more ways they see them, the more comfortable they’ll be–and the less likely they’ll be to get stuck. The goal is to help students feel confident and be more prepared. I’m hoping that these students will be able to help others during the year!”

"We are delighted to offer this opportunity to our Pre-Algebra students and thank Ms. Abrahamsen for teaching it!" Principal Chad Corey, Ed.D. said.