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St. Xavier's MathLab Has Morgan Park High School Students Staying Late

By Howard Ludwig | February 17, 2016 8:28am
 Brian Lee, 17, of West Beverly, is one of about a dozen students enrolled in the MathLab at Morgan Park High School. The computer-driven class aims to better prepare students for college-level math courses.
Brian Lee, 17, of West Beverly, is one of about a dozen students enrolled in the MathLab at Morgan Park High School. The computer-driven class aims to better prepare students for college-level math courses.
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DNAinfo/Howard A. Ludwig

MORGAN PARK — About a dozen students at Morgan Park High School stayed after class Tuesday for — of all things — an extra course in math.

The computer-driven MathLab was brought to the school at 1744 W. Pryor Ave. courtesy of a partnership with St. Xavier University in Mount Greenwood, said Morgan Park principal Carolyn Epps.

"We pitched the parents," said Epps. "But we also explained to students the benefits of this."

The seed for the MathLab was actually planted on June 12, 2014 when St. Xavier announced a dual enrollment program with the high school on the Far Southwest Side, Epps said.

Morgan Park students could attend some classes on St. Xavier's campus at 3700 W. 103rd St. in Mount Greenwood. The classes came without cost to the students and offered a head start to earning college credit.

About 10 high school students are taking advantage of the program this semester, Epps said.

"It's a special kind of student that can handle a college course in high school," she said.

The MathLab is the latest addition to the high school, part of an ongoing partnership that brings the expertise of professors at St. Xavier back to Morgan Park. In launching the program, the university's staff first sat down and looked at the skills lacking in incoming freshman.

Many new students arrived on campus without basic math skills, they observed, requiring a non-credit course to bring them up to speed. The MathLab was created to do just that, said Suzanne Lee, dean of St. Xavier's School of Education.

"So many kids get so frustrated with mathematics," said Lee, adding that by completing the MathLab in high school students should arrive on college campuses better prepared.

Maja Hampton, 17, of Morgan Park took the course on the advice of her math teacher, Jane Randolph. The veteran teacher recommended the course after going through the MathLab training in May at St. Xavier.

"Ms. Randolph told me this will help me do better on the ACT," Maja said.

Brian Lee, 17, of West Beverly, said his mom made him take the additional math course. He'd like to play professional football someday, but if that doesn't pan out, the junior cornerback said he'd also consider a career as a marriage counselor or an engineer.

"My mom said, 'I want you to do well in the future and do something special,'" Brian said.

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