About Foursquare Academy
A comprehensive online learning program designed to develop confident, collaborative learners through evidence-based teaching methodologies.
Program Overview
Foursquare Academy is a 16-week learning program: students complete daily worksheets to build fluency, then meet every Saturday for a 1.5-hour class. The first half is a targeted review of the week's key ideas and the most common mistakes I notice across the group. The second half runs on a biweekly cycle--Week A introduces an interdisciplinary theme tied to what we've learned, and Week B consists of student presentations or a structured group activity. Our goal is to integrate mathematics with real-world applications, emphasizing collaborative problem-solving and interdisciplinary thinking.
Each week includes:
- Daily worksheets aligned with spaced repetition principles
- Opportunities for peer collaboration and communication
- Structured feedback and progress tracking
- Saturday group sessions to review common mistakes
The Science of Spaced Repetition
One of the most robust findings in learning science is the spacing effect: information encountered multiple times over spaced intervals is retained far better than information studied in one session. Foursquare Academy's daily worksheet structure is deliberately designed around this principle. Weekly classes are intended to address common errors, ensuring that students revisit and apply concepts over time for maximum retention.
In addition, research shows that distributed (day-to-day) practice beats cramming. Daily review improves memory and fluency; Rosenshine's `Principles of Instruction` explicitly recommends short, consistent review of material, noting it “strengthens previous learning” and supports fluent recall.
Our implementation includes:
- Daily Practice: Regular, low-stakes problem sets that revisit core concepts
- Progressive Difficulty: Building complexity over the 12-week program
- Interleaved Learning: Revisiting previous problem types to strengthen retention
Research on Spaced Repetition & Learning Science
Empirical evidence on the effectiveness of spaced practice and retrieval-based learning:
Why Interdisciplinary Learning?
Research consistently shows that students learn more efficiently when they understand how knowledge connects across disciplines. By integrating mathematics with science, history, economics, and other fields, we help students see the relevance of their learning and develop stronger conceptual understanding. When students can relate what they are learning to real-world contexts, math can become something they enjoy concretely, rather than an abstract subject filled with rote memorization.
Interdisciplinary approaches promote:
- Deeper Understanding: Connecting concepts across domains creates stronger neural pathways and long-term retention
- Critical Thinking: Students will learn to analyze problems from multiple perspectives
- Curiosity and Motivation: Real-world applications can spark curiosity and make learning more engaging
Research on Interdisciplinary Learning
Benefits of interdisciplinary education:
Building Collaboration & Communication Skills
In an increasingly digital and isolated world, the ability to collaborate effectively and communicate clearly is as important as subject matter expertise. Foursquare Academy intentionally promotes weekly group activities to develop teamwork and leadership skills alongside academic content. Each week, students will be exposed to structured opportunities for peer interaction. These experiences give kids a chance to practice public speaking and cooperation, which can boost motivation and engagement.
Our collaborative approach supports:
- Peer Learning: Students learn from each other through discussion and shared problem-solving
- Communication Skills: Regular opportunities to explain thinking and present ideas
- Social-Emotional Development: Building confidence, empathy, and respectful relationships
Research on Teamwork & Communication
Evidence supporting the value of collaborative learning and developing communication skills:
Ready to Get Started?
Join Foursquare Academy and experience evidence-based learning that develops both academic skills and essential life competencies.
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