Resource Description
According to its publisher, “Saxon Math is the only major math program on the market today that systematically distributes instruction, practice, and assessment throughout the academic year as opposed to concentrating, or massing, related concepts into a short period of time--usually within a unit or chapter. Saxon Math's approach to math instruction ensures that students not only gain but also retain essential math skills.” The program transitions students from manipulatives and worksheets to a textbook approach as the students progress to middle school.
Saxon’s K-3 program is designed to teach basic arithmetic concepts as well as geometry, patterns, time, and more. Each lesson is scripted for the parent. Manipulatives accelerate understanding of abstract math concepts, and worksheets provide cumulative review. Saxon Math for middle grades transitions students from manipulatives and worksheets to a textbook approach. The emphasis in the middle grades is on developing algebraic reasoning as well as geometric concepts. Lessons include new concepts plus a review of previous concepts. Middle and upper grades have Solution Manuals which give step-by-step solutions for all problems in the book. Saxon’s high school program offers a textbook, tests, and a Solutions Manual. Homeschool kits are available for Algebra 1, Algebra 2, Geometry, Advanced Math, and Calculus.
Website: Saxon Math
(52 Reviews)
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Contributor Reviews
Reviews are solely the opinions of the contributor.
Cons: Can be hard to find the Stephen Hake editions.
Grades Used: 1-12
Don’t buy the current publishers stuff, they just bought the name rights. Saxon's Alg 1 and Alg 2 books are available through many vendors on the Internet. I use Mardel bookstore locally and online for many of my purchases, especially during their significant spring and fall sales.
Be aware that Saxon's K-8 books are unchanged, as are his Alg 1/2
(pre-alg at a slower pace), Advanced Math and Calculus books. The middle school books are now titled Course 1 (6th), Course 2 (7th), and Course 3 (8th), but the author remains the same--Stephen Hake. Stephen refuses to change his format and content. Stephen Hake is Saxon's handpicked guy from the 1980s.
Anything with his name on it is pure Saxon.
Cons: very time consuming
Grades Used: k-5
I really love Saxon Math but my children however, despise it. I get the concept but for them it was confusing them. In the younger grades, K-3, it was perfect. after that, however, it became very frustrating for them. We would spend 3-4 hours on math alone. they weren't grasping the concepts as well, and every day was moans and groans. I recently switched to BJU. We'll see how that goes.
Grades Used: 8
My 13yr old daughter in 8th grade HATES math. We decided to homeschool this year due to common core issues. She was not understanding common core at all. We did the Saxon placement test and found she was nowhere near ready for algebra. We purchased saxon 7/6. Wow what a difference!! She loves math and wants to do at least 2 lessons a day. Its easy to read and follow directions, extra practice if you need it, explains in detail how to do the lessons. It has been a Godsent. Love Saxon math and will not choose any other program. Thank you Saxon math for making my child learn, understand, and love math again!!
Cons: too many skip steps
Grades Used: 9 10
I am myself a student and I use to struggle with math but Saxon actually changed that. I use to hate math but now I can don't dislike it. I think its a great book it help a whole lot but I just think that they should stop skipping some steps. I love how Saxon try to make us students think outside the box but after spending 2 hours in one problem and you still can not find it....it gets really really frustrating. Especially if you went and look at the lesson where the problem is from. I love this book and I would recommand it to everyone because it makes you think really hard. Even though I am still behind in math I feel like if I continue to use Saxon than I should be just fie when I graduate in two years. But seriously STOP SKIPPING the steps because it get frustrated.
Grades Used: 2-11
I have used Saxon math for both of my daughters since they were in early elementary school. I love Saxon, and my daughters have understood math and tested very high on their standardized tests...until we came upon their Advanced Mathematics curriculum. I want to warn parents that something has gone wrong with this amazing math series. There are many lessons where my daughter and I are left with many questions - such as.... in that example, where did they get that number? We feel that they skip "simple" steps that they take for granted, but as a learning math student, you wouldn't know about the additional step. Also, we have found many problems that were not taught in the previous lessons - I get that they are trying to get the students to think "outside of the box" and apply what they know to a new situation. These problems are way beyond that. The book itself is not as helpful as years past - every other Saxon book we have used has had the lesson number posted under the problem so the student can go back and re-read the lesson if necessary. This book is lacking that, which is very frustrating for my daughter who many times would like to look back to refresh her memory on a formula, etc. I don't know what to recommend, but I can tell you this will be the last Saxon math book we will ever use.
Cons: I have not found any
Grades Used: 5/6
I used the Saxon Math curriculum for my son's 5th grade year. This was our first year homeschooling. My son dreaded math, and had always struggled with it. I am pleased to say, he is very confident in his mathematical skills. Thanks to Saxon, my son looks forward to Math. It is his favorite subject. We will absolutely use it again next year!
Cons: Colorless
Grades Used: 6/5
My 9yo DD is halfway thru saxon 6/5, and it has gone really well (total is 120 lessons in the book) . She has become more confident in math. I was ready to send her to mathnasium, when I decided to try this for her - I am quite happy I did. It wasn't too pricey, I got the main book and worksheet/facts books- imperfect - at CBD for a discount , solutions manual on Amazon used so I saved on it. My DD writes on the main book, because she didn't want to write things out in a separate notebook - which I told her is fine as long as it's neatly done. She no longer cries doing math, as everything is well explained and practiced sufficiently in each lesson.
Cons: Not very colorful. No eye appeal.
Grades Used: 1-2
I really like this curriculum. My daughter has done well with it.
Cons: expensive if you buy the whole set( you do not nee the whole set)
Grades Used: 6-10
Love Saxon math.
At http://www.hmhco.com/shop/education-curriculum/math/saxon-math-homeschool/resources
you can print out a placement test to see where to start your child.
I also use them to be sure my son has retained his math and qualifies to start the next book. I love that each Saxon math book starts out with a review of the previous year to get you mind back on track.
You do not need all the books, if you know math. The current student books have the answers in the back to the less practice and odd number questions. The teacher books have the student book in the front with an answer key in the back. So you can use either alone.
My son started out with math 65. The numbers are advanced 5th grade student- normal 6th grade student and so on for 76 and 87. Next he dis pre algebra whis is algebra 1/2, algebra 1, and now finishing algebra 2 and doing physics at same time.
We plan to do advanced math next as it contains geometry and trigononometry and for 12 grade calculus. The have other programs like geometry alone and physics.
We usually find best price used like on ebay or homeschoolcalssifieds . For those who need a little extra help, I reccommend the DIVE dvd's that are taught by chirstian man. You do not have to do anything and you child can watch over and over till they understand.
Cons: Expense High
I love this program... I was never really great at math neither is my son. With this program it was easy to learn the concept of math! I wish it were a little easier on the wallet. Very happy with Saxon Math!
I love the way that Saxon Math Courses are set up. Each lesson build on the last. It doesn't jump around like some of the other courses we have looked at. Saxon has solid skill building techniques that wouk well with my childs learning style.
Cons: Very traditional - no bright colors, etc.
Grades Used: 3rd, 6/5, 7/6, 8/7
Saxon Math is a very solid math program. In the early grades (up to 3rd), it is in a workbook style format. The older levels advance through math concepts in an orderly and incremental way.
Cons: considerable teacher prep
Grades Used: 1st through 5th
Saxon teaches math in a very thorough manner. There is daily review interjected with the new teaching. I feel both my girls learned well from Saxon (and we didn't even use side B of homework on most days!). They teach facts (addition/subtraction/multiplication/division) in way that is easy to understand and the daily fact sheets keep the students on their toes. On the down side, there is a considerable amount of teacher prep involved. But it's worth it to lay such a strong foundation
Cons: Lots of repetition, some lessons not useful for homeschoolers, upper levels more difficult
Grades Used: K-10
We have been using Saxon Math for many years now. It gets the job done. Subjects are well-covered and understandable. Examples are clear and there is lots of practice.
That said, let me say there are some things I don't care for.
In the early grades, some lessons are obviously geared for a classroom. For example, how many of us can, or will, call up 15-20 friends to ask them what their favorite ice cream is so we can make a graph? I usually just skipped these types of lessons.
The teacher's manuals are large and complete ( and expensive), with everything you need to say written out. Perhaps a first time homeschooler might need this, but after that, I would prefer just a less expensive lesson plan.
In the upper grades, the Saxon Teaching CD's or Dive CD's will save a lot of headache if you're not savvy with Algebra and up.
All in all, for K-Pre Algebra, Saxon is a good math program. If you're good at math, the upper levels will also be a good buy.
Cons: Very, very dry
Grades Used: 1st, 5/4
Saxon is very dry, very boring, very everything I hated about math as a kid. What it does do is reinforce all previously learned concepts day in and day out. You will not learn something and then not touch on it again for a long time. It builds a strong foundation that is consistently revisited. My Aspie loves the completely dry and straightforward approach to math. He has been using the 5/4 and it has worked really well for him. We will stick with Saxon.
On the other hand, my daughter (1st grade level) hated every second of math when we were using it. She wanted bright pictures and fun activities and Saxon does not deliver on those. So we switched math curricula with her. It was a good decision.
Cons: not explained well
Grades Used: pre-alg
My daughter had a really hard time with the saxon math pre-alg. I had a hard time teaching it as well, I felt it was not explained well at all. After struggling w/ it for half a school year, we switched to another curriculum.
Grades Used: SaxonMath Homeschool 5/4
I find this level of maths provides an excellent review and progression for a primary school student. While not as colourful as the Singapore Maths (we used the grade 1 books), these provide a solid foundation and continue to review the basics (which we need). This book introduces concepts easily (I can basically read the introduction of each unit) and works through key examples, and then provides the student with a set of problems to work through.
I would highly recommend it to parents who wants a solid foundation for maths for their child and wants the continual reinforcement of basic concepts (practice in addition, subtraction, multiplication, etc.!).
Cons: can be bland
Grades Used: 6th and 7th so far
My oldest loves Saxon math. Really loves it. He hated math in public school. Liking math at home is a success all by itself in my book!
It's very easy for me as the teacher, and the repetition is exactly what my son needs - some might find it boring, but let me tell you he remembers everything thanks to all the review! I haven't had to use the supplemental lessons yet, but it's comforting to know they are there. It's very easy to see if your pupil isn't understanding something, and the homework is set up so the questions have the lesson number they coordinate with right there for you to go over again. Can you tell I love it too?
I was disappointed with the kindergarten Saxon math, just looked at it today. It looked very bland for young kids, but I may be looking for something with more color and "jazz" because my "kindergarteners" are really my 4yr old twins dying to start school. I went with BJU math 1 instead of Saxon, but am hoping once we're done with the BJU we can return to Saxon 2 and be happy with it! I still bought the manipulatives, they ROCK no matter what elementary math program you're using!
It is a great program if you have alot of time to spend on one subject. It is great if you have the time. It explains step by step ow to do everything and I realy enjoy it but it is time consumeing
Grades Used: 4th and 5th
yes it can at times be "not fun" but it is math!! I find the repetitiveness great, math should be constantly reviewed or it will be forgotten. I love that for every problem it is listed what lesson they learned it in so if they need to look back they can. I know that if my children continue with this curriculum they will do very well in math.
Cons: the manipulatives are so easy to lose
Grades Used: K, 1st, 2nd, 5th
It would just be a little better if i didn't have to replace the manipulatives each year from what gets lost.
Cons: K-3 too slow and basic
Grades Used: 1, 2, 3, Pre-algebra
Used this for pre-algebra for 8th grade and loved it. Explanation good-review excellent.
Tried it for early grades and was disappointed. It set my girls behind in math. It was too basic and slow moving. Switched to another curriculum middle of 3rd grade and my daughter was way behind in that curriculum while the Saxon was to easy and slow moving.
Perhaps it gets better in the middle grades, but it was too late. Saxon lost us to another more thorough challenging curriculum.
Cons: too many questions daily; not always explained well
Grades Used: 3-8
While my children are learning, they definately do not enjoy it. There is much repitition, but in the review, if you don't remember how to do something, you have to search back to find instruction or examples. Also, if the parent is not a 'math person' you will surely need the teacher guide. (Plus, the instruction is much different than what I learned in school, so I have to learn the new ways of doing the problems frequently.) In the older grades, we have had to use supplements to teach some of the more algebraic math, as we just weren't 'getting it' from the instruction given. I wish that for this price there were more help guides given.We will continue to use it until we find something better though.
Cons: spiral learning
Grades Used: 4/5
I'm probably one of the few who don't like this series. I thought I would & purchased it when we first started homeschooling. It is based on spiral learning and repetition, which as stated above gets pretty boring pretty fast. I find that linear learning when it comes to math, has a better outcome.
Cons: overly repetitive for some
Grades Used: K - 6th
We found the Kindergarten too easy so we skipped into 1st grade. It has been very easy to use as well as continuing to remind the student of what they have already learned. In the 1st - 3rd grade we only use one side of the worksheet unless there is some concept that hasn't been understood, then we use the back part for that problem. We find the repetition to be a positive thing rather than a negative as it continues to review concepts already learned so as not to forget them. The older math also includes the lesson number in which it was learned if the student can't remember how to do that problem. We use that feature occasionally and find it quite handy.
We will continue using this curriculum.