2026–2027 Academic Year Program

Big Dream Academy offers academically rigorous programs that inspire students to develop advanced skills in mathematics, robotics, coding, public speaking, debate, and leadership. Our competition and enrichment pathways are designed to challenge students intellectually, cultivate creativity and confidence, and prepare them to excel in prestigious regional, national, and international competitions.

Math Enrichment M (Grade 4-8)

Designed for students who want to build a strong mathematical foundation and progress beyond their current grade level. Through engaging instruction and guided practice, students develop confidence, strengthen logical reasoning, and gain a deeper understanding of essential mathematical concepts.


Ideal Students

  • Want to improve accuracy and fluency in foundational math skills

  • Enjoy exploring challenging and meaningful mathematical concepts

  • Seek enrichment beyond their regular school coursework

  • Are ready to advance beyond grade-level expectations

  • Want to prepare for advanced mathematics courses

  • Desire to strengthen critical thinking and analytical reasoning

Program Details

  • Grades: 4–8 or demonstrated math competency

  • Program Emphasis: Students deepen conceptual understanding and accelerate their mathematical growth beyond the standard school curriculum.

  • Academic Outcome: Students develop the skills and confidence needed to succeed in higher-level mathematics and future academic challenges.

  • Recommended Preparation: Our Summer 2026 Math Enrichment Course is highly recommended for students who would like to strengthen their foundation before the 2026–2027 academic year.

Math Enrichment H (Grade 6-12)

Designed for students who want to master advanced mathematical concepts and achieve a deeper level of understanding than is typically possible in a traditional classroom setting. Through focused instruction and carefully guided practice, students build precision, mathematical maturity, and the confidence to tackle increasingly sophisticated problems.


Ideal Students

  • Are enrolled in or preparing for Algebra I, Geometry, or Algebra II

  • Want to reinforce and extend concepts taught in school

  • Aspire to earn top grades in advanced mathematics courses

  • Enjoy solving complex, multi-step problems

  • Seek a stronger foundation for Precalculus, Calculus, and STEM studies

  • Want to build the mathematical skills needed for the PSAT and SAT

  • Desire to develop disciplined analytical and abstract thinking skills

Program Details

  • Grades: 6–12 or demonstrated math competency

  • Courses Offered: Algebra I, Geometry, and Algebra II

  • Placement: Based on the student’s current course level, prior experience, and mathematical readiness

  • Academic Outcome: Students gain the depth of understanding and technical proficiency needed to excel in advanced coursework while developing the quantitative reasoning skills essential for strong performance on the PSAT and SAT.

  • Recommended Preparation: Our Summer 2026 Mathematics Courses are highly recommended for students who wish to strengthen their skills before the 2026–2027 academic year.

Math Competition Program

Big Dream Academy’s Math Competition Program is designed for motivated students with strong numerical fluency and a passion for challenging mathematics. Through high-level instruction and guided practice, students develop advanced problem-solving skills, deep mathematical understanding, and the confidence to excel beyond the traditional curriculum.


Ideal Students

  • Enjoy solving challenging mathematical problems

  • Demonstrate strong computation skills and number sense

  • Aspire to participate in academic competitions

  • Seek advanced enrichment beyond the standard classroom curriculum

  • Want to strengthen analytical thinking and logical reasoning

Competition Pathways

Students will have the opportunity to prepare for a variety of highly respected mathematics competitions, including:

  • Math Kangaroo (Grades 1–12)

  • Math Olympiads for Elementary and Middle Schools (Grades 4–8)

  • American Mathematics Competitions

    • AMC 8 (Grades 8 and below)

    • AMC 10 (Grades 10 and below)

    • AMC 12 (Grades 12 and below)

  • MATHCOUNTS (Grades 6–8)

Program Details

  • Grades: 1–12 (placement varies based on each competition’s grade eligibility requirements, as well as the student’s age, experience, and readiness)

  • Competition Participation: Optional but highly encouraged

  • Competition Registration Fees: Official competition registration fees are not included in tuition and will vary based on the competitions in which students choose to participate.

  • Program Emphasis: Students strengthen mathematical reasoning, strategic problem solving, and advanced analytical thinking while preparing for nationally and internationally recognized mathematics competitions.

  • Recommended Preparation: Our Summer 2026 Math Competition Course is highly recommended for students who are new to competition mathematics or who wish to strengthen their foundation before the 2026–2027 academic year.

Robotics & Coding Program (Grades 1–4)

This program introduces younger students to the exciting world of engineering, programming, and problem solving through hands-on projects using LEGO Education SPIKE Essential. Students design, build, and program interactive models while developing creativity, computational thinking, and confidence in a fun and engaging learning environment.

 

      Ideal Students

  • Love building and creating with LEGO®

  • Enjoy solving puzzles and challenges

  • Want to learn the fundamentals of coding and engineering

  • Thrive in hands-on, project-based learning

  • Want to strengthen teamwork and communication skills

      Program Details

  • Program Focus: Foundational coding, robotics, engineering design, and computational thinking

  • Skills Developed: Sequencing, logic, problem solving, creativity, collaboration, and presentation skills

  • Academic Outcome: Students build a strong STEM foundation while gaining confidence in designing, programming, and testing robotic solutions.

Robotics & Coding Program (Grades 5–8)

CMU – Coding & Computational Thinking (SPIKE Prime)

This program is built on the Carnegie Mellon Robotics Academy curriculum, which introduces students to advanced coding and computational thinking through the Virtual LEGO Education SPIKE Prime environment. Students learn to design algorithms, write code, and solve complex engineering challenges while strengthening logical reasoning, creativity, and problem-solving skills.

 

      Ideal Students

  • Enjoy coding, robotics, and engineering challenges

  • Want to deepen their computational thinking skills

  • Are curious about how software controls robotic systems

  • Thrive in analytical and project-based learning environments

  • Aspire to participate in advanced STEM and robotics programs

  • Want to build a strong foundation in computer science

      Program Details

  • Curriculum: Carnegie Mellon Robotics Academy – Coding & Computational Thinking with Virtual LEGO Education SPIKE Prime

  • Program Focus: Computer programming, robotics, computational thinking, and engineering design

  • Computer Science Concepts: Algorithms, variables, loops, conditionals, functions, sensors, and debugging

  • Academic Outcome: Students develop strong coding and analytical skills while gaining the confidence to solve complex real-world problems and prepare for advanced robotics, computer science, and engineering opportunities.

  • Recommended Preparation: Our Summer 2026 Robotics & Coding Camp is highly recommended for students who wish to strengthen their STEM skills before the 2026–2027 academic year.

FIRST LEGO League Robotics Competition Teams

Our FIRST LEGO League teams provide students with the opportunity to develop coding, robotics, computational thinking, teamwork, innovation, engineering design, and presentation skills. Through hands-on challenges and real-world problem solving, students learn to design, build, and program LEGO robots while researching innovative solutions to meaningful global issues. Participants also strengthen communication, collaboration, and critical thinking skills as they prepare to present their ideas and compete with confidence.

FLL Explorer Team (Grades 2–4)

Ideal for students who love building with LEGO®, coding, teamwork, and creative problem-solving.

 

Program Details

  • Team Size: Limited to 6 students per team. Enrollment is on a first-come, first-served basis and registration will close once all spots are filled. 
  • Season: August 2026 – May 2027
  • Team Registration Fee: $125 per student
  • Team Registration Fee Includes: Registration with FIRST HQ, FIRST in Texas, and attendance at one Explorer Festival
  • World Championship: Additional fees will apply if the team advances to the World Championship event.
  • Recommended Preparation: Students who are new to coding or interested in joining our Explorer Team are strongly encouraged to participate in our 2026 Robotics & Coding Summer Camp or enroll in our LEGO classes offered in June and July.

FLL Challenge Team (Grades 5–8)

Team Selection: Students are selected by coach invitation only based on the successful completion of all admission requirements and demonstrated readiness for the team by August 2026.

 

Admission Criteria

Students should demonstrate:

  • Teamwork and collaboration
  • Presentation and communication skills
  • Coding experience
  • Computational thinking

Program Details

  • Season: August 2026 – May 2027
  • Team Registration Fee: $125 per student
  • Fee Includes: Registration with FIRST HQ, FIRST in Texas, and attendance at one Qualifier Tournament
  • World Championship: Additional fees will apply if the team advances to the World Championship event.
  • Recommended Preparation: Carnegie Mellon University Robotics Academy Coding and Computational Thinking with LEGO® SPIKE Prime, or equivalent experience

Speech & Debate Program

Big Dream Academy’s Speech & Debate program helps students become confident communicators, thoughtful leaders, and critical thinkers. Students learn to organize ideas clearly, speak persuasively, analyze issues from multiple perspectives, and express their thoughts with confidence and respect.

Speech & Debate Foundations & Workshop (Grades 3–5)

Designed for younger students to build a strong foundation in public speaking, debate, and effective communication in a supportive and encouraging environment. Students develop confidence in expressing their ideas, organizing their thoughts, and speaking clearly and persuasively before an audience. Through engaging activities and guided practice, they strengthen critical thinking, listening, and reasoning skills while learning the fundamentals of argumentation and respectful discussion. This program provides an excellent foundation for future academic success and prepares students to advance into competitive Speech & Debate in middle school.

 

      Program Details

  • Program Emphasis: Skill development and foundational learning in public speaking, debate, and critical thinking
  • Future Preparation: Students develop the confidence and skills needed to participate in competitive Speech & Debate opportunities in middle school and beyond

Speech & Debate Advanced (Grades 6–8)

A challenging and intellectually engaging program designed for middle school students who are ready to develop advanced public speaking, critical thinking, argumentation, and analytical skills. Students learn to construct well-reasoned arguments, analyze complex issues from multiple perspectives, and communicate with clarity, confidence, and persuasion. The program also provides an excellent foundation for students who wish to participate in competitive Speech & Debate tournaments and further strengthen their leadership and academic abilities.

 

Program Details

  • Season: August 2026 – May 2027
  • Competition Participation: Optional
  • Tournament Registration Fees: Additional fees apply for students who choose to participate in tournaments
  • Program Emphasis: Students strengthen advanced speaking, argumentation, research, and analytical skills while preparing to apply these abilities in academic competitions and leadership opportunities
  • Recommended Preparation: Our Summer 2026 Speech & Debate Course is highly recommended for students who are new to Speech & Debate and would like to begin competing during the 2026–2027 academic year
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