Program Description

Since 1988, the Jose Valdes Summer Math Institute has met its challenge to improve the mathematics education landscape in the East San Jose community. The goal of the program is for students to successfully pass Calculus before graduation from high school. Our first step is to prepare them for success in Algebra before entering high school. We accomplish this by having students in grades 6 through 8 attend summer sessions for seven hours a day, four days a week, for seven weeks during the summer. At least two hours of homework are assigned each day. We also attempt to place as many students as possible on college campuses to encourage them to see college as a choice. Each class has a teacher and two assistants to provide as much individual assistance as possible.

The Legacy of José A. Valdés

“The Man and His Dreams”

The José A. Valdés Summer Math Institute celebrates the memory of its founder, José Antonio Valdés . Mr. Valdés was born on July 19, 1928 in Cuba, where he became a math teacher. Mr. Valdés believed that all students can learn mathematics and worked to prove this true. He began bilingual classes at Andrew Hill High School,  thus advancing Spanish speaking students in mathematics while they were learning English.  He encouraged all students to aspire beyond math and into the more demanding and rigorous classes of Algebra, Geometry, Trigonometry, and Calculus.  Disappointed with the number of students, especially Hispanics and African Americans, who started high school in arithmetic classes, he developed a program of intensive mathematics for middle school students.

The José A. Valdés Summer Math Institute continues Mr. Valdés dream and his commitment to his belief that all students can learn mathematics. It was because of his dream that over 3000 students were given the opportunity to move ahead into higher classes and to succeed in mathematics and thousands more do so today.

Mr. Valdés was an inspiration to all. His motivation, desire, and belief in students is what makes his dream live on. Mr. Valdés passed away on December 12, 1991 and is survived by his wife Silvia, son Jose Jr., and daughters Sylvia Valdés-Fernandez, and Barbara M. Kinnon.

In his memory, a Valdés Memorial Scholarship Fund has been established. Donations may be sent to:

José Valdés Math Foundation
4848 San Felipe Rd. #150-213
San Jose, CA 95135