About Saxon

Saxon Math is one of the nation's most thoroughly researched core mathematics programs for grades K–12.  Saxon's unique pedagogical approach-based on instruction, practice, and assessment distributed across grade levels-incorporates more than 25 years of research and classroom experience.  This same successful, classroom tested approach is also applied to the popular Saxon Phonics and Spelling K–3,  and Saxon Phonics Intervention for older, struggling readers and early learning programs. 

Saxon®, founded in 1981, is an imprint of HMH Supplemental Publishers, Inc.  HMH Supplemental provides customer-driven educational materials that fundamentally and positively change the lives of young, adolescent, and adult learners and empower those who teach them.  The company is also the publisher of the Great Source, Rigby, and Steck-Vaughn product lines. 

Saxon History

The founder, John Saxon, was teaching algebra at a junior college in Oklahoma when he discovered his students were neither comprehending nor retaining the algebra they were being taught.  What started as writing some problems for his class became a highly successful algebra program.  In 1979, Saxon Algebra was published in two texts for the junior college level.  John Saxon continued to write and adapt his work into a text for high school algebra students, and enlisted several high school teachers to try his manuscript with their students.  They, too, were successful using the program.  In October 1980, his Algebra 1 book for high school became a reality.  In 1981, Saxon recruited twenty teachers to try his method.  Approximately 1400 students were involved in the test.  At the end of the school term, Saxon students were able to solve 2.6 problems for every one problem solved by students in regular classes. 

By 1986, when the company changed its name to Saxon Publishers, Inc., four books were available: Algebra 1/2, Algebra 1, Algebra 2, and Advanced Mathematics.  By 1993, the company had purchased thirteen books and programs for students in Kindergarten through high school, including a calculus and a physics text.  In 1996, Phonics K–2 was introduced to schools throughout the country; followed in 1999 by Phonics Intervention, a program designed especially for older non-readers.

Saxon Gets Results!

Saxon Gets Results! is a phrase heard consistently in classrooms across the country.  Saxon products and programs have a proven record of success in every type of setting - urban, suburban, rural, public, private, charter, and parochial.  The success of the Saxon curriculum can be attributed to the programs distinct, effective, and research-based pedagogy, which helps students develop a deeper understanding of concepts and how to apply them.  Saxon's innovative, instructional approach breaks complex concepts into simpler increments, recognizing that smaller pieces of information are easier to teach and easier to learn.  The instruction, practice, and assessment of those increments are systematically distributed across a grade level.  The distributed approach ensures that students gain and retain critical thinking concepts and use them in real-world situations. 

Saxon Math Authors

 Learn more about Nancy Larson, Stephen Hake, Pat Wrigley and Dr. Frank Wong.   

Research

The more stringent accountability created by the No Child Left Behind Act has prompted teachers and administrators to look for programs and products that have a history of documented success. 

While research may be the new educational initiative, it is not new to Saxon.  Our consistent instructional approach, proven effective since its inception, is supported by scientifically based research.  Research documents are available for all Saxon programs.  Learn more abut our foundational and effectiveness research.