They sought the help of full-time math teachers, consulted books and online sources and, whenever possible, taught one another.

FORBES: A Curiosity-Driven Education

But I want you guys to read and hit the books and do your math, because that's really what's going to determine how you do in the future.

WHITEHOUSE: The President Brings Christmas Cheer to Boys and Girls Club

For example, accounting classes will stress judgment calls about what revenue can be kept off the books, along with the math behind those revenue calculations.

WSJ: Catholic University of America Mixes Business With Religious Values

Peek inside the backpack of Zhou Tao, a middle school student at Beijing's Shijingshan school, and you'll find four grammar texts, three math texts, one chemistry book, two books on physics, five on English, three on political science, not to mention an array of extracurricular and tutorial books.

CNN: LITTLE EMPERORS

Howard Balter, who drives a battered Toyota littered with books in Hebrew, is a frumpy math whiz and the operations guy.

FORBES: Sound Idea

"It gives me a chance to read lots of books and more time to learn" before taking the state math and reading exams in the spring, she said.

WSJ: School in August Gets Low Grades

With walls covered in calendars and color charts, and shelves and tables filled with computers, blocks, pegboards and books, it's a place to begin learning literacy, math and writing as well as to master fine motor skills and be social.

WSJ: Districts find youngest students among most absent