Singapore has consistently performed extraordinarily well in mathematics and is recognized as a worldwide leader in the subject. In the 2015 PISA tests, Singapore scored first in mathematics out of 72 countries and economies. Although Singapore Math predates the Common Core, the instruction meets or exceeds the expectations of the new standards.
In 2014, Mekeel adopted Singapore Math in grades K-7. With an emphasis on mathematical reasoning and problem-solving using a wide variety of teaching methods including hands-on and real-life applications, our math program helps prepare our students for the demands of middle school, high school, and beyond. Our goal is to ensure students understand why the math works before moving on to the “short cuts” that most of us learned while growing up. In this way, we hope to develop strong mathematical minds without belaboring the process unduly.
We’ve seen tremendous growth overall under the program. During the 2015-2016 school year, our fourth and fifth grade students took 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place in the ACSI Regional Math Olympics in the area of mathematical reasoning. During the 2016-2017 school year, MCA sent even more students to compete, who again performed very well. MCA Lions placed as follows:
4th Computation: 1st and 3rd place
4th Reasoning: 1st, 2nd, and 5th place
5th Computation: 1st place
5th Reasoning: 1st and 5th place
6th Computation: 5th place
6th Reasoning: 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place
7th Computation: 1st place
7th Reasoning: 3rd and 4th place
8th Reasoning: 4th and 5th place
Several of our students also earned medallions for earning an 85% or above during the competition including one student who was the second person ever in the competition to earn a perfect score. We hope you’re able to stop by to congratulate these students for their hard work and excellent performance!