Written by Jamie Schefen, Upper School Coordinator and Emily Stefanich, Lower School Coordinator
At Acera School, math is more than just numbers—it’s a key part of our students’ intellectual journey, and we are excited to dive back into our differentiated math block this year. As we prepare for the coming school year, we want to share an overview of our math process and philosophy, which will feel very familiar to our community. We’re building on the strong foundation we’ve developed over the years, continuing the practices that have proven to be both effective and enriching for our students.
This year, our instructional leadership team, including the lower school coordinator, Emily Stefanich and upper school coordinator, Jamie Schefen will support our math department (including the placement process, growth trajectories, and math competitions) to ensure that we hold true to our core math philosophy.
Philosophy
At Acera, our math philosophy surrounds meeting each child’s needs through ability based math blocks. In order to support this, we maintain small class sizes and have an individualized placement process that focuses on student readiness, interests, and learning styles.
All of our math classes and math systems prioritize math joy and confidence. We use an inquiry based approach, a mix of assessment, and low-floor, high ceiling activities in order to meet our student’s diverse needs.
Placement Process
Our process considers learning styles, backgrounds, pacing, pace of learning, student interest, and class fit. All students leaving Acera in grade 8 have, at a minimum, a strong understanding of pre-algebra. Our placement process involves assessments, but does not rely on them. Instead, it relies heavily on information from past teachers, core teacher input, and information gained from parent partnerships. Classes can shift from year to year depending on the student’s need to ensure removing limitations.
During the 2024-2025 school year, in the lower school math snapshots will happen in core classes during the first week of school, with teachers gathering to review data and make final placements by the end of the first week. Math snapshots are quick glimpses into what students know and are ready for in math that are differentiated based on math ability. Lower School Math classes will begin on Monday of the second week of school. Emily, Lower School Curriculum Coordinator, is overseeing and supporting the math placement process, and will be available for parent questions and concerns as needed during the school year.
During the 2024-2025 school year, in the upper school math snapshots will happen in tentative math classes during the first week of school, with teachers gathering to review data and make final placements by the end of the first week. Jamie, Upper School Curriculum Coordinator, is overseeing and supporting the math placement process, and will be available for parent questions and concerns as needed during the school year.
Growth Trajectories
Partnership between teachers and parents will ensure that each family understands their child’s growth trajectory. Part of this will include meetings with middle school parents at the start of middle school, where we will talk to each family about their child’s unique math journey. These meetings will be with the upper school coordinator, Jamie and at points additionally with math expert and Acera math teacher, Mark Illingworth. Trajectories will look different for each student. See some examples below:
