Message From the Principal
Dr. Eric McLaren
IMSA Principal and Vice President for Academic Programs
At the Illinois Mathematics and Science Academy®, we are committed to providing students with every possible opportunity to develop their talent and passion for math and science so that they are prepared to change the world. We have great expectations of our students because society has great expectations of its scientific and technical leaders who improve the quality of our lives through groundbreaking discoveries, inventions, technology innovations, medical advances, company growth and job creation.
An education at IMSA offers far more than conventional honors courses. We foster a collaborative learning environment that develops students as bold inquirers, problem solvers and ethical leaders. Our talented faculty members, who are among the nation's best, guide students to engage in exploration, think critically and creatively, and apply their cross-discipline knowledge to address significant, real-world issues.
The Academy's curriculum includes the major disciplines of mathematics, science, English, history and social sciences, world languages, fine arts and wellness. It also provides students with opportunities to work with renowned scholars, explore questions of their own, champion their ideas to market and more.
Student learning goes well beyond the classroom and extends to world-class mentorship experiences with scientists, scholars and entrepreneurs at laboratories, universities, museums, hospitals, and companies throughout the Chicago metropolitan area and beyond. Through Mentorship and other specialized learning options such as Student Inquiry, Total Applied Learning for Entrepreneurs (TALENT), Independent Study, international exchange programs and leadership development programs, students explore the complexities of a global society, solve real problems and enhance the lives of real people.
IMSA's academic program measures up to the traditional signs of success. Our admitted students are recognized for their creativity, talent, passion for math and science, and their high average SAT and ACT scores. Their academic achievements have garnered numerous state, national and international awards. The Wall Street Journal and Worth Magazine rank IMSA as one of the top public institutions in the nation to send its graduates to Ivy League and other highly selective universities. Ultimately, we measure our success by the ways our graduates are inventing life-altering technology applications, reshaping corporations and discovering new medical cures. We continue to strive for the day when IMSA graduates will join our Founding Father Dr. Leon Lederman in the ranks of Nobel Prize winners.