Local Schools Chosen for IMSA Excellence 2000 Program
For Immediate Release, October 2000
For comment, contact Brenda Buschbacher at
(630) 907-5033
AURORA — The Illinois Mathematics and Science Academy® (IMSA) is launching IMSA Excellence 2000 in seven schools throughout Illinois. This after-school enrichment program is designed for Illinois middle school students who are talented, interested and motivated in mathematics and science.
The first-year pilot of IMSA Excellence 2000 is scheduled to begin in January at seven sites including Bell Elementary and Michele Clark Middle School in Chicago, West Middle School in Rockford, Thompson Junior High in Oswego, Grant Middle School in Springfield, Central Junior High School in Belleville and Hillsboro Junior High School in Hillsboro. As many as 40 students and two teachers will participate at each school.
Students participate in IMSA Excellence 2000 for up to 2 ½ years, beginning in the 6th or 7th grade and continuing through the 8th or 9th grade, with special emphasis on students historically underrepresented and underserved in mathematics and science. It will be modeled, in part, after the highly successful after-school Mitchell Excellence 2000 enrichment program for junior high school students in Israel.
The Mitchell Excellence 2000 in Israel is operated by the Society for Excellence Through Education, the organization which operates the Israel Arts and Science Academy, a "sister school" of IMSA. Representatives from the Israel program will visit the IMSA campus November 6-8 for a three-day professional development seminar to launch the program in Illinois. The seminar will be presented by the administrative and educational directors of the Israeli program, Mr. Hezki Arieli, Director General, Dr. Koby Barak, science director and Mr. Gali Shimoni, math director.
IMSA Excellence 2000 is being started at the request of the Illinois General Assembly, with the strong support of House Speaker Michael Madigan and Governor George Ryan. IMSA Excellence 2000 leaders include Ann Wohlberg, project director and Mary Lou Lipscomb, professional development/curriculum specialist.
Located in Aurora, Illinois, the Illinois Mathematics and Science Academy® (IMSA) is an internationally-recognized pioneering educational institution created by the State to develop talent and stimulate excellence in teaching and learning in mathematics, science and technology. IMSA's advanced residential college preparatory program enrolls 650 academically talented Illinois students in grades 10-12. More than 14,000 teachers and 20,000 students in Illinois and beyond have benefited from IMSA's professional development and enrichment programs. IMSA serves the people of Illinois through innovative instructional programs, public and private partnerships, policy leadership and action research.