Opportunities for student enrichment that moves beyond the standard classroom are an essential part of the school experience and can contribute to students’ academic, personal, and social development.
The Center for Academic Excellence at Maclay School serves as the hub for academic support and enrichment and is committed to providing academic opportunities for all our learners. The following programs are offered in collaboration with the divisions to provide our students with occasions to delve deeper into subjects of interest and explore areas beyond the core curriculum to stimulate intellectual curiosity, critical thinking, and problem-solving skills.
Math@Maclay
“Math at Maclay” is a K-8 math program designed specifically for our Maclay students who either seek additional math help or who hope to delve deeper into classroom math concepts. Maclay CAE learning specialists and math faculty team up to provide hands-on math support and enrichment. “Math at Maclay” follows the grade level curriculum and scope and sequence and reinforces the concepts and number sense in an engaging and active way through the use of manipulatives and math games and tasks.
Students in grades 3-8 can sign up to regularly attend “Math@Maclay” once or twice a week (Tuesdays and Thursdays from 3:15-4:15 in the Center for Academic Excellence) or drop in as needed. To register, email CAE@Maclay.org.
Students in K-2 can sign up for after school Level Up “Math at Maclay” offered each semester. Registration is available here.
iTHINKers Math
Maclay students in grades 5-8 can participate in the iThinkers Math by selecting it as an elective or special area course during their school day. This course, which includes participation in math competitions, is designed to encourage students to stretch their mathematical abilities and think outside the box. As a team, students explore complex problem-solving scenarios by approaching challenges systematically, thinking critically, and learning new techniques. Math competitions also teach valuable lessons about sportsmanship and resilience.
Participating students compete in weekend local and regional math competitions, as well as national competitions such as Math Olympiads.
iTHINKers STEM
The iThinkers course emphasizes creativity, innovation, and out-of-the box thinking for our students in grades 2-4. This weekly enrichment class focuses on exploration of STEM topics through collaborative and hands-on learning. Learning is thematic and grade-level topics are chosen based on students’ interests. Classes are designed to allow students to not only grow in their content knowledge but to also develop critical thinking, collaboration, and leadership skills.
IThinkers is a course designed for students who have a gifted diagnosis or those who demonstrate the need for academic enrichment. All students are screened through Track My Progress and teacher feedback at the beginning of each school year to determine placement.