BELOIT, WI—“Our academic scores have soared since we began the First In Math® Online Program,” says Steve McNeal, Director of Curriculum for the Beloit School District. All twelve of the district’s elementary schools are participating in the program, and what started out as a program for gifted elementary students has turned into a district-wide program for all students. “We couldn't be happier,” says McNeal.
Pictured L to R, back row: District Director of Curriculum Steve McNeal; Suntex VP Barbara Asteak; Robinson ES Principal Sam Carter and Superintendent Milton Thompson. Front Row: Top Wisconsin 5th Grader Gustavo Badillo and top Wisconsin player, all grades, 3rd Grader Jorge Jurado.
Suntex International Vice President, Barbara Asteak, recently visited Robinson Elementary School, home to the #1 third- and fifth-grade teams in Wisconsin. “When I arrived at the school I was ushered into a computer lab full of third grade students using the First In Math® program. I was excited to see so many students working way beyond grade level,” says Asteak. “After walking around the lab and talking to several students I noticed something unique about this group—they were all boys.”
Principal Sam Carter explains that Robinson has all-girl or all-boy classrooms. “We based our decision to separate students by gender on the research of Dr. Leonard Sax.” According to Carter, the ‘boy’ classrooms have earned all of the First In Math Team of the Week honors so far. “But last week one of our girls was Player of the Week,” smiles Carter, adding that a pizza party awaits the first all-girl Team of the Week. Girls have dominated the First In Math National Top Player category for the past three years. (see FIM Champions Hall of Fame)
Shawn Petitt’s fifth-grade team, Sumo4wi, currently the #1 team in Wisconsin, recently celebrated the achievement of their goal—100,000+ stickers—with a pizza party. Petitt is currently the #1 Team Leader Player in the state, and Robinson Elementary is home to the #1 player in the state, Jorge Jurado, who happens to be a third grader.