Brilliant Star adopts int’l math standard

In response to parents’ desire to have their children excel in all academic areas, Brilliant Star School, which serves children from ages 1 1/2 years through the sixth grade, has implemented the world’s highest math standards as its benchmark for evaluating students.

“In a world that is becoming increasingly dependent on technology, it is clear that students need to develop a solid foundation of math in order to be prepared for their futures. In fact, there is a trend among schools to place increased emphasis on science, technology, engineering and math—known as ‘STEM’,” explained Rob Schultz, the principal at Brilliant Star. “It has been recognized in recent years that the strongest math skills are coming from the Singapore school system. As part of our goal to provide a world-class education at Brilliant Star, we look to the highest standards in the world.”

Schultz explained that the benchmarking math exams have been obtained from the Singapore Math program, and in the coming weeks, elementary students will be evaluated as to their level of achievement. The school uses the internationally acclaimed Montessori curriculum and teaching method in which individual educational plans are developed for each child.

“Recent brain research shows that not everyone learns in the same way, and so the teaching method at Brilliant Star capitalizes on the natural learning strengths and needs of each individual child. It also recognizes that kids in a classroom can’t all possibly progress at the same rate. So in this way, each child is given the opportunity to master subjects and move forward as quickly as they are able,” said Schultz.

He explained that the adoption of standards and regular testing at the school has come about as a result of a series of meetings between the school’s board of trustees, teachers, and parents.

“We heard from parents that they want more information regarding the academic achievement of the children. And we have also heard the desire to ensure that all areas of the child’s knowledge bases are well rounded. By using the Singapore Math assessments, we help ensure that math skills will be at their highest levels,” said Schultz.

Adoption of uniform standards for education has been on the minds of the nation’s governors as they met last week. Currently, educational standards are set by each state, and the United States is one of the few countries in the world that does not have a national standard of education.

“Although the nation’s governors voiced their desire to establish a national standard, it will likely take several years to do so. In the meantime, at Brilliant Star School, we will seek the highest international standards in each subject area, and use them as our standards,” said Schultz.

“Adopting the Singapore Math assessments for excellence in math allows us to ensure the kids are excelling in this area,” he said. “We also recognize that academic achievement is only one facet of living a successful life, and so at Brilliant Star, we also emphasize skills needed for children to develop their full potential as human beings.” This is accomplished by paying close attention to each child’s social and character development.

“We work to give children high academic skills, and also the tools they need to solve interpersonal and group problems,” said Schultz. “It’s been shown over and over that the happiest people are those that can not only serve their communities through their intellectual skills, but who can also work constructively with other people, and who have the skills to solve conflicts,” added Schultz. “We focus on these areas in addition to the academics. We’re a school that emphasizes both academic excellence and social ease.”

Brilliant Star School is accepting students for the Fall 2009. Contact the principal at 323-STAR (7282), or visit the website at www.BrilliantStar.org. Scholarships and financial aid are available, and all are encouraged to apply. [B][I](PR)[/I][/B]