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Illinois Mathematics and Science Academy

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The Illinois Mathematics and Science Academy® is an internationally-recognized pioneering educational institution created by the state of Illinois to develop talent and leadership in mathematics, science and technology. IMSA's advanced residential college preparatory program enrolls 650 academically talented Illinois students in grades 10-12. Nearly 21,000 teachers and 52,500 students in Illinois and beyond have benefited from IMSA's professional development programs and student enrichment/pathway programs. Located in Aurora in the high-tech corridor west of Chicago, IMSA serves the people of Illinois through unique, innovative instructional programs, public and private partnerships, policy counsel, action research, and the leadership and achievements of its graduates.

Growing the State's Supply of Technical and Scientific Leaders
IMSA offers a uniquely challenging education for Illinois students in grades 10 -12 talented in the areas of mathematics and science. Tuition and most room and board expenses are provided by state funds. The 650 students who are enrolled in the three-year residential program participate in a unique approach to learning that is problem-centered, inquiry-based and integrative. Advanced courses in mathematics, science, the arts and humanities emphasize connections across the disciplines.

Research- A Cornerstone Educational Experience
Students are widely recognized for their achievements in research, presentations and academic testing. High-level student research is a cornerstone of IMSA's unique educational experience. Through the Student Inquiry and Research program, students conduct research with master scholars and scientists at more than 100 institutions, including Argonne National Laboratory, the Field Museum and Loyola Medical Center. They deliver their findings at professional conferences nationwide and abroad.

Admission to the Nation's Top Colleges and Universities
Students reach exceptional levels of achievement. While IMSA students' standardized test scores are among the nation's highest, their college readiness includes more than high scores. Their evidence of deep learning through research projects, mentorships, published studies, and presentations at professional conferences makes them highly attractive candidates to the nation's most selective colleges and universities. - The five Illinois universities that enroll the highest number of IMSA graduates are University of Illinois at Urbana, Northwestern University, The University of Chicago, University of Illinois at Chicago, and Bradley University. The five out-of-state universities that enroll the highest number of IMSA graduates are Washington University (Missouri), Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Stanford University (California), Harvard University (Massachusetts), and Rice University (Texas).

Alumni - A Growing Force in Illinois and Beyond
IMSA alumni include 3179 graduates with 99% having enrolled in college. Nearly 2/3 earn degrees in either science or mathematics which is significantly higher than the population at large and more than four times higher among women. The IMSA approach to learning -- problem- centered, inquiry-based and integrative -- has prepared graduates to be decidedly different learners. Many graduates are making strong contributions in their fields and to society. These leaders are conducting research in ecology, evolutionary biology, infectious diseases and astronomy. They work for multi-national Fortune 500 companies as consultants in E-commerce and as design engineers. They fly jets for the United States Navy. They contribute to the field of medicine by improving detection devices for the diagnosis of cancer. They are physics and chemistry teachers. The graduates are fulfilling IMSA's Promise to Illinois - using their talents and compassion to create a better world for all.

Faculty - Among the Nation's Best
IMSA faculty members include Presidential Award winners, National Board of Professional Teaching Standards (NBPTS) certified faculty, distinguished authors and fellowship recipients. All faculty have advanced degrees, with more than 40% holding doctorate degrees. In 1998, Nobel Laureate Dr. Leon Lederman became the inaugural Resident Scholar at IMSA.

Stimulating Excellence in Mathematics, Science and Technology in Illinois Schools
IMSA delivers statewide professional development and enrichment programs to Illinois teachers and students. The Academy works with teachers in school districts to focus on professional development in mathematics, science and technology curriculum, instructional methods, standards alignment and measurement of results. IMSA delivers enrichment programs to stimulate the interest, motivation and achievement of elementary, middle school and high school students in mathematics, science and technology. Programs are held on IMSA's Aurora campus, at locations throughout Illinois and online.

Bringing Recognition to Illinois
Since it was founded in 1985, the Academy has been uniting the best knowledge of how people learn with input from experts in mathematics, science, technology and other fields. IMSA's models of teaching and learning are recognized nationally and abroad. Delegations of educators from Illinois, other states and countries including Australia, Israel, Japan, Jordan, Korea, the Netherlands, Singapore and Thailand come to IMSA to study curriculum and instruction models.

IMSA has been profiled by CNN, Harvard University's national study for exemplary schools, Nature journal, NBC-TV's Dateline, the New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, USA Today and Worth magazine to name a few.

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