
About MWSM
Metrowest School of Mathematics (MWSM) is an independently owned affiliate of Russian
School of Mathematics. It was ounded in 2003
as a partnership between RSM and
a group of former RSM parents who later founded Advanced
Math and Science Academy Charter School (AMSA) in Marlborough, MA.
This partnership enabled MWSM to use a well established RSM
curriculum. Initially intended as a testing ground for the
ideas underlying AMSA curriculum, MWSM took off on its own
and turned into a vibrant afterschool program which continues
to grow every day.
Our Curriculum
MWSM uses the well established RSM curriculum, which attempts
to combine the best international and US practices. We start
Algebra as early as in Kindergarten, and by the second grade
our students are already solving simple algebraic equations
and understand the notion of functions. Early introduction
of Algebra, with its roots in theories of a well-known Russian
educator Lev
Vygotsky , is becoming
increasingly popular in Educational Research in the United
States. An excellent selection of information about Vygotsky
can also be found at http://www.kolar.org/vygotsky/.
A list of recent publications on Early
Algebra can be found in http://www2.earlyalgebra.terc.edu/publications.htm.
RSM curriculum puts some of these ideas to practice, and
we proudly observe how our students, who attend our program
just 2 hours a week, are capable of absorbing complex notions
with ease at an early age.
Our emphasis in elementary school is primarily cognitive
development of a child, which is fostered by a combination
of carefully selected assignments and teacher-student interactions,
providing the scaffolding for development of necessary cognitive
skills, intellectual curiosity and mastery of key concepts.
By middle school, we add a heavy emphasis on ensuring proficiency
in the mathematical concepts and tools, while continuing
to incorporate logical problems and puzzles into the mainstream
program.
By the end of the 7th -8th grade, when most of our classes
complete Algebra 1 and some Algebra 2 requirements, we encourage
our students to try early SAT tests as part of the Johns
Hopkins University Center for Talented Youth admissions process.
Our older students continue to Pre-Calculus, Calculus, AP
preparation and SAT II preparation classes. We also offer
SAT preparation classes to high school students who have
not been previously exposed to our program.
Visit page Programs for more detail.
We believe that our program and methods are consistent with
the recent recommendations of the National Mathematics Advisory
Panel, which recognized that “…the curriculum
must simultaneously develop conceptual understanding, computational
fluency, and problem solving skills. Debates regarding the
relative importance of these aspects of mathematical knowledge
are misguided. These capabilities are mutually supportive,
each facilitating learning of the others. Teachers
should emphasize these interrelations; taken together, conceptual
understanding of mathematical operations, fluent execution
of
procedures, and fast access to number combinations jointly
support
effective and efficient problem solving.” ( Follow
the link to http://www.ed.gov/about/bdscomm/list/mathpanel/report/final-report.pdf for the full report of National Mathematics Advisory Panel).
While our program is most beneficial if started early, we
have developed several tracks which allow us to bring children
who join our program later to catch up to our mainstream
curriculum. We test our entering students, and based on these
placement tests, we place the child at the appropriate level
in the program. If necessary, we also provide additional
tutoring for students entering mid-year.
We also believe that the spirit of competition and intellectual
challenge and fun is irreplaceable in developing the agility
of the young minds and fostering interest in mathematics.
In view of that, we offer – free of charge to students
enrolled in our mainstream program - Olympiad preparation
classes starting from grade 3, and many of our students participate
in national math competitions such as MOEMS (www.moems.com)
and AMC-8 (www.unl.edu/amc/e-exams/e4-amc08/amc8.shtml).
We are proud to have several national winners.
As we welcome new families almost every day, we are heartened
that our efforts are appreciated by the communities we serve.
We are determined to continue implementing our mission – bringing
high quality math education to the children of Metrowest.
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Our Faculty
Dr. Anna Charny, MWSM Director and one of its Founders, received her Ph.D. and M.S. degrees
from MIT. She has a lifelong interest in teaching advanced
mathematics to primary and secondary school children. Her
teaching and tutoring experience >>> More >>>Read more about our Faculty
Our Community
We are fortunate to have a healthy and vibrant community
of students from a wide range of private and public schools – and
some homeschoolers - in more than 40 towns in Metrowest Area. Doctors,
engineers, scientists, teachers, and so many other professionals
choose our program and bring their children year after year. In
our classrooms students from wide ethnical, religious and cultural
backgrounds learn and have fun together.
Our teachers
are no less diverse, ranging from Ph.D.s to college students,
but all share the common love for children and passion for
teaching mathematics, and are all trained to teach our program
and are familiar with our methods. Their skill and their
enthusiasm bring their student back to MWSM week after
week and year after year.
>>> Read more about Teachers
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