We have some "exponentially" exciting news to share with our Wildkat community! Maple Crest Elementary School is thrilled to announce that one of our very own third graders, Weston Michael, has been recognized as one of the top mathematical minds in the entire state of Indiana!
A Remarkable Achievement
The Indiana Department of Education recently partnered with National Math Stars (NMS) to identify students with truly exceptional talent. Based on his incredible performance on the ILEARN assessment, Weston scored in the top 2% of all third graders in Indiana! Because of this achievement, Weston has been nominated to apply for the prestigious NMS program—a nonprofit dedicated to supporting extraordinary math students from all communities.
What This Means for Our Wonder-Filled Wildkat
National Math Stars is a launchpad for success. If accepted, Weston will join a community of like-minded peers and receive additional long-term support through high school, including:
Advanced Math Coursework: Support in mastering high-level math.
Family Advising: Personalized guidance to ensure academic growth.
Financial Resources: For high-need families, this program can provide over $100,000 in resources and assistance—all at no cost to the family or the school!
What Does STEM Look Like at Maple Crest?
Maple Crest Elementary is proud to be a Certified STEM School, but what does that look like for our students every day? It means that Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math aren't just checked off a list—they are woven into everything we do.
When we say our Maple Crest Wildkats are "immersed" in STEM, we mean they are:
Learning by Doing: Instead of only reading about how things work, our students are building, testing, and refining. Whether they are 3D printing a solution to a classroom problem or collaborating on digital productions—complete with scripting and technology—the learning is active and hands-on.
Thinking Like Engineers: We use the Engineering Design Process across the curriculum. Students learn to "Ask, Imagine, Plan, Create, and Improve." This teaches them that mistakes are just a step toward a better solution.
Connecting the Dots: Our students use math as a helpful tool to understand scientific concepts, and they use their reading and writing skills to research and share their discoveries about the world.
A Continuous Journey: Because our elementary and middle schools share a campus, this immersion continues seamlessly from Kindergarten through 8th Grade, allowing students to tackle increasingly complex and exciting projects as they grow, in a familiar place that they know.
Maple Crest Elementary School Principal Jason Snyder is excited to see the impact of this unique educational environment:
"It is so rewarding to see our students reach these kinds of milestones! At Maple Crest STEM Elementary, we see kids lighting up as they figure out how things work and how math connects to the world around them," shared Principal Jason Snyder. "In our STEM classrooms, it's about giving our Wildkats the freedom to be curious and the tools to find the answers. We are incredibly proud of the efforts happening here every day and the dedicated, supportive staff who champion our students at every step. We can't wait to see where this journey takes our students in the future!"
Are you looking for a school where your child’s potential can take off? From Kindergarten through 8th Grade, our STEM-focused campus provides a unique path for every student to explore their interests and succeed.
We are currently enrolling! Come see how a Certified STEM education can make a world of difference in your child's education.
