Illinois Mathematics and Science Academy
The Illinois Mathematics and Science Academy, or IMSA, is a three-year residential public secondary education institution in Aurora, Illinois, United States, with an enrollment of approximately 650 students.
Illinois Mathematics and Science Academy (IMSA)
To ignite and nurture creative, ethical, scientific minds that advance the human condition[2]
1985
Evan M. Glazer
Erin W. Roche[1]
Angela Rowley – Interim Principal and Chief Academic Officer
52
650
14:1
Suburban
Navy
Pacific blue[4]
Little Ten Conference
Titan
The Acronym[5]
Gallimaufry[5]
IMSA Fund for Advancement of Education
Free
1
Enrollment is generally offered to incoming sophomores, although younger students who have had the equivalent of one year of algebra and a 9th-grade science equivalent are eligible to apply. All applicants undergo a competitive admissions process involving the review of grades, teacher evaluations, student essays, and SAT scores. Historically, approximately one-third of applicants in any given year are admitted. Due to its nature as a public institution, there are no charges related to tuition, room, and board; however, there is an annual student fee that may be reduced or waived based on family income. IMSA has been consistently ranked by Newsweek as one of the top ten high schools in the country for math and science, and some of its graduates have become leaders in a variety of fields. It is the top-rated public high school in Illinois on Niche.com.[6]
History[edit]
The school's founding president was former Batavia Superintendent Stephanie Pace Marshall, who was involved with the project from the start and with the school’s first legal counsel Richard L. Horwitz, helped form IMSA's original legislation, governing by-laws and slogan. Marshall retired from the position on June 30, 2007, and was later named President Emerita by the Board of Trustees.[7]
Although the school received a budget cut in financial year 2002, its budget has since increased with the support of House Minority Leader Tom Cross. IMSA's chairperson was Paula Olszewski-Kubilius.[8]
Academics[edit]
Students at IMSA take rigorous college preparatory courses, with all classes being taught at the honors level, though IMSA philosophically spurns the Advanced Placement curriculum. Each student must fulfill a set of specific credits in order to graduate. This set of credits is broken down by academic subject. Each semester-long class counts for 0.5 credits, unless it meets with greater-than-normal frequency.
In addition to the academic program, IMSA also offers a large number clubs ranging from religious clubs to volunteer organizations.[14] All these clubs are chartered by the Student Council, colloquially referred to as StudCo.[15]
Student Inquiry and Research
Most Wednesdays are "I Days" (for "inquiry") and are usually reserved for juniors and seniors to research in the SIR program. SIR also runs during the summer of one's sophomore year and junior year, allowing a student to conduct four disparate investigations. [1]
External programs[edit]
Unlike many other secondary schools, IMSA runs extracurricular and summer programs for the teachers and students of the State of Illinois. The Center for Teaching and Learning (CTL), is the division of the academy that directs and manages programs serving Illinois Educators and Students. CTL offerings enable students to develop and sustain Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) skills. CTL Student offerings include the IMSA Fusion program, Summer@IMSA, Funshop student enrichment programs, an on-line research course (RISE) open to all Illinois students, ALLIES (selected High School students that lead and facilitate inquiry-based STEM programs) and a variety of online learning experiences. CTL Educator offerings include professional development to include IMSA Core Competencies, IMSA Fusion (Offering professional development for educators teaching the FUSION after school program) and the annual "IMSA Teacher Institute Day" for local Mathematics and Science educators. All CTL Programs place a special emphasis on students who are historically under-represented and under-served in math and science. Uniquely, The Center for Teaching and Learning, also operates a field office in the Metro-east area.
Student life[edit]
Publications[edit]
The Acronym is IMSA's student-run general affairs newspaper. In the 2008–2009 school year The Acronym ceased paper publishing and transitioned to an online format. The Acronym also publishes yearly Back to School editions and Senior Editions at the beginning and end of the school year, respectively. Since its inception, The Acronym has had the participation of more than 400 writers. In the 2022-2023 academic year, The Acronym reintroduced printed editions while maintaining its online articles. Additionally, it launched its mobile application that same year.
Athletics[edit]
IMSA is a member of the Illinois High School Association (IHSA), the organization which governs most sports and competitive activities in the state of Illinois, and began competing in the Little Ten Conference, a subdivision of the IHSA, during the 2021–2022 school year. IMSA's sports teams are stylized as the Titans.
The school sponsors interscholastic teams for young men and women in basketball, cross country, golf, soccer, swimming & diving, tennis, track & field, and volleyball.[16] Young women may also compete in badminton.[16] While not sponsored by the IHSA, the school also sponsors a dance team for young men and women.[16]
Student Leadership and Development (SLD) Programs[edit]
Student Council[edit]
In addition to its primary role as the mediator between administrators and students, Student Council works with administrators to change aspects of the Academy. The Student Council website provides the student body relevant information about projects that the council is working on. Student Council also charters clubs at the beginning of each academic year and provides them with the necessary funds to hold various events. Student Council works throughout the year to collect student feedback and use that information to make changes that reflect the intentions of the student body.[20]
Awards[edit]
IMSA consistently ranks at the top of the nation in standardized test scores (of roughly 200 students in the senior class, about 50 are National Merit Semifinalists), as well as in the prestigious Siemens and Intel Science competitions. In the class of 2009, five students were named Siemens Regional Finalists and ten others as semifinalists.[21]
Six mathematics teachers have been honored with the Edyth May Sliffe Award: Titu Andreescu (1994), Ronald Vavrinek (1995), Micah Fogel (2001), Steven Condie (2002), Michael Keyton (2003), Don Porzio (2004), and Steven Condie (2nd award) (2007).[22] Asteroid 21441 Stevencondie is named after Dr. Condie.[23][24]
Dr. Lee Eysturlid was honored with a University of Chicago Outstanding Educator Award (2020).[25]