Singapore Math

A key component of our Lower School curriculum is Singapore Math. It has been extremely successful in preparing our students for the higher-level math courses available in the Middle and Upper Schools. The program is based on textbooks from the national curriculum of Singapore, which has consistently ranked as the top nation in the world for fourth- and eighth-grade math achievement. Starting in Kindergarten, students work on problem-solving in a series of workbooks. They also sharpen their mental math skills by participating in math sprints—after doing a brief physical exercise, like jumping jacks, to get their blood pumping, the children answer as many problems as possible on a worksheet in a set amount of time. Math sprints are not graded, but serve as a fun and active way for the children to hone their skills.

Our teachers are trained each year in the Singapore Math method, and Dr. Yoram Sagher, one of the nation’s leading Singapore Math experts, makes annual visits to NEST+m to work with teachers and offer seminars for parents.