FAQ

Questions about Elements

Q. Do students test into one of the three levels of Elements?

A. Courses are designed to be sequential, therefore, whatever school year the student is in, when they start Megsss, they are a first-year student. Students have three years of coursework available in afterschool.

Q. Is the Elements coursework challenging?

A. Students will be working with college level math through the Elements curriculum. The coursework is intended to be challenging, but there are many means of support available. Most students will feel challenged by this coursework, which is why many students learn that their study habits need improved. Most students work on Megsss coursework without the help of their parents, so are facing this challenge alone. Their support comes once they have the ability to ask questions or otherwise seek help. A student who learns to ask questions, has learned a lifelong skill.

Q. Do students receive a participation grade?

A. Students are encouraged to participate in class, but participation is not required nor measured.

Q. How much time should be set aside for class and homework?

A. Elements courses typically take place one night a week from 4:00 pm – 6:50 pm, with a break. For three hourse of class, plan for up to three hours of homework per week. It may be less for your student.

Q. Can enrollment in the Elements Program count as my student’s regular math class?

A. Based on the variance across the middle schools attended by Project MEGSSS students, there is no definite answer to this question as credit transfer policies are decided by school or district. The short answer is: Elements enrollment will likely not be accepted by your child’s school as a replacement for a required math course. However, is this a route that will benefit your child in the long run? While it is true that your child is engaging in classwork outside of the school day that is applicable to their educational pursuits, the work done in the Elements classroom is quite different than what takes place during the school day. A good way to view an Elements enrollment is enrichment, exploration, and an opportunity to engage with math concepts your child would not see until college math.

Q. Is my student eligible for high school credit following the completion of the Elements program?

A. Again, based on the variance across high schools Project MEGSSS student to on to attend, there is not a direct connection between Elements completion and high school credit. However, as many of our students look to enroll in highly competitive high schools that will require admission testing or other academic credentials, completing all three Elements years or attending summer programs with Project MEGSSS builds several key skills assessed by most standarized tests and admission processes. Such as critical thinking, ability to engage in logic based problems, analytical skills, thinking in abstract math concepts, and finely tuned study habits as well as time management skills.

What Programs are Available?

Elements of Mathematics

We accept school and teacher referrals throughout the year for Elements, which is a closed program focused on students aged 8 (by August 1) to 14 in the top 5% of their cohort in math and reading. A student does not need to be enrolled in the school’s gifted program.

Educators may nominate other students if you think they may benefit from the program, even if the standards described above have not been precisely met. Nominees should also display traits such as persistence, curiousity, superior reasoning ability, originality, motivation, independence, social maturity, emotional stability, and enthusiasm for mathematics. A student who displays these characteristics, even if not earning good grades in math, may very well be an excellent candidate for this program.

Nominations typically occur each year before January 31, to allow parents time to investigate the program and register their students for the qualifying test in March/April. A rolling admissions process continues after January 31, with provisions made to qualify late nominees until summer registration is completed. While this is a selective program requiring a student to qualify, we currently have no limit on the number of students who may participate in our introductory summer Elements program.