Getting Started

Not ready: Most students aren't ready to start IMACS until 1st grade, but if your child is doing extremely well in school when he or she reaches kindergarten, please check back with us then to schedule a free demonstration class.

Most students aren't ready to start IMACS until 1st grade. However, if your child is doing extremely well in school he or she may be ready. Please take a moment to answer the following questions:

• Can your child write all of his/her numbers from 1 – 30 with no help from any outside source (samples, teachers, etc.)?

• Can your child count backwards from 20 with no help?

• Can your child quickly solve simple addition and subtraction problems that he or she has not memorized (e.g., 9+4, 12-3, 7+5, etc.)?

• Can your child sit in a classroom environment with 1st and 2nd graders and behave as maturely as the 1st graders?

• Can your child sit in a classroom with 1st and 2nd graders and participate/compete at the same level as the 1st graders?

If you answer Yes to these questions then your child may be ready for an IMACS class, and you should reserve a space in a demonstration class.

2. Is your child good at math

• Yes
• No

3. Does your child enjoy math

• Yes
• No

3. Does your child enjoy math

• Yes
• No

If your child is a good math student and enjoys math, then he or she is ready for a real mathematical challenge. Traditional teaching generally focuses on the mastery of arithmetic algorithms, and talented children are often bored and not challenged in such a setting. IMACS students, on the other hand, become involved with real mathematical activities from which they begin to develop a fundamental mathematical understanding. In other words, the focus at IMACS classes is not on arithmetic and memorization, but on how to think and solve problems.

All prospective students must attend a free demonstration class before enrolling in the program. We encourage you as a parent to watch the class to determine if IMACS is right for your child. And if we think that IMACS is not a good fit, we will tell you so at the demonstration class. Please click here to enroll your child in a free demonstration class.

Many children who are good at math don't enjoy it because of the "drill and kill" techniques used in most traditional math classrooms. Children are not taught the concepts behind what they are learning. When teachers "teach to the test," many bright children lose interest. These children haven't seen that math can be exciting. The IMACS curriculum includes strategic, logical reasoning games and puzzles that children enjoy. Children learn how to truly think and develop their logical reasoning skills, not how to memorize problems. And as an additional bonus, nearly half of IMACS parents surveyed indicated that IMACS has improved their children's confidence in math.

All prospective students must attend a free demonstration class before enrolling in the program. We encourage you as a parent to watch the class to determine if IMACS is right for your child. And if we think that IMACS is not a good fit, we will tell you so at the demonstration class. Please click here to enroll your child in a free demonstration class.

IMACS may be a good fit for your child. IMACS classes improve children's logical reasoning skills. Children are placed in IMACS classes by ability, not age. Seventy percent of IMACS parents surveyed indicated that their child's problem-solving skills improved as a direct result of IMACS classes. The IMACS experience is very different from what your child experiences in school. IMACS doesn't "drill and kill" arithmetic problems. Instead, the IMACS program looks way beyond the "teaching-to-the-test" mentality that plagues many elementary math programs. IMACS teaches children how to think.

We understand that IMACS is not for everyone. All prospective students must attend a free demonstration class before enrolling in the program. We encourage you as a parent to watch the class to determine if IMACS is right for your child. And if we think that IMACS is not a good fit, we will tell you so at the demonstration class. Please click here to enroll your child in a free demonstration class.

Your child may need IMACS to improve her or his logical reasoning skill and boost her or his confidence. Children are placed in IMACS classes by ability, not age. Seventy percent of IMACS parents surveyed indicated that their child's problem solving skills improved and nearly half of the same parents indicated that their child's confidence in math improved as a direct result of IMACS classes. The IMACS experience is very different from what your child experiences in school. IMACS doesn't "drill and kill" arithmetic problems. Instead, the IMACS program looks way beyond the "teaching-to-the-test" mentality that plagues many secondary math programs. IMACS teaches children how to think, and IMACS classes are fun and exciting! The IMACS curriculum includes strategic, logical reasoning games and puzzles that children enjoy.

We understand that IMACS is not for everyone. All prospective students must attend a free demonstration class before enrolling in the program. We encourage you as a parent to watch the class to determine if IMACS is right for your child. And if we think that IMACS is not a good fit, we will tell you so at the demonstration class. Please click here to enroll your child in a free demonstration class.

We encourage all children in 4th and 5th grade to attend our mathematics enrichment program before beginning computer enrichment. Mathematics Enrichment offers unparalleled benefits for elementary children. Once children start middle school, the window of opportunity for developing their maximum logical reasoning abilities is closed. Fourth and fifth graders can always do Computer Enrichment later, but they will never get another opportunity to do Mathematics Enrichment.

However, Computer Enrichment certainly has its benefits. Children actually program computers while solving fun, yet complex, algebra and geometry problems.

2. Which course are you most interested in?

• Mathematics Enrichment
• Computer Enrichment

If your child loves computers, this may be the right class for her or him. Students don't merely use the computer in this course; they write computer programs! Using the programming language LOGO developed at MIT, students are challenged by projects designed by the IMACS Curriculum Group. Students learn how to control the computer and program it to do their bidding. The curriculum introduces young students to concepts that they would not get until much later in their elementary and secondary school career. In fact, many students must wait until college to be introduced to many of the ideas in the Computer Enrichment course. The IMACS Math Enrichment program prepares children for this level, but you may still enroll your child without having taken Math Enrichment. Your child may attend a free class to see if this is the right program for him or her.

Please click here to enroll your child in a free trial class.

3. Is your child good at math?

• Yes
• No

4. Does your child enjoy math

• Yes
• No

4. Does your child enjoy math

• Yes
• No

If your child is a good math student and enjoys math, then he or she is ready for a real mathematical challenge. Traditional teaching generally focuses on the mastery of arithmetic algorithms, and talented children are often bored and not challenged in such a setting. IMACS students, on the other hand, become involved with real mathematical activities from which they begin to develop a fundamental mathematical understanding. In other words, the focus at IMACS classes is not on arithmetic and memorization, but on how to think and solve problems.

All prospective students must attend a free demonstration class before enrolling in the program. We encourage you as a parent to watch the class to determine if IMACS is right for your child. And if we think that IMACS is not a good fit, we will tell you so at the demonstration class. Please click here to enroll your child in a free demonstration class.

Many children who are good at math don't enjoy it because of the "drill and kill" techniques used in most traditional math classrooms. Children are not taught the concepts behind what they are learning. When teachers "teach to the test," many bright children lose interest. These children haven't seen that math can be exciting. The IMACS curriculum includes strategic, logical reasoning games and puzzles that children enjoy. Children learn how to truly think and develop their logical reasoning skills, not how to memorize problems. And as an additional bonus, nearly half of IMACS parents surveyed indicated that IMACS has improved their children's confidence in math.

All prospective students must attend a free demonstration class before enrolling in the program. We encourage you as a parent to watch the class to determine if IMACS is right for your child. And if we think that IMACS is not a good fit, we will tell you so at the demonstration class. Please click here to enroll your child in a free demonstration class.

IMACS may be a good fit for your child. IMACS classes improve children's logical reasoning skills. Children are placed in IMACS classes by ability, not age. Seventy percent of IMACS parents surveyed indicated that their child's problem-solving skills improved as a direct result of IMACS classes. The IMACS experience is very different from what your child experiences in school. IMACS doesn't "drill and kill" arithmetic problems. Instead, the IMACS program looks way beyond the "teaching-to-the-test" mentality that plagues many elementary math programs. IMACS teaches children how to think.

We understand that IMACS is not for everyone. All prospective students must attend a free demonstration class before enrolling in the program. We encourage you as a parent to watch the class to determine if IMACS is right for your child. And if we think that IMACS is not a good fit, we will tell you so at the demonstration class. Please click here to enroll your child in a free demonstration class.

IMACS is most likely not a good fit for your child. Your child may need some private tutoring, which we do not offer. However, our demonstration classes are free, and you are welcome to bring your child to a fun, interactive demonstration class. We encourage you as a parent to watch the class. If we think that IMACS is not a good fit, we will tell you at the demonstration class, and can help you identify your child's weaknesses and make suggestions as to how these can be addressed. Please click here to enroll your child in a free demonstration class.

2. Does your child do well at math?

• Yes
• No

The IMACS program for high school students consists of very challenging classes at the university level. If your child is not doing well in his or her high school mathematics classes, then IMACS is probably not the right fit for your child.

Your child may be eligible to enroll in one of the university level courses offered by IMACS. These courses are NOT merely advanced placement high school courses. Students who succeed in these courses have an unusual advantage over other high achieving high school students.

IMACS administers an aptitude test to determine whether any of these courses are right for your child. To arrange an appointment, contact the IMACS center nearest you.

University Courses at IMACS

Please note: These classes may not be available at all locations:

• Computer Science: an academic course including advanced concepts not found in traditional high school introductory courses.

• Logic For Mathematics: an unparalleled course in pure mathematical logic, designed for the most talented secondary school students.

2. Does your child do well at math?

• Yes
• No

3. Which course is your child most interested in?

• Mathematics
• Computer Science

If you're simply looking to get your child through his or her next math test, IMACS is not the place to do it. But, if you are looking to improve your child's interest and ability in mathematical reasoning, then the Computer Enrichment & Virtual Robotics might be the perfect fit.

In this engaging, self-paced class, your child will use virtual robots that faithfully model real-world robots and the physics of their movement. It's fun, but it's no game! Your child will succeed in this course by learning to analyze the challenging problems they meet.

They will also write programs in a vector-graphics based language, which introduces concepts from algebra and geometry. As in all IMACS classes, the goal is to develop your child's ability to think through problems that go beyond the specific applications in this class. That's the IMACS Difference.

If your child is doing well in math, he or she does not need tutoring. Your child does not need to see the same topics that he or she will see in school. Your child needs a mathematical challenge that requires real mathematical reasoning. That was what the mathematicians in the IMACS Curriculum Development Group were thinking when they created the Computer Enrichment & Virtual Robotics course.

The class is fun, but it's no game! Your child will succeed in this course by learning to analyze the challenging problems they meet.

In this engaging, self-paced class, your child will use virtual robots that faithfully model real-world robots and the physics of their movement. They will also write programs in a vector-graphics based language, which introduces concepts from algebra and geometry. As in all IMACS classes, the goal is to develop your child's ability to think through problems that go beyond the specific applications in this class. That's the IMACS Difference!

This course leads our most talented students to our university level courses in mathematics and computer science.

If your child is interested in computer programming — and is ready for a challenge — Computer Enrichment & Virtual Robotics is the perfect fit.

In this engaging, self-paced class, your child will use virtual robots that faithfully model real-world robots and the physics of their movement. It's fun, but it's no game! Your child will succeed in this course by learning to analyze the challenging problems they meet.

They will also write programs in a vector-graphics based language. Through a carefully crafted sequence of activities, your child will be guided into increasingly advanced programming concepts.

This course leads our most talented students to our university level course in Computer Science.