When Claire-Anya first came to IMACS in 4th grade, math wasn’t her favorite subject. In fact, she lacked confidence in her mathematical abilities. Her parents discovered IMACS through colleagues of her father’s and decided to see whether a math enrichment program with a different approach might make a difference.
It did.
Finding Confidence Through Challenge
After being evaluated, Claire-Anya was placed into an IMACS program designed for older students. She found something very different from traditional math classes: challenging problems she could explore without worrying about grades or deadlines, the freedom to work at her own pace, and classmates who shared her curiosity. IMACS soon became the highlight of her week.
As her confidence grew, so did her appetite for a challenge. Claire-Anya continued through the IMACS curriculum, completing the Math Enrichment program, working independently through EMF coursework, and studying University Computer Science. The student who once lacked confidence in math eventually began viewing complex problems not as obstacles, but as puzzles she had the skills to solve.
Academic Excellence and STEM Leadership
That mindset followed Claire-Anya throughout high school. Her remarkable high school achievements include:
- Graduated summa cum laude and in the top 1% of her class
- Earned a 1520 SAT score (with a 790 in math)
- Completed 14 AP courses, earning straight A’s in AP Calculus AB and BC
- Three-time VEX Robotics State Qualifier
- Founded STEM Mentors, a community service initiative providing math mentoring, robotics workshops, and STEM career exploration for young women (earning her Girl Scout Gold Award)
A Dedication to Community Service
Her commitment to service extended far beyond STEM. Claire-Anya completed an extraordinary 1,200 hours of community service, including volunteering as a pianist at Cleveland Clinic’s Braathen Center each week throughout high school. Her dedication to serving others earned her two Presidential Volunteer Service Gold Awards and congressional recognition for her service to the community.
Next Stop: The University of Florida Honors Program
Claire-Anya was accepted to some of the nation’s leading universities, including Cornell, the University of Michigan, the University of Virginia, Notre Dame, and UNC-Chapel Hill.
She ultimately chose the University of Florida Honors Program, where she will study biomedical engineering in the Herbert Wertheim College of Engineering. She is currently considering future paths in medicine or patent law.
IMACS taught me that challenging problems are opportunities to learn rather than obstacles to avoid. The confidence and problem-solving skills I gained there played a significant role in my achievements throughout middle school, high school, and the college admissions process. IMACS has not only been a partner in my educational process, they have cheered me on and supported me every step of the way.
— Claire-Anya, IMACS alumna
Help Your Child Discover What They’re Capable Of
Whether your child needs more confidence in math or is ready for a greater challenge, IMACS helps students develop the problem-solving skills and confidence to take on what comes next. Ready to see if IMACS is right for your child? Book a free class.