The Challenge

Torah Academy for Girls needed a method to enrich students' educational experiences horizontally in math, without accelerating them vertically, which could potentially lead to disengagement in future grades. The school wanted to develop students' critical thinking, communication, and collaborative skills to align with the demands of 21st century jobs. Additionally, they aimed to make learning more engaging and relevant for their all-female student population.

Choosing Exemplars

To address these goals, the school turned to Exemplars to provide high-quality performance material in mathematics for instruction and assessment. Led by their Curriculum Coordinator at the time, Ashley Charnoff, Torah Academy for Girls found that Exemplars' math tasks engaged students in real-world problem solving, encouraging them to think deeply and work collaboratively. Exemplars worked perfectly to supplement the school’s core math program.

The Results

Since incorporating Exemplars into the math curriculum, the Torah Academy for Girls has yielded significant results. Students have learned to approach complex math tasks methodically and communicate more effectively using mathematical language. 

"The biggest improvement is that they understand that a task can be conquered by slowing themselves down. Reading for understanding is important. I’m finding that they are communicating much better and using mathematical language, which is exciting!"  – Ashley Charnoff

Additionally, students have developed the necessary skills to work collaboratively and think critically, preparing them for future careers. "We are training our students for 21st-century jobs, so they have to have flexibility of mind. They have to have critical-thinking skills. They have to be able to work cooperatively with other people," Charnoff adds.

The incorporation of Exemplars has enhanced the overall educational experience at Torah Academy for Girls, equipping students with vital 21st-century skills to thrive in the modern world.