As the 2009/2010 school year enters the fourth quarter, we are pleased to report another strong year for the accelerated RSPS math program. The Rancho math program begins early at Pre-K and Kindergarten with an accelerated curriculum that has students studying a year or two above grade level, resulting in 8th graders taking classes ranging from high school Algebra 1 to Honors Algebra 2/Trigonometry. This year, Rancho Solano students produced their highest results in Rancho history in the American Math Competition (AMC-8) with two students receiving the highest scores in the state (24/25), and with two campuses earning Honor Roll status based on team scores. In addition, in February and March, all of the RSPS campuses participated in the annual MathCounts competition within their individual chapters. Coached by Dr. Qibo Jing, individuals from both the Hillcrest and Greenway campuses, based on their scores at their respective chapter competitions, were invited to compete in the state competition in Tucson. The Greenway team consisted of students who placed high individually in the state, and as a team ranked 8th overall in the Mathcounts 2009 Arizona State Round, finishing higher than any private school in Phoenix. “I’m most proud of our students,” said RSPS Assistant Headmaster Brent Hodges, “because our MathCounts team consisted of 7th graders, following Rancho’s seventh grade curriculum, competing against the eighth graders from the other schools.” RSPS students Raj Vatsa and Andrew Salmon also won top individual honors.