Acequia Madre Elementary

The case study examines the implementation of the Everyday Mathematics program at Acequia Madre Elementary, a public school in Santa Fe, New Mexico, serving grades K–6. The school, located in a suburban setting, piloted the program in the 2015–16 academic year to address a significant gap in math proficiency compared to reading scores. The study involved all students at the school, with demographics including 33% Hispanic, 61% Caucasian, and 32% eligible for free and reduced lunch programs.

The school focused on integrating Everyday Mathematics, a curriculum emphasizing hands-on activities, real-life applications, and differentiation to cater to both remedial and advanced learners. Students engaged in activities such as measuring, using manipulatives, and collaborative problem-solving, with the program encouraging self-discovery and deeper conceptual understanding rather than rote memorization. Outcomes measured included the NM state summative assessments, tracking proficiency and advanced-level performance across the school year.

Results showed dramatic improvements in math proficiency. At the beginning of the year, only 19% of students were proficient; by year-end, this figure rose to 86%. Additionally, the percentage of students working at advanced levels increased from 0% to 20%. Acequia Madre outperformed both district and state averages across grades 3–6, with proficiency rates significantly higher than Santa Fe Public Schools and New Mexico overall.