I n t h e b e g i n n i n g ,
. . . t h e r e w a s a v a c a n t
b u i l d i n g a n d a n i d e a . . .
The concept of the Illinois
Mathematics and Science Academy
came from a curriculum workshop
in December 1983. Dr. Leon
Lederman, Director of Fermilab,
first proposed the concept. Teachers,
professors, and administrators, as
well as business professionals,
attended.
Senator Forest Etheredge of
Aurora sponsored legislation for the
school. Senate Bill 730, establishing
the school was passed in October
1985.
The school's National Advisory
Board was formed in May 1985 and
the Board of Trustees was formed in
October of 1985. Borden Mace, one
of the founders of the North
Carolina School of Mathematics,
Science, and the Arts, was hired as
interim director in January 1986. In
February committees were drawing
up recruitment materials and
applications were distributed in
March of the same year and
returned by April and May.
Invitations to students were sent in
June.
In July, Dr. Stephanie Marshall
was hired as permanent Director.
The state legislature appropriated
$3.5 million for the first year of
school and $4.5 million for
dormitories and repairs. Dormitory
ground-breaking was August 11,
1986.
Two hundred and eleven students
were selected from over seven
hundred fifty applicants. The
"Pioneering" class arrived at IMSA
September 7, 1986. Seventeen
teachers began teaching physics,
chemistry, American history,
American literature, various levels
of mathematics, Russian, Spanish,
Latin, German, French, and physical
education.
Aurora, the 1-5 High Tech
Corridor, and the State of Illinois
welcomed the Illinois Mathematics
and Science Academy and its
pioneer class, graciously. A new
educational innovation was born.