Vanguard Gifted Academy Students Excel in National Noetic Learning Math Contest

Batavia, IL – December 8, 2025 – Students from Vanguard Gifted Academy have achieved outstanding success in the Fall 2025 Noetic Learning Math Contest, demonstrating exceptional dedication and skill in math problem-solving against thousands of peers nationwide.

This fall, the Noetic Learning Math Contest saw participation from 33,223 students across various school teams nationwide. We are incredibly proud of all our participating students for their effort, perseverance, and passion for rigorous mathematical challenges.

Global and National Recognition

Adding to the excitement, Vanguard Gifted Academy's participation extended globally, as we were thrilled to host a guest student from Italy who participated alongside our local students. This level of international engagement highlights the universal appeal of mathematics and the academy's broad reach.

We are thrilled to recognize the following top performers and teams at Vanguard Gifted Academy:

Team Winners

The following students achieved the highest score on their respective teams and received the Team Winner designation:

• Aaron (Band One)

• Benton (Band Two)

Individual and Team Honors

• Benton (Band Two) was named to the National Honor Roll, placing him in the top 10% of all student participants nationwide.

• Rowen (Band Two) earned an Honorable Mention, placing him in the top 50% of all participants.

• The Band Two team achieved a remarkable Team Score of 230, demonstrating strong collaborative effort.

Nationally, 3,552 students earned the National Honor Roll title, and 13,841 students earned Honorable Mention. All participating students will receive a Certificate of Participation, and top winners will also receive awards, medals, and ribbons from the Noetic Learning Math Competition.

"I am incredibly proud that our students participated in the Noetic Math Competition," said Amy Trujillo, Head of School at Vanguard Gifted Academy. "This contest focuses on fun problems that are more like riddles and require true problem-solving, not just rote memorization. For us, it’s not primarily about the scores; it’s about taking on this challenge now and focusing on improving their own score in the spring. If a student solved one problem this time, the goal is to try for two or three next time. We commend all our students for their effort and their willingness to embrace this challenging, yet rewarding, experience."

Join the Spring 2026 Math Contest!

The Noetic Learning Math Contest is held twice a year, and Vanguard Gifted Academy students will be participating again in the spring!

We are excited to announce that we have reserved spots for community members and non-enrolled students to join our school teams for the upcoming spring competition. This is a great opportunity for students in the area to engage in a stimulating national math challenge.

Key Details for Spring Contest:

• Who: Open to all eligible students in the community.

• Cost: The contest requires a registration fee.

• Scholarships: To ensure all interested students can participate, Vanguard Gifted Academy will provide scholarships to cover the cost for families for whom the fee presents a financial difficulty.

Interested community members or parents should contact Amy Trujillo, 1078 E Wilson St | Batavia, IL 60510, Phone: 224-213-0087, or Email: gifted@vanguardgiftedacademy.org for registration details and scholarship applications.

Vanguard: A Center for Math Excellence in Illinois

Vanguard Gifted Academy is committed to spreading the love of math to all students in Illinois, not just those enrolled at the academy. In addition to the Noetic Learning Math Contest, we offer:

• Free Monthly Math Circles: Open to the community, these sessions focus on working through fun, problem-solving challenges similar to those found in the Noetic contest.

• Math Kangaroo Center: Vanguard is a proud center for the international Math Kangaroo competition. Head of School Amy Trujillo currently serves as the Illinois State Director for Math Kangaroo, underscoring the academy's dedication to promoting math engagement across the state.

About the Noetic Learning Math Contest:

The Noetic Learning Math Contest (NLMC) is a semiannual math competition for elementary and middle school students. The goal of the competition is to encourage students' interest in math, to develop their problem-solving skills, and to inspire them to excel in math.