St. Jude the Apostle School offers several outlets for students to put their math comprehension and skills to the test.
The Fifth and Sixth Grade Math Club has approximately 6-8 fifth graders and 6-8 sixth graders. Generally honors math students comprise this club, however students will try out. Tryouts can be a classroom test and/or a test given to interested students in the morning before school.
The next club is called MathCounts and it’s purpose is to expose students to problems which require critical thinking and problem solving skills. This club meets 10 times a year. Monthly contests are given and students compete against schools nationwide. Schools with 12 or more students answering at least 80% of questions correctly receive Gold Level status. St. Jude has received Gold Level status since the implementation of this program two years ago.
MouthCounts Competition
We also have students who are selected by their teachers based on problem solving and critical thinking skills to compete in MathCounts Competition. Currently there are about ten SJS students competing. In December they will take a test to determine which four will represent St. Jude at the regional MathCounts Competition. The top 3 scoring schools from each of the eight regional competitions in Louisiana advance to the state competition. St. Jude usually places among the top schools at the regional level. For the last two years we placed at the State level!
Our St. Jude Math Clubs also participate in the following tournaments:
- Catholic High Middle School Tournament – Open to 7th and 8th grade students.
- Catholic High High-School Tournament – Open to Algebra 1 students.
- Redemptorist Tournament – Open to 6th, 7th and 8th grade students.
- St. Joseph’s Academy Tournament – Open to 4th, 5th and 6th grade students.
Total tournament is limited to 35 students. - Southern University Mathfest – Open to 6th, 7th and 8th grade students.
The selection is comprised of 15 middle school math students and 15 Algebra 1.