Mark Twain Elementary School Scores Big with Math Program

When visitors walk into Mark Twain Elementary School, they’re greeted by an unexpected sight:  a long chain of colorful paper soccer balls winding through the hallways, attached to the walls.

It’s part of IReady, an elementary math curriculum learning program adopted by Kansas City, Kansas Public Schools in 2025, and Mark Twain Elementary School is seeing the benefits.  

A key part of the program is MyPath, an individualized online learning platform that lets students work at their own pace to master specific math skills.

Mark Twain Elementary School Principal Sandra Egidy says the goal is for students to reach grade-level proficiency and beyond. She’s thrilled with the program, noting that many of her students are successfully completing their lessons.

“We anticipate MyPath goals will continue in upcoming school years and expect to see increased value and progress as each student and, our building as a whole achieves better math results,” said Principal Egidy.

To make learning more fun, each student is given a paper soccer ball to help track their progress. Every ten lessons completed allows students to color in a section of their soccer ball.

“They can bring their soccer balls to the office each week when they complete a lesson, “said Principal Egidy. “That’s when they can get a sucker, a soccer sticker, and they get their soccer balls posted.”

School administrators chose soccer because it ties in nicely with the FIFA World Cup, which will take place in Kansas City in 2026.

Judging by the endless chain of soccer balls in the hallways, students are clearly getting a big kick out of it. 

“It’s hard and challenging, but you don’t have to give up because it’s very important to become smarter,” said Mark Twain fifth-grade student Sarai Diaz. “The more you learn, the better you get.”

Her fifth-grade classmate Moise Birori agrees. “You have to first pass the lesson then you can color in the soccer balls. It’s pretty fun once you color in your whole soccer ball. That’s my favorite part,” he added.  

Mark Twain teachers are also playing a key role in the program’s success. They are adding incentives and protecting time for MyPath lessons, ensuring students have the support they need.

With personalized learning, colorful soccer balls, and enthusiastic teachers, Mark Twain students are not just learning math, they’re having a blast doing it.