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Public Invited to Review Recommendations for New Math Curricula

Posted Date: 01/07/26 (09:20 AM)
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Circular logo for Charlottesville City Schools with blue and white design.At the School Board meeting on January 8, the Charlottesville School Board will hear recommendations for new math curriculum and instructional materials for students in all grade levels. Three curricula were selected for three different grade levels – Bridges is recommended for grades K-3, STEMScopes for grades 4-5, and Mathspace for students in grades 6 and older.


“We are excited to make these recommendations,” said Dr. Anna Isley, Chief Academic Officer. “Our committee members and staff have made a thorough review of materials to identify what will serve our students best. These materials are strongly aligned with the state’s learning standards, and they have also gotten very positive feedback both from our own educators as well as from schools that have already begun using these curricula.”

Selection Process
In March 2025, the state Board of Education approved new instructional materials for math, prompting Cville Schools to review and select new vendors. Throughout the fall, an adoption committee of staff members and family members worked to develop their selection criteria, learn about the state-approved curriculum options, and review the materials. Vendors also made presentations to teachers. Cville Schools also ran pilots of some of the potential curricula at Charlottesville High School and Charlottesville Middle School. In addition, elementary teachers, secondary math teachers, and math specialists were surveyed. Strong educator preferences provided a clear recommendation for each grade level.

Bridges scored the highest among early elementary teachers (grades K-3). The strong points of Bridges include its highly visual, hands-on approach that builds strong conceptual understanding and fluency.

STEMscopes was favored by upper elementary teachers (grades 4-5) for its inquiry-based framework and real-world scenarios that explicitly support advanced mathematical reasoning and problem solving. Currently, Cville Schools teachers already use resources from STEMscopes Science in grades 4-5, so teachers are familiar with the platform.

Mathspace was selected by 92 percent of secondary teachers and math specialists. This follows a positive response to piloting this curriculum at CMS. Furthermore, more than 50 percent of Virginia school divisions have adopted Mathspace for its versatility and its alignment with Virginia’s more rigorous 2023 Mathematics Standards of Learning.

The recommendation is for a 5-year adoption of these materials, which will allow the division to re-evaluate once Virginia has completed its scheduled 2030 update to the Mathematics Standards of Learning. The 5-year total cost is estimated to be $490,000, to be paid from the division’s textbook fund.

Public Review Period
Throughout January, the public is invited to review these materials in person or online. A feedback form is available for students, staff, family members, or community members to share their perspectives. An update will be shared at the February meeting, at which time the Board will take action on the recommendations. 

In person review: Sample materials will be available for review at the Division Office Annex (at Charlottesville High School, entrance is across from the baseball field) from 8:30am-4pm on weekdays when the division offices are open (offices are closed on Monday, January 19 in observance of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Day).

Online Review and Feedback:


Bridges (Grades K-3)

STEMscopes (Grades 4-5)

Mathspace (Grades 6+)