In their free time, they were open-minded, risk-taking individuals while traveling through Stuttgart and exploring German food and culture. “Students stayed with host families on competition days. We were thrilled to rank fourth place worldwide, especially when we were the only team from the United States and had traveled the farthest to participate,” Qushair said.

“Students solved challenging problems including investigating patterns. After several weeks of training and assessments, teachers Nancy Qushair and Dustin Mittelsteadt led and coached students Ryan Sears, Oliver Breese, Ella Kang and Angie Yogaratnam. Mary’s students from the fifth and sixth grades were selected to participate in the International Maths Quest, hosted by the International School of Stuttgart in Germany, which included 20 schools and 80 students from around the world. Mary’s teaches a curriculum that emphasizes the dynamic combination of knowledge, skills and independent critical thinking, with a strong appreciation for the richness of life through international awareness,” Headmaster John O’Brien said. In the course of just one month, students have traveled as far as Germany and as close as Laguna Beach to flex their mental muscles against some of the smartest young people in the country and across the world. Mary’s students stepped up their games to compete in a variety of academic challenges that have not only expanded their brains, but their horizons. Mary’s, an International Baccalaureate (IB) school for kindergarten through eighth grade tucked into a quiet canyon above Aliso Woods, is making its mark in developing a community of learners.

Ib the game mary freakout