Intel is proud to name Sojourner Elementary School as the Star Innovator among the six winners of the Intel Schools of Distinction awards. This Milwaukie, OR school was chosen among hundred of applicants who entered the competition.

Sojourner, an elementary magnet school that serves 170 students in grades K-6, earned Star Innovator status for its innovative and rigorous mathematics program.

Mathematics achievement at Sojourner has steadily improved over the past four years according to Oregon State Assessment data.

Sojourner utilizes a ''team teaching'' approach, which allows content specialization. At each level, at least one teacher completes additional coursework and professional development in mathematics. This results in specialized content and academic knowledge in mathematics.

Computers are equipped with the software necessary to complete the computer based units from the school’s math curriculum and teachers are trained to implement these units.

Newsletters produced at each level inform parents as to the specific content in class so that parents can provide appropriate support. All families have math manipulative 'kits' at home so that students can continue to develop ideas at the conceptual level. Families also have access to the district website, where the online Student Learning Center provides valuable resources for practice activities at a variety of levels.

Sojourner’s six math teachers are the most highly trained in their district. One teacher has received both the Presidential Award for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching and the Milken Educator Award.