About Illustrative Mathematics

Illustrative Mathematics is a problem-based mathematics curriculum that empowers students to explore concepts deeply, reason logically, and communicate their mathematical thinking with clarity. Built on research-backed instructional practices and fully aligned to college- and career-ready standards, IM emphasizes understanding over memorization by guiding students through rich tasks, collaborative discussions, and real-world applications. For a charter school like Pinnacle, Illustrative Mathematics seamlessly supports our competency-based model by providing transparent learning goals, coherent unit progressions, and multiple opportunities for students to show mastery at their own pace. Its focus on mathematical discourse, exploration, and reasoning ensures that all learners—including those who may have struggled in traditional, lecture-driven math classrooms—can build confidence, develop strong foundational skills, and engage meaningfully with advanced mathematical ideas.