ADVANCING STUDENT LEARNING THROUGH COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT

Community
Math Academy

I AM!  I CAN!  I WILL!

PURPOSE

The purpose of the Community Math Academy is to help students develop a positive attitude toward math, increase their math skills and strengthen their math concepts

MISSION

Our mission is to educate children with sound mathematical principles which will advance their skills and empower them to be lifelong learners. We exist to foster community partnerships with families and educators in which student success is paramount and each child is empowered to know, "I AM, I CAN, I WILL."

Help Us Move the Chains

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Donations

In May 2025, Hospice Cleveland generously contributed to the Community Math Academy, helping support our mission to empower young minds. We are deeply grateful for their support!

Emily Arey and Brad Cornwell, President of Shelby Rotary delivered student & teacher supplies to Community Math Academy Executive Director, Tropzie Mc Cluney

Student Fellows Joseph JAmes & Sabrina Howell sorting supplies donated by Shelby Rotary.

Upcoming Events – 2025 Community Math Academy

Parent Orientation June 26, 2025 | 6:00 PM Mt.
Calvary Baptist Church Join us for an informative session on the academy’s goals, curriculum, and ways to support student success.

STEP AHEAD Celebration July 24, 2025 | 6:00 PM Shelby Middle School
Recognizing the achievements of students who have made significant strides in their math skills through the STEP AHEAD program.

BRIGHT SCHOLARS Celebration July 25, 2025 | 6:00 PM Kings Mountain High School Auditorium
Honoring the hard work and dedication of our BRIGHT SCHOLARS students as they excel in their academic journey.

2025 Community Math Academy July 8-25, 2025
An enriching educational experience designed to build confidence and competence in mathematics.

Community Math Academy Enrollment Opens September 1, 2025!

We are excited to announce that enrollment for the Community Math Academy will begin on September 1, 2025. Applications will be available at Cleveland County Schools for students in grades 3rd–6th. 

Take advantage of this phenomenal opportunity.

red apple fruit on four pyle books

Welcome to the Community Math Academy!

We’re delighted to have you explore our program. The academy is dedicated to providing engaging and enriching experiences that inspire young learners. If you have the opportunity, we encourage you to visit one of our many locations during our Summer Academy, where students in rising grades 3–9 participate in exciting, hands-on activities designed to strengthen their math skills and critical thinking.

Our work is made possible through strong partnerships with businesses, community organizations, churches, education leaders, and policy makers who share our commitment to ensuring that students receive rigorous academic instruction alongside essential life skills. We believe every child deserves the opportunity to excel and face the future with confidence.

As a 501(c)3 non-profit organization, we welcome your support! If you have any questions or would like to contribute through volunteering or financial donations, please feel free to contact us. Together, we can make a lasting impact.

Sincerely,

Tropzie McCluney Executive Director, Community Math Academy

Math Academy Summer of 2024

See the Excitement: Photos from Our Academy Locations

Click Here

MATH ACADEMY SITES
2025

Mt. Zion Baptist Church

220 N. Watterson St, Kings Mountain, NC 28086

Mt. Calvary Baptist Church

422 Carolina Avenue Shelby, NC 28150

Shiloh Baptist Church

912 Frederick St, Shelby, NC 28150

Palmer Grove Baptist Church

1606 Kingston Rd, Kingstown, NC 28150

St. Stephens Gaston County

201 W. Franklin Blvd.
Gastonia, NC 28052

Step Ahead

Cleveland Community College

137 S. Post Rd. Shelby, NC 28152

SIGNATURE PROGRAMS

BRIGHT SCHOLARS

Grades 3 - 6

A three-week math intervention program.

STEP AHEAD ADVANCED MATH 

Grades 7 - 9

A three-week Advanced Math session.

S.M.A.R.T. (Students Making Their Abilities Rise to the Top)

Grades 5 - 6

An extended weeklong program that encompasses Robotics, Science/Physics, Advanced Math, and Coding. 

High Risers Virtual Saturday Academy 

Grades  3-6

We are excited to announce that enrollment for the Community Math Academy High Risers Virtual Academy will begin on October 1, 2025. Applications will be available at Cleveland County Schools for students in grades 3 through 6. 

CHECK OUT OUR NEWSLETTER

Math Academy Newsletter

Testimonials

Testimonial

"I had fun in the Community Math Academy. I met my goal wiht my multiplications. I know them in two minutes." 

Community Math Academy Student

Testimonial

"Our collective commitment to the Math Academy is helping our children learn, grow and succeed." 

Pam Merritt

Testimonial

"Now, I actually like math. I will do my best when I return to school and will listen to my teacher. I will study for my math tests so my brain is like a machine to me at school." 

Community Math Academy Student

Testimonial

"Students can use math as a brain sharpening tool that builds a foundation for a great career and build their self-confidence."

Michelle Twiggs

Community Math Academy

Address

400 W. Marion St.
Shelby, NC 28150, US

980-295-0932 [email protected]

About us

The Community Math Academy (CMA) is the most unique and cutting-edge math organization in North Carolina. It was founded and birthed in 2008 in Shelby, NC, to support the Close the Gap Initiative in Cleveland County. Test scores evidenced a significant gap between minorities and other ethnic groups. We have worked together with our public and private partners for 13 years. The Community Math Academy was birthed and founded in 2008 by community leaders who became aware of the enormous minority academic gap in Cleveland County schools. These revelations moved them to create a program to support students struggling in math and decrease the academic gap.

Our purpose is to help students develop a positive attitude toward math, increase their math skills and increase their math concepts. Over the past thirteen years, the CMA has served over 2000 Cleveland County students ranging from rising 3rd graders to rising 8th graders. The initiative was born from a desire to improve classroom and grade-level performance.

The CMA is held for three weeks during the summer before COVID-19. With a certified staff of teachers, social workers, and principals, we intend to return face-to-face in 2022. Cleveland County School staff selects students who struggle in math and advanced math opportunities, not CMA. These scholars are a very diverse group, and to date, 87.1%-90% are from families that participate in the free and reduced lunch program, and some are considered homeless.

Parents attend Family Engagement sessions. These sessions empower parents to take charge in their students' educational lives, as the Math Academy is based on engagement and holds high expectations for students and families.

Since its beginning, an additional week for students to participate in enrichment camps includes Robotics, Science and Physics, and Coding. Parents are supportive and active in their children's participation during enrichment camps.

With assistance from Cleveland County Cooperative Extension and produce donated by Cleveland County local farmers, 5th and 6th-grade students create a "mock market" with a given budget. Our 5th and 6th-grade students purchase items, assemble baskets, and deliver the LOVE BASKETS to food distribution centers and agencies within the county as a "Giving Back to the Community" effort. This program teaches children about budgeting, buying in quantity, and assigning a dollar value to what they purchase. In addition, 3rd and 4th graders collect canned goods as a part of their" Giving Back to the Community." In 2019, we collected more than 1550 cans to distribute to areas in need throughout Cleveland County.

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