Learning on the fast track

When Wilson Lubeck looks at a math problem, it just clicks. The answers, like lightning, flash before him and he jumps to the next problem, sometimes faster than he would like.

His teachers, his family and even Wilson describe himself as focused and that diligence has led him to an accomplishment that has administrators and teachers, and some of Wilson’s classmates at Newport Heights Elementary School, cheering.

Some classes at the school use Accelerated Math, a program that has students do math on a computer that tracks their progress. It identifies some students’ areas of difficulty so teachers and the student can focus on those problems to correct issues, as well as allow students who are excelling to not be held back by a strict curriculum.

Wilson took advantage of that ability, finishing his third-grade course work a bit soon — as in by December.

And if that weren’t enough, Wilson finished the fourth-grade course work a few weeks ago and is now on to fifth grade.

“I was nervous that I wasn’t going to do it,” said Wilson, 9, about completing the fourth-grade math program. “And then I did it, and I felt relieved.”

There wasn’t a lot pressure from parents, friends or school staff to finish the course, Wilson said. But with everyone supporting him and cheering him on, he wanted to make sure he made everyone proud. By completing the program, he has done something unheard of in the program’s three-year history at Newport Heights.

“You have to want it,” teacher John Daffron said. “Because he is good at math, he constantly challenges himself.”

Daffron added that when he spoke with the district representative for the Accelerated Math program, the notion that a child at Wilson’s age could complete a full grade ahead of him was rare.

“He loves worrying his way through [a math problem],” Daffron said. “Some kids really get it.”

Wilson said he wouldn’t have been able to complete the program if it weren’t for Daffron’s support. He also credited the school’s principal, Kurt Suhr, his friends and his family.

“I don’t think anyone really thought he could, and he crushed it,” said Dan Lubeck, Wilson’s father. “He’s got a curious brain, from the time he was a baby we played games with math and analytics. He has fun with it and doesn’t view [math] as a chore.”

Wilson aspires to be a businessman, or another career that has to do with math, due to his passion for numbers. But his skills won’t stop there, Wilson said. Even though he loves math and has proven exceptional at it, he is looking forward to mastering his reading skills next.

DANIEL TEDFORD may be reached at (714) 966-4632 or at daniel.tedford@latimes.com.