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Frequently Asked Questions

What’s the difference between The Cambridge Math Circle and CMC Preparatory Math classes?

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The big difference is that CMC teaches math that students probably won’t see in schools, using CMC's original curriculum developed by our co-founders, Nataliya Yufa and Mira Bernstein. However, CMC Preparatory Math using Beast Academy and The Art of Problem Solving, with the support of CMC teachers that run the classes, reinforces and prepares students for school in more traditional settings, such as in the school classroom.

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Can you say more?

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Absolutely!

 

Community-based Math Circles:

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  • Teach math that is typically outside the school curriculum, like logic or cryptography;

  • Develop problem-solving skills, giving kids a taste of the beauty of mathematics;

  • Focus on problems that utilize reading and math skills students have studied in school, but that are challenging enough to stump many adults;

  • Build students’ confidence and grit;

  • Are fun and creative, incorporating puzzles and games;

  • Combine the best of the Eastern European and US mathematical traditions;

  • Meet in-person only, on Saturdays at Harvard University in Cambridge, MA, with groups for students grades 1-3 and grades 4-7.
     

CMC Preparatory Math Classes using Beast Academy and Art of Problem Solving, including Pre-Algebra, Algebra 1 and Algebra 2: 

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  • Use a nationally recognized curriculum to help kids become better prepared for more demanding classes in high school and college;

  • Teach the same topics of math kids learn in schools, but at a deeper level, both reviewing and previewing topics;

  • For Beast Academy, use a playful textbook in the form of a comic book, which makes learning into a story;

  • Group students into small sections (2-6 kids) based on what their current skills are, their preferred pace of learning, and how outgoing they are;  

  • Meet over Zoom on weekday afternoons, with the majority of students on Tuesdays and Thursdays. During each class time we have multiple groups working at many different levels of the curriculum 

  • Typically for grades 3-8.
     

We also offer programs embedded in Cambridge public schools as after-school math circles or lunchtime math programs. These are adapted from our math circle curriculum and are meant to provide an introduction to our classes and increase participation of girls, African-American, Latinx and low-income students in math enrichment. We have a summer camp, too.

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Is this only for kids who do great at school math?

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No. ​In Math Circle, we work on skills that use school math to solve complex problems. We find that both kids who excel at school math and those who struggle enjoy this kind of challenge. Students may struggle in math class for many reasons, including a perception that they aren’t or won’t be good at it. Our out-of-the-box approach can break through that perception.

 

In addition to Math Circle classes, we have CMC Preparatory Math classes for students at many skill levels.

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Do you evaluate students?

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We evaluate new students for placement in CMC Preparatory Math using Beast Academy/Art of Problem Solving curriculum. For Math Circles, we place students in flexible groups based on parent questionnaires and students' own feedback.

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Do I need to provide a "proof of grade" for my child? How do I do that?

As of Fall 2024, all new children registering for Saturday Math Circle classes require a proof of grade alongside their application, if they are in 5th grade or lower. This can be any communication from school that lists your child's name and grade, such as a report card. You will be prompted to submit proof while completing this application. We cannot process new registrations without this documentation.

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Why is there no Zoom option for Math Circle?

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Many of the activities we do in Math Circle are hands-on and are hard to replicate on Zoom. Additionally, we know kids are eager to get back together in-person.

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Do the programs cost money? Is there financial aid?

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All of our programs (community-based Math Circles and CMC Preparatory Math classes) are tuition-based. However, we do offer need-based financial aid to families in need, with priority given to students from Cambridge and Somerville. CMC was founded specifically to serve students from groups that are traditionally underrepresented in math. We want all children, regardless of their families' ability to pay, to have access to math enrichment.

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If you need financial assistance, please let us know on the application form.

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Also, if you can afford to give something to help another child get math enrichment, we would greatly appreciate it. CMC is a registered 501(c)(3) charity, and you can donate here.

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What is the registration fee? How many times do I have to pay it?

As of Fall 2024, CMC requires a $50 nonrefundable registration fee per child per academic year. Although you must pay the fee for each child that registers for a CMC class, the fee is good for the entire academic year. So, if you pay the fee for your child in the fall, you don't need to pay it again if you register them in the spring. The fee is waived for all families on financial aid, no matter how much aid they receive.

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Who teaches the classes?



Most of our teachers are undergraduate or graduate students at Harvard or MIT, studying math or an adjacent field. (Nataliya Yufa, one of our co-founders, has degrees in math, physics, and education from MIT, UChicago, and Lesley. She continues to run the organization and teach, and design the curriculum.) You can read about our teachers here.

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Can kindergartners or 1st graders join?

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Exceptional 1st graders do join our math circles, if they can read at a 2nd-grade level. In addition, our classes are run with kids up to and including 3rd grade in the same room, which many younger students find intimidating. If you have a kindergartener, please wait until 1st grade. If you have a 1st grade who is reading at a typical 1st grade level, please wait till 2nd grade. It is more important that the child has a good experience over many years than they start a little earlier.

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My kid has a special situation. Can I contact you?

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Of course! Email us at classes@cambridgemathcircle.org.

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Who teaches the classes?

 

Most of our teachers are Harvard and MIT graduate students in STEM. 100% enjoy sharing their love of math with children. 

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Who can be a student?

 

Rising 2nd through 8th graders (ages 7-13) who like math or puzzles. 

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Why Cambridge Math Circle?

 

The Boston area is home to many companies and universities that need people with strong reasoning skills, who are not afraid to tackle challenging problems that involve mathematics. Often, the pipeline to STEM careers breaks down in the K-8 years, and students arrive in college without the grounding or the interest to pursue most math-heavy majors. While some US students have access to math clubs where they build their problem solving skills, finding such a place in Cambridge for school children hasn't been easy. This is why we created the Cambridge Math Circle. 

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What do you mean by “fun, beautiful math for all”?

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Arithmetic doesn’t have much relation to what mathematicians do. Math is creative, and in many ways shares more with arts like poetry and music than the impression of math from traditional math classes. We want to show students that. Mathematicians ask interesting questions about shapes and logic and codes and games, not just with numbers. And mathematical reasoning skills are useful across science, technology, and engineering. 

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Regarding “for all”—although Cambridge is a city with many people who are brilliant at math, there is very limited access to math enrichment (as opposed to math remediation) extracurricular activities that are affordable enough for everyone to participate, or that emphasize cultural competency and gender equality. We work to close that gap.

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