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Our Programs
​CMC leads classes online and in-person. Our Math Circle classes are held in-person at Harvard University and at select Cambridge Public Schools, while our CMC Preparatory Math classes take place online over Zoom. We also host a yearly summer program on-campus at our partner universities. Our programs are open to all students in the greater Boston area.
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CMC PREPARATORY MATH CLASSES
Our CMC Preparatory Math classes use material from Beast Academy and The Art of Problem Solving to reinforce and preview the school math curriculum, with the support of CMC teachers that run the class. Our highly knowledgeable math instructors teach students in small groups of 2-6 organized by students’ age and skill levels.
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MATH CIRCLE CLASSES
Math Circle classes use CMC’s original, unique curriculum (developed by our founders, Mira Bernstein and Nataliya Yufa). We teach math by allowing students to explore complex, beautiful math that they don’t typically encounter in school. Our classes are fun and challenging. Students learn logic and creative problem solving by playing games, solving puzzles, and participating in building challenges while also learning how to solve math problems that would stump many adults.
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SUMMER PROGRAM
CMC also offers an annual summer program. This in-person program utilizes much of the original Math Circle curriculum while also incorporating a variety of fun and unique summer activities and field trips, including guest speakers, field trips, and more. Each week has a special theme, which influences that week's activities and field trips.
Explain the Differences Between the Math Circle and Preparatory Classes
What are they, exactly?
Math Circle Classes
Preparatory Classes
Math Circle classes are enrichment math classes, where students learn to think like a mathematician by solving unusual problems, logic puzzles, and playing games.
Preparatory Classes go deep with math from the school curriculum by exploring topics that each child needs and is ready for, be it Algebra in 4th grade or mental math.
Content
Math Circle content is extra-curricular math that's not normally taught in school.
Classes are guided exploration of different math topics to help kids learn to solve problems unlike those they've seen before, in math and in regular life.
The program includes guest speakers from STEM fields who share their work accessible ways; also includes team math contests.
Preparatory Classes are curricular. We cover topics that are normally taught at school, in a fun way and placed right where each student is.
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The content builds a deeper understanding for all students, and the classes proceed at a pace that's right for them. We use the same high-quality materials for all students.
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Class is online through Zoom, and students work in their Beast Academy or Art of Problem Solving accounts with an engaging teacher as a guide.
Evaluation Needed?
No, except for 1st graders.
Yes - all new students to our Preparatory Classes must be evaluated, regardless of age and/or whether they've done Beast Academy or Art of Problem Solving on their own.
When Are the Classes?
Saturdays in-person.
(Returning Math Circle students may attend online on Mondays).
Weekdays after school, online.
Where Are the Classes?
Harvard University, Science Center
Zoom, link sent before the class
Times
Mornings
9:15-10:00AM: Grades 1-3
10:15-11:15AM: Grades 4-8
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Afternoons
2:15-3:00PM: Grades 1-3
3:15-4:15PM: Grades 4-8
Afternoons, after-school
Tuesdays, 4:15-5:10 PM - Grades 3-5
Tuesdays, 5:15-6:10 PM - Grades 4-6
Thursdays, 5:15-6:35 PM - Grades 6-8
Who is it for?
For kids who enjoy math, and are looking for the 'next thing' that will excite and challenge their understanding of what math is.
For kids who need to reset their relationship with math, and need the experience of working on math that is fun, which will give them the resilience and confidence to keep working on the challenging problems they see in school.
For kids who are ready for the next level of school math, and kids who need more practice/skill building in topics they are already studying in school.
In short, what's the difference?
Math Circle classes are fun, collaborative classes where children learn how math can be fun and exciting, and discover their own hidden math talents.
Preparatory classes are for kids who need more practice with school-math concepts, or are ready for math that's years ahead of their grade level.
Evaluations Policy
We require students to have a placement evaluation before joining our programs. In rare cases, students are far enough behind that we determine they’d do better in another program, but generally evaluations do not affect admissions decisions.
An evaluation is required for all students in any of the following circumstances:
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It is the student’s first time enrolling in our CMC Preparatory classes.
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A returning student has not taken one of CMC’s Prepatory Math classes (formerly called our Beast Academy and Art of Problem Solving classes) for 2+ years.
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The student is in 1st grade and is applying for Saturday Math Circle classes. Because the material and social environment at Math Circle can be very challenging, we only admit 1st graders with strong reading and math skills. We reserve the right not to admit a 1st grader for any reason. We do not require evaluations for 2nd graders or older for the Saturday Math Circle classes.
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The student is a rising 2nd grader and is applying for CMC's summer program.
To schedule your evaluation, simply submit your application on time and wait for a CMC staff member to contact you. If you have any questions about our evaluation process, please contact us at classes@cambridgemathcircle.org.