MATHCOUNTS In a Nutshell

MATHCOUNTS is a national enrichment, coaching and competition program that promotes middle school mathematics achievement through grassroots involvement in every U.S. state and territory.

Celebrating its 26th year, MATHCOUNTS is one of the country's largest and most successful education partnerships involving volunteers, educators, industry sponsors and students.  President George W. Bush and former Presidents Clinton, Bush, and Reagan have all recognized MATHCOUNTS in White House ceremonies.  The MATHCOUNTS program has also received two White House citations as an outstanding private sector initiative. 

How MATHCOUNTS Works

MATHCOUNTS heightens student interest in mathematics by making math achievement as challenging, exciting and prestigious as a school sport. At the beginning of each school year, the MATHCOUNTS Foundation provides a complimentary copy of its School Handbook to every middle school across the country. Teachers and volunteers use these 300 problems and activities to coach student Mathletes®, as part of in-class instruction or as an extracurricular activity.

After several months of coaching, participating schools select students to compete individually or as part of a team in one of more than 500 written and oral competitions held nationwide and in U.S. schools overseas. The first competitions are held at the local level in February with winners progressing to state competitions in March. Results at the state level determine the top four individuals and top coach who earn the honor of representing their state or overseas team at the national finals. At all levels, MATHCOUNTS challenges students' math skills, develops their self-confidence and rewards them for their achievements.

Business and industry partners provide schools with coaches for the Mathletes® and assist in coordinating competitions. They also host local MATHCOUNTS activities, such as workshops for teachers, minority outreach programs and public awareness events to encourage participation and promote the importance of mathematics.

MATHCOUNTS also has an active alumni program encouraging past participants to continue their involvement in the program. Alumni return to the program to coach school teams, help review program materials, volunteer at competitions and serve as role models for current Mathletes®.

MATHCOUNTS participants are high achievers. According to recent surveys of past state competitors, nearly 80 percent of alumni report a combined SAT score of 1400 or above. And, the top three college majors for alumni are engineering, mathematics and computer science.

Why Participate in MATHCOUNTS

Each year, more than 500,000 students participate in MATHCOUNTS at the school level. They tell us that their experience as a Mathlete is often one of the most memorable and fun experiences of their middle school years. MATHCOUNTS provides students with the following benefits:

• A challenging and fun activity that helps them in their math classes.

• A chance to share common interests with new and often long-lasting friends.

• An opportunity to meet students from other schools.

• The experience of developing teamwork skills.

• A chance to vie for scholarships and prizes.

• A sense of accomplishment that comes from setting and achieving goals.

• An opportunity to explore mathematics and mathematics-related careers.

• A chance to explore mathematics that isn't always taught in middle school classrooms.

Why MATHCOUNTS Works

• MATHCOUNTS motivates and rewards students by fostering teamwork and a competitive spirit.

• MATHCOUNTS is more than a competition. It involves students and teachers in year-long coaching sessions and helps students at all levels improve their problem-solving skills.

• MATHCOUNTS builds math skills, promotes logical thinking and sharpens students' analytical abilities.

• MATHCOUNTS provides America's middle school teachers with creative, state-of-the-art curriculum materials, free of charge.

• MATHCOUNTS introduces students to math-related careers through contacts with engineers and other professionals who serve as volunteers.

• MATHCOUNTS is educator-driven. Materials and activities are structured to meet student needs, as identified by educators. Members of the National Council of Teachers of Mathematics (NCTM) develop these materials in accordance with NCTM curriculum standards.

Hot Numbers

• More than 17,000 volunteers (teachers, engineers, other professionals, parents, and alumni) participate annually to coach students and conduct competitions.

• Since the program began in 1983, over 7 million students have participated.

• More than 6,000 schools participate in competitions annually from all 50 states, the District of Columbia, U.S. territories and State Department and Department of Defense schools worldwide.

• Each year, over 500,000 students participate in MATHCOUNTS at the school level.

• Corporations and individuals donate $1.5 million annually to the national program and over $500,000 to the local and state programs.