About MATHCOUNTS 

MATHCOUNTS provides fun and challenging math programs for US middle school students to increase their academic and professional opportunities.

With the generous support of all MATHCOUNTS sponsors and volunteers, and leadership of the National Society of Professional Engineers at the local and state levels, MATHCOUNTS is providing today’s students with the foundation for success in science, technology, engineering and mathematics careers.

MATHCOUNTS, a 501 (c) 3 tax-exempt organization, is a national enrichment, club and competition program that promotes middle school mathematics achievement through grassroots involvement in every U.S. state and territory.

Currently in our 30th year, MATHCOUNTS is one of the country's largest and most successful education partnerships involving volunteers, educators, industry sponsors and students. President Barack Obama and former Presidents George W. Bush, William J. Clinton, George H.W. Bush and Ronald W. 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. Particularly exciting for our Mathletes® were the hour-long ESPN programs on each of the National Competitions from 2003-2005. In 2011 the National Competition returned to ESPN with a live broadcast on ESPN3.

How MATHCOUNTS Works

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

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.

Why MATHCOUNTS Works

• Each year, over 250,000 students utilize MATHCOUNTS materials.
• Since the program began in 1983, over 6 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.
• MATHCOUNTS builds math skills, promotes logical thinking and sharpens students' analytical abilities.
• 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 critical-thinking and problem-solving skills.
• MATHCOUNTS provides America's middle school teachers with creative, interesting and comprehensive curriculum materials, free of charge.
• MATHCOUNTS introduces students to science, technology, engineering and mathematics careers through contacts with engineers and other professionals who serve as volunteers. More than 17,000 volunteers participate annually to coach students and conduct competitions.
• 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 for grades 6-8.
• Corporations and individuals donate $1.5 million to $1.7 million annually to the national program and over $500,000 to the local and state programs.

MATHCOUNTS Programs

The Competition Program

The MATHCOUNTS Competition Program provides the extra incentive and the perfect atmosphere for students to push themselves to achieve more in mathematics. Consisting of fun and creative problems that promote critical-thinking and problem-solving skills, the MATHCOUNTS competitions have written and oral rounds, as well as individual and team components. Though challenging and non-routine, the competition problems focus on the 6th through 8th grade standards of the National Council of Teachers in Mathematics.

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 competition. At all levels, MATHCOUNTS challenges students' critical-thinking and problem-solving skills, develops their self-confidence and rewards them for their achievements.

MATHCOUNTS provides the materials for teachers and students to use as they prepare for the Competition Program.  Participants advance through School, Chapter and State Competitions until the final 224 students are selected from 56 states and territories to advance to the MATHCOUNTS National Competition held each May.

For more information, visit the Competition Program section.

The Club Program

Often referred to as the MCP, the MATHCOUNTS Club Program was introduced in 2007 for our 25th anniversary year. The MCP is a fun, challenging and FREE program aimed at engaging a wide spectrum of students. The MATHCOUNTS Club Program provides schools with the structure and activities to hold regular meetings of a math club. Depending on the level of student and teacher involvement, a school may receive a recognition plaque or banner and be entered into drawings for prizes.

The MATHCOUNTS Club Program provides schools with the structure and activities to hold regular meetings of a math club. The MATHCOUNTS Club Program may be used by schools as a stand-alone program or incorporated into the student preparation for the competition series. Depending on the level of student and teacher involvement, a school may receive a recognition plaque or banner and be entered into a drawing for prizes.

For more information, visit the Club Program section.

The Reel Math Challenge

The Reel Math Challenge is an innovative program involving teams of students using cutting-edge technology to create videos about math problems and their associated concepts.

This new competition is meant to excite students about math while allowing them to hone their creativity and communication skills. Students will form teams consisting of four students each to create a video based on one of the problems included in the MATHCOUNTS School Handbook, published each year and provided free of charge to every middle school in the country. Each video must teach the solution to the selected math problem as well as demonstrate the real-world application of the math concept used in the problem.

For more information, visit the Reel Math Challenge website.