About
The Russian School of Mathematics After-School Math Program is an award winning K–12 after-school math program. The program offers an after-school math program, a selective competitions program with math competitions, and a Math Competition Preparation Program. Its curriculum and methodology are inspired by elite mathematical schools in the former Soviet Union and adapted for the American educational environment, with one continuous curriculum from K–12, multiple levels for every grade, and three levels per grade, and an average class size of 12 that supports a classroom environment where students verbalize and debate their ideas and are exposed to different ways of thinking.
• Ages: 5–18 years old
Inessa Rifkin and Irina Khavinson founded the Russian School of Mathematics in October 1997, and it has been over twenty-five years since the first class was held at Ms. Rifkin's kitchen table outside of Boston, Massachusetts. The school states that it uses the rigorous study of mathematics as a vehicle to develop students’ math fluency, intellect, and character, empowering them for life. RSM remains a family business and does not franchise, and it only opens a new location once a gifted and experienced teacher becomes available to lead it. RSM serves over 80,000 students across North America, and RSM alumni and parents launched the non-profit RSM Foundation. RSM has opened a Research and Development Center in Bulgaria, a center for research and recruitment in Armenia, and branches in Canada, Israel, and the United Arab Emirates.
Johns Hopkins Center for Talented Youth named the Russian School of Mathematics “one of the top 10 schools” in the world, and described its students as “some of the brightest young people in the world.” A majority of RSM branches are accredited by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges. RSM has been covered by the Boston Globe, TED, NPR, and The Atlantic, including coverage such as “American Students Turning to ‘Russian Math’” from NPR's Here & Now and a description from The Atlantic that “students are required to think their way through logic problems that can be resolved only with creative use of the math they’ve learned.” The Boston Globe wrote that “the idea is that students are capable of understanding complex mathematical concepts, making kids stretch their brains.” RSM alumni have gone on to attend the best universities in the world.
Parent testimonials describe their experiences with the program and its teachers. One parent, Nathalie deFontnouvelle, said that “RSM went beyond maths, as our children learned a rigorous approach to any problems” and that they “use much logic and critical thinking in every aspect of their lives,” which the parent is “convinced is the result of how they have been taught at RSM to tackle a new challenge.” Parents Amy and Dan McLellan stated that all three of their children “are grades ahead in Math and excel at the subject because of the foundation they acquired at RSM.” Other parents, including Janaki, Anne, and Parmoon, specifically thanked individual teachers for their work with their children, mentioning that their children enjoyed the classes, made progress, and developed a love for math.
Last updated May 14, 2026.
• Ages: 5–18 years old
Inessa Rifkin and Irina Khavinson founded the Russian School of Mathematics in October 1997, and it has been over twenty-five years since the first class was held at Ms. Rifkin's kitchen table outside of Boston, Massachusetts. The school states that it uses the rigorous study of mathematics as a vehicle to develop students’ math fluency, intellect, and character, empowering them for life. RSM remains a family business and does not franchise, and it only opens a new location once a gifted and experienced teacher becomes available to lead it. RSM serves over 80,000 students across North America, and RSM alumni and parents launched the non-profit RSM Foundation. RSM has opened a Research and Development Center in Bulgaria, a center for research and recruitment in Armenia, and branches in Canada, Israel, and the United Arab Emirates.
Johns Hopkins Center for Talented Youth named the Russian School of Mathematics “one of the top 10 schools” in the world, and described its students as “some of the brightest young people in the world.” A majority of RSM branches are accredited by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges. RSM has been covered by the Boston Globe, TED, NPR, and The Atlantic, including coverage such as “American Students Turning to ‘Russian Math’” from NPR's Here & Now and a description from The Atlantic that “students are required to think their way through logic problems that can be resolved only with creative use of the math they’ve learned.” The Boston Globe wrote that “the idea is that students are capable of understanding complex mathematical concepts, making kids stretch their brains.” RSM alumni have gone on to attend the best universities in the world.
Parent testimonials describe their experiences with the program and its teachers. One parent, Nathalie deFontnouvelle, said that “RSM went beyond maths, as our children learned a rigorous approach to any problems” and that they “use much logic and critical thinking in every aspect of their lives,” which the parent is “convinced is the result of how they have been taught at RSM to tackle a new challenge.” Parents Amy and Dan McLellan stated that all three of their children “are grades ahead in Math and excel at the subject because of the foundation they acquired at RSM.” Other parents, including Janaki, Anne, and Parmoon, specifically thanked individual teachers for their work with their children, mentioning that their children enjoyed the classes, made progress, and developed a love for math.
Last updated May 14, 2026.
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