About
Russian School of Mathematics – Naperville offers an after-school math program for students in grades K–12. The program also includes a Summer Program to reinforce math knowledge and prepare for the upcoming school year, as well as a Competition program and a Math Competition Preparation Program. RSM Naperville’s Summer Program is held over a 6 week period with 2 classes per week.
• Ages: 4–18 years old
• Schedule: Summer Program held over a 6 week period with 2 classes per week
For over twenty-five years, this award-winning K–12 after-school math program has been taught using a curriculum and methodology inspired by elite mathematical schools in the former Soviet Union and adapted for the American educational environment. The program offers one continuous curriculum from K–12, with multiple levels for every grade and three levels per grade. Class-times vary from 1.5 hours for kindergarteners to 2–4 hours in high school, and homework is designed to take approximately half the length of the child’s lesson. The average class size is 12, and RSM serves over 80,000 students across North America.
Russian School of Mathematics was founded in October 1997 by Inessa Rifkin and Irina Khavinson, beginning with classes taught at Ms. Rifkin’s kitchen table outside of Boston, Massachusetts. The program emerged as a partnership between a passionate parent and a gifted teacher, remains a family business, and does not franchise, opening a new location only once a gifted and experienced teacher becomes available to lead it. RSM maintains a Center for research and recruitment in Armenia and a Research and Development Center in Bulgaria.
The mission of Russian School of Mathematics is to use the rigorous study of mathematics as a vehicle to develop students’ math fluency, intellect, and character, empowering them for life. The leadership at RSM Naperville includes Principal Liubou Traskevich, who holds an M.A. in Mathematics Education. All teachers have a background in mathematics or a related field, have a passion for the subject, and go through extensive training to teach according to RSM’s specific methodology and curriculum.
The program has received several recognitions and credentials, including being described as an award-winning K–12 after-school math program. In July 2016, Johns Hopkins Center for Talented Youth named Russian School of Mathematics “one of the top 10 schools” in the world, and a majority of RSM branches are accredited by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges. External media have highlighted the program, including NPR’s Here & Now with “American Students Turning to ‘Russian Math’,” The Atlantic noting 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,” and The Boston Globe stating that “the idea is that students are capable of understanding complex mathematical concepts, making kids stretch their brains.”
Parent and alumni testimonials describe experienced, patient, and knowledgeable teachers and refer to the curriculum as thoroughly designed and promoting critical and analytical thinking, persistence, commitment, and grit. Parents and students have credited RSM with nurturing a love for math, progress in math, and being grades ahead in math based on the foundation acquired at RSM. Testimonials also describe RSM’s transition to virtual classes as a seamless move to real-time online instruction with lively interaction and opportunities for students’ questions to be answered.
Last updated February 5, 2026.
• Ages: 4–18 years old
• Schedule: Summer Program held over a 6 week period with 2 classes per week
For over twenty-five years, this award-winning K–12 after-school math program has been taught using a curriculum and methodology inspired by elite mathematical schools in the former Soviet Union and adapted for the American educational environment. The program offers one continuous curriculum from K–12, with multiple levels for every grade and three levels per grade. Class-times vary from 1.5 hours for kindergarteners to 2–4 hours in high school, and homework is designed to take approximately half the length of the child’s lesson. The average class size is 12, and RSM serves over 80,000 students across North America.
Russian School of Mathematics was founded in October 1997 by Inessa Rifkin and Irina Khavinson, beginning with classes taught at Ms. Rifkin’s kitchen table outside of Boston, Massachusetts. The program emerged as a partnership between a passionate parent and a gifted teacher, remains a family business, and does not franchise, opening a new location only once a gifted and experienced teacher becomes available to lead it. RSM maintains a Center for research and recruitment in Armenia and a Research and Development Center in Bulgaria.
The mission of Russian School of Mathematics is to use the rigorous study of mathematics as a vehicle to develop students’ math fluency, intellect, and character, empowering them for life. The leadership at RSM Naperville includes Principal Liubou Traskevich, who holds an M.A. in Mathematics Education. All teachers have a background in mathematics or a related field, have a passion for the subject, and go through extensive training to teach according to RSM’s specific methodology and curriculum.
The program has received several recognitions and credentials, including being described as an award-winning K–12 after-school math program. In July 2016, Johns Hopkins Center for Talented Youth named Russian School of Mathematics “one of the top 10 schools” in the world, and a majority of RSM branches are accredited by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges. External media have highlighted the program, including NPR’s Here & Now with “American Students Turning to ‘Russian Math’,” The Atlantic noting 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,” and The Boston Globe stating that “the idea is that students are capable of understanding complex mathematical concepts, making kids stretch their brains.”
Parent and alumni testimonials describe experienced, patient, and knowledgeable teachers and refer to the curriculum as thoroughly designed and promoting critical and analytical thinking, persistence, commitment, and grit. Parents and students have credited RSM with nurturing a love for math, progress in math, and being grades ahead in math based on the foundation acquired at RSM. Testimonials also describe RSM’s transition to virtual classes as a seamless move to real-time online instruction with lively interaction and opportunities for students’ questions to be answered.
Last updated February 5, 2026.
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