NSIA MathFest crest MathFest
MathFest Community Impact Is Real: Parents don't just watch. They show up, encourage, and help their children believe they can achieve. When families show up, students rise.
Community voices

Families show up — every event.

A written testimonial about MathFest's impact on students
Students and families share their own MathFest reflections at every Regional event.
A packed convention hall of parents supporting MathFest students
Thousands of parents turn out to support their children at the Regional MathFest event in Atlanta.
See it for yourself

Parent & Community Voices

Watch how MathFest brings families, schools, and whole communities together at events across the country.

MathFest Competition
Community impact from the International Convention Center in Atlanta.
Hundreds of Alabama Students in Baldwin County for MathFest
News special from Baldwin County, Alabama.
'Mathletes' Need Help Getting to National Competition
A local news look at students working to reach nationals.
MathFest Movie 2011
Students tell their story as they head to the World Congress Center for Regionals.
Students Erupt at Math Competition
Excitement expressed for MathFest by elementary students.
State MathFest 2011: World Congress Center
Students getting ready for competition.
MathFest Regionals in the ATL
A parent's-eye view of Regionals in Atlanta.
MathFest Visits M.A. Jones Elementary
A look inside a school visit ahead of competition day.
Roosevelt Children's Academy Math Festival & Competition 2014
A school-hosted Math Festival and Competition in action.
Why motivation works

Kids practice more when there's something to practice for.

  • Students are drawn to enrichment that has a competitive edge
  • Low preparedness and low enthusiasm are two of the biggest drags on math achievement
  • Lack of practice leads to weak results — and motivation is what gets students practicing
Students working together on a math activity with a mentor
A student focused on a MathFest answer sheet
What works for MathFest students

Eleven things we protect on every event day.

  • A genuinely supportive learning environment
  • Educational games and interactive activities
  • Learning that's actually enjoyable
  • Visible enthusiasm and passion for the subject
  • Immediate feedback on student work
  • Broad participation with real paths to advance
  • Rigor adjusted to reduce frustration
  • Recognition at multiple levels of success
  • Mentorship from older students who once competed
  • "What's working" share sessions for teachers, parents, students
  • Full 1st–8th grade involvement
Equity, on purpose

Closing the gap takes more than an open invitation.

  • Marketing built specifically for high-minority schools and their parents
  • Every participation fee removed
  • Capacity Building Teams deployed directly into minority schools
  • Rigor adjusted to support broad advancement
  • Events located near high-minority communities to cut down on travel
  • Extra support built in for teachers and students at these schools
A group of MathFest students celebrating together MathFest students at a regional event
+45%
increase in minority student participation since these strategies began
What makes this different

Not another exclusive competition.

  • Built for grades 1–8, not only upperclassmen
  • About 80% of participants advance to the next round
  • Both individual and team formats
  • Free for students and guests
  • Open to every student, regardless of academic level
  • Aligned to state and national standards
Students holding up 1st through 8th grade signs at a MathFest event
Bring MathFest to your school or district

Let's give more students a reason to love math.

National School Improvement Alliance · Regional and National MathFest events held throughout the year.

Contact us: rboykins@debatefest.com