On June 7, 2026, the Russian School of Mathematics (RSM) celebrated more than 1,500 student award winners from Massachusetts and Nashua, New Hampshire, as part of its Annual Award Ceremony, which brought together more than 6,000 students, parents and teachers.
Learn more about classes and enrollment.
The event recognized achievement in mathematics, academic growth, and participation in national and international competitions. Among the honorees were 41 students from Somerville and Cambridge, recognized for their accomplishments and dedication to learning.
The ceremony highlighted not only academic excellence but also the school’s broader educational mission of developing reasoning, communication and problem-solving skills from an early age.
Said Inessa Rifkin, co-founder of the Russian School of Mathematics,
“Mathematics is not only about finding answers, but about learning how to think, how to explain ideas clearly, question assumptions, and approach unfamiliar problems with confidence.”
RSM believes that mathematics provides students with a strong foundation for analytical thinking and intellectual curiosity. Through solving challenging problems, students learn to think independently, communicate their ideas clearly and approach unfamiliar situations with confidence.
Each year, RSM’s Annual Award Ceremony recognizes students across multiple program levels for academic achievement, effort and growth. In addition to its core curriculum, RSM offers a competition track for students interested in advanced mathematical topics and participation in challenging national and international competitions.
Through its curriculum, RSM helps students develop logical reasoning, critical thinking, communication skills and confidence in solving non-routine problems by encouraging students to justify their thinking, evaluate multiple approaches and explain their solutions verbally from an early age.
Gohar Hakobyan, regional director of RSM, added,
“There is tremendous value in developing these skills early. At RSM, we focus on building mathematical character by helping students develop confidence in facing the unknown, learn how to approach and persevere through complex, multi-step, non-routine problems, and communicate their reasoning with clarity. When students learn to think independently and embrace challenging problems, they gain skills that extend far beyond mathematics.”
About the Russian School of Mathematics
Founded in 1997 by Inessa Rifkin and Irina Khavinson, the Russian School of Mathematics is one of the largest K–12 after-school math enrichment programs in North America. Today, RSM operates more than 75 locations across the United States and Canada and serves over 90,000 students, including locations throughout Massachusetts and New Hampshire.
RSM’s curriculum begins at age 4 and emphasizes deep conceptual understanding, logical reasoning and problem-solving. Students are encouraged to articulate their thinking through classroom discussions, oral presentations and structured problem-solving approaches that go beyond memorization.
Enrollment Open for Fall 2026
Fall classes are now enrolling at RSM locations throughout Massachusetts and New Hampshire. Families can schedule a complimentary 30-minute evaluation to determine appropriate placement for their child.
Media Contact
Yekaterina Vainshtein
yekaterina.vainshtein@russianschool.com
Liubov Isakova
liubov.isakova@mathschool.com
