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The following was submitted by the Russian School of Mathematics:
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.
The event recognized achievement in mathematics, academic growth, and participation in national and international competitions.
Among the honorees were 90 students from Winchester, 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.
“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,” said Inessa Rifkin, co-founder of the Russian School of Mathematics.
As artificial intelligence transforms how people work and learn, educators are increasingly emphasizing skills that remain essential across industries, including critical thinking, creativity, communication, and independent reasoning.
While AI can generate answers, automate routine tasks, and recognize patterns, students still need to ask thoughtful questions, evaluate information critically, communicate their ideas effectively, and solve problems that do not follow a predefined algorithm.
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.
“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 and prepare them to adapt and thrive in a rapidly changing world,” said Svetlana Smirnov, regional director.
About the Russian School of Mathematics
Founded in 1997 by Inessa Rifkin and Irina Khavinson, the Russian School of Mathematics (RSM) 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.
