Award-Winning After-School Math Program for K-12 Students
Free Event Mathmusical Friday Fun Night
Posted: 8/21/2023
Math & Music Games, Prizes, Tours and Family Fun!
Friday, August 25
5-7PM
RSM and B2R invite your child to a Mathmusical Friday Fun Night! The evening will be filled with the harmonious blend of math and music, a thrilling scavenger hunt, fun games, and prizes. While kids enjoy the exciting activities, parents will have the chance to tour both schools and get answers to their questions. This family event promises an enjoyable and enriching experience for all.
MathSchool.com
Contact:
Herndon
13007 Worldgate Dr.
Herndon, VA 20170
(571)306-2355 | Herndon@MathSchool.com
Tysons Corner
7121 Leesburg Pike Falls Church
Vienna, VA 22043
(571) 334-8472 | TysonsCorner@MathSchool.com
Russian School of Mathematics (RSM)
A 25-Year Tradition of Excellence
By Chris Dooly
August 2, 2022
Russian School of Mathematics (RSM) is celebrating 25 years of providing quality education and a deeper understanding of math.
The Birth of a Movement
It all started in 1997 when Inessa Rifkin and Irina Khavinson, Jewish refugees who fled the oppression of the Soviet Union, were deciding where and how to educate their own children. They had left the USSR in search of a free and democratic society, eventually landing in Newton, Massachusetts, a suburb of Boston. Rifkin, who was born in Minsk, Belarus, and Khavinson, born in Chernigov, Ukraine, were both educated in the classical tradition of Russian math. It was after Rifkin realized that her children weren’t as knowledgeable in math as she was at their age that the Russian School of Mathematics was born.
The first RSM lessons were taught around Ms. Rifkin’s kitchen table. Two years later, in 1998, the first dedicated RSM building was opened in Newton. Over the next two decades, RSM’s approach would prove to be unmatched in its instruction of mathematics. New teachers or former students, all trained in the original philosophy of “Russian math” adapted for the U.S., opened new branches under the guidance of Rifkin and Khavinson. What began as a passionate parent and gifted teacher’s desire to provide quality education to their children has gone on to create a new movement in the American education system.
With more than 50,000 students at 70 locations across the U.S. and Canada, RSM has continued to flourish despite the tremendous challenges that the COVID-19 pandemic brought with it. Last year saw the opening of a brand-new, state-of-the-art location in Tysons Corner, Virginia, and this September, RSM will welcome the newest branch to their growing family in Chevy Chase, Maryland.
What is “Russian Math?”
While there is no single definition, educators and historians agree that what we think of as “Russian math” has less to do with a rigid school of thought and more to do with unlocking proficiency through an understanding of abstract mathematical concepts. It’s also about a child’s overall mental development, using instruction to further develop a student’s intellect and character. The Russian method wants you to know how to find the answer to a math problem, but more importantly, it wants you to understand why that was the way to solve the problem.
RSM builds on this philosophy by providing students with a highly interactive class experience, where kids are encouraged to participate at all times. Due to its strongly rooted belief in abstract learning, RSM doesn’t just teach recitation, but rather gives students the tools they need to break down complex problems and work through assignments on their own. This has led to a de-emphasis of standardized testing which instead favors a strong mathematical foundation through class discussions and engagement in friendly conversation.
Jul 15, 2022
The RSM Approach
Different from traditional public schooling, RSM students stay with their same classmates from year to year. RSM founders believe this gives their students the foundation to build lasting connections and a sense of trust with their peers. Students are distinguished by traditional grade levels, yet within each grade level, there are three to four separate classes defined by an individual student’s proficiency in math. “Any child can learn math,” Regional Director Viktoriya Palamarchuk states confidently. “We want kids to be challenged but not overwhelmed.”
RSM leverages the power of its community in the classroom. A typical instructional day starts with students reviewing their homework before taking a brief assessment or quiz. Teachers then introduce the new material for the day, wrapping up their lessons with a spirited class discussion, often leading to a friendly debate among peers. Cultivating an environment that promotes dialogue among its students is paramount to RSM’s approach. Students are encouraged to ask many questions, share their thoughts and grow together.
An integral aspect of the RSM method is the traditional teacher-led classroom; they don’t offer one-on-one tutoring, emphasizing the students’ combined effort of discovery. RSM is confident that this method supports deeper retention of mathematical knowledge. Prospective students aren’t expected to be math aficionados to attend, either. RSM accepts passionate learners of all abilities, from pre-K through high school. Classes are held after school on weeknights and the weekend. Incoming students of the same grade and level are positioned together, while continuing RSM students maintain the stability of a consistent classroom community.
The Numbers Don’t Lie
It’s easy to see why RSM has seen so much growth in a relatively short amount of time when you look at the success their students are having. In 2020, RSM eighth graders scored an average of 723 out of a potential 800 points on the math portion of the SAT. To put that in perspective, the statewide average for eighth graders on the math portion was 524: that’s over 200 points better than their non-RSM peers!
At last November’s HMMT, one of the most prestigious high school math competitions in the world, Team RSM placed seventh out of 150 teams and won the signature Guts Round, an 80-minute team event with 36 short-answer questions. Most teams aren’t even expected to finish all 36 questions.
In the 2019 American Mathematics Competition, one of the most challenging math competitions open to middle schoolers, there were only 151 perfect scores out of the 94,742 students who participated. Of those 151 perfect scores, 15 of them were from RSM students.
It’s not just academic success that defines an RSM student. Their alumni are going on to be some of the most influential figures in business, engineering, advocacy and technology. Take, for example, RSM alum Anna Auerbach, co-founder and co-CEO of Werk, which was recently acquired by The Mom Project. Or Daniel Balson, the advocacy director for Europe and Central Asia for Amnesty International USA. Daniel works with U.S. government representatives in Congress and the executive branch to ensure that human rights are prioritized and protected. Or Asya Bashina, a graduate of Cornell’s selective Cornell Tech MBA program. An advocate for Women in Tech, Asya is now the senior marketing manager for Humatics, a leading microlocation platform.
Getting Started
As with all activities in life, the younger one starts, the more potential they have to master their chosen field. For parents interested in enrolling their child, RSM recommends scheduling a free evaluation with a member of their staff. Evaluations enable the school to get a sense of your child’s needs and help them recommend a class that bests suits their knowledge and ability. To schedule an evaluation, click here.
RSM LOCATIONS:
RSM Chevy Chase
8401 Connecticut Ave, Chevy Chase, MD 20815 | 202-843-8080 | chevychase@russianschool.com
RSM North Bethesda
5230 Tuckerman Ln, Unit 100, North Bethesda, MD 20852 | 571-843-8080 | northbethesda@russianschool.com
RSM Washington, D.C.
1763 N St NW, Washington, DC 20036 | 202-996-8844 | dc@russianschool.com
RSM Ashburn
The Heights at Goose Creek Village, 21021 Sycolin Rd, Suite 055, Ashburn, VA 20147 | 571-440-2020 | ashburn@russianschool.com
RSM Herndon
13007 Worldgate Dr., Herndon, VA 20170 | 571-306-2355 | Herndon@MathSchool.com
RSM Tysons Corner
7121 Leesburg Pike Falls Church, Vienna, VA 22043 | 571- 334-8472 | TysonsCorner@MathSchool.com
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Contact:
Ekaterina Makarova
Email: Herndon@MathSchool.com
Website: RSM: Russian School of Math After School Program
Facebook: Russian School of Mathematics – Herndon, Virginia | Facebook
Russian School of Mathematics
The Russian School of Mathematics (RSM) opened in 1997 with a goal of creating a unique after-school mathematics program. Our mission was to build a systematic math education based on the traditions of Russia and Europe and adapted to the needs of American students. Today, we are one of the oldest and most successful after-school programs in the United States. Our graduates have achieved impressive results in school, on standardized tests, in college and beyond. Families of our many students across the country trust their children’s mathematical education to RSM.
Our Locations
TYSONS, VA
7121 Leesburg Pike, Falls Church, VA 22043
Phone: 571-334-8472
https://www.russianschool.com/locations/tysons-corner
https://www.facebook.com/RSMTysonsCorner
HERNDON, VA
13007 Worldgate Dr., Herndon, VA 20170
Phone: 571-306-2355
Herndon@MathSchool.com
Website: RSM: Russian School of Math After School Program
Facebook: Russian School of Mathematics – Herndon, Virginia | Facebook
21021 Sycolin Rd, Suite 055, Ashburn, VA 20147
Phone: 571-440-2020
5230 Tuckerman Ln, Unit 100, North Bethesda, MD 20852
Phone: 240-316-4644
1763 N St NW, Washington, DC 20036
Phone: 202-996-8844
More locations
https://www.russianschool.com/our-locations
About RSM-Herndon
RSM-Herndon is the first branch of the Russian School of Mathematics in Virginia. The school opened in 2016, serving the surrounding communities of Reston, Arlington, Centreville, Chantilly, Fairfax, Falls Church, Great Falls, Herndon, Leesburg, Mclean, Oakton, Oakhill, Springfield, Sterling, Tysons Corner, and Vienna. Our mission is to use RSM’s well-structured teaching strategy to help students build a solid math foundation and develop lifelong critical thinking skills. Our classroom-based approach is an alternative to math tutoring that creates lasting results for students and parents.
At RSM-Reston, we believe that a quality mathematics education is one of the most powerful tools you can provide a child. We view the widespread aversion to math in the U.S. as a major problem. We strive to create a counter culture that embraces math as both exciting and useful. RSM is not just designed for students who intend to study math in college. It is designed to help widen opportunities in all fields by enhancing logic and critical thinking skills, developing math-specific abilities, and fostering a deep appreciation for the subject.
About the Principal
Viktoriya Palamarchuk
Education: M.S. in Mathematics and Computer Science, Karazin Kharkiv National University, Ukraine
After graduating High School with honors, Viktoriya studied Mathematics and Computer Science at Karazin Kharkiv National University in Ukraine. In 1999, she immigrated to the United States and started a family with her husband. Now, they have four sons, all of whom are proud RSM students.
First as a mom and then as an RSM teacher, Viktoriya witnessed first-hand the success of the RSM approach. Developing logical skills and critical thinking instead of relying on memorization achieves better long-term results, she has found, by building a powerful lifelong foundation for students. Not only has she watched the program help increase the self-esteem and confidence in her students, but she has also observed how the supportive and nurturing RSM environment prepares children beyond school and well into the real world.
Viktoriya has been the Vice Principal of RSM-Winchester in Massachusetts since the branch opened in 2013. She has helped the Principal build and run the school. When the opportunity to relocate to Virginia presented itself, Viktoriya accepted it without hesitation. She is very excited to open the first RSM branch in Virginia and share her passion for mathematics with students from Reston and the surrounding area.
Contact Us
Call now for more information on tuition and class schedules
HERNDON, VA
13007 Worldgate Dr., Herndon, VA 20170
Phone: 571-306-2355
Website: RSM: Russian School of Math After School Program
Facebook: Russian School of Mathematics – Herndon, Virginia | Facebook
Published on Nov 28, 2017
A walk through Soviet Russian history and the realization that math is the best vehicle to deliver children to their fullest potential. In the midst of the Space Race, Soviet Russia was tasked with developing a generation of minds who could out-innovate and out-create the United States. The system of math education that was developed in result did much more than launch rockets into space – it proved that a child’s abilities are not pre-set at birth, and that math is the best tool to deliver children to their fullest potential. Masha Gershman is the Director of Outreach at Russian School of Mathematics, a rapidly growing K-12 afterschool mathematics program, with a mission to instill in every child a strong foundation and appreciation for mathematics. Today, RSM serves over 15,000 students of all levels and backgrounds across the United States. Yet, our proudest achievement remains are our outstanding students and accomplished alumni across the US. Masha joined RSM in 2013 to help the company spread the message that advanced mathematics, when taught appropriately, is not only within the grasp of every child, but is also a crucial skill for achieving success in any field. This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at https://www.ted.com/ted
Published on May 26, 2016
In this video, we introduce the values and thought process behind the European style of teaching mathematics. Instead of memorization and drilling, our school prides itself on the development of reasoning skills in mathematics to encourage students to think logically and critically, and to approach the subject in a fun, interactive way. Students are pushed to discover how to solve problems and to reflect and explain how and why they were able to reach that solution. We have a clear vision of our students excelling in mathematics and hope to dispel the stigma surrounding math as being difficult or unpleasant.
If you are interested in enrolling your child in our summer program to prepare for the next school year, please visit our website below and select the branch closest to you.
For more information about the Russian School of Math, please visit: https://www.russianschool.com/
Published on Feb 4, 2011
This short video takes you right in to some of our younger classes to show you the kinds of problems our little ones are solving.
Last update: 8/21/2023
Award-Winning After-School Math Program for K-12 Students
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