Impact

Our Impact

At Math Circles of Chicago, we provide free, high-quality math enrichment that reaches thousands of students across the city, reflects Chicago’s diversity, sparks a lifelong love of math, and empowers the teachers who guide them. New! 2025 Annual Report just in!

Children doing math activities outdoors
Children doing math at a Math Circles of Chicago math festival
Math Circles of Chicago students celebrating at a math festival

We’re the Largest Math Circle in the Nation

In 2025–26, MC2 served 8,624 students, making us the largest math circle in the U.S.—and likely the world.

Our model works because of a highly engaged network of over 100 passionate educators, committed to delivering programming that is second to none.

We remove barriers to participation by:
Reaching students in every corner of Chicago
Creating welcoming classrooms for every child
Keeping programs free or low-cost

Growth Across Every Level

MC2 offers three levels of programming, all of which have grown significantly in the past five years.

Level 1

Math Festivals & Events

Entry points for thousands of students. We went from one annual festival until in 2021-22 to 57 events in 2025–26, thanks to the Julia Robinson Math Festival model and our partnership with the Chicago Cubs.
Level 2

Math Circles

Our “bread and butter,” offered at community Hubs and After School Programs in public schools. We reached 1,389 students annually who attend math circles during the school year each fall and winter. See the map on our Math Circles page--it makes clear that we cover the city.
Level 3

Summer Camps & QED

Intensive enrichment through summer camps and our annual youth math symposium, QED. Our festival growth feeds directly into our math circles and these advanced opportunities. Our camps are growing rapidly, reaching 420 students in 2026, 50% more than in the previous summer.

Diversity by Design

As we’ve grown, we’ve focused intentionally on equity and representation.In just three years:

• Black and Latino participation: 47% → 69%
• Students from majority low-income schools: 37% → 64%
• Girls in our programs: 46%


We strategically add fifteen After School Programs each year—primarily on Chicago’s South and West sides—and opened one new major camp site along with eight classrooms at After School Program sites in summer 2026.

Bar graph showing rising numbers of black, latino and girl students attending MC2's programs

Student Impact

Our programs work because they inspire. Beyond the numbers, our students share stories of newfound confidence, joy in problem-solving, and a belief that math is for them.

91%

of students are satisfied with their MC2 experience

87%

students say "I got to do math in a way I don't usually get to in school."

71%

now identify more as a “math
person” because of MC2

Teacher Impact

More than 100 educators lead MC2 programs—classroom teachers, graduate students, professors, STEM professionals, and high school or undergraduate assistants.We invest deeply in teacher development through workshops, coaching, peer reflection, and community discussions.

98% of our teachers say "Teaching in MC2 has improved my teaching of problem solving and investigatory math in my everyday classroom.

98% of our teachers say "Teaching in MC2 has made me more inclined to continue teaching."

100% teacher satisfaction rate.

Collage of teachers and students enjoying math

Check Out Our 2025 Annual Report

Learn about our expansion and growth over the past year, and our vision for the future.

Math Circles of Chicago 2024 Annual Report
Lea Nuestro Informe Anual 2025

Proven Results

Our mission is simple: Make high-quality, joyful math enrichment accessible to all children in Chicago. We measure success not only by the number of students we reach, but also by who we serve, how engaged they become, and the lasting impact on their education and careers.

26,840

Chicago students have participated in MC2 programs since 2012.

66%

of MC2 students live in underserved communities.

84%

of students say MC2 made them more interested in math.