Math Taught the Right Way (MTRW) is a program of the Berkeley Math Circle for middle and high school students, with meetings normally held at UC Berkeley from 5-8 pm on Monday evenings throughout the academic year. The program is intellectually demanding, and it tests and encourages the mental development of students in a content-rich and challenging environment. The MTRW program does NOT conform to generic U.S. labels of math classes (e.g., Algebra 1, Algebra 2, etc.), but instead interweaves algebra and geometry with general problem-solving and writing skills. By the end of 9th grade, MTRW surpasses the regular U.S. math curriculum, in breadth, and more importantly, in depth and rigor. Learning to "read and write mathematics" is a skill that is emphasized at MTRW as the basis for communicating mathematics.
The instructors at the MTRW have Ph.D., M.A., BA's in math or other related degrees in science, and are distinguished teachers at the Berkeley Math Circle, universities and elite middle and high schools. The MTRW has homework assignments every week in each of the three subjects. Homework is graded and returned the following week. There are final exams in each subject. Report cards are generated each semester with % of completed regular and bonus work, as well as statistics of the corresponding classes, and a list of top performers and winners in various categories.
Application Dates to Watch For:
Please click here for the MTRW Mailing List/Interest Form
Acceptances are generally first-come, first-serve, so apply as early as you can!
| MTRW Fall 2024 |
Applications now open! Please see below for the application link. |
MTRW Fall 2024 Program information
- 6A, 7A, 8A groups are full and we are not accepting any more applications.
- 9A group has just a couple slots open and we are accepting only very qualified applicants. If you haven't done the 8A-8B group and are not in high school with advanced preparation, do NOT apply to the 9A group.
DATES AND REMINDERS FOR FALL 2024:
In total, there are 15 class meetings, all on Mondays from 5-8 pm.
First day of class: August 26th, 2024
Last day of class: December 9th, 2024
Note that MTRW will NOT be meeting on Labor Day (September 2nd 2024), but we WILL be meeting on all other Mondays in this date range, including Veteran's Day (November 11) and the Monday of Thanksgiving Break (November 25th 2024).
Acceptances will be on a first-come, first-serve basis, so families are encouraged to apply as early as possible. We expect to finish most acceptances within the first week of April. Later applications will be reviewed only if space remains. We strongly recommend submitting applications as early as possible.
We will likely start processing applications during the week of April 1, after Spring Break.
General public (families who are currently not in MTRW) will gain access to the portal link within a week of its opening.
After April 15, late processing fees will apply as follows if there is still space available:
- $25/student for applications on or after April 16
- $50 on or after April 23
- $100 on or after April 29
- Additional fees of $25-$50 will be incurred if a payment is stopped or bounces back, if a student does not submit a payment within 2 days of acceptance, or for regeneration of lapsed invoices, etc.
Projected modes for Fall 2024
We anticipate that MTRW sessions in the Fall 2024 semester will be held IN-PERSON, possibly with occasional online sessions as needed. Depending on local and/or national guidelines, we may re-introduce masking or even online classes as needed.
Families must commit to attending in-person AND any online sessions of MTRW in Fall 2024, regardless of when/whether a change of mode may occur. It is possible, but unlikely, that a move to remote classes would be necessary for some MTRW groups but not for others, in which case siblings may be split between attending on campus and attending online at the same time.
Once enrolled students have paid their enrollment fees, no refunds will be provided to families, regardless of changed personal circumstances or if sessions move between in-person and online modes.
Application link
- 6A - approaching capacity
- 7A - AT CAPACITY
- 8A - approaching capacity
- 9A - space available
The MTRW Fall 2024 Application is available through this form.
Acceptances will be on a first-come, first-serve basis, so families are encouraged to apply as early as possible. We expect to finish most acceptances within the first week of April. Later applications will be reviewed only if space remains. We strongly recommend submitting applications as early as possible.
We will likely start processing applications during the week of April 1, after Spring Break.
General public (families who are currently not in MTRW) will gain access to the portal link within a week of its opening.
After April 15, late processing fees will apply as follows if there is still space available:
- $25/student for applications on or after April 16
- $50 on or after April 23
- $100 on or after April 29
- Additional fees of $25-$50 will be incurred if a payment is stopped or bounces back, if a student does not submit a payment within 2 days of acceptance, or for regeneration of lapsed invoices, etc.
We highly recommend that you USE a computer, NOT A MOBILE DEVICE to submit the form. In our experiences, applications via mobile app have come with many glitches: improper forms, missing fields, duplicate applications etc, all of which will delay your application decision.
Application Process
Acceptances will be on a first-come, first-serve basis, so families are encouraged to apply as early as possible. Most acceptances are decided within the first week of April. Later applications will be reviewed only if space remains. We strongly recommend submitting applications as early as possible. The final selection process will be based on a timely and accurately completed application, submitted payment through PayPal, and high academic qualifications. We likely will not have space for all MTRW Fall 2023 students to continue in the program. Priority will be given to those who have shown dedication to and growth in MTRW. We also expect to accept some strong new students.
The enrollment fees for the program will be paid AFTER the student is accepted and will be done so via PayPal. After the student is accepted, families will have 48 hours to submit the enrollment fees or risk their student being put on the waitlist for the program.
After April 15, late processing fees will apply as follows if there is still space available:
- $25/student for applications on or after April 16
- $50 on or after April 23
- $100 on or after April 29
- Additional fees of $25-$50 will be incurred if a payment is stopped or bounces back, if a student does not submit a payment within 2 days of acceptance, or for regeneration of lapsed invoices, etc.
Enrollment for MTRW Fall 2024 will be finalized as soon as the groups reach capacity.
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You must NOT contact BMC/MTRW staff with routine or non-emergency questions at any time: we do NOT reply to such email inquiries as we do NOT have the resources to answer questions from many hundreds of families on email. Instead, wait until the BMC and MTRW restart in August and you can ask us or other families in person.
Brief description of MTRW groups
6A Group
5:00-8:00pm (Algebra, Geometry, and Problem Solving). Intended for 6th graders or motivated 7th graders who lack some background.
7A Group
5:00-8:00pm (Algebra, Geometry, and Problem Solving). Intended for 7th graders and advanced 6th graders who successfully completed 6B MTRW.
8A Group
5:00-8:00pm (Algebra, Geometry, and Proofs). Intended for 8th graders and advanced 7th graders who have successfully completed the MTRW 7B material.
9A Group
5:00-8:00pm (Algebra, Geometry, and Proofs). Intended for 9th-12th graders and advanced 8th graders who have successfully completed the MTRW 8B material.
9A Proofs-only Subgroup
5:00-6:00pm (9A Proofs); restricted only to 10th-12th graders or students who have completed the MTRW 8B material.
Fees for MTRW Fall 2024
Payments will be collected only from admitted students. Payments must be made online within 48 hours of the acceptance email and invoice being sent.
DO NOT SEND PAYMENTS before you have received such an email.
We strongly recommend submitting applications as early as possible. In the event that there is still space available, there will be an additional $25/student late processing fee for students who apply on or after April 16, $50 on or after April 23, and $100 on or after April 29. Additional fees of $25-$50 will be incurred if a payment is stopped or bounces back, if a student does not submit a payment by the deadline of 2 days after acceptance (see below), for regeneration of lapsed invoices, and others.
- $810 for 6A Group (Algebra, Geometry, Problem Solving; 5-8 pm Mondays)
- $810 for 7A Group (Algebra, Geometry, Problem Solving; 5-8 pm Mondays)
- $810 for 8A Group (Algebra, Geometry, Proofs; 5-8 pm Mondays)
- $810 for 9A Group (Algebra, Geometry, Proofs; 5-8 pm Mondays)
- $275 for 9A Subgroup (Proofs-only; 5-6 pm Mondays)
REMINDER: Students should only enroll if they can regularly attend classes live, regardless of whether they are held online or on campus.
No refunds will be provided for any reason after a student is enrolled in the program.