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
UPDATE on Admission at MTRW Spring 2025: The 6B, 7B, 8B groups are completely full! We only have a few spots left for the 9B Group, meant for advanced high schoolers or very advanced 8th graders who have competed and won math competitions.
| MTRW Spring 2025 |
Applications now open! Please see below for the application link. |
MTRW Spring 2025 Application Information
MTRW Spring 2025 Program information
DATES AND REMINDERS FOR SPRING 2025:
In total, there are 15 class meetings, all on Mondays from 5-8 pm.
First day of class: January 20, 2025
Last day of class: May 5, 2025
Note that MTRW will NOT be meeting on March 24 (UCB Spring Break), but we WILL be meeting on all other Mondays in this date range, including MLK Day (January 20, first day of class) & President's Day (February 17).
Acceptances will be on a first-come, first-serve basis, so families are encouraged to apply as early as possible. Most acceptances are completed within the first two weeks of November. Later applications will be reviewed only if space remains. We strongly recommend submitting applications as early as possible.
LATE FEES: After November 15, late fees will apply as follows:
- 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 November 16, $50 on or after November 23, and $100 on or after November 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 other such instances.
Projected modes for Spring 2025
We anticipate that MTRW sessions in the Spring 2025 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 Spring 2025, 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
The MTRW Spring 2025 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. Most acceptances are completed within the first two weeks of November. Later applications will be reviewed only if space remains. We strongly recommend submitting applications as early as possible.
LATE FEES: After November 15, late fees will apply as follows:
- 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 November 16, $50 on or after November 23, and $100 on or after November 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 other such instances.
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 two weeks of November. 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 2024 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.
LATE FEES: After November 15, late fees will apply as follows:
- 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 November 16, $50 on or after November 23, and $100 on or after November 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 other such instances.
Enrollment for MTRW Spring 2025 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 January 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 Spring 2025
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 November 16, $50 on or after November 23, and $100 on or after November 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 other such instances.
- $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.