Competitive Math Studio
Students don’t just get faster at math. They learn to see why the fast way works.
PilotGrades 6–8School Year 2026–27
Program Fact Sheet
Stone Hill Middle School PTO, Ashburn, Virginia
IF Competitive Math Studio: Competitive Math Prep & Math Enrichment
6–8
School year 2026–2027 · 24 weekly sessions (12 Fall + 12 Spring) · Thursdays, 6:00–7:00 PM, on campus · Started September 17, 2026
Pilot: first cohort
Through the Stone Hill PTO
Reasoning first, so speed follows
Competitive Math Studio is a year-long evening program that builds real number sense and reasoning first, so timed competition rounds become an expression of understanding rather than memorized shortcuts. In the Fall, students build problem-solving speed and accuracy. In the Spring, they move into team tactics, mock competitions and readiness for MATHCOUNTS-style contests and AMC 8.
The program is built on the IFISA framework and welcomes every level: each problem set has an Entry, Core and Extension path, so no one waits and no one is left behind.
Every week, students practice one repeatable cycle. That cycle, not any single trick, is what carries from one contest problem to the next.
See the StructureChoose a StrategyExecute CleanlyCheck the AnswerExplain the Reasoning
A year that builds on itself
Foundations & Speed Mechanics
- Number theory and modular arithmetic
- No-calculator speed techniques
- Algebra and word problems
- Sequences, counting and probability
- Angle geometry
- Target-round strategy
Ends with a Mid-Year Showcase (Week 12): a timed assessment with a family scorecard.
Advanced Systems & Scrimmages
- Advanced number theory and algebra
- Area and 3D geometry
- Advanced counting
- Sprint and Target round simulations
- Team round tactics
- Countdown scrimmage
Ends with a Full Mock Competition and Final Showcase & Awards (Weeks 23–24).
Built for every student in the room
Entry path
No contest experience needed; builds core fluency with the week’s concept.
Core path
Combines two or more concepts at contest-appropriate difficulty.
Extension path
Open-ended depth for experienced students: harder casework and multi-concept problems.
Try one yourself
Week 2Factors & divisibility
How many positive divisors does 72 have?
1272 = 2³ × 3². Add 1 to each exponent and multiply: 4 × 3 = 12.
Learn more about Math Studio
Program brief
A one-page summary of Competitive Math Studio: what students learn and how the year is structured.
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The IFISA framework
Math Studio adapts the IFISA approach into a focused 24-week format. See the framework behind it.
News from Math Studio
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