Math Olympiads

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Any class can teach fundamentals, but what students need for real life application is a class that challenges them to think creatively. Mr G's engaging teaching style encourages students of all math abilities to stretch their minds and hone their problem-solving skills. Students will have fun and challenge themselves while working towards improving their contest scores over the course of the year. Class registration includes access to different events throughout the year which supplement in-class learning and promote educational fun. Please note: This program lasts the entire school year and refunds/transfers mid-year will not be permitted.

Important Dates - Fall 2024

Monday, July 29, 2024	Information Night at 6:30 p.m. in the Cupertino Room of the Quinlan Community Center (10185 N. Stelling Road)
Tuesday, July 30, 2024	Free Trial Classes for Division E and M in the Cupertino Room of the Quinlan Community Center (10185 N. Stelling Road) Division E: 5:30 p.m. to 6:45 p.m. Division M: 7:00 p.m. to 8:15 p.m.
Wednesday, July 31, 2024 at 8 a.m.	Resident Registration for regular Math Olympiad classes begins. Register here.
Wednesday, August 7, 2024 at 8 a.m.	Non-Resident Registration for regular Math Olympiad classes begins. Register here.
August 20 to August 22, 2024	First Day of Classes (diagnostics week)
37 Week Schedule mirrors the CUSD calendar	August through June
Event Dates	Simultaneous Chess Exhibition - Saturday, Jan. 25 Games Day - March HCM Math Competition - Saturday, May 3 Bonus Point Redemption Night - Monday, May 19

2024-2025 Math Olympiads Class Schedule

Note: As of week 9/22-9/28, new enrollments may be pro-rated. Please email Robert at robertk@cupertino.gov to inquire about pro-rated fees.

	Tuesdays	Wednesdays	Thursdays
3:00 p.m. to 3:50 p.m.	2nd and 3rd
4:00 p.m. to 5:15 p.m.	Division E	Division E	Division E
5:20 p.m. to 6:35 p.m.	Division E	Division M	Division E Honors
6:40 p.m. to 7:55 p.m.	Division M	Division M	M Accelerated
8:00 p.m. to 9:15 p.m.	Math Explorations	Division M	Advanced Topics in Mathematics 3

All classes are at Creekside Park

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I register once registration opens?

Are refunds allowed?

Will this program be good for my child who doesn’t like math?

Math Olympiads is not a raw math class. Some math concepts are indeed taught (prime numbers, area of shapes, rate/work/speed, and so forth) but that is not the primary element. That is because Math Olympiads is contest math.

Students learn, first and foremost, how to break down the problem. They learn how to organize information, how to choose an appropriate strategy given the wording of the problem, and how to solve creatively when no obvious solution presents itself. In short, students learn how to think.

When TA’s correct and return homework, students learn what they are doing well, and what needs to be improved. This feedback allows students to pinpoint their individual learning needs efficiently.

Who is Mr. G?

Award-winning instructor, Mr. G. graduated from UCLA with a degree in History. He started out as a math major, but the classes were too dull, so he switched. He has been teaching as long as he can remember – at least since age 10. In addition to Math Olympiads, Mr. G. has taught Instrumental Performance, Leadership, and Chess for the City of Cupertino. He has also taught or tutored Spanish, piano, writing, tennis, and SAT preparation (and possibly other subjects) in the past. After college, Mr. G. worked in Human Resources for Cisco Systems for just over a year. Although he liked the company, the job was too boring, so he started his own teaching business instead. His rather unique interests include chess, piano, college football, figure skating, cooking, tennis, hiking, baking, board games, soccer, and politics. Mr. G. hates ultimate Frisbee but loves cats. He is patient with people but has no tolerance for malfunctioning machines. His mother would be furious if he did not reveal that he graduated Phi Beta Kappa. His father, on the other hand, would simply point out that his son makes pretty good pancakes.

How can I contact Mr. G?

What is the difference between Division E, Division M, 2nd and 3rd, Honors, and Accelerated?

Division E is the elementary division of Math Olympiads and is for fourth and fifth graders.

Division M is the middle school division of Math Olympiads and is for sixth through eighth graders.

2nd and 3rd is a division of Math Olympiads designed for 2nd and 3rd graders. This division has shorter class times and a different pace to help younger minds learn the curriculum.

Students in Math Olympiad Honors and Accelerated sections earn admittance to an advanced section by either a) performing in the 90^th percentile or higher in the previous year’s contests or b) receiving a qualifying score from the diagnostic exam administered during the first week of classes. The diagnostic is given to all enrolled students within the first week of class. Content in the E Honors and M Accelerated sections is the same as in regular sections; additional lessons are provided when there is extra class time. The main difference lies in the speed of teaching.

How can I register for the Math Olympiad Honors and Accelerated classes?

Honors/Accelerated sections are by instructor approval only. Students earn admittance to an Honors section in one of two ways:

Performance in the previous year’s contests (90th percentile or higher), or
Qualification from the diagnostic exam, administered during the first week of classes (all students will take such an exam during the first week)

Content in the E Honors and M Accelerated sections is the same as in regular sections; additional lessons are provided when there is extra class time. The main difference lies in the speed of teaching.

I cannot attend the trial classes; are there other dates planned?

Can I take the math diagnostic a different day?

My child got accepted into another after school enrichment activity. Can I arrive late or drop the class later?

I see that Math Olympiad has additional events as part of the program. Do I have to pay for those?

Can I transfer to a later time if our timeslot no longer works with our schedule?