--- title: "Online Math Circle for Kids: What It Is and How to Join" description: "Online math circle for kids: what a math circle is, where US circles come from, how to find one near you or online, and an original circle-style puzzle." canonical: https://learn.modernagecoders.com/online-math-circle-for-kids source: src/pages/online-math-circle-for-kids.html --- > Online math circle for kids: what a math circle is, where US circles come from, how to find one near you or online, and an original circle-style puzzle. In short A math circle is a community focused on the enjoyment of mathematical problem solving, where students meet regularly with mathematicians to explore challenging problems together. In the US, the Math Circle Network, a project of the American Institute of Mathematics, maps hundreds of circles, some online. Modern Age Coders is not a math circle, but we teach in the same spirit: live online problem-solving classes in our olympiad and competition math course, as a group of 15 to 20 or one to one. Problem solving, every week ## Three courses for a child who loves a hard problem Each puts discussion and reasoning ahead of speed, the way a good circle does. [![Maths Olympiad & Competition Course course thumbnail](/images/olympiad-competition-maths.webp) CK / 01 Olympiad and competition math Rich problems, proof and contest skills for grades 6 and up. Open the syllabus →](/courses/olympiad-competition-mathematics-mastery)[![Middle School Math Competitions course thumbnail](/images/middle-school-math-competitions.webp) CK / 02 Middle school competition math MATHCOUNTS and AMC 8 problem solving for grades 5 to 8. Open the syllabus →](/courses/middle-school-math-competitions-course)[![Problem Solving and Computational Thinking for Kids course thumbnail](/images/problem-solving-kids.webp) CK / 03 Problem solving for younger kids Logic, patterns and puzzles for grades 3 to 6. Open the syllabus →](/courses/problem-solving-and-computational-thinking-for-kids) What a circle is ## What is a math circle? The Math Circle Network defines it simply: "Math Circles are communities focused on the enjoyment of mathematical problem solving." Meetings, it says, are lively, interactive and often "funstrating": challenging, but rewarding. ### Three kinds of circle The network describes Math Student Circles (after-school programs for students), Math Teacher Circles (professional learning for teachers and mathematicians) and Family Math Circles for parents and families who want to do mathematics together. For children, a student circle is the usual door. Some circles welcome a parent alongside a younger child, which is a lovely way to start. ### Where the idea comes from According to the network, the model of students meeting regularly with mathematics professionals to solve problems "originated in Eastern Europe more than 100 years ago". In the United States, the first student circles began "in Boston in 1994 and in the San Francisco Bay Area (Berkeley and San Jose) in 1998". The first Math Teacher Circle was founded in 2006 at the American Institute of Mathematics. | Question | Math circle | School class | Tutoring | | --- | --- | --- | --- | | Main aim | Enjoying hard problems | Covering the syllabus | Fixing gaps, homework | | Typical problem | One rich question for a whole session | Many short exercises | Whatever is due | | Who talks most | The students | The teacher | Both | | Getting stuck | Expected and welcome | Often a problem | The reason to book | Source: [Math Circle Network, About](https://mathcircles.org/about/), read 31 October 2026. Modern Age Coders is not a math circle and has no connection with the Math Circle Network, the American Institute of Mathematics or any circle named on this page. Find one ## How do I find a math circle near me or online? Start with the Math Circle Network's map, which lists circles by level and marks those that meet online. University math departments run many of the longest-running circles too. ### The national network The Math Circle Network calls itself "A National Network of Local Math Communities". It is "a project of the American Institute of Mathematics (AIM), a nonprofit mathematical sciences research institute supported by the National Science Foundation". The network says "There are hundreds of Math Circles around the U.S." Its map lets you filter by elementary, middle and high school, and some entries are tagged Online. In 2020 AIM also became host of the National Association of Math (Student) Circles. ### Starting your own If there is no circle nearby, the network helps people start one. Its organizer pages offer planning toolkits and a 2026 New Math Circle Training and Mentoring Cohort for new leadership teams. It also says "Our network provides free resources for all U.S.-based Math Circles", including an activities database and MathCircular, which it describes as "a free semi-annual magazine". | Circle | When and where | Online? | Note from its page | | --- | --- | --- | --- | | Stanford Math Circle (Stanford Pre-Collegiate Studies) | Quarter-long, after-school sessions, weekly on Tuesdays, Wednesdays or Thursdays | Yes: "Students from any geographic location are welcome to enroll in the online classes." | Emphasizes "discussion and group problem solving" | | Berkeley Math Circle | Weekly on Wednesday evenings at UC Berkeley | Mainly in person | "Emulating famous Eastern European models"; the BMC-Upper group will not run in fall 2026 and spring 2027 | Sources: [mathcircles.org](https://mathcircles.org/) (home, map and organizer pages), [Stanford Math Circle](https://spcs.stanford.edu/programs/stanford-math-circle) and [Berkeley Math Circle](https://mathcircle.berkeley.edu/), read 31 October 2026. Schedules change by term; check each circle before applying. An exploration ## What does a math circle problem look like? The hundred lockers A circle problem is easy to state, impossible to finish by guessing, and has a beautiful reason behind the answer. This one is a classic of the genre; the walkthrough and wording are ours. ### The problem A hallway has 100 closed lockers, numbered 1 to 100. Student 1 opens every locker. Student 2 changes every second locker (closes it if open, opens it if closed). Student 3 changes every third locker, and so on, up to student 100. When all 100 students have passed, which lockers are open? A circle leader would not let anyone answer yet. First: try it with 10 lockers. ### Explore small cases (ours) With 10 lockers, children usually find that lockers 1, 4 and 9 end up open. Someone says "those are square numbers!" That is a conjecture, not yet an answer. Now the circle question: why squares? Locker 12 is changed by students 1, 2, 3, 4, 6 and 12, its six factors. Six changes means open, closed, open, closed, open, closed: it ends closed. 1. **The key idea (ours).** A locker ends open only if it is changed an odd number of times, so only if its number has an odd number of factors. 2. **Why factors usually pair up.** Factors come in pairs: for 12, 1 with 12, 2 with 6, 3 with 4. Pairs make an even count. 3. **The exception.** For 36, the pair 6 x 6 uses the same number twice, so 6 is counted once. 36 has 9 factors: an odd number. Only perfect squares have an unpaired factor. 4. **The answer.** The open lockers are the squares 1, 4, 9, ..., 100: ten lockers. We checked it by simulating all 100 students in Python. 5. **Extend it.** Which lockers are changed exactly twice? (The primes.) A good circle ends with a new question. A session ## What happens in a math circle session? Most circles follow a similar rhythm: a problem is posed, students work on it in small groups, ideas are shared and argued over, and the leader helps the group turn a pattern into an explanation. The timings below are our own sketch of a 75-minute session. | Part | Minutes | What happens | | --- | --- | --- | | Warm-up | 10 | A quick puzzle everyone can start | | The big problem | 5 | Stated simply, with no method given | | Explore in pairs | 25 | Small cases, drawings, tables | | Share and argue | 20 | Groups present conjectures; others test them | | Why it works | 10 | The group builds the explanation together | | One more question | 5 | An extension to take home | ### What makes it work Silence is allowed. Leaders wait rather than rescue, because the stuck moment is where the learning happens. Wrong ideas are valuable. A conjecture that fails on the next case teaches the whole room why we test before we believe. ### Is my child ready? Readiness is about attitude more than level. A child who enjoys a puzzle, can stay with it for twenty minutes and likes talking about ideas is ready, whatever their grade. Children who are used to always being right sometimes find the first circle hard. That is normal, and usually the start of something good. Try these ## What problems can we explore at home like a math circle? Pick one per evening. Explore small cases first, look for the pattern, then ask why. The problems and answers are ours, each checked in Python. | Exploration | Start with | Answer | | --- | --- | --- | | You climb 10 stairs, taking 1 or 2 steps at a time. How many different ways? | Count for 1, 2, 3 and 4 stairs; each total is the sum of the two before | 89 | | Twelve people each shake hands once with everyone else. How many handshakes? | Each person shakes 11 hands; every handshake is counted twice | 66 | | Cut two opposite corners off a chessboard. Can 31 dominoes cover the rest? | Color the squares; each domino covers one black and one white | No | | What is the 2026th odd number? | The nth odd number is 2n - 1 | 4051 | | In the locker problem, how many lockers stay open with 100 students? | Count the perfect squares up to 100 | 10 | 1. **Week 1 (our plan for families).** One exploration, done together, with paper and colored pens. No hints for the first ten minutes. 2. **Week 2.** Your child explains the answer to someone who was not there. Explaining is half of mathematics. 3. **Week 3.** Look on the Math Circle Network map for a local or online circle, and try a session. 4. **Week 4.** Decide: a circle, a weekly problem-solving class, or both. If your child also enjoys contests, see our [middle school math competitions guide](/math-competitions-for-middle-school-students), [MATHCOUNTS preparation](/mathcounts-preparation) and [Math Kangaroo USA](/math-kangaroo-usa-preparation). Where your child is ## Four stages from puzzle fan to mathematician Our own way of describing how children grow in a circle. | Stage | What it looks like | | --- | --- | | 1. Answer hunter | Wants the answer fast, unsure what to do when stuck | | 2. Case tryer | Tries examples and draws pictures without being told | | 3. Conjecturer | Spots a pattern, says it clearly and tests it | | 4. Explainer | Gives a reason the pattern must hold, and asks the next question | ### For parents Praise the trying, not the speed. "I like how you made a table" does more than "you're so smart". If your child asks you the answer, ask them what they have tried. Then wait. ### For students When you are stuck, make the problem smaller: 10 lockers instead of 100. A pattern is a guess until you can say why. Always ask why. The catalogue ## Problem-solving math courses for grades 3 to 12 Live courses that put exploration and reasoning first. I ### Young explorers Grades 3 to 5 CK / Y / 01 #### Problem solving Logic and patterns. [Open the syllabus](/courses/problem-solving-and-computational-thinking-for-kids) CK / Y / 02 #### Quick numbers Playing with digits. [Open the syllabus](/courses/mental-maths-mastery-kids) CK / Y / 03 #### Elementary math Grades 1 to 5, deeply. [Open the syllabus](/courses/elementary-mathematics-complete-masterclass)II ### Middle school Grades 6 to 8 CK / M / 01 #### Contest problems Team rounds and sprints. [Open the syllabus](/courses/middle-school-math-competitions-course) CK / M / 02 #### Middle school math Pre-algebra and geometry. [Open the syllabus](/courses/comprehensive-middle-school-mathematics-mastery) CK / M / 03 #### Math through coding Simulate the lockers. [Open the syllabus](/courses/maths-through-coding)III ### High school Grades 9 to 12 CK / H / 01 #### Olympiad problems Where circles lead. [Open the syllabus](/courses/olympiad-competition-mathematics-mastery) CK / H / 02 #### Grades 9 to 12 math The school core, deeply. [Open the syllabus](/courses/complete-high-school-mathematics-mastery) CK / H / 03 #### College math Beyond the syllabus. [Open the syllabus](/courses/college-mathematics-complete-masterclass) How lessons run ## Circle-style problem solving, live online Weekdays or weekends, flexible: choose your batch, or for a very personalised plan choose 1-on-1 at your convenience, weekend mornings or weekdays. Weekdays An evening problem session after school. Weekends Longer explorations with time to argue. 1-on-1 For a child who wants a personal mentor. ### One rich problem Depth over a long worksheet. ### Students talk Ideas shared and tested. ### Problems we chose Original write-ups, never copied. ### Why, always Every pattern gets a reason. ### No contest promises We teach thinking; results are theirs. ### Size A batch of 15 to 20, or just your child. Student work ## What our young mathematicians make Explorations, simulations and puzzle games from students in our classes. More at [student labs](/student-labs). ![NutriLife AI nutrition coach project screenshot](/images/projects/nutrilife.webp) AI and ML #### NutriLife An AI nutrition coach that reads what you eat and works you toward a target. by Bhavya · [Open it](https://nutrilife-bhavya.lovable.app) ![Misti AI chatbot for maths and coding screenshot](/images/projects/misti.webp) AI and ML #### Misti A chatbot that answers mathematics and programming questions, built and deployed by a student. by Harshit · [Open it](https://misti.modernagecoders.com) ![GuardianX AI internet safety assistant screenshot](/images/projects/guardianx.webp) AI and ML #### GuardianX An assistant that helps a young person recognise unsafe situations online. by Vivaan · [Open it](https://guardianx-cybersaver.lovable.app) ![SkyCast weather forecast application screenshot](/images/projects/skycast.webp) Web app #### SkyCast A weather forecasting site with live conditions for any location. by Krish Fees ## Fees Problem-solving classes run month to month with no term contract, so a family can try circle-style math for a few weeks and stay only if the spark is there. Free first class USD 0 no card required - A free first class - A puzzle to start - No card needed Book it Group batch USD 100 a month, billed in US dollars - Fifteen to twenty learners - The same teacher each week - Pick your batch - Monthly Start here One to one USD 150 a month, billed in US dollars - One teacher, one child - Problems chosen for them - Flexible times Enquire What families say ## Rated 4.9 across 547 Google reviews Reviews from parents on Google, reproduced exactly. ★★★★★ "The one step solution for my son. Modern Age Coders make learning coding so simple that kids love it. The teachers explain complex concepts clearly with practical exercises and interactive content." Ria Mukherjee Parent ★★★★★ "Modern Age Coders has been a game-changer for me. I struggled to grasp IT concepts and coding before joining, but their classes transformed everything. I can now confidently write complex programs with ease." Samriddha Mondal Student ★★★★★ "One of the most wonderful education centres out there. Education is not limited to school syllabus but focuses on skill development." Vansh Agarwal Student ★★★★★ "My child Dhairya is really enjoying the Modern Age Coders classes. This is his first online class and he eagerly looks forward to it. I can already see his improvement, and the teachers are very cooperative." Sonam Oswal Parent of Dhairya ★★★★★ "Modern Age Coders have wonderful teachers who teach in a clear, easy and practical way. The teacher boosts students' confidence and inspires them to learn without hesitation." Sonu Goyal Parent ★★★★★ "I highly recommend this computer coding class! The teachers are incredibly knowledgeable and passionate about coding." Ritu Kedia Parent Questions from families ## Math circles: questions answered ### What is a math circle for kids? It is a group where children meet regularly with mathematicians to explore challenging problems together. The Math Circle Network describes math circles as communities focused on the enjoyment of mathematical problem solving. ### How do I find a math circle near me? Use the map on mathcircles.org, run by the Math Circle Network. You can filter by elementary, middle and high school, and some circles are marked as meeting online. ### Are there online math circles? Yes. Some circles on the national map meet online, and the Stanford Math Circle says students from any geographic location are welcome to enroll in its online classes. ### What age is a math circle for? Circles exist for elementary, middle and high school students, and the network also describes family circles where parents join in. Readiness depends more on enjoying puzzles than on grade. ### Where did math circles start? The Math Circle Network says the model originated in Eastern Europe more than 100 years ago. The first US student circles began in Boston in 1994 and in the San Francisco Bay Area in 1998. ### Is a math circle the same as math tutoring? No. Tutoring usually fixes gaps or helps with homework, while a circle explores one rich problem for the joy of it. Many children benefit from both at different times. ### How is your class different from a math circle? We are an online school, not a community circle. Our problem-solving classes follow a planned course with the same teacher each week, but they borrow the circle habits of discussion, exploration and proof. ### Can I start a math circle? Yes. The Math Circle Network offers organizer toolkits, free resources for US-based circles and a 2026 training and mentoring cohort for new circle leadership teams. ### What times are your classes? Weekdays or weekends, flexible: choose your batch, or for a very personalised plan choose 1-on-1 at your convenience, weekend mornings or weekdays. ### Are you connected with the Math Circle Network? No. Modern Age Coders is independent and has no link to the Math Circle Network, the American Institute of Mathematics, Stanford or the Berkeley Math Circle. Elsewhere on this site ## Related pages More math enrichment for US children. ### [Middle school math competitions](/math-competitions-for-middle-school-students) Contests for puzzle lovers. ### [MATHCOUNTS preparation](/mathcounts-preparation) Contest problem solving for middle schoolers. ### [Math Kangaroo USA](/math-kangaroo-usa-preparation) A friendly first contest. ### [Math League contests](/math-league-contest-preparation) School-based contests by grade. ### [Accelerated math online](/accelerated-math-program-online) Working ahead with understanding. ### [Beast Academy help](/beast-academy-tutor) For families using that curriculum. ## Related pages in this guide Part of the guide: [US math and coding competitions guide](/us-math-and-coding-competitions-guide) ### Math contests - [MOEMS math olympiad preparation](/moems-math-olympiad-preparation) - [Noetic math contest preparation](/noetic-math-contest-preparation) - [Math League contest preparation](/math-league-contest-preparation) - [Continental Math League preparation](/continental-math-league-preparation) - [Math competitions for middle school students](/math-competitions-for-middle-school-students) - [Art of Problem Solving alternative](/art-of-problem-solving-alternative) ### Coding and robotics - [Bebras Challenge practice](/bebras-challenge-practice) - [FIRST LEGO League coding help](/first-lego-league-coding-help-usa) - [FTC programming help](/ftc-programming-help) - [VEX IQ programming help](/vex-iq-programming-help) - [Science Olympiad coding events help](/science-olympiad-coding-events-help) - [ACSL competition preparation](/acsl-competition-preparation) - [Coding competitions for middle school students](/coding-competitions-for-middle-school-students) - [Coding competitions for high school students](/coding-competitions-for-high-school-students) ### Projects and next steps - [ISEF computer science project mentoring](/isef-computer-science-project-mentoring) - [Girls Who Code next step](/girls-who-code-next-step) - [After the Hour of Code](/after-hour-of-code-next-steps) - [US competitions calendar 2026-27](/us-coding-math-and-ai-competitions-calendar) More guides: [US state math tests by state](/us-state-math-tests-by-state) · [US gifted and selective school tests](/us-gifted-and-selective-school-tests-guide) · [US math placement and college readiness tests](/us-math-placement-and-college-readiness-tests) · [Homeschool and school math curricula guide](/homeschool-math-curriculum-guide-usa) Start here ## Book a free problem-solving class Let us know what grade your child is in and the last puzzle they could not put down. The teacher will bring a problem pitched just above that. You could first read [about our teaching](/how-we-teach) or look through [our courses](/courses). [WhatsApp us](https://wa.me/919123366161?text=Hello%20Modern%20Age%20Coders%2C%20my%20child%20in%20the%20US%20loves%20puzzles%20and%20we%20are%20looking%20for%20an%20online%20math%20circle%20or%20something%20like%20it.%20Could%20we%20book%20a%20free%20first%20class%3F) · [+91 91233 66161](tel:+919123366161) · [connect@modernagecoders.com](mailto:connect@modernagecoders.com) Classes are live video sessions, taught from India, at hours that suit US families. WhatsApp gets the quickest response. ### Want a class sooner? Book a priority demo A priority demo is a full class of about 45 to 60 minutes. After the class the mentor sends a written skill report and a personal learning roadmap on WhatsApp. If you enrol, the demo fee is adjusted against your first month's fee. Share your demo Order ID with us on WhatsApp and we take it off. [Book a priority demo](/book-demo) ## Keep exploring Modern Age Coders ### More maths tuition - [Online Math Tutor Canada](/online-math-tutor-canada) - [Online Coding Tutor in Australia](/online-coding-tutor-australia) - [One-on-One Coding Tutor in Australia](/one-on-one-coding-tutor-australia) - [Online Math Tutor for Kindergarten](/online-math-tutor-kindergarten) - [OCR FSMQ Additional Maths 6993 Help](/ocr-fsmq-additional-maths-6993-help) - [Online Maths Tuition for Class 1-12, CBSE & ICSE](/online-maths-tuition) - [Maths Tutor in Chatswood](/maths-tutor-chatswood) - [Maths Tutor in Sydney](/maths-tutor-sydney) - [Australian Mathematical Olympiad Preparation: AMO Explained](/australian-mathematical-olympiad-preparation) ### Learn more - [Khan Academy Math vs a Live Tutor: Which Does Your Child Need?](/khan-academy-math-vs-live-tutor) - [Math Tutor Cost in Canada: Hourly Rates, Free Options, Real Price](/math-tutor-cost-canada) - [JEE Foundation Maths Class 8-10: Proofs & Problem Solving](/courses/jee-foundation-maths-course-class-8-10) - [The Course Atlas: Every Coding, AI & Mathematics Course (Kids, Teens](/course-atlas) ### From the blog - [Maths Learning Guides](/blog/topic/maths) - [Is Coding Good for Kids? What It Really Teaches](/blog/is-coding-good-for-kids) - [What is Coding for Kids? A Parent's Complete Guide to Getting](/blog/coding-for-kids-parents-complete-guide-2026) - [How Learning Coding Improves Mathematical Thinking in Children](/blog/how-coding-improves-mathematical-thinking-children) ### Start here - [Try a free trial class with a Modern Age Coders mentor](/free-trial) - [About Modern Age Coders, teaching since 2020](/about) Free class[Priority demo](/book-demo)[Call us](tel:+919123366161) --- *Canonical: https://learn.modernagecoders.com/online-math-circle-for-kids*