My child is already doing well at school, why should we come to your classes?
At EMC, we can give your child an opportunity to be challenged above his/her current grade level. Our students gain more in-depth knowledge and understanding of the topics, learn how to solve challenging non-standard and competition problems that are usually not covered by regular school curriculum. Our small groups are 3 to 4 times smaller than a regular school classroom, which allows us to give students personal attention and individualized instruction.
How do I register for classes?
If you are new to EMC, please schedule a free math evaluation. You and your child will meet for about an hour with one of lead teachers to determine math level and best group fit. You will then be invited to a free trial lesson in one, or more, of the suggested groups that fit your schedule. If you are both happy, you will then be invited to register and join the selected group. https://www.emc.school/free-math-evaluation
You can find our class schedules and registration links on the Schedule tab of the website.
Can we try a lesson before committing?
Absolutely! We encourage that you and your child come to one of the grade appropriate classes and participate in the lesson, free of charge. You will have an opportunity to see how the classes are run, and we will have a chance to assess your child’s level and suggest which group to join. Alternatively, contact us for a free evaluation.
Where/how are classes conducted?
Classes are 1 - 2 hours in length per week and are conducted online via Zoom. Circle 0 and 1 are: 1 hour per week. Circle 2+ are: 2 x 1 hour classes per week OR 1.5 hours per week. Some Pre-Algebra (and above) classes are 2 hours.
What is the pay schedule?
Families pay monthly, according to the number of classes held in that month.
What happens if we miss a class?
If you know that you will miss a class, we kindly request that you e-mail us ahead of time to let us know. There are no refunds for missed classes, however, we allow you to make up missed lessons in any of the parallel groups, with prior arrangement with the teacher.
What happens if we go on a long vacation?
Engaging Math Circles is closed during the school holidays taken by the San Jose Unified School District. We do not charge you for EMC scheduled holidays. We can always freeze your payments if you travel for a month or longer.
None of the times work for me, but I really want to join your school. What can I do?
Please reach out to us. New groups are forming all the time. We only need 4 students to open up a new group. Likely, there is already somebody waiting for a new group and you might just be the person we need to open it. Also, if you have 3 more friends to join your child, chances are we can form a group at a time that works for you.
Do you have any classes for Homeschoolers?
Our classes are designed to work for students of all skill levels and learning types!
Do kids get a break during the longer classes?
There is a 10-15 minute break during the 1.5hr long classes giving the kids a chance to run around and stretch.
How many students are in each group?
We try to keep our groups small to ensure personal attention to every child. There are typically between 4 and 8 kids in each group. Circle 0 : 4 students max Circle 1 - 5 : 6 students max Pre-Algebra or higher : 8 students max Occasionally when students need to make up in a different class, these numbers may increase by 1 or 2
What age groups do you work with?
We teach Math to K-12 students. Our 0-6 circles are designed for kids throughout Kindergarten to Grade 6, whereas upper level students can sign up for Pre-Algebra, Algebra, Geometry, and Pre-Calculus.
What does the number next to a Circle mean?
Every Circle corresponds to skill level, and not grade level. While most Circles are very close to grade level, many of our students are enrolled a level below their current grade level. We recommend scheduling a free evaluation if you wish to accurately place your child in the correct level.
How much homework do the students receive?
Students receive about an hour to two hours of practice questions per week. This will vary from grade to grade, and child to child.
Do you cover the school curriculum? Will my child be prepared to pass placement tests?
We cover everything that your child will be required to know at his / her grade level (and go much deeper into those topics). Our students are well prepared for all of their school math classes and exams as long as they keep pace and do their homework.
How does your program help kids learn a full year curriculum, while meeting just once or twice a week?
We team up with our families to create a productive learning environment for our students. In class, the kids gain the skills and motivation to learn. We cover key points of the material and solve higher level and challenging problems. At home, we equip parents with the right tools to continue the learning and practice of the skills gained in class.
Do you host summer sessions?
Absolutely! Please visit the Programs:Summer Programs section of the website to learn about our current offerings and to register. https://www.emc.school/summer-programs
What are the procedures for cancelling enrollment?
We ask for a 30 day notice in writing when cancelling enrollment.
How do we contact a child’s teacher?
You can always e-mail us at info@engagingmathcircles.com; also, each teacher has their own email address that will be given to you when your child joins a group.
My child is struggling in school, will your program help?
Our program’s main emphasis is on problem solving and creative approaches to standard math curriculum. You will be surprised to see your student blossom in our groups. There is no dry memorization and drills. Your child will be engaged throughout the year, be challenged, encouraged, and will grow in all aspects of math and beyond. We’ve worked with student’s of all levels and complexities. It is our job to work with every family to find the best fit and approach to each student.
My child is advanced / gifted in math, can he/she have an appropriate group to join and be challenged?
We will meet and evaluate your child’s math knowledge and abilities and will most definitely find an appropriate group fit. We have many gifted students in our program, and tailor our lessons to keep them challenged and engaged with depth and variety of topics we cover and problems we solve.
Do you prepare children for math Olympiads?
Most of our students participate in various math competitions. We bring in a lot of supplemental olympiad level materials into the classroom and our students are excited and well prepared to compete in math competitions. We also host both the NOETIC Math and Math Kangaroo competitions and encourage all of our students to compete.
We were assigned a Circle and my student is bored. Can my student move up?
Yes! We work with you to make sure your student is challenged and learning new things. We do ask that you try a few lessons with both levels to see if it improves the situation. Sometimes during our evaluations specific skills are tested that will come later on in the Circle you were originally recommended, so the beginning can feel boring if it's review for your student.
What are the three types of classes and how do I know which class to choose?
The main types of classes offered this summer are Fun Math and Competition Math. In both classes, kids practice math skills, out of the box thinking, and problem solving. The focus of Fun Math is more on fun math games, logic problems, and riddles. This is a lively class that students love. Competition Math is a more serious class (with its own share of fun problems!). The emphasis is on presenting kids with various competition problem types to explore different ways of thinking and solving problems. Classes complement each other and many families choose to enroll in both. We also offer Intensives. Our Intensive classes go through an entire Circle's worth of content and are essentially "summer school" programs. Use these to patch up gaps or potentially skip grades.
Will you run your regular circles in the summer?
We will continue some of the circles from the year that started late until they are finished. If you want a regular Circle in the summer, you are looking for Intensives! If you have a specific interest for a course, please reach out using the contact form above!
How do I know which class to register for (based on age or grade)?
Select classes based on the grade level that your child will be in the fall of 2024. If homeschooling - choose based on the level of math your child will be covering in the fall. We can always adjust level / switch classes later if needed.
How do I register for classes?
Please select the class/grade level you wish to register your child for and click the ‘register’ link next to it. You will be taken to a registration form. Please complete it to register for the class. If you are a current EMC family, you can register for the class through the Parent Portal.
How long are the lessons? What is the fee?
Fun and Competition Lessons are once a week and are 1 hr long. The fee is $35 per class ($280 per session). 20% discount given off the total session fee if registering for both competition math and fun math lessons.
Intensives are three times a week for a total of 23 classes. The fee is $47/hour per class while >=3 students are in the session. This fee may increased if there are less students registered. We need to pay our instructors!!
Are classes In-Person or Online?
All of our classes are online.
How many students are in a class?
We teach in small groups. We will aim for 4-6 students per class for the summer. Make-up classes could alter that number occasionally. Any time that the number of kids exceeds the capacity of the class, we will do our best to have another teacher come in and split the kids into two groups.
I see many time slots available. Can I sign up for more than one class?
There are many time slots available for each class type to give parents the flexibility of choosing a summer schedule that works for their family. Each class, however, is only taught once a week, repeating on different days/times. If you register for two fun math classes, your student will be repeating the same material. Please register for one fun math class and one competition math class if you would like a twice per week option.
What happens if we miss a class?
If you know you will miss a class, please give us 48hr notice to schedule a make-up. You can make up in any of the other available time slots. Each lesson is a standalone class. If your student is registered for Fun Math, they can make up in Competition Math, and vice versa; space permitting.
Do families pay monthly, weekly, or per drop-in session?
In the summer, families pay per session. The session is 8 weeks. Fees are prorated for anyone joining late or has a planned vacation and can not make-up in other groups. If you give us 48hrs notice, we can move missed classes to different time slots or credit your tuition for a Fall Circle or Competition Workshop.
What happens if we go on a long vacation?
Talk to us if you have a vacation planned. We will be able to adjust your enrollment as needed. We can work out make-up days and/or pause enrollment for that period. A week’s notice in writing is required to make any extended vacation related pauses.
None of the times work for me, but I really want to join your school. What can I do?
Talk to us! We open new groups all the time. 3 kids is the minimum for starting a new group. Invite your friends!
We registered for a certain grade level, but after a few lessons the class seems to hard/too easy for my child
Talk to us! It is easy to switch groups.
Register your child for free math evaluation class
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More EMC Programs
Summer Programs
Our Summer Fun and Summer Competition programs are designed to work together or separately to keep students engaged throughout the summer.
We host workshops and events to prepare students for math competitions, strengthen the EMC community, and encourage social interactions among our students.
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