Advanced / Competition Math
Beyond routine exercises — where students build a strategic, creative problem-solving mindset and learn to see math as a rewarding pursuit.
Advanced / Competition Math Program
Math problems in school are designed to teach important concepts through repeated practice, but what if students could take those concepts further? How would it feel to expand their understanding into richer, real-world problem-solving areas that require creative thinking and fresh approaches? In our Advanced Math curriculum, students go beyond routine exercises to develop a strategic mindset — one that opens up multiple ways to tackle a problem.
What could be possible with a deeper problem-solving aptitude? With this approach, our Advanced Math students can master math (and even other subjects) at any level in much less time. Imagine how empowering it would be for them to handle a larger number of challenging courses, like AP classes in high school, and to excel confidently.
In the exciting world of Competition Mathematics, it can involve both theory building and problem solving. While many mathematicians excel at solving problems, only a few also become theory builders. Imagine the thrill of developing strategies that reveal patterns and create structure from what seems like chaos.
Our Competition Math classes take students on a journey of discovery, combining theory-building with enriching problem-solving experiences. How inspiring could it be for students to see problem-solving as an uplifting activity? Our program is designed to help children not only embrace math but to experience it as a truly exciting and rewarding pursuit.
Our students' competition results — click to enlarge.
Program Logistics
Sign up for an assessment
Click here or scroll to the bottom of the page to schedule your FREE assessment.
Get placed & pick a day
Your student is assigned to a level and picks one specific day to attend classes.
Additional details
- Students are assigned handouts, problem sheets, and home assignments through an online platform. The problems are challenging and require a good amount of thinking to solve.
- By their 3rd week, students are invited to join the FREE Saturday contest practice sessions — in person in Charlotte or virtually. These introduce a variety of competition problems and give students a chance to discuss them with peers.
- By their 3rd week, parents get access to student review sheets that track weekly progress.
What to Expect From This Program
Overcome fear of failure
Problems that require thinking outside the box and taking chances. Students stumble early on — and learn how to pick themselves up and keep going.
Develop a strategy mindset
Challenging problems build critical thinking and the aptitude to develop contingency strategies when the first approach doesn't work.
Become more efficient
Students build the habit of constantly searching for faster ways to solve problems — carrying that efficiency into their broader schoolwork.
Gain independence
Our alumni at top colleges tell us learning there is self-driven. Habits of independent learning prepare students to be highly efficient learners.
Program Levels & Schedule
Explore our programs below. During a FREE assessment, we place your child in the ideal level based on their skills — not just their grade — so they can learn and grow at their own pace.
Pre-Competition Math
Advanced 1st, 2nd, and 3rd graders taking their first steps into advanced math and creative problem solving. 60 minutes per week.
For Grade 3
Strongly recommend: Math Kangaroo
Competition Math L1
Advanced 3rd, 4th/5th graders who are new to competition math. 60 minutes per week.
For Grade 3
Strongly recommend: Math Kangaroo, MOEMS
Try for experience: Charlotte Tri Mathlon
For Grades 4–5
Strongly recommend: Math Kangaroo, MOEMS, Charlotte Tri Mathlon
Try for experience: AMC 8
Competition Math L2
For Grades 4–5
Strongly recommend: Math Kangaroo, MOEMS, Charlotte Tri Mathlon
Try for experience: AMC 8
For Grades 6–8
Strongly recommend: MathCounts, Charlotte Tri Mathlon, Texas Mathworks, Purple Comet, College of Charleston Math Meet
Try for experience: Duke Math Meet, AMC 10
Competition Math L3
For Grades 6–8
Strongly recommend: MathCounts, AMC 8, AMC 10, Charlotte Tri Mathlon, Texas Mathworks, Purple Comet, College of Charleston Math Meet, Duke Math Meet
Competition Math L4
For Grades 7+
Strongly recommend: AMC 8, AMC 10, AMC 12, Texas Mathworks, Purple Comet, College of Charleston Math Meet, Duke Math Meet
Competition Math L5
Strategies for AIME and higher-level math contests that are less dependent on speed of problem solving. Appropriate for students who have a solid command of AMC 10 topics.
For Grades 9+
Strongly recommend: AMC 10, AMC 12, Texas Mathworks, Purple Comet, College of Charleston Math Meet, Duke Math Meet
All Grade Levels at a Glance
| Pre-Competition | Comp Math L1 | Comp Math L2 | Comp Math L3 | Comp Math L4 | Comp Math L5 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Grades 1–3 | Grades 3–5 | Grades 5–7 | Grades 6–8 | Grades 6+ | Grades 6+ |
| Tue 5:30–6:30 PM | Tue 5:30–6:30 PM Fri 5:30–6:30 PM |
Mon 6:40–7:40 PM Thu 5:30–6:30 PM |
Mon 5:30–6:30 PM Thu 6:40–7:40 PM |
Tue 6:40–8:10 PM Fri 5:30–7:00 PM |
Wed 5:30–7 PM |
| — | Math Olympiad (MOEMS), Math Kangaroo, Early MathCounts | MathCounts, AMC 8 | MathCounts, AMC 8 (Advanced) | MathCounts State, AMC 10, College of Charleston, Purple Comet | AMC 10, AMC 12, AIME |
| Advanced 1st–3rd graders looking to sharpen their math skills. 60 min/week. | Advanced 3rd–5th graders new to competition math or exploring interest. 60 min/week. | All middle schoolers. | All middle schoolers. | All middle / high schoolers. | Strategies for AIME and higher-level contests, less dependent on speed. For students with a solid command of AMC 10 topics. |
| Curriculum | Curriculum | Curriculum | Curriculum | Curriculum | — |
* Time slots are suggestive — we're happy to make adjustments based on student availability. We're in the process of scheduling all classes; the times above will be updated.
** Exceptions can be made for students younger than the required grade level. After the assessment, they'll be placed with the appropriate group.
Pricing
Please review the registration page for pricing per 4 weeks.
Schedule a FREE Assessment
Ready to find your child's level?
Fill out the form below to book your free, no-pressure assessment. Prefer to talk first? Call (980) 292-1441 or email learn@thinking-feet.com.
Thinking Feet's main learning center is located in the Ballantyne area in Mecklenburg county. We are just minutes away from nearby Blakeney, Weddington, Marvin, Waxhaw, Pineville, Matthews, Wesley Chapel, Piper Glen, and Fort Mill, SC.
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