Nestled in St. Francis Episcopal Church is an after-school program that deepens appreciation for mathematics.
Founded in 1997 by Inessa Rifkin and Irina Khavinson in Massachusetts, the Russian School of Mathematics serves students from grades pre-k to high school and blends math curriculum with abstract thinking and problem-solving skills. Two of the school’s 77 U.S. locations are based in San Francisco, one along Ocean Avenue and the other on Geary Boulevard. They also have two locations in Canada, and three in Israel and offer online courses.
“Because kids who are not familiar with our curriculum, it's too hard to be on the same level,” said Tatsiana Siankevich, principal of the Ocean Avenue branch. “What I see right now in San Francisco, in this location, is not the excellent level of math and I think for what reason we are growing so fast. I see how we can help our kids in our schools.”
The school opened in August and offers classes tailored per level with some focusing on logical puzzle solving and speaking about problems using specific math-based languages to geometry and advanced algebra.
The school will be moving into the building at the corner of Junipero Serra Boulevard and Ocean Avenue by the end of spring.
Tuition varies and is based on course level but Siankevich said it typically costs $82 per class. They also offer six-week long summer courses that can cost up to $972, according to its website.
The school’s academic year also coincides with the San Francisco Unified School District schedule. Siankevich also said that they hope to partner with nearby schools like Commodore Sloat Elementary to bring more kids to their programs.
“School to school, math is hard,” K-5th grade teacher Eian Gil said. “We aren’t trying to get students like better grades but this approach, and the approach of the Russian School of Math, emphasizes the understanding of why things work… if I would have been apart of this as a young kind, I would not have struggled as much as I did.”
In addition to academic teaching, they offer courses that prepare students for competition and advanced testing like the SAT and ACT. They are also gearing up to host a mathematics competition of their own in March for students from all over to compete for a variety of prizes and earn a certificate. Last year’s prizes included a 3-D puzzle, notebooks, stickers and water bottles among other items.
“If you love math — if you want to say that ‘I have fun with math’ — welcome in,” Siankevich said. “RSM is just for you.”
Russian School of Mathematics
Address: 399 San Fernando Way Hours: Monday, Tuesday and Thursday, 3 p.m. to 8 p.m., Wednesday, 2 p.m. to 8 p.m., Saturday, 8:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. Phone: 650-268-4668 Visit Website
Anne Marie Kristoff (she/her) is a recent graduate from San Francisco State University's journalism program. She enjoys writing about the arts, entertainment and nature.
