FORA’s Math Circle Hub Will Give Students a Seat at the Table

By Bridget Brodie, Restorative Justice Intern

Wealth plays a significant role in the quality of education a child receives, according to a recent study by the National Library of Medicine. Math Circles is fighting that inequality. With over 50 locations, Math Circles of Chicago aims to provide all children, regardless of income, access to mathematics in the classroom.

“In Chicago, the gap between safe, empowering math enrichment opportunities offered to white and affluent students and those provided to students of color and students from households with low incomes is wide,” their website stated. 

A Math Circle is a group of students who get together with a skilled teacher to do challenging and engaging math lessons. Math Circle of Chicago serves over 2,200 kids students as the largest math program in the US. 

The Math Circles program goes beyond fostering students' passion for math. These activities foster invaluable skills in youth such as curiosity, perseverance, and long-term engagement in school and their careers. Part of Math Circle’s mission is to “Foster self-confidence, group collaboration, and a sense of community.” Students leave Math Circles empowered and confident in their ability to participate in the classroom.

This summer eight FORA students joined Math Circles at Walter Payton High School. For two weeks, these students dove deep into the world of math through group projects, friendly competition, and brain-bending puzzles. 

As one of the two chaperones accompanying FORA students to Math Circles, I saw in real time how their love of learning and problem-solving was nurtured. On the first day, one student remarked as we stepped through the doors on campus that “All schools are prisons.” By noon that same day, after just three hours of programming, they retracted their previous statement. “Not all schools feel like prison. Math Circles is really fun!” 

During car rides back to FORA students shared their highlights of the day. Every day brought another new activity. “Bungee Barbie” was an activity where students created a bungee-jump for a Barbie doll to test how far she dropped before hitting the floor. Another favorite was the “Marble Game,” where teams competed against one another to build the fastest racetrack for marbles. Students also learned Arabic and Mayan numerals and applied their newfound knowledge to complicated math problems. Reflecting on their experience at Math Circles, one student said they “had never learned math like that before.” I’ve been told by many students they can’t wait to one day learn college-level math. 

FORA’s participation in Math Circles reflects its mission to “ensure that refugee families are provided access to an education sufficient to prepare them to become economically self-sufficient and robustly engaged in American civic life.” Refugees face countless barriers that prevent them from receiving a quality education. Many students are FORA are Students with Limited or Interrupted Formal Education (SLIFE). The number of years spent in school directly correlates to improved health, greater income, and longevity. Being a part of programs like FORA and Math Circles affords greater autonomy and higher quality of life to SLIFE and refugee students. 

However, access to education is not equal. Wealth inequality and racism coincide to put non-white, low income students at stark disadvantages in the classroom.  

Math Circles serves primarily low-income and minority students, providing crucial support in an education system that rewards wealth. 64% of students who attend Math Circles live in underserved communities. Chicago has some of the most segregated schools in the country according to a 2022 study by Stanford University. These shocking inequalities reinforce the need for programs like Math Circles to support communities that have been routinely denied equal opportunity to pursue an education. 

FORA’s time with Math Circles is far from over. This fall, Math Circles will open a new location in FORA’s very own building in Westridge. While Math Circles will be operating out of FORA’s building, it is open to both FORA and non-FORA students who live in the community. 

FORA co-founder Michael O’Connor emphasized the importance of sending children to programs like Math Circles. “It’s important to send your boys and girls to something like this,” he said.  “People will travel for hours to bring their kids to Math Circles, and it's right here in our neighborhood.”   

O’Connor urged girls in particular to enroll in Math Circles. “Many of our best math students are girls, and girls need to learn math for daily life just as much as boys do,” he said. 

FORA’s partnership with Math Circles would not be possible without the help of Doug Oroark, the Executive Director and Founder of Math Circles of Chicago. His guidance and support has been instrumental. 

Math Circles will offer sessions on Sunday afternoons this fall, starting on September 21st. The program will run for six weeks in the fall and six weeks in the winter. There is space for over 110 kids ranging from grades 3-12. Registration will begin on August 15th, and will be done through Math Circle’s website.