Frequently Asked Questions — For Families

My child is only 4 years old. Can they really benefit from this?

Yes. In fact, ages 2–6 represent the single most important window for building mathematical intuition. We are not teaching arithmetic to toddlers — we are supporting the natural mathematical reasoning that very young children engage in spontaneously, when given rich environments and skilled, responsive adults. The Euler Program is precisely designed for this age group.

How do I know if my child is “gifted” enough?

We prefer not to use the word “gifted” as a threshold. What we look for is a child who is cognitively ahead of their social and educational context in mathematics — a child who asks mathematical questions their teachers cannot answer, who counts and sorts and patterns spontaneously, who seems frustrated or bored by standard school mathematics. If this describes your child, please contact us. Our assessment process will tell you whether we are the right place for them.

We cannot afford tuition. Should we still apply?

Absolutely yes. At least 50% of our enrollment places are reserved for families who cannot afford the full program cost, through our scholarship fund. We will never ask a qualifying family for financial information beyond what is necessary to determine eligibility. Please apply and be transparent with us.

My child is at a public school and already identified as gifted. Can they attend?

Yes. Many of our students attend public schools. Our programs operate outside of school hours. We coordinate with schools where the family requests it.

How many hours per week does this require?

It depends on the program. Euler (2–6 years): approximately 2 hours per week. Gauss (7–11 years): approximately 4–6 hours per week. Hardy (12–16 years): 6–10 hours per week, including mentorship sessions and independent study. We are transparent about this in advance: our programs are intensive by design.

Will my child have to compete? What if they don’t like competitions?

Competition participation is encouraged but never mandatory. For some students, competition is the primary source of motivation and joy. For others, it produces anxiety. We work with each family and student individually. The Hardy Program does include competition preparation, but the foundation is always problem-solving and mathematical thinking — not performance.

My child already participates in another math program. Can they do both?

We discuss this case by case. In some situations, concurrent programs are complementary. In others, they create overload. We will give you an honest assessment.

Is there support for my child’s emotional wellbeing?

Yes. This is a non-negotiable part of our model. Mathematically gifted children are often asynchronous developers — they may be years ahead intellectually while being at or below their age peers emotionally or socially. We address this directly, through our affiliated psychologist and through the explicit social-emotional components of every program.

What happens after the program ends at age 16?

We do not abandon students when they age out. Hardy Program completers become part of our Alumni Network, receive university application support, and are connected to our national and international partner institutions. Our goal is that every student who enters the institute is supported through their transition to undergraduate study.

How do I apply?

Submit an initial inquiry through our [Contact form]. You will be contacted within 10 business days to begin Phase 1 of our assessment process.

---