By Emma Thompson

More than 100 students from Texas and six new Midwest states will receive long-term support through National Math Stars’ academic development program.

National Math Stars (NMS), a nonprofit focused on identifying and supporting mathematically exceptional young learners, has selected 102 students for its 2025 cohort.

Drawn from Texas and six newly added midwestern states, learners will each receive more than $100,000 in educational support over ten years.

HOUSTON — National Math Stars (NMS) has selected a new cohort of 102 exceptional young students for its multi-year program. NMS supports high-performing math students beginning in second and third grades. The 2025 cohort is the first to include students from Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Michigan, Ohio, and Wisconsin as part of the organization’s recent expansion into the Midwest.

The Iowa Department of Education today announced its new, statewide partnership with National Math Stars, a program dedicated to supporting mathematically extraordinary students. The Department identified third graders who scored in the top 2% on the mathematics Iowa Statewide Assessment of Student Progress this spring, representing all student groups.

By Julia Brodsky

I met with Ilana Walder-Biesanz, the leader of National Math Stars, to discuss her innovative program that’s changing the landscape of advanced mathematics education for exceptionally gifted children. Walder-Biesanz understands these students’ challenges firsthand. Growing up in Portland, Oregon, she was six years ahead in mathematics and required a customized educational path.

Join host Michael Flusche as he chats with Ilana Walder and Alex Lochoff, from National Math Stars, a groundbreaking program that identifies mathematically extraordinary students as young as second grade and provides them with ten years of personalized support, mentorship, and access to advanced STEM opportunities—all at no cost to families or schools.