Math Counts is a Denver Public School's math competition.  The intent of the program is to help students increase their math knowledge and develop their analytical and reasoning skills.  Children are selected to participate in Math Counts because they have demonstrated advanced levels of math abilities. Math Counts provides an opportunity for students to explore mathematics beyond what is traditionally taught in a middle school classroom.  It builds math skills, promotes strategic problem solving skills, and sharpens students’ analytical ability.

            We hold weekly meetings after-school to practice.  Each practice session covers a specific math topic with time given for a quick introduction, practice and then a summary of the material. Competition is held for students in grade 6 through 8.  Sixth graders compete against other sixth grade teams and seventh/eighth graders compete against other seventh/eighth grade teams. 

            Competition takes place three times a year. The students from Merrill will compete against other middle schools from the Denver Public Schools. There is a host school for each competition. Students travel to the school and then compete against each other by grade level teams. Teachers supervise the conduct and regulations of the competition. Other teachers score the results that the students gave to the questions and the winners are determined. Prizes are awarded for the best student performance at each grade level and for the best performance from each school's team.

            This is a wonderful opportunity for students to share their love of math and to have an opportunity to show their skills. They demonstrate their abilities to work as an individual but also show how they can solve problems as a team. Mathletics provides the students with this forum. It is a wonderful opportunity for all who participate.