MIST Academy classes in Birmingham are held at 1401 Montgomery Hwy, Suite 121, Vestavia Hills, 35216.  

All Huntsville classes are held at the UAH campus. Details announced on a class by class basis.


Introductory Problem Solving

Of all the levels of mathematics taught at MIST Academy, the Introductory Problem Solving course is almost surely the most important. Covering the basics of algebra, counting techniques, geometry, number theory, probability, and statistics, this class builds the foundation that almost every student of math, science, medicine, and technology will use down the road. These courses give students an excellent jump on the SAT and ACT.

The Introductory Problem Solving course is listed for grades 5 through 8, but MIST Academy actually places students in classes by ability, not age or grade. The grade range has more to do with the competitions that make up some of the focus of this course. Problems and lessons are taken from many sources including the AMC 8 exam, Math Olympiads (MOEMS), and MATHCOUNTS.

Currently, there are three levels for the Introductory problem solving class. Level A is for students without a significant background in algebra. Level B is for students continuing to develop their fundamental algebra skills. Level C is for students with very strong algebra skills.

Click here for a sample of the problems from the MIST Academy Introductory Problem Solving course.

Currently Mathew Crawford is the instructor for all Introductory programs in Birmingham while Sergey Sarkisov is the instructor for all Introductory programs in Huntsville.


2012 Spring Class Schedule

Note that students may be asked to take a diagnostic test to determine which of the classes below best suits their needs. 

  • Introductory Problem Solving A -- This 10 week class is aimed at talented and gifted sixth graders (and highly exceptional fifth graders) who want to explore basic principles of number theory (the study of integers). Additional course information, instructor information, and a complete schedule can be found here. Cost of enrollment in this course is $390. To enroll or ask questions about class, please contact us.
  • Introductory Problem Solving B -- This 10 week class is aimed at talented and gifted middle school students ready to explore the principles of number theory (the study of integers). This class is ideal for students doing well at PreAlgebra math tournaments or MATHCOUNTS who want to keep improving. Additional course information, instructor information, and a complete schedule can be found here. Cost of enrollment in this course is $390. To enroll or ask questions about class, please contact us.
  • Introductory Problem Solving C -- This 10 week class is aimed at experienced middle school math team students with solid Algebra I skills who want to study the foundations of elementary number theory (the study of integers). This class is ideal for students who wish to score higher at state/national MATHCOUNTS or the AMC 10. Additional course information, instructor information, and a complete schedule can be found here. Cost of enrollment in this course is $390. To enroll or ask questions about class, please contact us.


2012 Summer Class Schedule

Introductory Problem Solving -- The 2011 MIST Academy Summer Institute will include three Introductory level sessions covering different areas of mathematics and various levels. Cost of enrollment in this concentrated two week course is $600.


2011 Fall Class Schedule

Note that students may be asked to take a diagnostic test to determine which of the classes below best suits their needs.

  • The theme of the Fall Introductory A class is Counting Methods and Probability. Topics covered include casework, pair counting, Venn diagrams, Pascal's Triangle, permutations, combinations, basics of probability and much more.  A complete schedule can be found here. Cost of enrollment in the ten-week course is $390, which includes all fees, materials, and registration. To enroll, please contact us.

  • The theme of the Fall Introductory B class is Problem Solving Methods. Topics covered include patterns, parity, the pigeonhole principle, invariants, and much more. Click here for the Fall schedule. Cost of enrollment in the ten-week course is $390, which includes all fees, materials, and registration. To enroll, please contact us.

  • The theme of the Fall Introductory C class is Counting & Probability. Topics covered include permutations, combinations, Pascal's Triangle, the Binomial Expansion Theorem, the Principle of Inclusion-Exclusion, independent probability, dependent probability, conditional probability and much more. A great deal of the curriculum will be aimed at MATHCOUNTS and AMC 10 level problems. Click here for the Fall schedule. Cost of enrollment in the ten-week course is $390, which includes all fees, materials, and registration. To enroll, please contact us.

2011-2012 Winter Class Schedule

Note that students may be asked to take a diagnostic test to determine which of the classes below best suits their needs.
  • The theme of the Winter Introductory A class is Basics of Geometry. Topics covered include areas, perimeters, and volumes of common shapes, breaking shapes into pieces in order to work with them, the Pythagorean Theorem and distance applications, and much more.  A complete schedule can be found here. Cost of enrollment in the ten-week course is $390, which includes all fees, materials, and registration. To enroll, please contact us.
  • The theme of the Winter Introductory B class in Birmingham is Geometry. Topics include polygons, applications of the Pythagorean Theorem, circles, 3D geometry, and much more. A complete schedule can be found here. Cost of enrollment in the ten-week course is $390, which includes all fees, materials, and registration. To enroll, please contact us.
  • The theme of the Winter Introductory C class is Algebraic Techniques, Problem Solving and math contests.  Topics covered include clever algebraic manipulations, parity, algebraic symmetry, and much more.  A great deal of the curriculum will be aimed at MATHCOUNTS and AMC 10 level problems. A complete schedule can be found here. Cost of enrollment in the ten-week course is $390, which includes all fees, materials, and registration. To enroll, please contact us.

Tuition

The cost each ten-week Introductory course (Fall, Winter, Spring) is $390 per student.