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| Abbreviation | NMS |
|---|---|
| Founded | 2023 |
| Founder | Ilana Walder-Biesanz |
| Type | 501(c)(3) nonprofit |
| Location |
|
Key people | Ilana Walder-Biesanz (Founder & CEO) |
| Website | nationalmathstars |
National Math Stars (NMS) is an American nonprofit organization that identifies and supports mathematically extraordinary students from second grade through the end of high school. Founded in 2023 under the auspices of Carina Initiatives and incorporated as an independent 501(c)(3) nonprofit in Delaware in May 2024, NMS operates three programs — the Math Awards Program, Voyager, and Pathfinder — across ten U.S. states as of 2026.
History
editNational Math Stars was founded in 2023 under the auspices of Carina Initiatives, a philanthropic foundation focused on expanding access to advanced mathematics education, with early funding support from Polynera Fund.[1] The organization became an independent nonprofit in May 2024[1]
Ilana Walder-Biesanz was hired as the organization's founding chief executive officer. A Gates-Cambridge Scholar, Walder-Biesanz drew on personal experience navigating advanced mathematics education as a child: by age 13 she was attending a local college for courses in differential equations and linear algebra, having exhausted the mathematics curriculum at her public high school in Portland, Oregon.[2]
Upon its founding, NMS launched the Math Awards Program and Voyager Stars.[1] In fall 2025, NMS introduced a third program, Pathfinder Stars, as a pilot.[3]
In November 2025, NMS received a $1.33 million grant from the Astera Institute to fund expansion into new states and programs.[1] In December 2025, Walder-Biesanz was named one of five recipients of the 2025 Bezos Courage & Civility Awards, given by Jeff Bezos and Lauren Sánchez Bezos, carrying a $5 million grant to accelerate the organization's growth.[4]
In January 2026, NMS announced expansion into Louisiana, Mississippi, and Alabama, bringing its total geographic footprint to ten U.S. states.[5]
Programs
editMath Awards
editThe Math Awards Program is a free recognition initiative administered through partner schools and districts. Each year, NMS distributes award packets to partner elementary schools, which use them to recognize the top 2 percent of second- and third-grade mathematics students based on existing assessment data (such as NWEA MAP, i-Ready, or state assessments). Award recipients receive information about applying to the Stars programs.
Pathfinder
editPathfinder is a ten-year program open to all mathematically extraordinary students regardless of financial need. Compared to Voyager, the program is less intensive and more family-led, providing mathematics pathway planning, STEM opportunity advising, need-based financial aid for enrichment activities, and access to a peer community. Pathfinder launched in the 2025–26 school year as a pilot program.[3]
The program is named after NASA's Mars Pathfinder mission (1997).
Voyager
editVoyager is a ten-year, fully funded program serving mathematically extraordinary students who face significant financial and guidance barriers. The program admits students as early as second grade and provides continuous support through the end of high school, investing more than $100,000 per student over the program's duration.[6] Support includes individualized advanced mathematics coursework through partners such as Art of Problem Solving, weekly individual or small-group mathematics mentoring, annual STEM summer experiences, a yearly family enrichment budget, dedicated family advising, school advocacy, college counseling, and access to a peer community.
The program is named after NASA's Voyager program, which launched two interstellar probes in 1977.
Geographic Reach
edit
As of January 2026, NMS operates in ten U.S. states: Texas, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Michigan, Ohio, Wisconsin, Louisiana, Mississippi, and Alabama.[5] Partner organizations include Houston Independent School District, Chicago Public Schools, Detroit Public Schools Community District, Milwaukee Public Schools, the Iowa Department of Education, and the Alabama Department of Education, among others.
Recognition
editIn February 2025, The 74 reported on NMS's ten-year support model and its expansion into the Midwest.[2]
In June 2025, Forbes published a feature on NMS and its model for removing barriers to advanced mathematics education.[2]
In September 2025, the Houston Chronicle reported on NMS students in Houston ISD.[7]
In April 2026, Gates Cambridge published a feature on Walder-Biesanz's work and the Bezos Courage & Civility Award.[8]
References
edit- 1 2 3 4 "Alumna Founds Nonprofit Building Pipeline of Diverse Math Students". Olin College of Engineering. September 30, 2024. Retrieved 2026-06-10.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link) - 1 2 3 Brodsky, Julia. "How National Math Stars Removes Barriers For Young Math Talent". Forbes. Retrieved 2026-06-10.
- 1 2 "National Math Stars adds 21 Iowa students to new Pathfinder Stars program | Department of Education". educate.iowa.gov. 2025-11-10. Retrieved 2026-06-10.
- ↑ "Scholar wins $5m award for maths non-profit - Gates Cambridge". Gates Cambridge -. 2026-01-05. Retrieved 2026-06-10.
- 1 2 "Districts can nominate young students for National Math Stars program -". Mississippi Department of Education. 2026-04-21. Retrieved 2026-06-11.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link) - ↑ Napolitano, Jo (2025-02-12). "Program That Gives $100K to Support Young Gifted Math Students Poised to Expand". Retrieved 2026-06-10.
- ↑ Partain, Claire (2025-09-21). "These HISD students were tapped as next generation of math innovators". Houston Chronicle. Retrieved 2026-06-10.
- ↑ "Helping young maths talent fulfil its potential - Gates Cambridge". Gates Cambridge -. 2026-04-14. Retrieved 2026-06-10.
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