Several local students earned top national and state rankings in this year’s Math Kangaroo mathematics competition, placing them among the highest-performing young problem solvers in the country.
The students competed through the newly established Dexter Math Kangaroo center and achieved rankings that placed them in the top tier of participants nationwide.
Among the honorees were:
- Evan Chao, a second-grade student at Beacon Elementary School, who earned ninth place nationally and third place in Michigan.
- Arvin Sharma, a fifth-grade student at Creekside Intermediate School, who earned 17th place nationally and third place in Michigan.
- Grant Hoffman, a sixth-grade student at Creekside Intermediate School, who earned eighth place nationally.
- Srishti Sarkar, a fourth-grade student at Angel Elementary School in Ann Arbor, but competed in Dexter, earned 18th place nationally.
In describing the program, Math Kangaroo Manager Sraboni Chaudhury says, “The competition challenges students with engaging, non-routine problems that develop critical thinking skills beyond the standard school curriculum.”
Math Kangaroo is an international mathematics competition for students in grades 1-12 and administered in the United States by the nonprofit organization Math Kangaroo USA.
Math Kangaroo is a nonprofit organization that hosts an annual international mathematics competition for students in grades 1 through 12. The contest is designed to foster a love of mathematics while challenging students with creative, non-routine problems that extend beyond traditional classroom instruction.
This year marked the launch of a Math Kangaroo center in Dexter. Twenty-five students participated through the local center. From January through March, students met at the media center at Creekside Intermediate School to prepare for the competition. Working with volunteer coaches and mathematics enthusiasts, participants practiced problem-solving strategies and tackled challenging mathematical concepts.
The 2026 competition was held March 19. Students in grades 1 through 4 completed 24 problems in 70 minutes, while students in grades 5 through 12 solved 30 problems during the same time period.
“We aim to develop confidence, curiosity, and problem-solving skills through mathematical learning and at the same time connecting the students with a global community of math enthusiasts,” says Chaudhury.
The complete list of national winners and more information can be found at MathKangaroo.org
Featured photo: Students and coaches with the Dexter Math Kangaroo center pose during the program’s 2026 awards ceremony. The local center, launched this year, helped prepare students for the international mathematics competition, where several participants earned top state and national honors.Photo courtesy of Sraboni Chaudhury
114 North Main St Suite 10 Chelsea, MI 48118
