24th Annual McGrath Math Competition to be held on November 20, 2025 

The competition welcomes students in grades six through nine who have not yet taken Algebra II or higher mathematics courses to compete in both individual and team portions. Exercises are drawn from algebra, geometry, and other areas of mathematics, with questions designed to challenge students to think logically and synthesize a range of concepts.  

Schools may enter an unlimited number of students for the individual test; however, only 12 students may participate in the team competition.  

While one might envision a math competition as a completely quiet affair, Dr. J. Bradford Burkman, Department Chair and Senior Lecturer in Mathematics and Computer Science at LSMSA, says that is not always the case: "The team competition is especially fun for everyone. Fingers fly on pencils and calculators; students argue emphatically about solutions, and a runner from each team bolts to the answer table. It's raucous and nerdy at the same time." 

The McGrath Math Competition is named in honor of long-time Math and Computer Science Department Chair Dr. Mike McGrath, in recognition of his 32 years of service to education. 
  
ABOUT LSMSA  
The Louisiana School for Math, Science, and the Arts (LSMSA) is a tuition-free, public high school for high-achieving sophomores, juniors, and seniors with a nominal room and board fee to cover housing, meals, and campus activities. The LSMSA Foundation offers assistance for families so that no eligible student is denied the school’s 42-year legacy of a college-level living/learning experience. 
 
For more information about LSMSA, visit www.LSMSA.edu.