Celebrating Mathematical Excellence at ASD

American School Dhahran continues to encourage academic excellence and a love of learning through rigorous programs and enriching opportunities that challenge students to think critically and creatively. In January, ASD middle school students proudly represented the school in two prestigious mathematics competitions that emphasize problem-solving, reasoning and perseverance.

On Jan. 27, 14 ASD students participated in the American Mathematics Competitions 8 (AMC-8), an internationally recognized contest designed to spark curiosity and deepen mathematical thinking. The AMC-8 focuses on logical reasoning and creative problem-solving rather than memorization, encouraging students to explore multiple strategies and think flexibly under time constraints.

Just days later, on Jan. 31, ASD hosted the MathCounts 2026 School Competition, welcoming middle school mathletes from ISG Dammam and ISG Jubail. A total of 36 students participated, with 12 students representing each school. The competition featured three written rounds: Sprint, Target and Team, followed by the fast-paced Countdown Round.

Based on combined scores from the Sprint and Target rounds, an ASD student earned third place overall, marking a strong individual achievement among a highly competitive field. The Countdown Round added an exciting head-to-head component, testing competitors’ mental math skills under intense time pressure, while the Team Round highlighted collaboration and collective problem-solving.

Based on combined scores from the Sprint and Target rounds, an ASD student earned third place overall, marking a strong individual achievement among a highly competitive field. In the Countdown Round, an ASD student claimed first place, demonstrating exceptional speed and accuracy in head-to-head competition against top-ranked peers from across ISG schools.

Following the competition, the top 12 students advanced to represent ISG at the MathCounts Chapter Competition. As an American overseas school registered under the U.S. Department of State, ISG continues to provide students with opportunities to compete at high academic levels.

Participation in these competitions reflects ASD students’ dedication, resilience and passion for learning, and the school is proud to celebrate both individual and team successes that inspire confidence and a lifelong love of mathematics.