Monks, Math, and Medals: A Georgian Village's Unique Take on Talent Development

In a remote Georgian valley, a small community of Orthodox monks has built an unlikely engine of academic excellence. Through the Zarzma Mathematics Kids Academy, they combine centuries-old traditions with modern teaching methods, nurturing middle-school students from across the region. The academy identifies, selects, and prepares juniors from specialized schools who have won 11 medals in their first two years competing at the Junior Balkan Mathematical Olympiad. By offering free education, meals, and mentorship to local kids, the Academy has become a beacon for students far from elite schools. Backed by modest Global Talent Fund grants, the program has scaled from local classrooms to a nationwide talent search, creating Georgia’s first junior national math team. The monks’ model—focused, resourceful, and deeply personal—shows how small, strategic investments can unlock extraordinary results. Read the paper to learn how the Academy is developing STEM talent from a young age, and what other countries can do to achieve similar success.