Srijak Roy, a fourth-grade student at Bryant Elementary School in Katy ISD, has been named to the 2026 National Math Stars Pathfinder cohort, earning national recognition for exceptional mathematical talent. The news was shared with the Katy Times by parent Samrat Roy.

To be recognized among the top two percent of students in the country is a testament to Srijak Roy's hard work, curiosity and analytical skill. He was selected from a competitive pool of more than 8,700 applicants nationwide following an outstanding performance on the NWEA MAP assessment, placing him in the top 2 percent of third- and fourth-grade students across the country. The National Math Stars program identifies mathematically gifted children in early elementary school and provides a comprehensive, ten-year enrichment journey. As a member of the Pathfinder cohort, Srijak Roy will receive long-term support designed to nurture advanced problem-solving abilities and help clear a path toward future leadership in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM). "I am so incredibly proud of him and love to share his accomplishments with our school community," said Ashley Pierce, principal of Bryant Elementary School, which is campus located in the Cane Island area of Katy.

The ten-year program provides student scholars with advanced coursework, specialized mentoring, financial resources, family advising and collaborative community experiences to help high-potential students fully realize their talents. By connecting gifted students with long-term academic and financial backing, National Math Stars aims to build a strong pipeline of future innovators and problem-solvers across the nation. National Math Stars ensures mathematically extraordinary students from all communities have the resources they need to reach the frontiers of math and science. According to the program website, National Math Stars was first conceived as a joint effort of Carina Initiatives and Polynera Fund, two philanthropic foundations focused on helping more students reach the frontiers of math and science. Through years of funding transformational math programs, they realized that no single camp, curriculum provider, or extracurricular program could drive systemic change in identifying and recruiting a diverse group of talented students nationwide. That mission required its own dedicated nonprofit and National Math Stars was born.