Russian School of Math or AOPS?

[Anonymous]

I want my child to start a math enrichment program, next school year - He’ll be in 3rd grade then. Which one of these is better, more fun and engaging? I want him to enjoy it. I’m leaning toward AOPS… I haven’t had a tour yet, but I plan on visiting both soon. Thanks for any info!

[Anonymous]

My kids do AOPS but mainly because timing and logistics work better for us. We have been very happy with it. I think it is cheaper than Russian School of Math and also runs by semester not the year, which I liked since it was less of a commitment.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My kids do AOPS but mainly because timing and logistics work better for us. We have been very happy with it. I think it is cheaper than Russian School of Math and also runs by semester not the year, which I liked since it was less of a commitment.

Not OP, but does your kid feels bored at school math class after attending AOPS? Is AOPS only targeted kids age 11+?

[Anonymous]

AOPS is for kids at least above grade level in math and who are good in math, enjoy it, and it comes easy. It’s is not for grade level or struggling kids. RSM can accommodate all kids since they have 3 levels, not so AOPS.

AOPS draws kids gifted in math and prodigies. Then there are kids who are doing well in advance track maths and so forth.

Do it depends on your kids ability in math OP

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:AOPS is for kids at least above grade level in math and who are good in math, enjoy it, and it comes easy. It’s is not for grade level or struggling kids. RSM can accommodate all kids since they have 3 levels, not so AOPS.

AOPS draws kids gifted in math and prodigies. Then there are kids who are doing well in advance track maths and so forth.

Do it depends on your kids ability in math OP

Typo so not do

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:AOPS is for kids at least above grade level in math and who are good in math, enjoy it, and it comes easy. It’s is not for grade level or struggling kids. RSM can accommodate all kids since they have 3 levels, not so AOPS.

AOPS draws kids gifted in math and prodigies. Then there are kids who are doing well in advance track maths and so forth.

Do it depends on your kids ability in math OP

Typo so not do

So, AOPS is good for gifted or advanced kids, and RSM is good for all levels. How about kumon Math & Mathanasium, are they for gifted/advanced kids or kids of all levels?

[Anonymous]

My child prefers AoPS but not so much that he is willing to drive 40 minutes to attend in person. RSM is a 10 minute drive.

AoPS is more fun, according to my child, but RSM is enjoyable. DS also was able to test into the RSM competition program and really likes that class. It is more similar to AoPS then the regular RSM and DS loves it.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:AOPS is for kids at least above grade level in math and who are good in math, enjoy it, and it comes easy. It’s is not for grade level or struggling kids. RSM can accommodate all kids since they have 3 levels, not so AOPS.

AOPS draws kids gifted in math and prodigies. Then there are kids who are doing well in advance track maths and so forth.

Do it depends on your kids ability in math OP

Typo so not do

So, AOPS is good for gifted or advanced kids, and RSM is good for all levels. How about kumon Math & Mathanasium, are they for gifted/advanced kids or kids of all levels?

I get the distinct feeling that kumon and Mathnasium are weaker versions RSM. They have more levels, like RSM, but require that you visit the program more frequently. RSM is once a week for 2 hours and has homework. The classes are limited to 12 kids. I am not sure how kumon and Mathnasium work because we didn't look at them. I have had the impression that they are used more by families that are interested in catching kids up or trying to help kids develop fundamentals. RSM works so that kids in the lowest program move up levels over time.

[Anonymous]

They will do a personalized math assessment with your kid at aops, during which you can ask some questions. You can also look at sample problems online. It is very engaging math and has been wonderful for my first grader.

I do know families that like Mathnasium as well, but my impression is that it’s more similar to the type of math you would normally do at school.

[Anonymous]

Kumon is pretty repetitive work, more about drilling stuff into your head than about developing problem solving / critical thinking. So it’s good for foundational work but not as enjoyable math / puzzles

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:They will do a personalized math assessment with your kid at aops, during which you can ask some questions. You can also look at sample problems online. It is very engaging math and has been wonderful for my first grader.

I do know families that like Mathnasium as well, but my impression is that it’s more similar to the type of math you would normally do at school.

All of them do an assessment. The AoPS and RSM assessment were pretty similar. They give your child problems and ask your child to explain how they solved the problem. They figure out something they can teach your child and then see how quickly your kid can understand the concept. It is fun to watch.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:They will do a personalized math assessment with your kid at aops, during which you can ask some questions. You can also look at sample problems online. It is very engaging math and has been wonderful for my first grader.

I do know families that like Mathnasium as well, but my impression is that it’s more similar to the type of math you would normally do at school.

All of them do an assessment. The AoPS and RSM assessment were pretty similar. They give your child problems and ask your child to explain how they solved the problem. They figure out something they can teach your child and then see how quickly your kid can understand the concept. It is fun to watch.

My child is 6, kindergarten, is he too young for aops or rsm assessment? I don't think I see that age group. There is a AOPS in Gaithersburg, closest to my home. Is that review good? My child loves and enjoys math, could very assessesd as 2nd or 3rd grade level. He loves to drill math facts (repetitive questions) and logical math question. He can read math questions.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

My child is 6, kindergarten, is he too young for aops or rsm assessment? I don't think I see that age group. There is a AOPS in Gaithersburg, closest to my home. Is that review good? My child loves and enjoys math, could very assessesd as 2nd or 3rd grade level. He loves to drill math facts (repetitive questions) and logical math question. He can read math questions.

AoPS classes follow the school year, so you're already too late for this year. You should set up a consultation sometime in April or May for Math Level 2. They will let you know whether they think your child is ready or not. If your child is ready, you could then enroll in the class starting in August/September.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

My child is 6, kindergarten, is he too young for aops or rsm assessment? I don't think I see that age group. There is a AOPS in Gaithersburg, closest to my home. Is that review good? My child loves and enjoys math, could very assessesd as 2nd or 3rd grade level. He loves to drill math facts (repetitive questions) and logical math question. He can read math questions.

AoPS classes follow the school year, so you're already too late for this year. You should set up a consultation sometime in April or May for Math Level 2. They will let you know whether they think your child is ready or not. If your child is ready, you could then enroll in the class starting in August/September.

I know RSM has a program for younger kids, I am less sure about AoPS. We joined in third grade. We also joined in the middle of the year. You can contact either program about enrolling and seeing what they have to say.

Drilling math facts though is different then intuitively understanding math. Is he playing with math or drilling? There is a difference. The evaluations can help figure out where he belongs. I know that the RSM evaluation started with the person talking to us about how they normally place kids. Then the kid comes in, answers the questions as asked, and they will tell you where they think the child belongs. I know they told me that most kids start in their lowest group and then move up over a period of years. My child ended up in the highest level group and tested into the math competition program. I think that starts in third of fourth grade.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:They will do a personalized math assessment with your kid at aops, during which you can ask some questions. You can also look at sample problems online. It is very engaging math and has been wonderful for my first grader.

I do know families that like Mathnasium as well, but my impression is that it’s more similar to the type of math you would normally do at school.

All of them do an assessment. The AoPS and RSM assessment were pretty similar. They give your child problems and ask your child to explain how they solved the problem. They figure out something they can teach your child and then see how quickly your kid can understand the concept. It is fun to watch.

My child is 6, kindergarten, is he too young for aops or rsm assessment? I don't think I see that age group. There is a AOPS in Gaithersburg, closest to my home. Is that review good? My child loves and enjoys math, could very assessesd as 2nd or 3rd grade level. He loves to drill math facts (repetitive questions) and logical math question. He can read math questions.

My son did an AOPS assessment at this age and is now taking in person classes. If your child loves math and needs more than what they’re getting in school, I would highly recommend it. But if you’re unsure, you may want to wait. The in person classes are an hour and 45 minutes so your kid really has to enjoy math to sit through that.