Private school for elementary-level kid who just likes to do math?

[g-clef]

Hello, everyone,

Given the presentation to the Montgomery County Board last night, I'm seriously considering pulling my DC from MCPS. I hate it, but I don't see a lot of other options at the moment. I know this is far too late for most private schools for 2026-27, but I wanted to start doing my homework now.

My DC *loves* math & science, and I would like to keep that spirit alive as much as possible. So, I'm not looking for a pressure-cooker school, I'm looking for a school that will push them enough to keep them on track (easily distractable), but let them run on subjects if they want to. For example, they're in 3rd grade now, and they specifically asked to do pre-alg as a summer course over the summer. They're really looking forward to it.

They're basically just a giant nerd who likes knowing stuff, and that doesn't seem to fit well in MCPS anymore, which is a real shame. Are there any private schools that would work for a kid like that?

[Anonymous]

I can't offer specific suggestions, but there are still schools with spots (I'm assuming it's for fourth, based on your post). It's an expansion year at some schools and an entry point for a small handful of others, so if you are really interested in moving out of MCPS, you might not have to wait until next year. I'd suggest Sheridan, but they have a waitlist. Still worth a call though!

[Anonymous]

What was said during the presentation that is so concerning to you?

[Anonymous]

Sheridan is also the school that came to mind for this child

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:What was said during the presentation that is so concerning to you?

NP, but I also started to looking into private math curricula after yesterday's bombshell. It is very concerning that they are effectively eliminating the opportunity for advanced math students to accelerate. They are saying they can still accelerate within mixed classrooms, but I have observed (and common sense supports) that is not possible within large MCPS classes, with the potential exception of putting advanced students on a computer on their own, which has been done as "enrichment" in prior years. I did not yet find a private that accelerates either, although some mention individualized instruction (which could potentially succeed with a smaller ratio). My student also loves math but has come home crying from boredom, and I told them the pace would improve next year, but now that is being taken away.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:What was said during the presentation that is so concerning to you?

NP, but I also started to looking into private math curricula after yesterday's bombshell. It is very concerning that they are effectively eliminating the opportunity for advanced math students to accelerate. They are saying they can still accelerate within mixed classrooms, but I have observed (and common sense supports) that is not possible within large MCPS classes, with the potential exception of putting advanced students on a computer on their own, which has been done as "enrichment" in prior years. I did not yet find a private that accelerates either, although some mention individualized instruction (which could potentially succeed with a smaller ratio). My student also loves math but has come home crying from boredom, and I told them the pace would improve next year, but now that is being taken away.

A couple thoughts. We're still in kindergarten, but starting to dig into the second grade curriculum with our daughter. I have a feeling she won't be quite as advanced as your son, but definitely ahead. Do you feel confident enough in your own math ability to instruct your child at home? A pre-algebra textbook would be pretty cheap. The other option could be Johns Hopkins CTY.

I feel like either way, I wouldn't expect my child's school to be able to offer her prealgebra in fourth grade. My hope is that even if it's a little boring, school can help reinforce the basics (memorizing multiplication and division facts, etc.) while we work ahead at home. I'm mostly just happy that our school doesn't push back on me for advancing my daughter faster--when I was a kid my second grade teacher was strongly opposed to me learning division with my father at home, and I still remember to this day what a terrible teacher she was.

[g-clef]

Anonymous wrote:What was said during the presentation that is so concerning to you?

So, what MCPS proposed going forward is basically what my DC experienced for second grade (last year) - all skill levels in the same class, with some kids getting enrichment and others not. My kid was *miserable*. They were so bored they were doing math problems in Roman Numerals just to make things vaguely interesting - which the teacher hated. It was awful. (The Roman Numeral thing was funny, though - made it pretty obvious when another kid copied their test answers.)

This year has been okay...ish. They're still somewhat bored, but it's moving faster so they're willing to tolerate it. I really don't want another year like last year, though. How do you answer a kid who says "I don't want to go to school, I just want to learn" ?

[Anonymous]

In my experience MCPS has more rigorous math than the majority of private schools in middle school and beyond. I can’t speak to elementary school though.

[Anonymous]

Stay where you are and do RSM.

[Anonymous]

AOPS/Beast Academy - don’t rely on the school — even private ones — to ensure that your elementary DC mathematically enriched.

[Anonymous]

Many parents in private do RSM or other math enrichment outside of school. Our private -- and some others in the area -- offer Math Olympiad from 4th onward. Our experience has been that private has been good for keeping my child engaged and enjoying learning overall. There's a high level of teacher engagement, a focus on critical and independent thinking, and strong writing and speaking skills, plus few behavioral distractions. I would not suggest, however, that the math curriculum was substantially superior than public.

[Anonymous]

Which area private schools offer Math Olympiad?

[Anonymous]

My kid’s friends at GDS do it.

[Anonymous]

I have a kid at private in 3rd and agree with the apps suggesting RSM or AoPS — we have resisted so far (to give her time for art, music, sports) but are considering for next fall. That said, I’ve been moderately happy with the math homework my DD brings home. For example, this past week this was one problem:

Sergio had 3 times as many books as Davi. After Sergio donated 9 books, and Davi bought another 6 books, Sergio had 3 books more than Davi. How many books did Sergio have at first?

This might be still too simple for your kid, but it was appropriate for mine — she figured it out within 10 minutes, but it wasn’t easy breezy and she had to think through it. All this to say, it’s possible schools without a separate math track could differentiate well within a mixed classroom.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:What was said during the presentation that is so concerning to you?

NP, but I also started to looking into private math curricula after yesterday's bombshell. It is very concerning that they are effectively eliminating the opportunity for advanced math students to accelerate. They are saying they can still accelerate within mixed classrooms, but I have observed (and common sense supports) that is not possible within large MCPS classes, with the potential exception of putting advanced students on a computer on their own, which has been done as "enrichment" in prior years. I did not yet find a private that accelerates either, although some mention individualized instruction (which could potentially succeed with a smaller ratio). My student also loves math but has come home crying from boredom, and I told them the pace would improve next year, but now that is being taken away.

Russian Math is way cheaper than private school. That’s what we did with my kid who was bored in MCPS math 9 years ago. It was a great enrichment activity and kid really liked it