Best tutoring centers for math acceleration?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I would get a textbook and let my child teach themselves.

Not a good idea for elementary kids, unless the parent can teach or the child is an autodidact

We do this, but we have STEM degrees, so it is a pretty natural fit for us. However, I think any well-read, high-IQ (and therefore intellectually curious) parent can do math acceleration/enrichment at home with their child, even if they don't have a formal background in more advanced math. I know some people who do AoPS at home with their kid through the books, and they actually learn the math alongside their kid. They have humanities degrees and work in fields very far removed from STEM, but they are great at puzzles, and more importantly very enthusiastic about learning in general. In some ways I think it's even more enriching that way.

There's two ways to go about acceleration. One is just going through a typical school's math curriculum faster, the other is learning special math topics that aren't covered in a typical school curriculum. You can do both. If you want to do a lot of the latter, you can look into math contest prep materials, math specifically designed for gifted kids, and more puzzle-based instruction.

I had a good laugh at this one. I am a “humanities” parent - Ivy education, lawyer - and AOPS absolutely flummoxes me. I am convinced I would be committing malpractice if I tried to do the Beast Academy books with my kids. My 2nd grader is far more adept with numbers than I am.

it’s elementary

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:AoPS would be an hour away, so RSM?

What about Curie? They're supposed to be the best for TJ.

Curie does well for TJ because they reputedly have repeatedly received copies of the TJ exam questions and teach to the test. Different emphasis than places like AoPS and RSM, which teach the math.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I would get a textbook and let my child teach themselves.

Not a good idea for elementary kids, unless the parent can teach or the child is an autodidact

We do this, but we have STEM degrees, so it is a pretty natural fit for us. However, I think any well-read, high-IQ (and therefore intellectually curious) parent can do math acceleration/enrichment at home with their child, even if they don't have a formal background in more advanced math. I know some people who do AoPS at home with their kid through the books, and they actually learn the math alongside their kid. They have humanities degrees and work in fields very far removed from STEM, but they are great at puzzles, and more importantly very enthusiastic about learning in general. In some ways I think it's even more enriching that way.

There's two ways to go about acceleration. One is just going through a typical school's math curriculum faster, the other is learning special math topics that aren't covered in a typical school curriculum. You can do both. If you want to do a lot of the latter, you can look into math contest prep materials, math specifically designed for gifted kids, and more puzzle-based instruction.

Of course you do. I mange people like you and you’re exhausting. Let people with real answers post. Sit back and listen and for once in your life realize when you are not the smartest person in the room.

[Anonymous]

What kind of rude answer is this?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:What kind of rude answer is this?

An insecure one? I guess they have some complex about their perceived lack of intelligence.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:What kind of rude answer is this?

An insecure one? I guess they have some complex about their perceived lack of intelligence.

Or perhaps it is the self-described mange.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:What kind of rude answer is this?

An insecure one? I guess they have some complex about their perceived lack of intelligence.

Or perhaps it is the self-described mange.

Maybe the other persons answer was fairly decent. Not sure why it made that poster be such a jerk.

[Anonymous]

My kids have done AoPS. Overall, I've liked the program but am curious as to how it compares to RSM?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My kids have done AoPS. Overall, I've liked the program but am curious as to how it compares to RSM?

They are different programs.

DS has done AoPS, online class, and RSM, in person class. We have not monitored the classes closely so I can only give my general impression of the classes. We did not do the AoPS Beast Academy books or any of the self-guided classes.

AoPS has one level for each class/grade. I am sure that kids who are ahead in math can be moved to a higher level grade if needed. The class appeared to present problems and encourage the kids to think of different ways to solve them and then the Teacher presented a creative method/trick for solving the problem more quickly. The kids then practiced said skill. Homework reinforced what they were shown in class. Kids were asked to explain their solutions and they discussed the different possible methods.

RSM has three levels for each grade/class. DS has been in his grade level Honors class and the next grade level advanced class. The advanced level (the second level class) seemed to be more focused on explaining the specific solution method and practicing that skill with some more difficult word problems or applications of the method. The Honors program quickly presents the solution method and then moves into more advanced applications of the concept. The Honors class is meant to match the AAP level math so that the 5th grade honors math class is doing 6th grade math. DS tells us that a lot of the math they are doing in the honors class are things that he has not done at school yet or things they touched on briefly but RSM goes into more depth.

RSM does offer a competition math class that kids can test into. It is a separate class that is 90 minutes long and focuses on math concepts and solutions that are more commonly used in competitions. I get the impression that this class is closer to AoPS. It is more abstract and requires that the kids are able to draw on foundational math for their grade level or be a bit ahead. You do need to be enrolled in the regular RSM class because those concepts are being drawn on for the competition program.

I am not sure what happens at RSM in 6th grade. I know that there is no longer a specific grade level math but that kids can enroll in a two hour Pre-Algebra class and/or an hour geometry class. Similar offerings exist for 7th and 8th grade. RSM says, on the website, that they think that US schools don't spend enough time on Geometry and that kids don't develop a strong enough understanding of geometry which is why they recommend the extra hour of geometry each week.

Hope that helps.

[Anonymous]

Thanks for explaining your experiences in both Aops and RSM. My kid is currently enrolled in RSM and we are happy but wondered about Aops.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Thanks for explaining your experiences in both Aops and RSM. My kid is currently enrolled in RSM and we are happy but wondered about Aops.

DS preferred AoPS but not so much that he is willing to drive an extra 30 minutes, so 1 hour round trip, to attend an in person class. He is not a fan of the virtual classes so he does not see that as an option. We gave him the choice and he choose RSM. He would probably do the Competition class only if he could but that doesn't seem to be possible. He is excited about the geometry option next year because he has not done much with geometry and he thinks that it will include more material that will be new and interesting.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Thanks for explaining your experiences in both Aops and RSM. My kid is currently enrolled in RSM and we are happy but wondered about Aops.

DS preferred AoPS but not so much that he is willing to drive an extra 30 minutes, so 1 hour round trip, to attend an in person class. He is not a fan of the virtual classes so he does not see that as an option. We gave him the choice and he choose RSM. He would probably do the Competition class only if he could but that doesn't seem to be possible. He is excited about the geometry option next year because he has not done much with geometry and he thinks that it will include more material that will be new and interesting.

How old is your DS? DD is 3rd grade and we started RSM 3rd grade honor last September. We are so closed to Aops but did not try it yet. I was thinking maybe 5th grade?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Thanks for explaining your experiences in both Aops and RSM. My kid is currently enrolled in RSM and we are happy but wondered about Aops.

DS preferred AoPS but not so much that he is willing to drive an extra 30 minutes, so 1 hour round trip, to attend an in person class. He is not a fan of the virtual classes so he does not see that as an option. We gave him the choice and he choose RSM. He would probably do the Competition class only if he could but that doesn't seem to be possible. He is excited about the geometry option next year because he has not done much with geometry and he thinks that it will include more material that will be new and interesting.

How old is your DS? DD is 3rd grade and we started RSM 3rd grade honor last September. We are so closed to Aops but did not try it yet. I was thinking maybe 5th grade?

DS did AoPS in 3rd, that was our COVID year so it had to be online. He is currently in 5th and has been at RSM for 4th and 5th grades.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Thanks for explaining your experiences in both Aops and RSM. My kid is currently enrolled in RSM and we are happy but wondered about Aops.

DS preferred AoPS but not so much that he is willing to drive an extra 30 minutes, so 1 hour round trip, to attend an in person class. He is not a fan of the virtual classes so he does not see that as an option. We gave him the choice and he choose RSM. He would probably do the Competition class only if he could but that doesn't seem to be possible. He is excited about the geometry option next year because he has not done much with geometry and he thinks that it will include more material that will be new and interesting.

How old is your DS? DD is 3rd grade and we started RSM 3rd grade honor last September. We are so closed to Aops but did not try it yet. I was thinking maybe 5th grade?

DS did AoPS in 3rd, that was our COVID year so it had to be online. He is currently in 5th and has been at RSM for 4th and 5th grades.

If you are close to AOPS, I would try it! My son started last year, in first grade. It has been amazing for him.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Thanks for explaining your experiences in both Aops and RSM. My kid is currently enrolled in RSM and we are happy but wondered about Aops.

DS preferred AoPS but not so much that he is willing to drive an extra 30 minutes, so 1 hour round trip, to attend an in person class. He is not a fan of the virtual classes so he does not see that as an option. We gave him the choice and he choose RSM. He would probably do the Competition class only if he could but that doesn't seem to be possible. He is excited about the geometry option next year because he has not done much with geometry and he thinks that it will include more material that will be new and interesting.

How old is your DS? DD is 3rd grade and we started RSM 3rd grade honor last September. We are so closed to Aops but did not try it yet. I was thinking maybe 5th grade?

DS did AoPS in 3rd, that was our COVID year so it had to be online. He is currently in 5th and has been at RSM for 4th and 5th grades.

If you are close to AOPS, I would try it! My son started last year, in first grade. It has been amazing for him.

(Following up to say he attends in person)