Reply to RSM or AoPS -- which one?

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[quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous]For parents who have their children in either of the programs, what do you like about the program?  My DD is in RSM, but wondering if AoPS would be better.

Please refrain from turning this into a diatribe about how coaching and prepping is unnecessary--you know nothing about why we're doing it so don't bother with the negativity--and stick to the original question being asked, otherwise I will ask JSteele to remove your comment.  Thanks for playing by the forum rules!  [/quote]

DD started at AoPS this year, but after a couple of classes we switched to RSM. What I like about RSM is the possibility to choose a class on DD's level. They have regular classes and advanced classes on each grade level, as well as math competition team. It's also possible to go a grade up, if necessary. My DD's just did this. So far we really like it. DD enjoys the additional challenge and she made friends with the other kids. [/quote]

What prompted the switch to RSM?  We are currently with RSM and contemplating AoPS, so curious to know why?  Is it because AoPS wouldn't allow your child to switch to a higher grade learning?[/quote]

To be honest we haven't been at AoPS long enough to test whether a higher grade level would be a better fit. It might have been, but we haven't tried. In general I am a supporter of keeping DD in groups of similarly aged kids for social reasons. I disagree about making friends, she has a couple of good friends at RSM, but then again, she is there a lot. She does advanced class on her grade level plus math competition team, and some kids are the same in both teams, so she sees them twice per week.

I liked AoPS initially, and DD really liked the books. I think she liked the books there more than the handouts at RSM. But I also like the homework help/ make up lesson option at RSM, very handy if you travel etc, not sure whether AoPS has anything like that. So I don't know which one is better honestly. So far we are happy with RSM.

Can you afford doing both for a month? I think you can cancel AoPS within a couple of lessons if you don't like it and want to stay with RSM. This will allow you to understand the differences better. [/quote]

Yes I agree that the books may be a nicer way for kids to learn the concept, though I don't know how many kids are actually reading the material during the class for the lower grades.  My bigger issue with AoPS is the online homework.  For a family like ours, where we are really trying to limit online time, adding homework on the computer isn't always great.  Sometimes a challenging question is too much to work through from computer to paper, so my kid will just use the 'help' button to help his way to the answer without really fully grasping the solution.  I've had to sit down with my kid when he does the online homework because I needed to make sure that he didn't keep doing that.  I would prefer if they moved to paper version of homework, so that they kid can work through the problem and you can see where the logic went wrong and point it out upon checking.  We have a friend who does RSM and that's what the RSM program does.  They don't start online homework until 4th or 5th grade, from what I understand.  I think that's more age appropriate.  Not to confuse you, but we are actually thinking of switching from AoPS to RSM.  I think the AoPS higher grade programs are good, and we may return to Algebra+ programs at a later time.  For the younger grades, I think the RSM program may actually be more appropriately taught.  [/quote]

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