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

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.[/quote]

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