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[quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous]

Anyone tell me how do I know if RSM or AOPS is better fit for my child ? There is also mathnasium that is off the street. Mathnasium is 2 min away from my home, AOPS is 8 min away from my home and RSM is like at least 30 min away from my home. Which one is the best for price and for fun? [/quote]

We started with AoPS online during distance learning and DS loved it. We moved to RSM when things went back to in person because DS wanted to take classes in person and RSM is a 10 minute drive while AoPS is a 40 minute drive. DS would probably choose AoPS if it was closer but he doesn’t like it that much better that he is willing to drive an extra 30 minutes each way. He highly values in person learning over online learning.

The programs are different. RSM is more of a traditional classroom where the concepts are taught and the kids do practice problems. There are three levels for each grade and kids are placed based on ability. The kids go more in depth into the concepts and solve more challenging problems as they advance in the levels.

AoPS has one level for each grade and the class seems to be designed more to be creative with math and solving math problems. Concepts were introduced but kids were expected to pick them up quickly and be able to use them pretty fast. It felt like there was more of an emphasis on learning shortcuts to completing problems then on learning the concept behind the problem and then understanding different solution methods.

RSM does offer a math competition program which is closer to what AoPS offers but is a bit different still. They study the logic behind solving different types of logic problems and games and learn about the types of problems that appear in math competitions. They do practice math tests and participate in math tests but they are learning about approaches to solving logic problems and the like. Some of what DS brings home feels more like code breaking and the like then traditional math. And I fully understand that code breaking is mathematical in nature and why it is being taught in the class but it is different then complicated word problems and the like. The math competition class is his favorite class, he loves it. I think he prefers that class to the AoPS class that he did.

Some kids will thrive in AoPS, some in RSM, and some in either. They are not interchangeable. We have friends who drive 40 minutes to do RSM because their kids did not like AoPS but love RSM. We have friends who drive for AoPS because it is a better fit. [/quote]

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