Anonymous
Post 06/17/2025 10:32     Subject: How is Mathnasium for pre-algebra?

You can do AOPS and RSM online.
Anonymous
Post 06/17/2025 07:25     Subject: How is Mathnasium for pre-algebra?

PP again - this is a helpful page describing Denison's approach.

https://www.denisonalgebra.com/about
Anonymous
Post 06/17/2025 07:21     Subject: How is Mathnasium for pre-algebra?

OP, this is my son exactly - gearing up for algebra next year with the same weaknesses as yours, with the addition of a lot of negative self talk around math.

He did Beast Academy (pre-AOPS) during COVID, but like another poster said, it was too oriented towards higher learners, and it was a battle every time.

I got him assessed at Mathnasium. They identified a lot of gaps and the instructor seemed solid, but they told me we need to sign a seven month contract (!) and I'm not willing to do that.

Soooo, all that said, I purchased the Denison Math pre-algebra curriculum and we're working through that together this summer. So far it's been GREAT. It is very friendly for a math-averse student and is covering the basics in a non-threatening way. It's a physical workbook and an accompanying series of videos, super convenient and he has not complained once (!!).

https://www.denisonalgebra.com/pre-algebra-course-page
Anonymous
Post 06/17/2025 06:30     Subject: Re:How is Mathnasium for pre-algebra?

RSM has 3 levels of class, which means there is a level that is appropriate for the vast majority of kids. I have also known kids who were struggling whose parents placed them in the year below their grade level for remediation. The have subject specific classes when you get to high school level math.

The Honors class is for kids who are on grade level and doing well. It really isn’t enough for a kid who is strong in math and ahead. DS was advanced to the next grade level twice at RSM. The math competition class is the class that is for advanced kids.
Anonymous
Post 06/17/2025 00:44     Subject: How is Mathnasium for pre-algebra?

There are a ton of older posts on here about Mathnasium. Use regular Google to find some of them.

I also paid a lot to Mathnasium because my kids could ride buses/walk to it and it was medium-priced compared to 1:1 tutoring.

My kids were helped by it, but it didn't help my older one as much. As soon as he got his college acceptance letter, his math scores (Calc AB) started slipping. For him, we remediated 7th-9th grade math, and then he got homework support and grade appropriate teachings for 10th-12th.

Mathnasium's curriculum really drops off after high school geometry, but usually the center director or best-trained people can cobble together material so that sone growth is possible. But it's not the best program for that. It's just the program my kids could access on their own and it doesn't require study at home. I agree that you can't make kids learn better math study habits through Mathnasium. But it does create a non-stressful, assessment-based math study hall where they can get some needed remediation.

Kumon is very drill and kill, has homework, and that Japanese "do what you're told" kind of feel. Mathnasium is more loose, trying to get kids comfortable with math vs. finding it drudgery. And there's no homework.

RSM and AOPS seem to be more like programs for kids who are naturally good at math and like it. They are for accelerating vs. remediation.
Anonymous
Post 06/17/2025 00:29     Subject: How is Mathnasium for pre-algebra?

Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:Not in AAP but posting here because y’all know the most about supplementing … I am looking for feedback on Mathnasium for Prealgebra.

This summer I want my MS DC to review prealgebra so is is ready to ace algebra next year. He’s not a math star but should be able to do well in algebra based on everything I know about him. basically he is lazy, missed some core learning during Covid, and has suffered from the really bad math curriculum and teaching methods in MS. So the goal here is really to build up his math muscles and make sure he is more confident. I also am tiger momming him so he knows he needs to start taking grades more seriously.

we can afford to throw money at this but the constraint is more time than money - so since Mathnasium is in our neighborhood that it what I am leaning towards. He can walk there while I am at work. I would consider AOPS but it is too far away. (I know he would be at the bottom in an AOPS class but he has learned a lot in AOPS in the past so it works for him.) 1:1 tutoring is great but hard to find someone good and reliable- and I want it to be in person.





Shady
nothing shady about it. The sports board would know the most about after school sports programs, so of course the AAP board would know the most about after school academic programs
Anonymous
Post 06/12/2025 10:27     Subject: How is Mathnasium for pre-algebra?

With his experience, I actually wonder if he might be missing earlier foundational skills. Math is cumulative, and frequently when kids have problems at grade Y, it's because they didn't fully learn or understand what was happening in grade Y -1, Y-2, etc. In which case, maybe sending him to Kumon for a while first might be the answer. Then try Mathnasium.
Anonymous
Post 06/11/2025 10:35     Subject: How is Mathnasium for pre-algebra?

Anonymous wrote:Not in AAP but posting here because y’all know the most about supplementing … I am looking for feedback on Mathnasium for Prealgebra.

This summer I want my MS DC to review prealgebra so is is ready to ace algebra next year. He’s not a math star but should be able to do well in algebra based on everything I know about him. basically he is lazy, missed some core learning during Covid, and has suffered from the really bad math curriculum and teaching methods in MS. So the goal here is really to build up his math muscles and make sure he is more confident. I also am tiger momming him so he knows he needs to start taking grades more seriously.

we can afford to throw money at this but the constraint is more time than money - so since Mathnasium is in our neighborhood that it what I am leaning towards. He can walk there while I am at work. I would consider AOPS but it is too far away. (I know he would be at the bottom in an AOPS class but he has learned a lot in AOPS in the past so it works for him.) 1:1 tutoring is great but hard to find someone good and reliable- and I want it to be in person.





Shady
Anonymous
Post 06/10/2025 11:58     Subject: Re:How is Mathnasium for pre-algebra?

Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:I would like at RSM. They have prep classes in the summer that run at set times for 2 hours, twice a week. We have never used Mathnasium but it feels more internally motivated while RSM is a more formal environment.


RSM is too far away … but my kid definitely does better in a formal environment. How is Mathnasium internally motivated? because the kid has to do worksheets on their own?


I know the one in Herndon/Reston offers a pre-Algebra class and I think an Algebra class. The Weird Brothers coffee there is really comfy and the coffee is great if you need to wait.
Anonymous
Post 06/10/2025 11:17     Subject: Re:How is Mathnasium for pre-algebra?

Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:I would like at RSM. They have prep classes in the summer that run at set times for 2 hours, twice a week. We have never used Mathnasium but it feels more internally motivated while RSM is a more formal environment.


RSM is too far away … but my kid definitely does better in a formal environment. How is Mathnasium internally motivated? because the kid has to do worksheets on their own?


Oh wait … they actually have a new location in Arlington that might be doable.
Anonymous
Post 06/10/2025 11:13     Subject: Re:How is Mathnasium for pre-algebra?

Anonymous wrote:I would like at RSM. They have prep classes in the summer that run at set times for 2 hours, twice a week. We have never used Mathnasium but it feels more internally motivated while RSM is a more formal environment.


RSM is too far away … but my kid definitely does better in a formal environment. How is Mathnasium internally motivated? because the kid has to do worksheets on their own?
Anonymous
Post 06/10/2025 10:59     Subject: Re:How is Mathnasium for pre-algebra?

I would like at RSM. They have prep classes in the summer that run at set times for 2 hours, twice a week. We have never used Mathnasium but it feels more internally motivated while RSM is a more formal environment.
Anonymous
Post 06/10/2025 10:35     Subject: How is Mathnasium for pre-algebra?

Anonymous wrote:Mathnasium is fine but if you have to outsource convincing your kid to do homework, I worry that you have bigger problems in raising your child to develop healthy habits.


Thanks for that helpful advice!

If you must know… one of the issues is that no math homework is ever assigned in his school other than last year when they had to do Iready lessons every week, which were probably worse than no homework.
Anonymous
Post 06/10/2025 10:19     Subject: How is Mathnasium for pre-algebra?

Mathnasium is fine but if you have to outsource convincing your kid to do homework, I worry that you have bigger problems in raising your child to develop healthy habits.
Anonymous
Post 06/10/2025 09:11     Subject: How is Mathnasium for pre-algebra?

Not in AAP but posting here because y’all know the most about supplementing … I am looking for feedback on Mathnasium for Prealgebra.

This summer I want my MS DC to review prealgebra so is is ready to ace algebra next year. He’s not a math star but should be able to do well in algebra based on everything I know about him. basically he is lazy, missed some core learning during Covid, and has suffered from the really bad math curriculum and teaching methods in MS. So the goal here is really to build up his math muscles and make sure he is more confident. I also am tiger momming him so he knows he needs to start taking grades more seriously.

we can afford to throw money at this but the constraint is more time than money - so since Mathnasium is in our neighborhood that it what I am leaning towards. He can walk there while I am at work. I would consider AOPS but it is too far away. (I know he would be at the bottom in an AOPS class but he has learned a lot in AOPS in the past so it works for him.) 1:1 tutoring is great but hard to find someone good and reliable- and I want it to be in person.