Anonymous
Post 01/14/2026 16:06     Subject: Re:math supplement in private school
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:RSMs math competition program is great for kids who are ahead in math and really enjoy playing with math. The class teaches number theory, probability, algebra, geometry and a range of other subjects that appear in math competitions. The kids in the class tend to be invested in math. It is a different approach to the regular RSM class but is the only place my kid has been challenged in math. He has also done AoPS, he enjoyed it but it didn’t push him.


Are the RSM Honors class and the RSM Competition class (for example, at Grade 5 and above) complementary to each other, or are they substitutes for one another?


We did RSM honors last year (3rd), and only doing National Competition class this year (4th) - it's also 2 hours long, but the homework load is much less, only 5 problems or so. Of course, sometimes the problems stump US, the parents, but sometimes they just take 5 min. Honors class had just more worksheets and repetition to get a concept down. Comp class is just fun puzzle math. Here's an example: there are 17 students in the class. Nine of them play basketball and eleven of them play soccer. At least how many of them play both basketball and soccer?
Anonymous
Post 01/14/2026 11:33     Subject: Re:math supplement in private school
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:RSMs math competition program is great for kids who are ahead in math and really enjoy playing with math. The class teaches number theory, probability, algebra, geometry and a range of other subjects that appear in math competitions. The kids in the class tend to be invested in math. It is a different approach to the regular RSM class but is the only place my kid has been challenged in math. He has also done AoPS, he enjoyed it but it didn’t push him.


Are the RSM Honors class and the RSM Competition class (for example, at Grade 5 and above) complementary to each other, or are they substitutes for one another?


I believe they could. The honor class still introduces the basics and competition class challenges more on problem solving and advanced techniques.



My kid is in Honors. As I understand it, if your kid needs enrichment in the core math principles for his grade level, the Competition class doesn't cover that. The material covered is the type of stuff that appear on math competition questions, but the teachers and material assume that your kid is proficient in all of the basis for his level at RSM. I believe the Competition class is also only an hour, whereas the Accelerated/Advanced/Honors classes are two hours. I think people either use Competition as a supplement (a third hour per week) for RSM students who enjoy the "fun" of Competition questions, or else the really advanced kids drop the standard classes altogether and focus only on Competition because they're already so clearly at the top of the heap.


As an anecdote, many weeks of RSM Honors homework include a Competition question at the very end (designated with a star beside the question number), and the questions are way beyond the material they are covering. My kid rarely struggles with RSM Honors homework but is regularly stumped by Competition questions (as am I, but that is not saying much).


My child is different. My child easily solves the competition questions and scores high in contests like Kangaroo, but sometimes takes time to solve the regular questions. Some kids are good at solving puzzles, but it doesn't mean they don't need the practical drill of calculations and concepts. After all, learning math is no different than learning how to play an instrument; practice matters.

Anonymous
Post 01/14/2026 11:16     Subject: math supplement in private school
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:Privates are at least a year behind publics in Maryland. Eureka is a year ahead of the Bridges and Saxon math curriculums for on level classes, 2 years ahead of kids in compacted math in MCPS


Privates are not a year behind. Public’s are ahead in name only. Privates go more in depth with the material. Or at least they do in our private high school.


Been there, done that, neither is good. It is a lost cause. Please do RSM to keep the kid up to internatonal standard.


Privates love this “we go deeper”taking point. It’s so tiresome. In our experience, that meant our DC and others were bored and wanted/could do more


Bu the school didn't allow your kid to skip to a higher level math class?
Anonymous
Post 01/14/2026 11:10     Subject: Re:math supplement in private school
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:RSMs math competition program is great for kids who are ahead in math and really enjoy playing with math. The class teaches number theory, probability, algebra, geometry and a range of other subjects that appear in math competitions. The kids in the class tend to be invested in math. It is a different approach to the regular RSM class but is the only place my kid has been challenged in math. He has also done AoPS, he enjoyed it but it didn’t push him.


Are the RSM Honors class and the RSM Competition class (for example, at Grade 5 and above) complementary to each other, or are they substitutes for one another?


Substitutes. The competition class is for kids who, if they sit in the honors class, wouldn't need any instruction because everything would be easy and obvious to them. Likewise the kid who should be in honors class but goes to the basic class.
Anonymous
Post 01/14/2026 09:50     Subject: Re:math supplement in private school
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:RSMs math competition program is great for kids who are ahead in math and really enjoy playing with math. The class teaches number theory, probability, algebra, geometry and a range of other subjects that appear in math competitions. The kids in the class tend to be invested in math. It is a different approach to the regular RSM class but is the only place my kid has been challenged in math. He has also done AoPS, he enjoyed it but it didn’t push him.


Are the RSM Honors class and the RSM Competition class (for example, at Grade 5 and above) complementary to each other, or are they substitutes for one another?


I believe they could. The honor class still introduces the basics and competition class challenges more on problem solving and advanced techniques.



My kid is in Honors. As I understand it, if your kid needs enrichment in the core math principles for his grade level, the Competition class doesn't cover that. The material covered is the type of stuff that appear on math competition questions, but the teachers and material assume that your kid is proficient in all of the basis for his level at RSM. I believe the Competition class is also only an hour, whereas the Accelerated/Advanced/Honors classes are two hours. I think people either use Competition as a supplement (a third hour per week) for RSM students who enjoy the "fun" of Competition questions, or else the really advanced kids drop the standard classes altogether and focus only on Competition because they're already so clearly at the top of the heap.


As an anecdote, many weeks of RSM Honors homework include a Competition question at the very end (designated with a star beside the question number), and the questions are way beyond the material they are covering. My kid rarely struggles with RSM Honors homework but is regularly stumped by Competition questions (as am I, but that is not saying much).
Anonymous
Post 01/14/2026 09:45     Subject: Re:math supplement in private school
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:RSMs math competition program is great for kids who are ahead in math and really enjoy playing with math. The class teaches number theory, probability, algebra, geometry and a range of other subjects that appear in math competitions. The kids in the class tend to be invested in math. It is a different approach to the regular RSM class but is the only place my kid has been challenged in math. He has also done AoPS, he enjoyed it but it didn’t push him.


Are the RSM Honors class and the RSM Competition class (for example, at Grade 5 and above) complementary to each other, or are they substitutes for one another?


I believe they could. The honor class still introduces the basics and competition class challenges more on problem solving and advanced techniques.



My kid is in Honors. As I understand it, if your kid needs enrichment in the core math principles for his grade level, the Competition class doesn't cover that. The material covered is the type of stuff that appear on math competition questions, but the teachers and material assume that your kid is proficient in all of the basis for his level at RSM. I believe the Competition class is also only an hour, whereas the Accelerated/Advanced/Honors classes are two hours. I think people either use Competition as a supplement (a third hour per week) for RSM students who enjoy the "fun" of Competition questions, or else the really advanced kids drop the standard classes altogether and focus only on Competition because they're already so clearly at the top of the heap.
Anonymous
Post 01/14/2026 09:22     Subject: Re:math supplement in private school
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:RSMs math competition program is great for kids who are ahead in math and really enjoy playing with math. The class teaches number theory, probability, algebra, geometry and a range of other subjects that appear in math competitions. The kids in the class tend to be invested in math. It is a different approach to the regular RSM class but is the only place my kid has been challenged in math. He has also done AoPS, he enjoyed it but it didn’t push him.


Are the RSM Honors class and the RSM Competition class (for example, at Grade 5 and above) complementary to each other, or are they substitutes for one another?


I believe they could. The honor class still introduces the basics and competition class challenges more on problem solving and advanced techniques.



When does competition class start? My son is in 1st grade and there is no ho or class either just accelerated and advanced.


According to their website, they start at 4th grade. That said, even their regular classes are quite intense, and starting too early, whether in 1st grade or even in 4th grade. Starting early can backfire, in my opinion. At that age, it’s often better to use home-based games and resources to encourage critical and analytical thinking. Hands-on projects and STEM activities are generally better suited for younger children. Starting in early middle school (6th or 7th grade) tends to make more sense, as it helps prevent burnout and keeps kids engaged through the end of high school.
Anonymous
Post 01/14/2026 09:14     Subject: Re:math supplement in private school
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:RSMs math competition program is great for kids who are ahead in math and really enjoy playing with math. The class teaches number theory, probability, algebra, geometry and a range of other subjects that appear in math competitions. The kids in the class tend to be invested in math. It is a different approach to the regular RSM class but is the only place my kid has been challenged in math. He has also done AoPS, he enjoyed it but it didn’t push him.


Are the RSM Honors class and the RSM Competition class (for example, at Grade 5 and above) complementary to each other, or are they substitutes for one another?


I believe they could. The honor class still introduces the basics and competition class challenges more on problem solving and advanced techniques.



When does competition class start? My son is in 1st grade and there is no ho or class either just accelerated and advanced.
Anonymous
Post 01/14/2026 09:11     Subject: math supplement in private school
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:Privates are at least a year behind publics in Maryland. Eureka is a year ahead of the Bridges and Saxon math curriculums for on level classes, 2 years ahead of kids in compacted math in MCPS


Privates are not a year behind. Public’s are ahead in name only. Privates go more in depth with the material. Or at least they do in our private high school.

No, they don’t.



Is it an attitude or lack of qualified teachers? Of course RSM and AOPS benefit from this
Anonymous
Post 01/14/2026 09:08     Subject: Re:math supplement in private school
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:RSMs math competition program is great for kids who are ahead in math and really enjoy playing with math. The class teaches number theory, probability, algebra, geometry and a range of other subjects that appear in math competitions. The kids in the class tend to be invested in math. It is a different approach to the regular RSM class but is the only place my kid has been challenged in math. He has also done AoPS, he enjoyed it but it didn’t push him.


Are the RSM Honors class and the RSM Competition class (for example, at Grade 5 and above) complementary to each other, or are they substitutes for one another?


I believe they could. The honor class still introduces the basics and competition class challenges more on problem solving and advanced techniques.

Anonymous
Post 01/14/2026 08:46     Subject: math supplement in private school
-Class size is smaller in private, so there may be a bit more discussion in class when there is less chaos by large class.

-Publics use a lot of screen for instruction. Private may use less.

-Less time devoted to standardized testing and testing prep.

So the material may not be more in-depth but the above three may make the math instruction somewhat different between public and private.

Anonymous
Post 01/14/2026 08:33     Subject: math supplement in private school
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:Privates are at least a year behind publics in Maryland. Eureka is a year ahead of the Bridges and Saxon math curriculums for on level classes, 2 years ahead of kids in compacted math in MCPS


Privates are not a year behind. Public’s are ahead in name only. Privates go more in depth with the material. Or at least they do in our private high school.

No, they don’t.
Anonymous
Post 01/14/2026 08:07     Subject: Re:math supplement in private school
Anonymous wrote:RSMs math competition program is great for kids who are ahead in math and really enjoy playing with math. The class teaches number theory, probability, algebra, geometry and a range of other subjects that appear in math competitions. The kids in the class tend to be invested in math. It is a different approach to the regular RSM class but is the only place my kid has been challenged in math. He has also done AoPS, he enjoyed it but it didn’t push him.


Are the RSM Honors class and the RSM Competition class (for example, at Grade 5 and above) complementary to each other, or are they substitutes for one another?
Anonymous
Post 01/14/2026 06:45     Subject: Re:math supplement in private school
RSMs math competition program is great for kids who are ahead in math and really enjoy playing with math. The class teaches number theory, probability, algebra, geometry and a range of other subjects that appear in math competitions. The kids in the class tend to be invested in math. It is a different approach to the regular RSM class but is the only place my kid has been challenged in math. He has also done AoPS, he enjoyed it but it didn’t push him.
Anonymous
Post 01/14/2026 06:41     Subject: math supplement in private school
AoPS in-person is also in Vienna