Anonymous
Post 05/14/2026 13:07     Subject: AAP and tutors

Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:People suck. I help my high schooler with math all the time. Does that mean she belongs in a lower level? If a child is able to do challenging work with some extra hard work (and it isn’t damaging their mental health/stressing them out), isn’t that how people do well in life? By putting it work? AAP isn’t just for kids for whom everything comes naturally. It’s for kids who want to excel and can persevere.


AAP is for kids in grade 3-8, AAP math runs grades 3-6. Most of the people I know who needed tutoring in ES were struggling with the math portion. The only advanced element in AAP in ES is math, everything else might dive deeper but really, not by that much. Kids who are struggling with the math in AAP in ES are holding back the kids who are able to do the math and are looking for a challenge. But they don't get that because the teacher needs to work with the kids who are grade level in math so that they can keep up with the accelerated math.

There is also a difference in needing some help from a parent and requiring an hour or so of help from a specialist

Challenging yourself is great but if that challenge requires a tutor to keep up then you might be in over your head. I say this as a kid who struggled with math and never did any type of honors math classes. It is ok to be at grade level. The AAP mania that exists in some schools is crazy enough that there are parents who do send their kids to math centers so they learn the material in advance and can do well in class or pay for multiple hours of tutoring because they want their kid in the accelerated program. There is a pressure there that is unreasonable for their kids all in the name of being advanced.


This will continue until there is a corresponding AAP for kids gifted in language arts/social studies. Which will be never.
Anonymous
Post 05/14/2026 13:05     Subject: AAP and tutors

My AAP 4th grader does AoPS because he loves it (it is not accelerated; matches the FCPS curriculum) and has a writing tutor because his writing skills are weak and the tutor helped bring him to grade level consistently.
Anonymous
Post 05/14/2026 12:52     Subject: Re:AAP and tutors

This is the answer I agree with the most. Thank you!
Anonymous
Post 05/14/2026 12:45     Subject: AAP and tutors

Anonymous wrote:People suck. I help my high schooler with math all the time. Does that mean she belongs in a lower level? If a child is able to do challenging work with some extra hard work (and it isn’t damaging their mental health/stressing them out), isn’t that how people do well in life? By putting it work? AAP isn’t just for kids for whom everything comes naturally. It’s for kids who want to excel and can persevere.


AAP is for kids in grade 3-8, AAP math runs grades 3-6. Most of the people I know who needed tutoring in ES were struggling with the math portion. The only advanced element in AAP in ES is math, everything else might dive deeper but really, not by that much. Kids who are struggling with the math in AAP in ES are holding back the kids who are able to do the math and are looking for a challenge. But they don't get that because the teacher needs to work with the kids who are grade level in math so that they can keep up with the accelerated math.

There is also a difference in needing some help from a parent and requiring an hour or so of help from a specialist

Challenging yourself is great but if that challenge requires a tutor to keep up then you might be in over your head. I say this as a kid who struggled with math and never did any type of honors math classes. It is ok to be at grade level. The AAP mania that exists in some schools is crazy enough that there are parents who do send their kids to math centers so they learn the material in advance and can do well in class or pay for multiple hours of tutoring because they want their kid in the accelerated program. There is a pressure there that is unreasonable for their kids all in the name of being advanced.
Anonymous
Post 05/14/2026 12:04     Subject: AAP and tutors

Anonymous wrote:People suck. I help my high schooler with math all the time. Does that mean she belongs in a lower level? If a child is able to do challenging work with some extra hard work (and it isn’t damaging their mental health/stressing them out), isn’t that how people do well in life? By putting it work? AAP isn’t just for kids for whom everything comes naturally. It’s for kids who want to excel and can persevere.


If there were gifted kids twiddling their thumbs in gen ed the sucky people wouldn't care as much about the kids in the full time classroom who obviously don't need it.
We're not talking about highschool level math here...
Anonymous
Post 05/14/2026 11:59     Subject: AAP and tutors

People suck. I help my high schooler with math all the time. Does that mean she belongs in a lower level? If a child is able to do challenging work with some extra hard work (and it isn’t damaging their mental health/stressing them out), isn’t that how people do well in life? By putting it work? AAP isn’t just for kids for whom everything comes naturally. It’s for kids who want to excel and can persevere.
Anonymous
Post 05/14/2026 11:43     Subject: AAP and tutors

Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:Kids in full time aap shouldn't need tutors


That’s an oversimplified take on a pretty complex system. AAP placement isn’t a badge that means a child has mastered every subject forever. Kids are placed based on testing and/or school‑based screening, and demonstrated need -not because they’re universally advanced in every domain.

Tutoring isn’t some sign of failure. Study support, math reinforcement, writing help, executive‑function coaching - all of that can benefit any student, including those in full‑time AAP. Being in an advanced program doesn’t mean a child never struggles or never needs targeted help. It just means they learn at a different pace or depth in certain areas.

A child isn’t expected to “know everything” because they’re in AAP. That’s not how education works, and it’s not how kids develop.


The program is literally defined as for kids who need full time enrichment in all subjects.


Yup, so if you need a tutor to keep up, there's a whole gened classroom next door with a bunch of kids at your level...
Anonymous
Post 05/14/2026 11:12     Subject: AAP and tutors

Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:Kids in full time aap shouldn't need tutors


That’s an oversimplified take on a pretty complex system. AAP placement isn’t a badge that means a child has mastered every subject forever. Kids are placed based on testing and/or school‑based screening, and demonstrated need -not because they’re universally advanced in every domain.

Tutoring isn’t some sign of failure. Study support, math reinforcement, writing help, executive‑function coaching - all of that can benefit any student, including those in full‑time AAP. Being in an advanced program doesn’t mean a child never struggles or never needs targeted help. It just means they learn at a different pace or depth in certain areas.

A child isn’t expected to “know everything” because they’re in AAP. That’s not how education works, and it’s not how kids develop.


The program is literally defined as for kids who need full time enrichment in all subjects.
Anonymous
Post 05/14/2026 00:27     Subject: AAP and tutors

Anonymous wrote:Kids in full time aap shouldn't need tutors


That’s an oversimplified take on a pretty complex system. AAP placement isn’t a badge that means a child has mastered every subject forever. Kids are placed based on testing and/or school‑based screening, and demonstrated need -not because they’re universally advanced in every domain.

Tutoring isn’t some sign of failure. Study support, math reinforcement, writing help, executive‑function coaching - all of that can benefit any student, including those in full‑time AAP. Being in an advanced program doesn’t mean a child never struggles or never needs targeted help. It just means they learn at a different pace or depth in certain areas.

A child isn’t expected to “know everything” because they’re in AAP. That’s not how education works, and it’s not how kids develop.
Anonymous
Post 05/13/2026 18:33     Subject: AAP and tutors

Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:My DD is not in AAP and has a tutor - a lot of her friends who are in AAP's parents have asked for her name! Most of her friends that are in AAP either have a tutor or are in some sort of math program like RSM or Mathnasium. Of course, their parents will tell you it's for "enrichment" and not tutoring


Is RSM or Mathnasium going to put them ahead of grade level math? I don;t know much about these two programs.


Neither does pp.


You are wrong, my kid was moved up a grade year at RSM. It does happen. He tested into the honors class when he started at rSM and a month later they moved him up a grade level. The benefit to programs like RSM is that they will match your kids needs in terms of pacing. At least, they did through ES. They were reluctant in 6th grade to move him into Algebra and that is when we stopped the regular classes. He continued with the math competition program.


Your child is being tutored in the math competition class at RSM? It's tutoring and not enrichment?


Math competition is not tutoring, it has nothing to do with how math is taught or tested. They also cover material that is advanced. He was exposed to Algebra and Geometry long before he took the classes. The subjects appear on tests like the AMCs, which he took starting in 6th grade.


You wrote in regards to RSM that, "Of course, their parents will tell you it's for "enrichment" and not tutoring." I assumed that this person does not know much about the program, and responded with such a comment. You responded to my comment saying I am wrong about you--the poster mocking RSM as"enrichment--and wrote that your child does competition math.

If you have a child who does competition math, and you believe that competition math has nothing to do with how math is taught or tested, why make a mocking comment about other parents who send their kids to RSM for "enrichment and not tutoring."


Nope, I didn’t write that. I responded to whoever wrote that. RSM serves as enrichment and support. I wouldn't call it tutoring because tutoring implies 1 on 1 and RSM is not that. I have said that RSM allows kids to move up levels and people were wrong to say that it didn’t. And I have commented that the math competition class has nothing in common with the schools curriculum.


No one said they don't move up levels.


*Wrong reply.
Anonymous
Post 05/13/2026 18:33     Subject: AAP and tutors

Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:My DD is not in AAP and has a tutor - a lot of her friends who are in AAP's parents have asked for her name! Most of her friends that are in AAP either have a tutor or are in some sort of math program like RSM or Mathnasium. Of course, their parents will tell you it's for "enrichment" and not tutoring


Is RSM or Mathnasium going to put them ahead of grade level math? I don;t know much about these two programs.


Neither does pp.


You are wrong, my kid was moved up a grade year at RSM. It does happen. He tested into the honors class when he started at rSM and a month later they moved him up a grade level. The benefit to programs like RSM is that they will match your kids needs in terms of pacing. At least, they did through ES. They were reluctant in 6th grade to move him into Algebra and that is when we stopped the regular classes. He continued with the math competition program.


Your child is being tutored in the math competition class at RSM? It's tutoring and not enrichment?


Math competition is not tutoring, it has nothing to do with how math is taught or tested. They also cover material that is advanced. He was exposed to Algebra and Geometry long before he took the classes. The subjects appear on tests like the AMCs, which he took starting in 6th grade.


You wrote in regards to RSM that, "Of course, their parents will tell you it's for "enrichment" and not tutoring." I assumed that this person does not know much about the program, and responded with such a comment. You responded to my comment saying I am wrong about you--the poster mocking RSM as"enrichment--and wrote that your child does competition math.

If you have a child who does competition math, and you believe that competition math has nothing to do with how math is taught or tested, why make a mocking comment about other parents who send their kids to RSM for "enrichment and not tutoring."


Nope, I didn’t write that. I responded to whoever wrote that. RSM serves as enrichment and support. I wouldn't call it tutoring because tutoring implies 1 on 1 and RSM is not that. I have said that RSM allows kids to move up levels and people were wrong to say that it didn’t. And I have commented that the math competition class has nothing in common with the schools curriculum.


No one said they don't move up levels.
Anonymous
Post 05/13/2026 17:52     Subject: AAP and tutors

Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:My DD is not in AAP and has a tutor - a lot of her friends who are in AAP's parents have asked for her name! Most of her friends that are in AAP either have a tutor or are in some sort of math program like RSM or Mathnasium. Of course, their parents will tell you it's for "enrichment" and not tutoring


Is RSM or Mathnasium going to put them ahead of grade level math? I don;t know much about these two programs.


Neither does pp.


You are wrong, my kid was moved up a grade year at RSM. It does happen. He tested into the honors class when he started at rSM and a month later they moved him up a grade level. The benefit to programs like RSM is that they will match your kids needs in terms of pacing. At least, they did through ES. They were reluctant in 6th grade to move him into Algebra and that is when we stopped the regular classes. He continued with the math competition program.


Your child is being tutored in the math competition class at RSM? It's tutoring and not enrichment?


Math competition is not tutoring, it has nothing to do with how math is taught or tested. They also cover material that is advanced. He was exposed to Algebra and Geometry long before he took the classes. The subjects appear on tests like the AMCs, which he took starting in 6th grade.


You wrote in regards to RSM that, "Of course, their parents will tell you it's for "enrichment" and not tutoring." I assumed that this person does not know much about the program, and responded with such a comment. You responded to my comment saying I am wrong about you--the poster mocking RSM as"enrichment--and wrote that your child does competition math.

If you have a child who does competition math, and you believe that competition math has nothing to do with how math is taught or tested, why make a mocking comment about other parents who send their kids to RSM for "enrichment and not tutoring."


Nope, I didn’t write that. I responded to whoever wrote that. RSM serves as enrichment and support. I wouldn't call it tutoring because tutoring implies 1 on 1 and RSM is not that. I have said that RSM allows kids to move up levels and people were wrong to say that it didn’t. And I have commented that the math competition class has nothing in common with the schools curriculum.
Anonymous
Post 05/13/2026 16:41     Subject: AAP and tutors

Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:My DD is not in AAP and has a tutor - a lot of her friends who are in AAP's parents have asked for her name! Most of her friends that are in AAP either have a tutor or are in some sort of math program like RSM or Mathnasium. Of course, their parents will tell you it's for "enrichment" and not tutoring


Is RSM or Mathnasium going to put them ahead of grade level math? I don;t know much about these two programs.


Neither does pp.


You are wrong, my kid was moved up a grade year at RSM. It does happen. He tested into the honors class when he started at rSM and a month later they moved him up a grade level. The benefit to programs like RSM is that they will match your kids needs in terms of pacing. At least, they did through ES. They were reluctant in 6th grade to move him into Algebra and that is when we stopped the regular classes. He continued with the math competition program.


Your child is being tutored in the math competition class at RSM? It's tutoring and not enrichment?


Math competition is not tutoring, it has nothing to do with how math is taught or tested. They also cover material that is advanced. He was exposed to Algebra and Geometry long before he took the classes. The subjects appear on tests like the AMCs, which he took starting in 6th grade.


You wrote in regards to RSM that, "Of course, their parents will tell you it's for "enrichment" and not tutoring." I assumed that this person does not know much about the program, and responded with such a comment. You responded to my comment saying I am wrong about you--the poster mocking RSM as"enrichment--and wrote that your child does competition math.

If you have a child who does competition math, and you believe that competition math has nothing to do with how math is taught or tested, why make a mocking comment about other parents who send their kids to RSM for "enrichment and not tutoring."


You do realize that there are multiple people posting, right?

I would say kids in the first two levels are there because they need support. The kids in honors and math competition are more likely there for enrichment. That material is not the same as at school.


Generally, but in this context, it is nonsensical to respond to a claim denying the background of a specific poster, with your own personal details, unless you are that person.
Anonymous
Post 05/13/2026 16:33     Subject: AAP and tutors

Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:Funny how school becomes ‘not challenging enough’ right after parents outsource half the math curriculum to RSM or Mathnasium.

Maybe your child isn’t ‘unchallenged.’ Maybe you paid to spoil the plot and now you’re complaining the movie is predictable.

Spoil the plot? Is getting books above grade reading level from the library spoiling the plot of reading curriculum?


No. Foaming at the mouth if the same book is read again in class is "spoiling the plot".
Anonymous
Post 05/13/2026 16:31     Subject: AAP and tutors

Anonymous wrote:Funny how school becomes ‘not challenging enough’ right after parents outsource half the math curriculum to RSM or Mathnasium.

Maybe your child isn’t ‘unchallenged.’ Maybe you paid to spoil the plot and now you’re complaining the movie is predictable.

Spoil the plot? Is getting books above grade reading level from the library spoiling the plot of reading curriculum?