What Reviewers Say

Reviewers overwhelmingly characterize Art of Problem Solving (AoPS) as the 'gold standard' for mathematically gifted and motivated students. Sources like Cathy Duffy and the Well-Trained Mind forums emphasize its unique 'discovery-based' approach, which requires students to tackle difficult problems before being taught the underlying formula. While this builds deep conceptual understanding and resilience, it is a significant trade-off: many parents report it can be intensely frustrating for children who prefer direct instruction or those who struggle with math anxiety. Beast Academy, the elementary wing, is praised for its engaging graphic novel format, yet reviewers caution that it is significantly more advanced than standard grade-level math. The online community and 'Alcumus' practice tool are highly regarded supplements. Overall, it is a specialist tool that excels for high-performers but is often too demanding for the average or reluctant learner.

How It Works

For elementary students using Beast Academy, the child spends about 45 minutes a day reading a colorful graphic novel guide followed by solving intense puzzles in a practice book. In the middle and high school levels, students work through a textbook where they are presented with a difficult problem first—forcing them to struggle and 'discover' the math—before reading the provided explanation to see the underlying concept. Parents primarily act as facilitators who provide encouragement during moments of frustration rather than lecturers who explain the steps beforehand. A typical week consists of daily deep-dive sessions into a few complex problems rather than a high volume of quick drills, often concluding with a set of extremely challenging 'Challenge Problems' that may take several sittings to complete.

Switching to This?

Parents should use the free 'Are You Ready?' and 'Do You Know?' diagnostic tests on the AoPS website, as the curriculum's difficulty far exceeds standard grade levels. A common rule of thumb in the community is to place students based on these test results even if it means using a book labeled one or two grades 'behind' their current school level. Families can start at any time of year, but it is critical to begin at the start of a specific level rather than jumping into the middle of a book, as the logic builds sequentially. If you are switching from a traditional program like Saxon or public school math, expect a month-long adjustment period where your child may need emotional support to handle the 'discovery' method's focus on productive struggle.

Curriculum Details

Price

$15 - $830

Individual textbooks/solutions range from $45-70 (4500-7000 cents). Beast Academy Online subscriptions are ~$15/month or $108/year. Online instructor-led courses range from $450 to over $800 per course.

Grades

1 - 12

Available As

Digital Print Workbook Video Online Platform

Coverage

Single subject

Subjects

Math

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Pacing

Some flexibility

Parent Time

5-45 min/day

Parent Involvement

Moderate

Student Independence

Fully independent

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Academic Level

Advanced

Worldview

Secular

Videos

Reviews We Consulted

Updated: March 2026

How This Compares

Compared to Saxon Math, which uses a 'spiral' method of constant repetition and memorized procedures, AoPS focuses on 'mastery' and expects students to derive their own formulas through logic. When weighed against Singapore Math, which is also conceptually rigorous, AoPS is less structured; Singapore provides clear, step-by-step visual models for problem-solving, whereas AoPS intentionally leaves the path to the answer unguided to develop mathematical intuition. Parents choosing between AoPS and standard math curricula often find that AoPS introduces proof-based reasoning and competition-level topics years earlier, making it ideal for mathematically gifted students who find grade-level textbooks too repetitive or unchallenging.