Beast Academy vs Singapore Math: Which Elementary Math Curriculum Fits?

Beast Academy vs Singapore Math: the short answer

Both programs want kids to understand math, not memorize steps, and both produce strong problem solvers. They get there differently.

Singapore Math (the Primary Mathematics series) is a steady, parent-taught print program. It moves from real objects to bar-model pictures to numbers, unit by unit, and is famous for mental math and word problems. Beast Academy, from Art of Problem Solving, teaches through comic books and climbs to very hard puzzles. It's available in print and online.

Singapore is the safer default for most families. Beast Academy is the better fit for kids who love a challenge.

Teaching approach

Singapore Math follows a concrete-pictorial-abstract sequence. A parent works a problem with counters or blocks, the Student Book shows it as a picture or bar model, and then the child practices with numbers. Topics are taught to mastery in units, with cumulative reviews. Geometry and early algebra thinking show up earlier than in most U.S. programs.

Beast Academy starts each chapter with a comic-style Guide where little monsters reason through new ideas, then a Practice book (or online set) that ranges from warm-ups to very hard puzzles. Beast Academy describes itself as loosely based on Common Core, covering grade 1–5 topics in more depth, and suggests assigning work by time, not pages.

What a lesson looks like

Singapore Math, grade 3: you sit with your child, act out a word problem with counters, draw it as a bar model together, read the Student Book example, then your child does a page of Additional Practice. Younger kids need you for most of the lesson; by grades 4 and 5 many read examples on their own.

Beast Academy, Level 3: your child reads a few comic pages on multiplication strategies, then tackles practice problems, some easy and some starred and very hard. On BA Online, a video and auto-graded set replace the books. You step in when a puzzle stalls them. Sessions run 30–60 minutes.

Price and value

As of October 2026:

The annual cost is close. Beast Academy online is the better deal for siblings and for families who want auto-grading. Singapore's books reuse well, except the practice books.

Who should choose Beast Academy

• Gifted or math-loving kids who enjoy puzzles
• Children motivated by comics and humor
• Families who want online lessons with auto-graded practice
• Students headed for Art of Problem Solving Prealgebra and math contests

Who should choose Singapore Math

• Families who want a proven, steady K–5 sequence
• Parents who can teach most lessons, especially in the early grades
• Kids who benefit from hands-on objects and visual bar models
• Families who want strong word-problem skills without extreme difficulty

Alternatives to both

• Dimensions Math: Singapore Math Inc.'s newer series, continuing through middle school.
• Math Mammoth: low-cost, mastery-based worktexts in a similar spirit.
• RightStart Math: hands-on and abacus-based.
• Khan Academy: free practice to fill gaps.
• Math Academy: adaptive online math for fast learners.

See the best homeschool math curriculum, elementary math programs and math for gifted kids.

Can you use a scholarship for either?

Often. Curriculum books and online math programs are commonly eligible in education savings account and scholarship programs. Florida's PEP handbook lists curriculum and instructional materials, and Arizona's ESA allows curricula. Each program decides whether a specific purchase qualifies and how you buy. Check Florida, Arizona or your state, read what ESA funds can buy, then save your pick to your wishlist and apply once through Edulist.