Curriculum
Beast Academy
$99.99/yr(0)
Art of Problem Solving Reviews (2026): What Parents Say, Pros & Cons
- Price
- From $465 one-time
- Grades
- 5–12
- Type
- Curriculum, Books, Course
Updated · By Edulist · 9 sources
Art of Problem Solving review summary
Rigorous math textbooks, live online classes and free practice tools for advanced students in grades 5–12, plus Beast Academy for ages 6–13 and in-person AoPS Academy campuses. Known for contest prep and discovery-based learning.
Art of Problem Solving pros and cons
Pros
- Deep, rigorous treatment of math beyond typical curricula
- Strong preparation for competitions
- Excellent free tools: Alcumus, Math Jams, forums, Wiki
- Online school accredited by ACS WASC
- Clear path from Beast Academy through calculus
Cons
- Very challenging; can discourage even strong students
- Live classes are expensive per course
- Less routine practice of mechanics
- Books, classes and Academy are separate purchases that can confuse new families
Who Art of Problem Solving is for (and who it isn’t)
Best for
- Advanced and gifted math students in grades 5–12
- Students preparing for MATHCOUNTS, AMC 8/10/12 or AIME
- Homeschoolers who want a rigorous, accredited math sequence
- Kids who enjoy struggling with hard problems
Look elsewhere if
- Students who need a gentle, spiral-review approach
- Kids who want worked examples before trying problems
- Families wanting a standard grade-level pace
What parents say about Art of Problem Solving
A summary of public parent feedback we read on forums, app stores and review sites. It is not a set of Edulist family reviews.
Reviewers summarized by HomeschoolTools, including Cathy Duffy, praise AoPS as fantastic for avid math students and strong at building problem-solving skills. Critics on the Well-Trained Mind forums say the emphasis on extreme difficulty can discourage strong students and skimp on practicing mechanics, and some families call the workload grueling.
Common praise
- Exceptional depth and rigor
- Teaches students to persevere through hard problems
- Strong contest preparation
Common complaints
- Too hard for many otherwise strong students
- Not enough practice of basic mechanics
- Time-consuming workload
Art of Problem Solving family reviews
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Is Art of Problem Solving worth the price?
AoPS prices each product separately.
Can a scholarship pay for Art of Problem Solving?
Textbooks and online courses are common eligible categories in ESA and scholarship programs. Florida's PEP handbook, for example, lists curriculum and instructional materials. Each program decides whether a specific book or class qualifies.
No program on Edulist lists Art of Problem Solving yet. Save it to your wishlist and we’ll tell you when one does. Many state ESAs let families buy products like this directly; each program decides.
Art of Problem Solving alternatives
A rigorous, puzzle-rich math curriculum for ages 6–13 from Art of Problem Solving, taught through comic-style Guide books, Practice books and an online platform with videos.
Math Academy is an adaptive online math program that places each student with a diagnostic, then uses a knowledge graph and spaced review to move them through courses from 4th grade math to AP Calculus and university math.
An interactive app for math, coding, science and data, built around hands-on problems and an AI tutor named Koji.
Sources
- homeschooltools.net · art of problem solving
- artofproblemsolving.com · about
- artofproblemsolving.com · store
- artofproblemsolving.com · aops curriculum
- artofproblemsolving.com · catalog
- artofproblemsolving.com · prealgebra pt1
- artofproblemsolving.com · how school works
- artofproblemsolving.com · alcumus
- stepupforstudents.org · pep family handbook
Questions
Is AoPS accredited?
Yes. AoPS says its online school is accredited by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges (ACS WASC). Check with your district or umbrella school about how course credit transfers.
Is AoPS good for average math students?
It can work, but it's built for students who enjoy struggle. AoPS books start with hard problems before explaining, which can overwhelm kids who prefer worked examples. Use the free Are You Ready? tests on each book page before buying.
How do AoPS online classes work?
Most courses meet weekly for live sessions and include weekly homework; AoPS also offers self-paced options. Sections run on set schedules throughout the year, so check the class schedule for start dates.
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