New Enrollment

Q: How old must my child be  to enroll?
A: A child needs to be 5 years old by September to attend Kindergarten class at RSM.

Q: Do we need a placement test to enroll?
A:  If your child is an average math student at public or private school he/she will be enrolled in the beginner level class without test. If your child is above average or very much behind in math, he/she will need a placement test to determine the optimal class level. If you want to start classes mid-year, a placement test is required.

Q: Can we start attending RSM at any time during the year? What is the cut-off date?
A: We have rolling admission. You can start beginner level classes at any time; there is no cut-off date. In some cases several weeks of additional one-on-one paid tutoring may be required to get up to speed with the class. If you want your child to join one of "continuing" classes, you need to schedule a placement test.

Q: None of the classes you offer currently work for our schedule, but we still want to start at RSM this year. Can we have tutoring instead of classes?
A: Since we believe in group education, we will try our best to find the class that will work for you in the future, even if your child cannot attend a class right now. We will offer paid tutoring as a temporary solution to help your child join a class in a future.

Curriculum

Q: Why are you called 'The Russian School'?
A: We are called 'The Russian School' because of the Russian methodology of teaching mathematics. More...

Q: Do you teach in English?
A: Yes, we teach only in English.

Q: Is your curriculum the same as our child's regular school curriculum?
A: No, the RSM curriculum is not the same, but it covers all the topics offered in public and private schools and it meets or exceeds the SAT, AP and ISEE tests requirements.

Q: Can my child take RSM math instead of the regular school math class? Would you provide a report to his school?
A: We can provide the RSM curriculum description , and also the student's report card. You need to discuss it with the other school whether or not our course can replace their math classes.

Q: Do all your classes of the same grade have the same program?
A: No. We have at least three different levels within each grade: beginner level, intermediate and advanced level.

Q: What if the class is too difficult for my child?
A: You should come for a free homework help session any Friday, 4:00-8:00 PM (1 hour, no sign-up). If this does not help, we will find an easier class.

Q: My child has a problem with math, she is behind her grade, but  she refuses to go to classes with younger children. Can you help?
A: Because we are a big school and we have on average 3 different levels within each grade, usually we are able to place a student not only according to his/her math level, but also according to age as well. In some cases we provide longer initial tutoring to help a child join a beginner level class.  We would like to hear from you about the history and the nature of the problem.

Q: The current class is too easy for my child. Can you just transfer him to the next grade now?
A:  Yes. The transfer can be done if the space in the other class is available, but only with the current teacher's recommendation.

About Courses

Q: My child is going to take the SAT this year. Do you have a short SAT preparation course?
A: Yes, we have a 6-week Summer SAT program.

Q: My child will be going to a Private School next year. Do you have an ISEE course?
A: We have no special ISEE course, but all students who take one or two years of math at RSM in 4th or 5th grade are usually fully prepared for the math portion of this exam.

Administrative Questions

Q: My child forgot to write the homework assignment, how can we get it?
A: HW assignments are posted daily on the Homework Page. Scroll down for a date of class and find your class listed. Please note: we post only assignments (e.g.problem numbers), but not the HW files.

Q: My child missed a class. Can you send his homework?
A: For students in grades K-5 the homework will be emailed.
Students in grades 6-10 can find assignment on page Forum. If a new packet was handed out on that day, all related pages of the packet will be e-mailed.

Q: We will be away for a few weeks in the middle of the school year. Can my child return to the same class?
A: If your child is going to miss few classes, you need to discuss this with his/her teacher. You may also schedule the same number of paid tutoring sessions in advance. The space in class will be kept open.

Q: Our schedule will change in the spring because of sports. Could you transfer my child to a different class for the rest of the year?
A: Yes, but only if the space is available and if the other class program is the same level.

Q: We carpool with neighbors; could you place both children in the same class?
A: We will try to accommodate your scheduling needs, but the priority will be the proper placement of your child. If there is enough space in desired class, each child will have to pass the placement test, or to have his/her current teacher's approval. 

Tuition

Q: What are your tuition rates?
A: All classes are priced according to the length of class. Click here to see tuition schedule for our Newton, MA branch and for San Jose, CA branch.

Q: Do you provide Financial Aid?
A: Yes. Click here to go to Policies page, and scroll down..

Q: Do you provide sibling discount?
A: No.

Private Tutoring

Q: Do you provide private tutoring?
A: Yes, we provide tutoring for those students who come to us mid-year and/or want to join a challenging class already in progress. A student needs to be registered in the same way as our regular students; registration fee applies.

Q: Could we have a tutor to come to our house?
A: No. All tutoring is provided only at school.