If you have children with a knack for math, many of your traditional math programs just won’t make the grade. So you have a couple of great options we’re going to compare and contrast today: Beast Academy vs Singapore Math. These two options are advanced mathematics programs that teach in a more problem-based way. But what’s different about them?
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Let’s dive in and take a look.
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Similarities of Beast Academy vs Singapore Math
Many people compare these two programs because they’re similar in many ways.
Most notably, they differ because they’re:
- more advanced or rigorous than common math programs
- engaging alternatives to workbook approaches
- train mathematical thinking skills (as well as logic) more than others
- offer online and offline (book) versions
- able to be purchased in part or as entire grades
- both programs don’t have apps
- mastery-based
But how are these two advanced math programs different?
Differences Between Singapore Math vs Beast Academy
Let’s take a look at Beast Academy first.
Beast Academy
Beast Academy differs from Singapore Math in the following respects:
- Created for grades 2-7 (or ages 8-14 years old)
- Uses animations to teach visually
- Offers challenging quizzes
- Develops logical thinking skills
After graduating from Beast Academy, students can continue advanced math studies with another program called The Art of Problem Solving.
This makes Beast Academy a better choice for high school math skills.
See an extended Beast Academy review here.
Or look at the online and offline formats here.
Singapore Math
But how is Singapore Math different? These are the main points of differentiation:
- Created from ages 3-13 (or ages 3-13)
- Based on primary math taught in Singapore schools
- It uses a mastery approach so children learn before moving on
- Teacher-led video lessons (not animations. See pictures below)
Because SM starts so much earlier, it is a better choice for early math skills.
Or look at the online and offline formats (books) here.
Format Differences
These programs have wildly different looks in their online and book versions.
BOOK COMPARISON: Beast Academy vs Singapore Math
When you look at Singapore Math books, they tend to be a little less visually interesting compared to Beast Academy books.
Singapore Math is less visually cluttered, but that also might be less interesting for students.
In comparison, Beast Academy books are like comic books at times (see picture below).
Lots of bright colors and fun visuals to engage children.
You could ask your child which version they like the look of more and then go with that.
ONLINE VERSION COMPARISON
The Beast Academy online version seems a lot more advanced than Singapore Math’s online version (which is just teacher-led lessons).
Beast Academy (BA)
BA makes children work through various problems on a floor and then take a test at the end (see the below picture).
If children aren’t sure what to do, they can get teacher-led video lessons inside the platform OR look at the relevant workbook page inside the lesson.
This means parents don’t have to buy workbooks separately.
Beast Academy also has a tracking tool so you can tell where your students are struggling and what problems they’ve learned.
As a parent, you can also lock or unlock various lessons depending on what you think they can tackle.
If you want to learn more about how to use Beast Academy Online, check out this video.
Singapore Math
Singapore Math pre-recorded teacher lessons are made to be used in addition to physical textbooks and manipulatives.
The teacher takes out the work for parents by explaining the material so children can do the program themselves.
Scroll up the page to see visuals of SMs online version.
How Hard Are the Programs?
Compared to regular programs, how advanced are Beast Academy and Singapore Math?
Beast Academy
These programs is about a grade more advanced than regular-grade math levels.
So, if you have a gifted Grade 4 student, you would get the Grade 3 package.
But, do the placement tests before you start to make sure of the right level.
For ordinary students, these programs can be quite frustrating because they are so advanced.
Singapore Math
Ordinary students can use Singapore Math, but it is also an excellent choice for advanced math students as there are lots of opportunities to develop more advanced math skills.
Singapore Math is definitely more advanced than the average public school math curriculum. But it isn’t as advanced as BA.
Practice Opportunities
Singapore Math offers a huge amount of practice so children can spend a long time over problems, perfecting their work. The aim is that if you’re at a lower level, there’s plenty of practice to help you improve.
Beast Academy offers less drills and practice, but aims to teach things more logically and with more critical thinking skills so children think more (or harder) and practice less.
BA teaches more of the why; SM teaches using more practice.
COST: Beast Academy vs Singapore Math
Let’s take a look at the cost of these two advanced math programs.
Both programs are very similarly priced.
- Beast Academy online costs $96/year.
- Singapore Math online costs $85. (But, you need to buy the books with SM [+$43-74.00 depending on what you get])
Beast Academy books each cost around $16 each, and Singapore Math books cost around $13. So they’re pretty comparable, too.
But, if bought as a bundle, it’s more affordable.
Math Curriculum ALTERNATIVES
Beast Academy and Singapore Math aren’t the only fish in the sea.
There are many great homeschool math curriculums.
Let’s go through a few of them below.
- BJU Press Math – open and go (quite rigorous compared to public school)
- Right Start Math – teaches with visualization and manipulatives
- Life of Fred – teaches math through literature (also rigorous)
- Math U See – teaches also with visualization and manipulatives
- Saxon Math – popular workbook-based math program
I’ve used BJU Press pre-recorded teacher lessons, and I loved how open-and-go they were. My son is way ahead of children his own age and is really enjoying math.
More Curriculum Comparisons
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We talk:
- homeschool methods,
- curriculum options
- homeschool tips
- things to avoid
- and more
Check it out here.
Or do the course for homeschool parents, The Homeschool Parenting Program.
You’ll love them both!
The Bottom Line
Both of these options will give your child a grounding in advanced mathematics for their age. However, Singapore Math vs Beast Academy is less animation-based. As mentioned, there are also cost differences to consider. Hopefully, this article has helped you decide which one you prefer. But if you’re still looking, check out these math homeschool curriculum options here.
