5 Ways to Help Your Child Get the Most out of RSM

1. Communication is Key

Principals, teachers, and staff, are resources for you. You can reach out to your child’s teacher before or after a lesson or arrange a time to meet via phone or email. Our teachers will help you keep track of your child's progress and are always available to answer any questions you may have.

If you know of any strengths or weaknesses of your child – areas specifically that you want to work on for their improvement – you can mention this to the teacher. Our goal is to help develop strong students overall.

2. Homework is a Tool

Learning doesn’t stop when class ends. We view homework as a tool that encourages students to take responsibility. One RSM class per week doesn't always allow students to perfect their understanding and technique. Homework gives students time to practice what they've learned. 

It’s crucial for their development that students have the opportunity to work through problems on their own, and, if they don’t understand it, to remember to ask a question about it in class. It is for this reason that we ask parents not to help with homework – but rather to mark the problem to alert the teacher to explain it in class. For more tips on assisting your child with RSM homework, please visit our blog post on the subject.

3. For Middle-Schoolers, Geometry is Important

Over one-third of the SAT and the AMC is focused on geometry, but only one year in high school is devoted to the subject. Like algebra, geometry is a language, and it utilizes a new vocabulary. For most students, geometry is a revolutionary way to think, as it asks students to visualize and construct. To expect a student to master the vocabulary and the geometric method – what other countries spend three to four years teaching – in one year, is impossible. 

RSM students have the opportunity to begin geometry classes in 6th grade, where they are introduced to the subject without stress and pressure. This ensures that they are fully prepared for future standardized tests and math contests. 

4. A Tailored Approach

We understand that each child engages with new concepts in different ways and at their own speed. We want to make sure that each student is in an environment that keeps them challenged but not overly-so. To meet these needs, we offer three levels for each grade: Accelerated, Advanced, and Honors. During each student's evaluation, we identify the best level for them. 

If you have questions about your child's level, or notice that they are struggling or require a greater challenge, please inform your child's teacher. A lot goes into the conversation of whether it makes sense to switch a child into a different level, but it’s an important one to have with your teacher.

5. Support the Idea That Math is Cool: 

While not everyone grew up thinking that math is fun, our goal is to show that anyone can become a math person and enjoy doing math. A math person is a thinking person. A math person is a creative person. Anyone with an interest in thought or creativity is a math person.

This blog was previously published in 2015 and has since been updated.