If you're weighing in-person math help, you've probably heard strong opinions at pickup. "Kumon made my son lightning-fast." "Mathnasium finally got her caught up." "RSM is amazing, and so much homework!" They can all be true. Each program asks something different of your child and your family.
We make Bobby's Math Club, so we're not neutral, and each program here has helped a lot of kids. Prices are typical U.S. ranges as of October 2026 and vary by location, grade and plan, so check with your local center.
How they differ for your child and your week
| Feature | Kumon | Mathnasium | Russian School of Math | ⭐ Bobby's Math Club |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 💰 Cost | ~$100–$200/mo per subject + registration fee | ~$200–$400+/mo, often + assessment fee | ~$150–$300/mo, usually billed for the school year | Unlimited practice free |
| ⏱️ Time | 20–30 min of worksheets daily + 2 center visits/week | ~60 min sessions, 2–3×/week | 1–3 hr class weekly + homework through the week | ~5 minutes a day, at home |
| 📚 What your child does | Short daily worksheets that step up a little at a time | Works through a personal plan with instructors nearby | Takes a small class focused on reasoning and problem-solving | Short practice at their level, read aloud, with hints and kind explanations |
| 👪 What you do | Keep the daily worksheet routine going; two drives a week | Drop-off and pick-up several times a week | Scheduling and homework check-ins | Read plain-English progress emails |
| 🚗 Where it happens | Center + home | Center (some online options) | Center, or a scheduled live online class | At home, on any device |
| 🎯 Grades | Pre-K through high school | ~2nd through high school | Pre-K/K through high school | PK-5 |
| 🏆 Best for | Building speed and routine | Catching up with in-person help | Kids who love a challenge | Confidence, consistency and busy families |
What a school year costs your family
Here's a rough school-year view (about 10 months), including time in the car.
| Program | Approx. school-year cost | Approx. hours in the car* |
|---|---|---|
| Kumon (one subject) | ~$1,000–$2,000 | ~20–35 hours |
| Mathnasium | ~$2,000–$4,000+ | ~20–50 hours |
| Russian School of Math | ~$1,500–$3,000 | ~10–17 hours (in person) |
| Bobby's Math Club | $0 for unlimited practice | 0 |
*Assumes a 15–25 minute round trip per visit at each program's typical weekly schedule over ~40 weeks.
Kumon: for speed and a steady routine
Kumon has a long track record in arithmetic fluency. Kids work through short, carefully sequenced worksheets every day, moving on as they become quick and accurate. Twice a week, they visit the center to work and pick up new packets.
What parents love: the work habits it builds, real gains in arithmetic speed, and that most of the work is on paper rather than a screen.
What it does well
- Builds fluency, speed and work habits
- Clear, step-by-step progression
- On paper, away from screens
- Kids can move well ahead of grade level
Good to know
- Daily worksheets at home, with a parent keeping the routine going
- Two center visits a week
- Priced per subject
Kumon is best for: kids who like routine and checklists, want faster arithmetic, and have a parent who can keep the worksheet habit going.
Want the full picture? Read Kumon vs. Bobby's Math Club.
Mathnasium: for a person to explain it face to face
Mathnasium begins with an assessment, then builds a learning plan your child works through at the center, with instructors helping as they go. Kids typically attend about an hour, two or three times a week.
What parents love: a real person explaining things in a new way, a plan made for their child, and an encouraging center atmosphere.
What it does well
- A personal plan for each child
- Instructors re-explain concepts in person
- Friendly, encouraging environment
- Homework help at many locations
Good to know
- About $200–$400+ a month
- Sessions at the center, 2–3 times a week
- Centers are independently owned franchises
Mathnasium is best for: kids who need a person to re-teach concepts face to face, when the family budget and calendar allow.
Want the full picture? Read Mathnasium vs. Bobby's Math Club.
Russian School of Math: for kids who love a challenge
RSM teaches in small classes with a rigorous curriculum focused on reasoning and problem-solving, often moving ahead of school. Classes meet weekly, with homework between them.
What parents love: how deeply their kids learn to think, strong results in advanced classes and competitions, and dedicated teachers.
What it does well
- Deep, rich curriculum
- Wonderful for math-loving kids
- Builds real problem-solving skill
- Trained teachers, small classes
Good to know
- Usually a school-year commitment
- Weekly homework alongside school
- Often works ahead of school's pace
- A set weekly class time
RSM is best for: kids who already enjoy math and want more challenge, in families ready for a weekly class through the school year.
Want the full picture? Read the Russian School of Math vs. Bobby's Math Club.
Bobby's Math Club: a little confidence at home, five minutes at a time
Instead of a few big sessions a week, Bobby's Math Club is about five minutes at a time, at home, on any phone, tablet or computer.
I built it for my own kids, and I use it with them every week. It's the practice I wanted for them: at just the right level, and fun enough that they want to come back.
- Just the right level. Your child starts where they feel comfortable and practices across Numbers & Place Value, Problem Solving, Measurement & Data, and Geometry.
- Low stress. No timer, hints a tap away, and "I don't know yet" is always an OK answer.
- Kind about mistakes. Every question is read aloud, and mistakes come with a short, kind explanation.
- Something to look forward to. Level-ups, badges and celebrations.
- You stay in the loop without hovering. Plain-English progress emails show what they practiced and what to focus on next.
- Screen-free days welcome. Printable worksheets at your child's level.
What it does well
- Unlimited practice, free forever
- ~5 minutes a day, at home
- Practice at just the right level for your child
- Gentle for kids who feel anxious about math
- Keeps you informed without daily supervision
Good to know
- Made for PK-5
- No live teacher
- Mostly multiple-choice practice
- Not designed for competition math
Bobby's Math Club is best for: busy families, kids who are anxious or a little behind, younger kids (every question is read aloud), and parents who want a small, regular habit before, or alongside, a center.
Which fits your child?
- "My child cries at homework time." → Start with Bobby's Math Club, with short, successful sessions.
- "My child needs faster math facts." → Kumon, if you can keep up the daily worksheets, or Bobby's Math Club for a lighter start.
- "My child is a grade or more behind." → Mathnasium (or a private tutor), ideally with a few minutes of practice at home.
- "My child is bored and wants a challenge." → Russian School of Math.
- "We can't add another drive." → Bobby's Math Club. Five minutes, at home, whenever works.
What many families do: a center or class for the teaching, plus a few minutes of practice at home between visits. Unlimited practice on Bobby's Math Club is free, so adding it costs only five minutes.
Questions parents ask
What is the difference between Kumon and Mathnasium?
Kumon uses short daily worksheets to build speed and accuracy, with two center visits a week. Mathnasium starts with an assessment and builds a personal plan that children work through at the center with instructors, usually two to three times a week for about an hour.
Is Kumon or Russian School of Math better?
They suit different children. Kumon builds arithmetic speed and work habits through daily worksheets. The Russian School of Math offers a weekly class focused on reasoning and problem-solving, especially for children who already enjoy math, with homework and usually a school-year commitment.
How much does Kumon cost per month?
Kumon typically costs about $100 to $200 a month per subject in the U.S., plus a registration fee. Exact pricing is set by each center.
How much does Mathnasium cost?
Mathnasium typically costs about $200 to $400 or more per month, depending on the location and how many sessions per week, and many centers charge an initial assessment fee.
How much does the Russian School of Math cost?
The Russian School of Math is usually billed for the school year, which works out to roughly $150 to $300 a month depending on grade, location and class length.
Is Kumon worth it?
Many families find Kumon worthwhile when their child likes routine and wants faster, more accurate arithmetic, and a parent can support the daily worksheets. Families looking for a shorter habit at home may prefer a 5-minute practice program instead.
What is a good alternative to Kumon?
Alternatives to Kumon include Mathnasium for in-person tutoring, the Russian School of Math for enrichment, and at-home options like Bobby's Math Club, which offers free unlimited 5-minute practice for Pre-K through 5th grade.
Can my child do Bobby's Math Club alongside Kumon, Mathnasium or RSM?
Yes. Many families use a few minutes of practice at home alongside a center or class. Unlimited practice on Bobby's Math Club is free and at each child's level, so it fits alongside any program.
Kumon, Mathnasium and Russian School of Math are trademarks of their respective owners. Bobby's Math Club is not affiliated with or endorsed by any of them.