Frequently Asked Questions
FAQs | AoPS Academy Virtual Campus
Do Virtual Campus math classes cover a full year of curriculum?
36 weeks is a full year curriculum for each level in the program. For example:
- For Honors Math levels 2-5, a student would take two 18-week classes, A/B and C/D, to take advantage of the full year curriculum.
- For Honors Math levels 6-7, a student would take two 18-week classes, A and B, to take advantage of the full year curriculum.
- For Honors Math levels 8, 9, and 10, as well as Honors Calculus, each class is designed as a 36-week full year curriculum. The topics for these courses present challenging material that is not conducive to splitting into two 18-week classes.
Do Virtual Campus language arts classes cover a full year of curriculum?
36 weeks is a full year curriculum for each level in the program. Level 8 is presented as a 36-week full year curriculum. For all other levels, a student would take two semesters, A and B, to take advantage of the full year curriculum. In those levels, each 18-week class is the first and second half of the course for that level.
Our language arts curriculum is specifically designed for high-performing students, as we challenge students to think deeper about the material than the typical curriculum. Through long-form unit projects, students work towards a goal with intermediary steps and instructor feedback allowing them to think critically and apply their knowledge to challenging assignments. We help students develop the important analytical and communication skills necessary for success at top universities and competitive careers.
Are Virtual Campus math classes a good fit for my student?
Although our math courses were developed with advanced learners in mind, we see success across students ages 7-18 with a wide range of abilities. Students who are building number sense get to explore how math works, while students who might not usually be interested in math are inspired by the engaging puzzles and problems. And, of course, excited math lovers will find plenty of challenges to sustain their interest.
What material is covered in Virtual Campus math classes?
For Honors Math Levels 2-5: Find grade-level standards here. We cover grade-level standards in greater depth than other elementary math programs, and our Beast Academy curriculum is also loosely based on the Common Core standards.
For Honors & Contest Math Levels 6+: Find information about the AoPS curriculum here.
How is AoPS Academy Virtual Campus different from AoPS Online School?
AoPS Academy Virtual Campus courses use videoconferencing technology, so instructors and students can communicate face-to-face. Our AoPS Online School classroom does not have video or audio—all communication is via text and images. These alternative communication methods help encourage participation from all types of students.
In addition, the Online School does not offer language arts courses or elementary-level math courses. Visit the AoPS Programs Comparison for a more detailed explanation.
See a full breakdown of AoPS Academy Virtual Campus versus the AoPS Online School.
How is AoPS Academy Virtual Campus different from Beast Academy?
AoPS Academy Virtual Campus provides live online instruction week by week, with expert instructors teaching 10–16 students per class. Beast Academy is a full elementary math curriculum that offers engaging, comic-style books and a Beast Academy Online subscription. Students can learn with Beast Academy either independently or with the guidance of a parent.
Courses in Honors Math levels 2-5 use Beast Academy materials, including Beast Academy Online, for homework and administering tests. A subscription to Beast Academy Online for the duration of the course is included in the tuition. Further, students receive the added benefits of an interactive learning environment, exemplary instruction, and an outstanding peer group.
What is the difference between Honors Math and Contest Math?
For Math Levels 6-8, we offer two course tracks: the Honors track and the Contest track.
The Honors track is appropriate for students who would like to broaden and deepen their understanding of math beyond what is covered in a typical curriculum. Honors Math gives students a solid foundation to pursue future degrees and a career in the STEM field.
The Contest track covers topics similar to the Honors track. However, each Contest track lesson is longer and includes more challenging problems typically seen in math competitions like MATHCOUNTS and AMC. Contest Math also includes mock math competitions during the class as well as additional homework problems.
Is there an age requirement for your courses?
There is no age requirement. It is more important to ensure your student is enrolled at the right level and that they can maintain focus and engagement for the class duration. In general, our courses are designed for advanced students ages 7-15+.
We recommend enrolling at grade level for our language arts courses. For our math courses, we recommend taking a placement test to ensure the right fit.
How many students are there in each class?
There are about 10–16 students per class, depending on the course level. Honors Math 2 classes are limited to 14 students, while our other classes are limited to 16 students. Our curriculum is designed to keep students active and engaged throughout class, and small class sizes lets our instructors focus on helping individual students.
Do courses include homework and exams?
Each year-round class has about 1–3 hours of homework per week. Depending on the course, students might have one or several exams to evaluate their learning. Language Arts courses at the Virtual Campus do not have exams. Instead, students complete a long-term project in each 9-week unit. They receive in-class and written feedback from their teacher that assists in revisions and provides a final rubric score.
Please note that our summer camps are designed as enrichment and do not have homework or exams.
Will I receive student progress reports?
Parents can stay connected with their student’s progress in a few ways:
- Instant Solutions - Students receive instant feedback and have access to detailed solutions after finishing each problem.
- Progress Reports - Our homework platforms have built-in performance tracking.
- Weekly Emails - Parents receive reminder emails that link to their student's progress report.
Since this is a challenging program, what type of progress/performance should I expect?
We don’t expect students to earn 100%, as that would indicate they understood the class material already. Instead, we encourage intellectual risk-taking and extending knowledge through challenging problems and assignments.
What if I need to drop a class?
Visit our Tuition page to learn more about our drop and refund policy. Please email virtual@aopsacademy.org if you need to drop a class.
What if I need to switch classes?
A student can switch into a different section in most situations, as long as there is still space available in the desired class. Please email us at virtual@aopsacademy.org if you need to change enrollment.
What happens if my student misses a class?
We understand that students might occasionally miss class. If your student misses a lesson, they can catch up by watching the class recording and completing the tasks listed on the handouts. Both the class recording and handouts are available on the course homepage; the recording expires four weeks after the lesson. If your student has any follow-up questions, we encourage them to join the virtual classroom 15 minutes before the next class to talk to the instructor.
Can I speak to the instructor directly?
Of course! If you or your student would like to speak to the instructor directly, send a private Zoom chat message to the instructor near the end of the lesson. We have a 15-minute time period after the class set aside for instructors to be available to meet with parents and students individually. This allotted time gives students and parents an additional opportunity to ask the instructor questions about class material or discuss student progress.
What should I do if my student gets stuck?
We include challenging problems in our courses to help students develop a deeper, richer understanding of mathematics. Our instructors and curriculum also offer several strategies for building problem-solving skills and productive struggling.
Here's our advice for what to do when your student gets stuck:
- Make sure your student knows that challenging math problems take time—they aren't bad at math just because they are struggling to solve a hard problem.
- Suggest to your student that they review past material and examples to find inspiration.
- Encourage your student to ask thoughtful questions and ask for hints. They can come to the classroom 10–15 minutes before the class starts or stay 10–15 minutes after each class to talk to the instructor individually.
- Remind your student that it's always okay to take a break and come back later with fresh eyes.
Can I speak with someone to learn more?
Absolutely! Please see our Contact Us page for more information. Our office hours are 9:30 am to 6:00 pm ET, Monday through Friday, excluding major holidays. If you would like a phone consultation for questions that are not time-sensitive, you can set up an appointment here.
