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Two popular homeschool math programs, compared on what actually decides the fit: how your child learns, how much you'll teach, and how each one handles review.
Updated September 2026 · based on parent reviews and publisher information
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Compare for my child| Singapore Math | RightStart Math | |
|---|---|---|
| Grades | PreK–8 | K–8 |
| Approach | Mastery, conceptual | Hands-on, abacus |
| Who teaches | Parent teaches | Scripted for the parent |
| Parent prep | Moderate–high | Moderate (parent-taught) |
| Screen time | Mostly offline | Mostly offline |
| Video lessons | Available: lesson videos available | None: videos are for parents, not student lessons |
| Faith | No religious content | No religious content |
| Cost | About $103 per grade for textbooks, workbooks and home guides (A and B) | First year costs more: about $225–$240 the first year with manipulatives; about $100 in later years |
| Placement | Free placement tests | Free placement test |
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Parents consistently credit Singapore with building real number sense: kids learn why a method works, not only how. The newer Dimensions edition adds videos and activities, which helps, but many say the lessons got longer and need more parent prep than the older Primary Mathematics books.
Parents say the abacus and games give kids rock-solid number sense and mental math, and many switched to it after other programs didn't click. The trade-offs come up in almost every review: a big start-up cost and a program that needs a parent teaching every lesson.
Neither is better for every child. Singapore Math is the stronger fit for races ahead, loves puzzles; video lessons a big plus. RightStart Math is the stronger fit for struggles or feels anxious; rusty; anxious about it.
Singapore Math is mastery, conceptual.
RightStart Math is hands-on, abacus.
Singapore Math: About $103 per grade for textbooks, workbooks and home guides (A and B). RightStart Math: First year costs more: about $225–$240 the first year with manipulatives; about $100 in later years.
Summaries are in our own words.