Enrichment High School Level Math Options in North DFW (Plano: home, public schools)

[compSciGuy]

My oldest daughter (11) is going to be in Algebra later this year. I was looking at options for a say, once a week enrichment math class. We are currently located in North Plano, and I am currently considering either MTGK or Russian Math but wanted to look at other potential options. I don't want to enroll her in something like AwesomeMath because my objective is not to prepare her for Math contests, but just to have a decent base for above-average curriculum-based Math instruction which I don't think I can realistically rely on the public schools for. I do have time constraints, being that I work, and I am open to North Plano, Frisco, South McKinney, etc. for weekday evenings, and if during the weekends, Allen, Lewisville, Little Elm, Carrollton, (and perhaps a little further) etc.

[EDS_]

Originally Posted by compSciGuy

My oldest daughter (11) is going to be in Algebra later this year. I was looking at options for a say, once a week enrichment math class. We are currently located in North Plano, and I am currently considering either MTGK or Russian Math but wanted to look at other potential options. I don't want to enroll her in something like AwesomeMath because my objective is not to prepare her for Math contests, but just to have a decent base for above-average curriculum-based Math instruction which I don't think I can realistically rely on the public schools for. I do have time constraints, being that I work, and I am open to North Plano, Frisco, South McKinney, etc. for weekday evenings, and if during the weekends, Allen, Lewisville, Little Elm, Carrollton, (and perhaps a little further) etc.

I can't help with specifics only offer my support that these programs are likely both excellent and would be of great value to your daughter. To me algebra is the stepping off point not just into maths above arithmetic but more importantly how to understand and manipulate abstractions with creativity but also discipline.

IMO all that leads to a better way of thinking about everything.

[UnfairPark]

I like your approach of not pushing her into math competitions. Those should be left for high school, if a kid is interested, he'll find its way through school. I've seen too many parents burdening their younger kids early on to no advantage, similar behavior as football crazed dads, pageant moms or spelling bee fams, making kids live as show ponies. As far as programs during school years go, its too much, after full day of school and home work, kids need to relax or do activities they like, not commute to after school centers and have additional work. Every other kid nowadays is spending after school hours at Kumon, KD, Math centers etc., its crazy. Find tutor or course for summer.

[EDS_]

Originally Posted by UnfairPark

I like your approach of not pushing her into math competitions. Those should be left for high school, if a kid is interested, he'll find its way through school. I've seen too many parents burdening their younger kids early on to no advantage, similar behavior as football crazed dads, pageant moms or spelling bee fams, making kids live as show ponies. As far as programs during school years go, its too much, after full day of school and home work, kids need to relax or do activities they like, not commute to after school centers and have additional work. Every other kid nowadays is spending after school hours at Kumon, KD, Math centers etc., its crazy. Find tutor or course for summer.

One of the great beauties in life is that you decide what works for you and you absolutely do not get to decide for others what is "crazy".

[UnfairPark]

Originally Posted by EDS_

One of the great beauties in life is that you decide what works for you and you absolutely do not get to decide for others what is "crazy".

Another beauty in life is that I get to decide what I think is crazy, other people are free to define it as they please, i'm not imposing censor on their opinions. I oppose all forms of child labor, overtime academic slavery is no exception.

[EDS_]

Originally Posted by UnfairPark

Another beauty in life is that I get to decide what I think is crazy, other people are free to define it as they please, i'm not imposing censor on their opinions. I oppose all forms of child labor, overtime academic slavery is no exception.

Listen sometime in the future when someone you know needs a neurosurgeon to fix a skull, neck or back fracture or whatever and my son is the cat with the knife running the show ask him if he thought his extra math work as a kid was academic slavery. Same song different dance with my daughter although her plan is more like OB.

Being soft and too "kind" to our kids is ruining them.

[calgirlinnc]

Maybe we could trust parents to know what is best for their child. Maybe the OP knows and understands what his daughter needs or wants.

It was a simple question. We do not need to turn this into the next episode of "A Game of Thrones".

[UnfairPark]

Originally Posted by EDS_

Listen sometime in the future when someone you know needs a neurosurgeon to fix a skull, neck or back fracture or whatever and my son is the cat with the knife running the show ask him if he thought his extra math work as a kid was academic slavery. Same song different dance with my daughter although her plan is more like OB.

Being soft and too "kind" to our kids is ruining them.

Being a parent and being a demanding slave owner are two different things. Instead of driving them crazy, we can kindly lead them to be self-driven, works better in long term and benefits mental health.

[UnfairPark]

Originally Posted by calgirlinnc

Maybe we could trust parents to know what is best for their child. Maybe the OP knows and understands what his daughter needs or wants.

It was a simple question. We do not need to turn this into the next episode of "A Game of Thrones".

Okay. I'm sure OP does and he isn't going to mold his parental pilosphy because random internet posters said so. EDS and I were merely stating our opinions.