How Much Does the Russian School of Math Cost? 2026 Guide

The Russian School of Mathematics (RSM) is an after-school program founded in 1997 that now serves over 80,000 students across North America. It is known for a rigorous curriculum that runs ahead of most schools. Families often ask about cost early, because RSM does not post prices on its site: you request a tuition sheet for your grade and branch.

Here is what has been reported, what you get for the money and how to compare it fairly.

How much does RSM cost?

RSM's location pages invite families to submit a tuition request form and receive costs by grade by email. Public figures are limited, but they give a useful guide:

• A February 2025 report on a San Francisco branch said classes typically cost about $82 each, varying by course level, and that six-week summer courses cost up to $972.
• A 2017 WBUR report put tuition at about $2,000 a year, at a time when students usually attended once a week.

Prices have risen since 2017 and vary by region, so treat the older figure as history rather than a current quote.

How much is a year of RSM?

RSM's school year follows a typical school calendar. At about $82 a class with one class a week, roughly 30 to 34 weeks of classes would come to about $2,500 to $2,800 a year, before any materials or registration fees your branch charges. Older students with longer or more frequent classes may pay more. This is our estimate from the reported per-class price, not an RSM figure.

What do you get for the tuition?

According to RSM's Belmont page:

• Class time: 1.5 hours a week for younger children, rising to 2 to 4 hours in high school.
• Class size: an average of 12 students, with three levels per grade so students are placed at a suitable challenge.
• Homework: enough to reinforce class skills, taking about half the length of the lesson.
• Curriculum: one continuous K-12 program, often ahead of school.

That means a meaningful amount of taught time each week, which is why RSM's cost per hour is usually lower than one-to-one tutoring.

How does RSM compare per hour?

The comparison is not like for like. RSM is a group class built for challenge; one-to-one tutoring is built around one child. A struggling student may get more from fewer one-to-one hours than from more group hours.

RSM has branches across North America. If your child needs catch-up rather than extra challenge, see how one-to-one online math tutoring in the US and in Canada works with TaleemSquare, priced in US or Canadian dollars.

Is RSM worth the cost?

For children who are at or above grade level and enjoy challenge, many families think so: a weekly class with a structured, advanced curriculum is good value per hour. It is less clearly worth it for children who are behind or anxious, because the pace and homework can add stress rather than confidence. Read our RSM review for who thrives there.

Are there costs beyond tuition?

Ask about anything not on the tuition sheet. Families commonly budget for:

• Materials such as workbooks, if they are billed separately.
• Competitions, which some students join and which can carry entry fees.
• Summer courses, priced separately from the school year.
• Time. Classes plus homework of about half the lesson length add up, especially for older students with longer classes.

None of these are unusual, but they affect the real yearly cost and your child's week.

What should you ask your branch?

• What is the tuition for my child's grade, and how is it billed?
• Are there registration, materials or competition fees?
• How long are classes and how many sessions a week for this grade?
• Can my child move levels within the grade if the pace is wrong?
• What is the refund or withdrawal policy if it does not work out?

What to do next

1. 1Request your branch's tuition sheet and ask the questions above.
2. 2Decide whether your child needs challenge (RSM) or catch-up (tutoring or a center).
3. 3If you are unsure, book a free 45-minute math assessment with TaleemSquare for an independent read on your child's level, or see our math enrichment program.