Beast Academy Online
General Summary
- Challenging, conceptual math curriculum for elementary/middle grades
- Engaging comic-book format with monster characters
- Strong emphasis on problem-solving and critical thinking
- Available as online platform, print books, or combination
- Subscription-based with moderate pricing
Rigorous Math & Deep Understanding
Parents consistently praise Beast Academy's mathematical depth and approach:
"We have been using Beast Academy for years. We love it… It is a very thorough program with lots of critical thinking. The problems are fun and puzzly."
Reddit - Beast Academy?
"Beast Academy focuses heavily on problem solving and critical thinking… Don't be deceived by the bright colors and cartoon creatures, this program is NOT easy!"
I Can Teach My Child - Beast Academy Review
Engaging Format & Student Appeal
Parents appreciate how the unique format motivates children:
"The bright colors and comic book illustrations make math more appealing. While my son still doesn't love math, this program is much better than the alternatives."
I Can Teach My Child - Beast Academy Review
"I have more ways to think about numbers and more ways to solve problems."
Home | School | Life - Beast Academy: A Fun Math Curriculum
Independence & Parent Tools
Parents value the balance of student independence and parental oversight:
"We use it as our main curriculum… [my child] can work at his own pace. There are videos explaining each exercise."
Reddit - Beast Academy?
"I am super impressed with the feedback that is given to the parents. I receive a weekly email of what he did and even alerts when my son is struggling with a concept so I can sit down and help...I love that he can be independent but I know exactly what skills he is working on and can step in and help when needed!"
I Can Teach My Child - Beast Academy Review
Learning Curve & Challenges
Parents note some potential difficulties with the program:
"If she doesn't enjoy chapter books I would steer clear of BookShark. It's basically… all reading. Tons and tons of books. No activities."
Reddit - Oak Meadow vs. Bookshark
"Each page can be very dense in the amount of thinking required."
Reddit - Beast Academy?
Need for Supplementation
Some parents find they need to add resources for basic skills practice:
"They don't do much drilling of math facts… which my kids needed, so we just used flash cards as a supplement."
Reddit - Beast Academy?
"When you're just told a final answer is wrong [online], with no indication as to where it went wrong."
Reddit - Beast Academy?
Who Thrives With Beast Academy?
Well-Suited For:
- Math-enthusiastic students who enjoy puzzles and problem-solving
- Learners who want to understand the "why" behind mathematics
- Students who respond well to visual and narrative learning
- Children ready for an academic challenge beyond standard grade-level math
- Families seeking to cultivate deep mathematical thinking skills
Consider Alternatives If:
- Your child becomes easily frustrated by challenging problems
- You need a curriculum focused on drill and practice of basic facts
- Your student prefers a more traditionally structured approach
- You want a program that strictly follows grade-level standards
- Your budget can't accommodate the subscription or book costs
Our Bottom Line
Beast Academy offers a unique, challenging math curriculum that excels at developing deep conceptual understanding and problem-solving skills through an engaging comic-book format. While not ideal for every learner, it provides an excellent foundation for students ready to move beyond procedural math into more rigorous mathematical thinking. Parents should be prepared to supplement basic fact practice and provide support during the initial learning curve, but many find the program fosters both independence and mathematical confidence in the long run.
Subjects covered
Core subjects: Mathematics (Elementary Level)
Topics covered: Fundamental arithmetic, geometry, problem-solving topics for grades 1 through 5
Special emphasis: Deep conceptual understanding, logical reasoning, critical thinking, and problem-solving skills
Unique offerings: Engaging comic-book style instruction, interactive puzzles, and a comprehensive library of instructional videos
Teaching Format
Online delivery: Web-based platform with interactive comic-style lessons
Self-paced structure: Students progress through material at their own speed
Interactive lessons: Engaging content with over 20,000 problems and puzzles across 1,000 lessons
Assessment approach: Immediate feedback on answers; detailed solutions available for all exercises
Video support: Over 1,000 instructional videos integrated into lessons
Implementation flexibility: Can be used independently or alongside print materials; parents can monitor progress through a dashboard
Supplementary materials: Optional Guide and Practice books available for offline use
Parent involvement: Moderate; parents receive weekly progress reports and alerts for struggling concepts
Pricing
Subscription-Based (Moderate Cost): Approximately $15 per month or roughly $96 per year for one student
Sibling Discount: Additional child’s subscription might cost around 30%–40% less per month
Physical Materials: Guide and Practice books can be purchased separately, around $15–$22 each or approximately $27 for a Guide+Practice set per unit
All-Inclusive Bundle: Approximately $160 for one year of online access plus all books for that level
Cost-saving options: Free sample lessons and a “Playground” of free math games available on the website; sibling discounts for multiple children
Parent Involvement
Moderate involvement required
Daily oversight: Parents monitor progress and ensure completion of assignments
Reduced teaching burden: Instruction is built into the student materials, with no formal lessons to prepare
Mentorship support: Parents may need to assist with challenging problems and provide encouragement
Progress monitoring: Parents receive weekly email reports and alerts on student performance
Supplementation needed: Parents often supplement basic math facts practice due to the program's focus on problem-solving