Art of Problem Solving (AoPS) and Sylvan Learning Westgate both serve academically ambitious students in San Jose. This page gives you an accurate picture of how each program works, what the instruction experience actually looks like, and who each is built for.
If your child wants to go further in math, the right program depends on more than curriculum — it depends on how they learn best.
Art of Problem Solving (AoPS) is a math curriculum and program for grades 1–12. The program is primarily known for its mathematics curriculum, which covers content from elementary through advanced competition-level topics. AoPS materials are widely used by students preparing for math competitions, including AMC, MATHCOUNTS, and AIME.
AoPS instruction is delivered in a classroom format, typically with approximately 14 students per class. Students follow AoPS’s own curriculum sequence on a fixed class schedule — similar to attending a school course. AoPS’s curriculum is not aligned to what students are studying in school; it follows AoPS’s own scope and sequence. Individual instruction within a session is limited by the group format. While AoPS offers language arts and science as secondary subjects, mathematics is the program’s primary and defining focus.
Sylvan Learning is a personalized tutoring center offering instruction in math, reading, writing, and test preparation. Every program begins with a comprehensive academic assessment that identifies the student's specific strengths and gaps. The center director builds an individualized learning plan from that data — aligned to what the student needs and where they want to go.
Instruction at Sylvan is one-on-one with a credentialed educator. Sessions are built around the student's specific plan and adapt in real time based on how the student responds. Sylvan works with students at every level — including students with advanced mathematical goals who want to move well beyond their current grade level and develop strong problem-solving skills. The plan is built around that student's specific pace and direction, not a fixed group class sequence.
For families in competitive academic environments where students have ambitions beyond the standard K–12 curriculum, Sylvan is a direct option: individualized instruction that moves as fast as the student can go, across math and other subjects, at one center.
| Factor | AoPS | Sylvan |
|---|---|---|
| Subject scope | Math primary (ELA/science secondary) | Math, reading, writing, test prep |
| Class size | ~14 students per class | One-on-one with a credentialed instructor |
| Instruction style | Group classroom instruction | Individualized, teacher-led |
| Curriculum | AoPS's own sequence; not school-aligned | Aligned to student's goals and current school curriculum |
| Individual attention | Limited by group class format | Full session focused on one student |
| Parent communication | Class-based progress | Structured director-led progress reviews + parent portal |
| In-person / online | Both | In-center, online, or hybrid |
AoPS is a strong choice if your child is specifically interested in competition math — AMC, MATHCOUNTS, AIME — and learns well in a classroom setting alongside peers with similar goals. The group format and competition-focused curriculum are AoPS's defining characteristics, and they work well for students who thrive in that environment.
Sylvan is the right fit when a student wants to advance in math — including beyond the K–12 scope and into competition-relevant problem-solving — with instruction tailored specifically to their level and pace rather than a fixed group sequence. Sylvan is also the better choice when the student has needs in more than one subject, when they benefit from one-on-one instruction rather than group instruction, or when instruction needs to connect to their current school curriculum as well as their advanced goals.
Some families use both. AoPS for the group competition-math experience, Sylvan for individualized instruction in other subjects or additional one-on-one math support. For students who can manage both and benefit from each, the combination works well.
Yes. Some families use AoPS for group competition math enrichment and Sylvan for one-on-one math support, other subjects, or test preparation. There is no inherent conflict if the student benefits from both and the schedules are manageable.
Both serve students with math ambitions, in different ways. AoPS focuses on competition math in a group classroom format. Sylvan provides individualized instruction at the student's specific level and pace — which can include advanced math and problem-solving, including competition preparation — with the advantage of instruction that adapts to how that student thinks. The right choice depends on whether the student learns better one-on-one or in a group.
Yes. Sylvan works with students who want to move beyond their current grade level, including into advanced topics. The plan is built around where the student is and where they want to go — not a K–12 ceiling. Talk to the center director about specific advanced goals to understand what a plan would look like.
Sylvan. AoPS's primary focus is mathematics. If a student needs support across multiple subjects, Sylvan provides math, reading, writing, and test prep at one center, with one director tracking overall academic progress.
Yes. A class of approximately 14 students means each student receives a fraction of the instructor's time and attention in any given session. At Sylvan, a session is built around one student — the instructor is responding to how that student specifically is understanding and engaging with the material. For students who benefit from that level of individual attention, the difference is significant.
Start with a free consultation with the center director — no commitment, no pressure. If it’s a fit, a comprehensive academic assessment builds the personalized learning plan. Get in touch with Sylvan Westgate today.