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Overview
The short version
Beast Academy is the math program kids ask to do. Lessons are comic books about a group of little monsters at a school for beasts, and the practice problems are real puzzles: some take one minute, some take twenty.
It’s made by Art of Problem Solving, the company behind some of the most respected high school math books and competitions. That tells you what it’s for: building kids who love to think hard. For the right kid, it’s magic. For a kid who needs confidence first, it can be a lot.
The materials
What you actually get
Guide (comic book)
Each chapter is taught through a comic story. Kids read it themselves or with you.
Practice book
Problems from straightforward to genuinely hard, with hints and solutions in the back.
Beast Academy Online
A subscription version with video lessons, interactive problems and automatic grading.
Levels
Levels and where to start
- 1Level 1Early elementary: counting, adding, shapes, patterns.
- 2Level 2Place value, adding and subtracting, early multiplication.
- 3Level 3Multiplication, division, fractions, perimeter and area.
- 4Level 4Bigger numbers, fractions and decimals, logic.
- 5Level 5Upper elementary: exponents, negatives, ratios, probability.
Levels are roughly ages 6–13, but placement matters more than age. Many kids start a level below their grade because the problems are harder. After Level 5, the natural next step is Art of Problem Solving’s Prealgebra.
Day to day
What a lesson looks like
- 01
Read
A comic chapter introduces the idea through a story.
- 02
Try
Work practice problems, starting easy and building up.
- 03
Get stuck
On purpose. The starred problems are meant to take real thought.
- 04
Hints
Use the hints, then the full solution if needed.
- 05
Talk
Discuss the hard ones together. Often the best part.
Pros and cons
What we love, and what to watch out for
What we love
✓ Kids are hooked
The comics are genuinely funny and well drawn. Reluctant kids often read ahead.
✓ Real thinking
Problems ask kids to reason, not just follow steps. It builds deep problem-solving skills.
✓ Grit
Kids learn that being stuck is normal and that persistence pays off.
✓ Books or online
Choose print, a subscription with auto-grading, or both.
Heads up
! It’s hard by design
Some kids get frustrated, especially early on. Go slowly and celebrate effort.
! Reading required
The comics need a fairly confident reader, or a parent reading along.
! Lighter on drill
Some families add extra fact practice, especially for times tables.
The verdict
Is Beast Academy right for your family?
A great fit for
- ✓Curious kids who like puzzles
- ✓Strong or gifted math students
- ✓Kids bored by easy worksheets
- ✓Families aiming for competitions or AoPS later
Probably skip it if
- ×Kids who are struggling or anxious about math right now
- ×Weak readers without a parent to read along
- ×Families who want a quick, routine lesson every day
Sounds like your kid? Download a free sample and try a lesson together.
See Beast Academy on Amazon ↗Money and tips
Cost, and how to use it well
Mid-range. Books are bought per part (four per level), or you can choose a monthly or yearly online subscription instead.
Start a level lower than you think. Confidence matters more than the number on the cover.
Don’t require every starred problem. They’re meant as stretch, not a daily target.
Read the comics together for the first few chapters.
Add a few minutes of fact practice for fluency.
Pair it with Singapore or Math Mammoth if your kid needs more routine practice.
Try the sample. Watch your kid’s face. That’s the real review.
Other options
Alternatives to Beast Academy
Art of Problem Solving
The next step after Beast Academy, for middle and high school.
Want to see everything side by side? Our homeschool math curriculum comparison has all 13 programs, a finder and quick picks.
Questions
Beast Academy FAQ
Is Beast Academy good for homeschool?
Yes, for curious kids who enjoy puzzles and challenge. It builds strong problem solvers, but it’s deliberately hard and may frustrate kids who need confidence first.
What ages is Beast Academy for?
Roughly ages 6 to 13, across Levels 1 to 5. Placement matters more than age; many kids start one level below their grade.
Is Beast Academy too hard?
It can be at first. Starting a level lower, skipping some of the hardest starred problems and reading the comics together usually helps.
Can Beast Academy be a full curriculum?
Yes. Levels 1 to 5 cover elementary math fully. Some families add extra fact practice or use it alongside a more routine program.
Ready to try Beast Academy?
Take the placement test, grab a sample lesson, and give it six to eight weeks before you judge it.
