The gap between the most and least prepared students has always been wide in most classrooms. This year, that gap may feel like a chasm.
A recent study suggests students suffered, on average, 4–7 months of “missed learning” during the pandemic. Schools are facing an incredibly difficult challenge and will need to focus heavily on students who are struggling the most.
But what about the kids who got ahead last year? Will they lose the progress they worked so hard to gain?
Here are some practical tips for keeping your advanced learner challenged, inspired, and engaged this year.
1. Connect With Like-Minded Instructors and Peers
Connection is something we all could have benefited from over the last few years. For students, learning in isolation can be discouraging.
Making sure your student feels connected—socially and academically—should be a top priority.
Seek out teachers, mentors, or older students who share your child’s passions. These role models inspire growth and can become lifelong mentors.
A community of like-minded peers is just as important. Consider:
- Math clubs at school (or starting one)
- Local academic groups or leagues
- Programs like AoPS Academies
- The Math Circle Network
Online communities can also be powerful. Students support and challenge one another, and even friendly competition can boost motivation.
👉 Join the AoPS Online Community — the largest English-speaking math community in the world.
If access to these resources is limited, remember: you are your child’s first role model. Modeling curiosity and problem-solving at home makes a lasting impact.
2. Prioritize Problem-Solving Over Repetition
Many students experienced repetitive learning during the pandemic. Unfortunately:
Repetition → boredom → disengagement
So how do you break that cycle?
Problem-solving.
Problem-solving means tackling challenges your student has never seen before—forcing them to rely on creativity and critical thinking rather than memorization.
Advanced math is one of the best ways to introduce these types of challenges.
Through problem-solving, students:
- Develop creative thinking
- Build perseverance (sometimes spending hours on one problem!)
- Strengthen communication skills
- Learn to approach problems from multiple angles
These skills go far beyond math. They apply to:
- Engineering
- Computer science
- Economics
- Philosophy
- Real-world decision-making
Even more importantly, these are future-proof skills—they cannot be automated.
3. Add Meaningful Academic Challenges
Regardless of your child’s classroom environment, adding intentional challenges to their routine can make a huge difference.
Here are a few ways families are doing this:
- Students arrange separate math time with teachers to pursue advanced coursework
- Schools accept AoPS classes for credit (ask your school about this option)
- Math becomes an extracurricular activity instead of (or alongside) sports or music
- Parents help build stronger school math programs or teams
👉 Many of the strongest math teams in schools today are parent-led initiatives
If you’re exploring enrichment opportunities, be sure to check out the DFW Camp Expo Camp Directory for programs that support advanced learners.
4. Encourage Deep Exploration of Interests
The pre-college education system often focuses on math literacy—but not mastery.
This can leave highly motivated students feeling bored and unseen.
Programs like Art of Problem Solving (AoPS) are helping change that by introducing deep problem-solving early—when students are still building resilience and confidence.
Start by identifying what your child is passionate about:
- Video games
- Technology
- Engineering
- Business
Encourage them to research the people behind those industries. They’ll quickly discover that many successful innovators have strong backgrounds in math and problem-solving.
Next, find a course, mentor, or program that allows your child to go deeper.
Give them the freedom to explore, question, and experiment.
There’s no telling what they might discover.