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Homeschool Math Curriculum Comparison

Singapore Math vs RightStart

Trying to choose between Singapore Math-Dimensions and RightStart™ Mathematics for your homeschool? Both are among the most popular homeschool math curricula. Nicole the Math Lady teaches Singapore Math-Dimensions today, and RightStart™ Mathematics video lessons begin in August 2026. Below, see how they compare feature by feature — teaching philosophy, practice and review, mental math, and grade coverage — then watch a free sample lesson of each and take a quick placement test.

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Singapore Math vs RightStart at a glance

Singapore Math

Available now

Grades 1–5

Mental math & word-problem strategies

Good teaching of mental math strategies and a good framework for how to attack word problems.

May fit best if…

  • Your child enjoys understanding why math works
  • You want strong conceptual teaching
  • You like a mostly mastery-style path with visual models
Explore Singapore MathWatch a free sample lessonTake the placement test

RightStart

Starting August 2026

Levels C–F

Learning through discovery and play

Real application of math skills through hands-on manipulatives and games.

May fit best if…

  • Your child learns best through activities and discussion.
  • You want a very hands-on approach
  • Mental math and strategy work matter to you
Explore RightStartJoin the waitlistTake the placement test

Singapore Math vs RightStart, feature by feature

A high-level look at how the two programs differ in approach — from Nicole's curriculum matchmaker.

FeatureSingapore MathRightStart
Teaching PhilosophyConceptualLeans Conceptual
Mastery vs. Spiral in TeachingMostly MasteryLeans Mastery
Mastery vs. Spiral in AssignmentsStrong MasteryMostly Mastery
Instructional StyleMostly Student-DrivenStudent-Driven
Built-In PracticeLessModerate
Mental Math InstructionExtensiveModerate
Mental Math PracticeLessMost

The bottom line

Singapore Math-Dimensions is mastery-based around the concrete-pictorial-abstract method and bar-model problem solving, and explicitly teaches mental-math strategies — well suited to visual, conceptual learners who enjoy the “why” behind the math.

RightStart™ Mathematics is the most hands-on, using the Cotter Abacus, games, and activities instead of worksheets, with strong mental-math practice — ideal for younger or kinesthetic learners who dislike heavy written work.

There is no single “best” math curriculum — the right fit depends on your student. The fastest way to decide between Singapore Math and RightStart is to take Nicole's curriculum quiz, watch a free sample lesson of each, and take the placement test.

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Nicole the Math Lady has been such a positive change for math in our home. My boys, ages 9 and 11, had tolerated and even dreaded math time before, but now they look forward to it.
Samantha Hamilton

Samantha Hamilton

Homeschool Mom

Singapore Math vs RightStart — Common Questions

Singapore Math-Dimensions is mastery-based around the concrete-pictorial-abstract method and bar-model problem solving, and explicitly teaches mental-math strategies — well suited to visual, conceptual learners who enjoy the “why” behind the math. RightStart™ Mathematics is the most hands-on, using the Cotter Abacus, games, and activities instead of worksheets, with strong mental-math practice — ideal for younger or kinesthetic learners who dislike heavy written work.
On Nicole the Math Lady's high-level comparison, Singapore Math rates less for built-in practice and RightStart rates moderate. Neither approach is better — it's a difference in style: programs with more built-in practice revisit previously learned topics more often, while mastery-leaning programs use fewer, deeper problems per concept.
Singapore Math-Dimensions is available today on The Math Pass, and RightStart™ Mathematics video lessons begin in August 2026. You're not paying for a particular curriculum — you're paying for the Math Pass ($79/year), which covers every curriculum Nicole teaches. Start with the curriculum that's the right fit for your kid, and if you later find out it isn't, of course you can change it — switch to another curriculum at no extra cost, up to four times a year. Join the RightStart waitlist to be notified at launch.
It depends on how your child learns. Singapore Math may fit best if your child enjoys understanding why math works; RightStart may fit best if your child learns best through activities and discussion.. The fastest way to decide is to take Nicole's curriculum quiz, watch a free sample lesson of each, and take the placement test.

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Singapore Math curriculum overviewRightStart curriculum overviewCompare all four math curriculumsTake Nicole's math curriculum quiz

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