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“Shabnam was an amazing tutor. My daughter really enjoyed her lesson. We will work with her again.”

— RMT parent (tutor: Shabnam S.)

“My son really enjoyed his lesson with Ashyrgeldi Atayev. Ashyrgeldi Atayev explained the problems clearly, guided him through each step, and encouraged him to think and participate instead of just listening. He was patient and engaging. We had a very positive experience and have already scheduled more lessons.”

— RMT parent (tutor: Ashyrgeldi A.)

“Ms. Lilit Khiat has been an incredible math tutor for my child over the past year. She has helped build confidence and genuine enjoyment in learning math. Ms. Lilit takes the time to understand how my child learns and connects with her as a person, not just a student. She explains concepts clearly! My child now looks forward to her math sessions and is excited to take on new challenges. I highly recommend Ms. Lilit to anyone looking for a skilled, kind, and engaging math tutor.”

— RMT parent (tutor: Lilit K.)

Why Our Pre-Algebra Tutoring Works

  • 1-on-1 Socratic-method tutoring — students derive the rules of algebra by solving problems, not memorizing procedures
  • BYOM Peterson curriculum — 100-lesson bridge from arithmetic to algebra: integers, fractions, ratios, proportions, intro linear equations
  • Online or in-person — 1-on-1 online, in-person at our San Jose center, or in-home with selected tutors

Live Video. Real Whiteboard. No Typing.

Most online Pre-Algebra programs are group sessions with typed chat — slow, clunky, and disconnected. We use 1-on-1 live video with an interactive whiteboard:

  • →See your tutor explain problems in real time
  • →Draw geometry, write equations, sketch your thinking
  • →Ask questions immediately — no chat lag
  • →Watch BYOM-trained tutors derive math the way Russian mathematicians learned it — discovery first, formulas second
Live 1-on-1 video lesson with interactive whiteboard

Pre-Algebra Curriculum — 100 Lessons, 4 Quarters

Pre-Algebra at Russian Math Tutors bridges arithmetic and formal algebra, drawn from the BYOM (Build Your Own Math) Peterson curriculum. 100 lessons over four quarters covering integers, fractions, ratios, proportions, and the earliest linear equations.

Unlike a typical US Pre-Algebra course that rushes through procedures, we build deep number sense first — so when students meet x and y in Algebra 1, they already think algebraically. Your tutor will diagnose your student’s starting point and may accelerate or pace the sequence to fit.

Quarter 1 · 25 Lessons

  • Unit 1 · Integers and Number Theory (12 lessons)

    The integers and their arithmetic. Absolute value. Divisibility rules. Prime factorization. Greatest common factor and least common multiple.

  • Unit 2 · Fractions and Decimals (13 lessons)

    Equivalent fractions. Operations with fractions. Converting between fractions and decimals. Operations with decimals. Terminating and repeating decimals.

Quarter 2 · 25 Lessons

  • Unit 3 · Ratios, Rates, Proportions (12 lessons)

    Ratios and their properties. Unit rates. Solving proportions. Percent problems. Percent increase and decrease. Simple interest.

  • Unit 4 · Variables and Expressions (13 lessons)

    Introduction to variables. Writing algebraic expressions. Evaluating expressions. Order of operations. Combining like terms. The distributive property.

Quarter 3 · 25 Lessons

  • Unit 5 · Linear Equations (13 lessons)

    One-step equations. Two-step equations. Multi-step equations. Equations with variables on both sides. Word problems that translate to equations.

  • Unit 6 · Inequalities and the Coordinate Plane (12 lessons)

    Solving linear inequalities. Graphing inequalities on a number line. The coordinate plane. Plotting points. Reading and interpreting graphs.

Quarter 4 · 25 Lessons

  • Unit 7 · Introduction to Geometry (13 lessons)

    Angles and angle relationships. Triangles and their properties. Quadrilaterals. Area and perimeter. Pythagorean theorem introduction.

  • Unit 8 · Data, Statistics, and Probability (12 lessons)

    Mean, median, mode, range. Reading and creating graphs. Introduction to probability. Simple and compound events. Sample spaces.

Official BYOM Syllabus

This outline is drawn from the published BYOM Pre-Algebra syllabus.

  • BYOM Pre-Algebra Syllabus — complete lesson-by-lesson breakdown available on request

Your tutor will tailor the pace and sequence to your student’s background and goals. Most students complete the full year in about 50 weeks (2 lessons/week); accelerated students can finish in half that time.

About RMT Pre-Algebra

What it is

Pre-Algebra is the bridge between arithmetic and formal algebra. At RMT, it’s a 100-lesson program drawn from the BYOM (Build Your Own Math) Peterson curriculum, covering integers, fractions, ratios, proportions, and the first linear equations.

We cover everything a standard US Pre-Algebra class teaches, plus rigorous work on number theory, divisibility, and problem-solving habits that set students up to succeed in Algebra 1 and beyond.

Why Russian Math matters

A standard US Pre-Algebra class speeds through procedures and sends students to Algebra 1 without real number sense. We teach students to think algebraically before they meet x and y — so Algebra 1 feels like a natural extension, not a new language.

Alumni of BYOM-style programs are overrepresented in Russian math olympiad teams and top STEM universities — a track record going back decades.

How lessons work

Sessions are 1-on-1 or small-group (2–4 students) over live video with an interactive whiteboard — so your tutor can draw, write equations alongside the student, and see their thinking in real time. Prefer in person? Families in the South Bay can join in-person classes at our San Jose Bernal Road center, and selected tutors across the country also offer in-home sessions at their own locations — check each tutor’s profile for availability.

Standard pacing is 2 lessons per week over the school year (about 50 weeks for the full 100 lessons). Students who want to accelerate can double up to 4 lessons/week. No long-term contract — lessons are bought individually or in packages.

Browse Pre-Algebra Tutors & Book a Free Trial →

Frequently Asked Questions

What grade level is Pre-Algebra?

In most US schools, Pre-Algebra is taught in 6th, 7th, or 8th grade (ages 11–14). Advanced elementary students sometimes start in 5th grade.

Is Pre-Algebra enough to prepare for Algebra 1?

Yes — the BYOM Pre-Algebra sequence is purpose-built as a bridge. Students who complete it are well prepared for Algebra 1’s polynomials, factoring, and functions.

My student struggles with fractions. Will this help?

Absolutely. Quarter 1 (Fractions and Decimals) is one of the deepest treatments of fractions in any US-facing curriculum. Students who master this unit rarely struggle with rational expressions later.

What Parents Are Saying

Rated 4.8 / 5 across 148 verified reviews from parents of K–12 students at Russian Math Tutors.

★★★★★

“My child has been having class with Meiram. He's extremely patient. He focuses on the thinking process a lot. After a few classes I can see a change in how my child approaches problems. She doesn't give up easily and believes that she can solve the problems on her own.”

Veronica Lee  ·  Tutor: Meiram  · 
★★★★★

“Shabnam is absolutely wonderful! She's a very smart teacher who is consistently friendly and patient with my 11-year-old and 8-year-old even when they're not in the best of their learning moods. She explains concepts very well in different ways if needed, articulates very well, and has wonderful positive energy overall. We highly, highly recommend her!”

J Kim  ·  Tutor: Shabnam  · 
★★★★★

“Lilit Khiat is the best math tutor we have worked with. She easily found a way to engage with our son and connect with him to make him feel comfortable. She's encouraging and makes math accessible to him, actually improving his participation and his drive for wanting to learn more. He's always happier and feels better after coming out of a lesson and is getting more and more confident with math. I would highly recommend working with her.”

Letitia Borelli  ·  Tutor: Lilit Khiat  · 
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