Mathnasium is a popular supplemental education resource for parents looking to boost their child’s math skills. One of the first questions parents often ask is: How Much Does Mathnasium Cost? Understanding the pricing structure can help you determine if it’s the right fit for your family’s budget and educational needs.
Generally, Mathnasium costs range from $250 to $400 per month, or $25 to $75 per session. However, this can vary based on location and the length of the enrollment plan (3, 6, or 12 months). Mathnasium also offers summer programs, typically priced around $395 for eight sessions and exceeding $1,000 for unlimited sessions. Some locations might also have initial evaluation and enrollment fees, which can add an additional $100 to $150 to the overall cost.
Most Mathnasium centers offer both in-person and online tutoring options, giving you flexibility in how your child learns.
Here’s a quick overview of Mathnasium costs:
| Service | Average Cost |
|---|---|
| Evaluation and Enrollment Fees | $100 – $150 |
| Cost Per Session | $25 – $75 |
| Cost Per Month | $250 – $400 |
| Summer Programs (8 Sessions to Unlimited) | $395 – $1,000+ |
The Story Behind Mathnasium
Mathnasium was founded by Larry Martinek, an educator who recognized a need for a different approach to teaching math. Frustrated by the “repair work” he was doing with students who were already behind, he sought to create a program that would help children truly understand mathematical concepts.
After his son Nic’s tragic passing, Larry and his wife decided to share the unique teaching methods he had developed with a broader audience. In 2002, Peter Markovitz and David Ullendorff partnered with Larry, and his curriculum became the cornerstone of the Mathnasium Method.
Today, Mathnasium has over 800 locations worldwide, dedicated to teaching children math in a way that makes sense to them.
Why Choose Math Tutoring?
Parents seek math tutoring for various reasons, but the underlying goal is often the same: to help their children achieve academic success and develop a strong foundation in math.
Here are some common reasons why parents consider math tutoring:
- Lack of Understanding: Some students struggle with math because their learning style doesn’t align with traditional teaching methods.
- Future Goals: Parents recognize the importance of math for future academic and career opportunities.
- Poor Curriculum: Inconsistent or inadequate math curricula can hinder a student’s progress.
- Class Size: Large class sizes can make it difficult for teachers to provide individual attention to students who need extra help.
- Working Parents: Busy parents may not have the time or expertise to assist their children with their math homework.
- Parental Knowledge: Parents may not have a strong math background themselves, making it challenging to support their children.
- Ineffective Teacher: Not all teachers are equally effective at communicating math concepts.
- Lack of Confidence: A few failed exams or negative experiences can damage a child’s self-confidence in math.
- Lack of Motivation: Students may lack motivation due to various factors, such as bullying or disinterest in the subject.
- Change of Schools: Moving to a new school can disrupt a student’s learning and require them to adjust to a different curriculum.
- Homework Struggles: Teenagers often face distractions and challenges that make it difficult to focus on homework.
The Benefits of the Mathnasium Method
Mathnasium distinguishes itself from other tutoring options by focusing exclusively on math and using a proprietary curriculum. Their approach emphasizes understanding, personalized learning plans, and a caring environment. This helps students improve their grades, gain confidence in math, and retain concepts more effectively.
- Understanding: Mathnasium’s core belief is that every child can succeed in math when taught in a way that makes sense to them.
- Custom Plans: Mathnasium creates personalized learning plans based on initial assessments to identify each student’s strengths and weaknesses.
- Caring Environment: Mathnasium instructors are trained to create a supportive and encouraging learning environment.
- Passion: The Mathnasium Method aims to foster a love of math by helping students master number facts, build computational skills, and improve their number sense.
Kathryn Kistler, the Mathnasium center director at the Westlake location in Austin, Texas, emphasizes that “A strong understanding of the building blocks of math is the best way to help a student feel excited about learning while also setting them up for broad future success.”
Mathnasium Case Studies and Results
EyeCues Educational Systems has conducted research on the Mathnasium Method since 2004. Their findings demonstrate significant improvements in student performance in three key areas:
- Understanding: 82% of parents reported an improvement in their child’s math skills and understanding.
- Attitude: 85% of parents reported an improved attitude toward math after attending Mathnasium.
- School Progress: 88% of students saw improvement in their school grades.
These results provide solid evidence of the effectiveness of the Mathnasium Method.
Online vs. In-Person Mathnasium Classes
While Mathnasium offers online classes, they believe the in-person classroom setting is often the most effective learning environment. This is because the classroom setting minimizes distractions and allows students to benefit from hearing other students’ questions and the instructor’s answers.
Final Thoughts
Mathnasium offers a unique approach to math education that can benefit students of all ages and skill levels. While the cost of Mathnasium can be a significant investment, the potential benefits, such as improved grades, increased confidence, and a greater understanding of math, can make it a worthwhile investment in your child’s future.
