Gifted Issues Discussion homepage Forums Learning Environments Mathnasium as math enrichment

DS6, who going into 1st grade, might be not as advanced as some here. He is doing multiple digit multiplication, simple division and such. I haven't had much success advocating enrichment at school. With a younger child in tow and a full-time job, I don't have much time to enrich him at home either.

Anyone has experience using Mathnasium as an enrichment?

TIA

Yes, we do... I started DS on it for pretty much the same reasons you are considering. Our particular branch/location has been great for it. First I have noticed a definite strength it catering to ONLY math. Secondly, I really like the tutors at our location. Thirdly, they test and let child the child move ahead at his own speed and have incorporated what he is interested in learning as well. Fourth, they are good with his dysgraphia. Other good things - it's practically one-on-one, my DS loves the games, he likes the other kids, he likes the tutors. Just this past year he has been doing his math home work there as well (in the past, he just did enrichment - his actual school-work/homework was separate ), which has been nice since he started in enrichment and accelerated math and the stuff id above my head and patience.

So, yeah, it's been a great experience for us... I plan to send my younger son soon too also for enrichment. BUT we talked about the experience being "enrichment" not remediation beforehand with the owner had he has made special arrangements, etc. for us to accommodate that.

Yes our place's tutors all have a math degree as their undergrad degrees (at least). They are mostly former math teachers (of high school and college) and engineers. There was one older guy who was my DS's tutor most of the time who was great! Unfortunately he left But my DS regularly went to him for a whole year... Our location lists the team and their degrees and experiences on their website so that may be a good place to start.

Its very expensive and curriculum is not aligned to the Common Core, which is a good thing in my opinion. Its a solid supplement to school. It's a good gap filler, as students are assessed all along the way. Eventually as my children matured, we had to quit because my children needed more challenge. Mathnasium didn't move fast enough. My daughter was working on 5th grade concepts in 7th grade at Mathnasium. It didn't help her with her school work. Also, by middle school, the online programs are better.

Yes, it is indeed expensive at about $250/month. At that price, I might start spending Saturday mornings with DS for enrichment. One of my biggest pet peeves about doing enrichment myself is finding suitable print materials without spending hours printing worksheets online.

Since it's just an enrichment, is gap filler as important?

My son goes to a Mathnasium. It's been wonderful for him. They have their own curriculum, and it's mathematically correct. I vaguely remember hearing something about the Common Core from the guy who owns our local center, but I'm not concerned about it either way because of the fact that their curriculum is mathematically correct (the lack of this trait was what the CC was designed in part to address).

Each Mathnasium is individually owned, so the quality and approach at each one presumably varies. That said, and FWIW, they're very much unlike Kumon. I would just book an appointment for them to test your son and talk to the director about what the center can offer him.

HelloBaby, That price is likely for two sessions per week. We do a plan that is only for one session per week, since it is just enrichment. For us, it worked out to about $30 per session, which, considering private tutor rates around here, I did not think was bad. So, maybe ask about doing something similar!

I wasn't offered once a week plan. That's a graet idea. Let me give them a call.

It seems like many people have good experience with Mathnasium!

DS loves Mathnasium so far, and we go there once a week.

At the back of my mind, I do have concerns about what will DS be doing during math at school as the gap widens between his true ability and his grade-level ability.

So glad to hear that it is working out well for now, HelloBaby!