Mathnasium

Specialties

Students engage, one on one, in a unique combination of mental, verbal, visual, tactile, and written exercises that cover and surpass state math standards as well as the recommendations of the National Council of Teachers of Mathematics and the new Common Core State Standards. Basic math skills are blended with a program specifically designed to help students build number sense by showing them how numbers work.

Each student is evaluated with a written and verbal assessment unique to Mathnasium. Based on their assessment results, we assemble a tailored program just for them designed to close any educational gaps that they may have and jump ahead when they are ready for advanced math challenges. Mental math is emphasized.

We also help students with their regular school homework as part of the session, and prepare them for school tests and standardized tests such as the ISEE and middle school entrance exams.

History

Established in 2002.

More than thirty-​five years ago, Larry Martinek was inspired to find a better way to teach children math. As a teacher and consultant in public and top private schools, and father to a mathematically gifted son, Larry possessed an incredibly comprehensive view of education. In his work with both stellar and struggling math programs, he clearly identified a common theme in mathematics instruction: a «serious disconnect between students’ basic skills training and the curriculum they are expected to master in the years to come.»

Spurred by the challenges in math education, Larry decided to find an approach that would provide grade-​school children with the strong mathematical foundation they need to succeed.

In the spring of 2002, Larry introduced his curriculum as the Mathnasium Method™ at their first math learning center in Westwood, California.