Mathnasium
| Company type | Franchise |
|---|---|
| Industry | Education |
| Founded | 2002 |
| Founder | Lawrence Martinek, David Ullendorff, Peter Markovitz |
| Headquarters | Los Angeles , United States |
Area served | Worldwide |
| Products | Supplemental mathematics education |
| Website | www |
Mathnasium (also known as Mathnasium Learning Center) is a U.S.-based supplemental mathematics education franchise with more than 1,000 locations worldwide, predominantly within the United States. It provides instruction for learners ranging from pre-kindergarten through high school, utilizing the exclusive Mathnasium Method. This approach was created by co-founder Lawrence Martinek, drawing on his extensive background in math education.
History
Larry Martinek, an educator specializing in mathematics from Los Angeles, started developing supplementary educational resources in 1985. Among these was Math Tips for Parents, a guide influenced by his teaching expertise and personal insights. Martinek highlighted that many students’ difficulties with math arise from frustration caused by conventional teaching techniques and promoted a multi-sensory strategy—incorporating auditory, visual, cognitive, tactile, and written elements—to enhance numerical understanding and self-assurance.
Established in 2002 by Martinek alongside David Ullendorff and Peter Markovitz, Mathnasium launched its inaugural center in Westwood, Los Angeles. This initial location remains under company ownership, whereas the majority of centers function as franchises. The franchise model was introduced in 2003, and by 2019, the network had grown to exceed 1,000 centers spanning five continents, including expansion into Australia.
Programs
The Mathnasium process starts with a diagnostic evaluation designed to pinpoint each student’s areas of strength and weakness. Following this assessment, tailored learning plans are created and implemented by instructors who deliver customized teaching and encouragement. Student progress is monitored continuously through regular assessments, report cards, independent examinations, and feedback from parents.
Instruction is organized into levels corresponding to early childhood education, elementary school, middle school, and high school. Advancement depends on demonstrating proficiency through mastery checks—worksheets completed independently without assistance from instructors. Maintaining approximately a one-to-four instructor-to-student ratio, Mathnasium also offers homework support. To incentivize learners, completed assignments earn points redeemable for prizes and entries into sweepstakes featuring rewards such as gift cards. Instructors carefully review all student work to verify correctness and reinforce the Mathnasium Method’s emphasis on proper problem-solving techniques.
Events
In 2011, Mathnasium conducted a nationwide TriMathlon competition involving over 4,000 participants across 160 locations. The event featured three challenges: The Counting Game, Magic Squares, and the Mental Math Workout. Local winners received medals and prizes while all competitors were awarded certificates of achievement. National champions were chosen based on top scores within each grade level and received recognition along with cash awards exceeding $10,000.
Awards
In 2019, Forbes ranked Mathnasium second among its Best Franchises to Buy in the low-investment category. Entrepreneur placed it at number 17 on its list of franchises requiring investments between $100,000 and $500,000 and ranked it 27th among Fastest Growing Franchises. Additionally, Mathnasium secured the top position on Franchise Gator’s Top 100 list for three consecutive years.
Previous accolades include Entrepreneur’s Franchise 500 rankings: #112 in 2012; #138 in 2011; and #176 in 2010. It also achieved #44 on Entrepreneur’s Fastest-Growing Franchises list in 2012 and consistently appeared among America’s Top Global Franchises from 2008 through 2017.
See also
References