Math Plus Academy

My girl is a huge fan of strategy games. We can’t let her play banker in Monopoly or Catan Jr. because she won’t give us all of our earnings, especially if she has figured out she is losing. Does your child like to play strategy games…or maybe create LEGO robots? Do they like math and science? Well, you may want to check out Math Plus Academy. I was pretty thrilled when they contacted me – I didn’t know anything like this existed!

Math Plus Academy focuses on STEM enrichment for children ages 5 – 15. Classes are offered at various times and are divided into age-appropriate categories. Children can play Chess, learn about programming, be on a math team…they have a plethora of options to exercise the left brain.

I spoke with a couple of moms about their experiences at Math Plus Academy, and both women seemed happy with the benefits and their children’s enthusiasm over the classes. Below is a little background information on the kids and then the interview with the moms. Take a lookie:

Amanda has a daughter who was enrolled in a Math Plus classes and camp when she was in 3rd grade. She is now nine and in the 4th grade and loves the program.

Grace has two children, her son is in 1st grade and her daughter is in 5th. They have both taken classes at Math Plus and really enjoyed their experience (sounds like the moms have a common theme going on…I’m not using my left brain and analyzing or anything).

Why did you sign your child(ren) up for classes at Math Plus Academy?
Amanda: I signed up because I don’t feel the education system encourages girls to get involved in careers that involve math and science. I think that by developing an early love of math, as well as confidence in her ability, it will promote her consideration of a career in science and technology.

Grace: My girl came to this “girls only” ignite event offered by Math Plus and she loved the way the teacher taught math. I thought she was not challenged in school last year, so I was looking around for something she would like to do so she would not get bored after school. Otherwise, she would just watch TV or play on the computer.

Would you suggest this type of program for a child who struggles in math, or more for a child who is interested and likes math?
Amanda: Math Plus is really more of a place for kids who like to solve problems. My daughter was not necessarily someone who loved math, but she is above average at it and loves to figure things out.

Grace: I think it would work for both types. My two kids are advanced in their grade levels, and Math Plus provides a challenging learning environment for both of them.

Did your child(ren) enjoy going to the classes?
Amanda: She really does enjoy it. They teach them new strategies, are usually ahead of what they are covering in school, and they play fun problem solving games.

Grace: Absolutely. Both of them loved the class. They love the math games at the end of the class.

How often did the classes meet and were they easy to fit into your schedule?
Amanda: She goes once a week. They have a fabulous schedule, as they have an option most days of the week and allow make ups in other classes.

Grace: The class meets weekly. They have different choices to help fit into our schedule easily.

What did your child(ren) do while they were there?
Amanda: The format is something like this. They start with some easy problems to “wake up the brain”, go into their lesson plan, break into groups to solve problems that use the new strategies, then play games. They leave with a homework assignment that reviews what was covered.

Grace: The first visit a test will be given to get them in the right class. Each class they learn math basics and solve math problems. At the end of each class they play a math game.

Was it affordable?
Amanda: It is not a cheap activity, but considering what parents spend on various other recreation, and what Math Plus gives kids in terms of a life long ability for complex problem solving, it is worth it.

Grace: It is not cheap but affordable. There is a max you pay monthly per family. They work with you if you have more kids enrolled and in more than one class.

Math Plus Academy is having a few open houses. I grabbed this information from their website: