Every school year brings new promise, new adventures and new challenges. Many students handle the usual slate of subjects with relative ease. And then they get to math class.

Math proves to be difficult to grasp for American students when compared with their global peers. Pew Research reported that the United States ranked 28th of 37 Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) member nations participating in the program for International Student Assessment (PISA). The PISA exam is given to 15-year-old students every three years and was last administered in 2022. 

The overall U.S. PISA score of 465 also ranks below the OECD average of 472. That is well off the pace set by international leader Japan’s score of 536. With modern teaching styles and instructional methods greatly differing from previous generations, parents are often powerless to help at home.

If you and your student are struggling to solve your math problems, Math Plus Academy of Powell may be your ticket to success. Math Plus Academy is an academic enrichment center offering both in-person and online programs. 

New Math Plus Academy owners Danielle and Craig Maas both bring an academic appreciation to their new business. “I’ve always been passionate about math,” says Craig. “I took AP math classes in high school and tutored calculus in college.” He earned a finance degree from Miami University and works as a data scientist at Nationwide. “With Math Plus, I am thrilled to dive into the world of mathematics.”

Danielle went to college at Ohio Northern University and earned a Master of Social Work at Case Western Reserve. “I’ve been a Licensed Independent Social Worker since 2014,” she says, “working at Boundless and Nationwide Children’s Hospital.” She started a private practice in 2019.

Danielle takes a more psychological view of the business—and a personal one as well. “Our son was a student at Math Plus Academy, and we saw first-hand the high quality of instruction.” She also appreciates the social and emotional learning that takes place. “Part of the curriculum is working on confidently asking questions within a group setting, communicating ideas and asking for help,” she says.

The Math Plus model encourages learning directly from the teacher and peer-to-peer learning. “The peer-to-peer learning is academic, but also social and emotional learning,” says Danielle. Students become comfortable asking questions, being vulnerable and advocating for themselves and their ideas.

If math is outside your student’s comfort zone, a visit to Math Plus Academy of Powell may be just what the doctor—or the teacher—ordered.