At MATHCUBED, we emphasize understanding the math as opposed to memorizing it since there is no other way to become a strong math student — we know from experience!

Having tutored more than 2,000 Ottawa area math students (grades 7 -12) we have both the experience and an excellent track record.

At MATHCUBED, we have two main programs —1-on-1 tutoring and Review & Reach Ahead (RRAP)—but it all begins with a math assessment.

Math Assessments

Every new MATHCUBED student begins with an 85 minute math assessment.

Why? Because you cannot move forward until you know what's holding you back. Gaps in past learning create present and future problems. Your math assessment is the key to identifying the missing pieces that are holding you back.

1-on-1 Tutoring

During the school year, understanding and keeping up with the fast pace of the semester system and the challenging math curriculum is critical.

MATHCUBED's 1-on-1 tutoring will give you the tools and confidence to succeed.

Each MATHCUBED student:

• receives a math assessment
• sets a math goal
• follows an action plan
• fills in the gaps in their past knowledge
• increases their understanding of math concepts
• learns to tackle homework effectively
• learns strategies for studying and writing math tests
• attends tutoring 1 - 3 sessions/ per week, depending on start mark, goal mark and other factors

Why 1-on-1, not groups?
Because 1-on-1 is far more effective than groups.

One-on-one allows us to:

• Closely watch how a student is doing the math questions
• Respond to the particular needs of each student
• Choose a particular method of working out a math question that best suits an individual student
• Give each student specific strategies directed at their particular areas of weakness
• Accurately gauge how well each student is doing in math from one week to the next
• Be sure the student is understanding the math, not just memorizing it

Review & Reach Ahead Program (RRAP)

With the semester system, students sometimes face long gaps of 8 - 12 months between math courses.

MATHCUBED'S Review and Reach-Ahead Program (RRAP) is designed for students who are not currently taking math but who want to review and reach-ahead so they can hit the decks running in their next math class!

This program is a fantastic jump-start on a student's next math course because it's designed to strengthen a student's weaknesses in past math while reaching-ahead into some of the key areas of the upcoming course curriculum. For semestered students in high school, RRAP keeps the math fresh during those long gaps between math courses.

Having successfully run this program for 9 years, we know from experience what a difference it can make!

Methodology
Review: We address some of the student's weaknesses in math until the student is comfortable with the material. We focus in particular on strengthening the student's knowledge of math concepts that are an essential component of his/her next math course.

Reach Ahead: Having strengthened the student's math foundation, we then reach ahead into his/her upcoming math course material focusing on some of the main concepts. Students often really enjoy this part of the program since they get a solid head start on their next math course.

When is RRAP?

August (grades 8 - 12)

• 3 week intensive daily math tutoring, 1.5 hrs/ day, Monday to Friday
• Review to strengthen past math gaps
• Reach-ahead to get a head start

September to June (grades 9- 12)

• Weekly tutoring during non-math semesters
• Review to strengthen past math gaps
• Reach-ahead to get a head start
  

RRAP is useful for:

• any student who finishes the school year with a math mark between 50 - 65%
• As an enrichment program for students whose marks are above 80% and they want to increase them
• Semestered high school students because of the long gap between math courses (frequently 8 - 12 months).

FAQs about our 1-on-1 tutoring

What grade levels do you tutor?
Grades 7, 8, 9 10, 11, 12 (Calculus and Discrete)

Do you know the school curriculum well?
Yes, very well. Our tutors have been selected for their teaching ability AND their command of the curriculum

Do you do assessments?
Yes. Edison does an initial 85 minute assessment with all new MATHCUBED students.

Does MATHCUBED have a good track record?
Yes. We keep track of each student’s grade average while at MATHCUBED. Please take a look at our sample track record.

How many times per week will my son or daughter need to come to tutoring?
1 -3 times per week depending on:
1) The student’s starting mark
2) The student and parent’s goal mark
3) The student’s weaknesses in past math
4) How late in the term the student starts coming to MathCubed
5) Whether the student is attending a semestered or non-semestered school

Is there a contract to sign?
No

Can you tutor my son or daughter during a semester when he/she isn’t taking math?
Yes. This is our Review and Reach-Ahead Program (September to June).
Will I be kept up-to-date about my son or daughter’s progress?
Yes. Progress Reports are emailed to parents after every 8 – 12 tutoring sessions. Also, calls are made to the parents periodically.

Will my son or daughter have the same tutor each time?
Yes, in part because successful one-on-one tutoring depends on developing a good student/tutor rapport.

Do you send your tutors to the student’s home?
No. All the tutoring takes place at our tutoring centre on Preston Street.

Do you tutor in French?
No. All our tutoring is done in English however we tutor many students from immersion programs, French schools, and schools in Quebec.

Can my son or daughter come to MATHCUBED anytime he/she needs help or is the tutoring organized on a fixed schedule?
All tutoring at MATHCUBED is on a fixed schedule – the students come on the same day(s) and at the same time(s) each week.

Does MathCubed have experience tutoring students from private high schools?
Yes. We’ve tutored students from are Ashbury, Elmwood, Turnbull, Educarium, Counterpoint, Tancook Bell, Grenville, Redeemer, and Lycee Claudel.

Do you tutor in the summer?
Yes. In August we run an intensive three-week one-on-one Review and Reach-Ahead program for grades 8, 9, 10, 11, 12 (Calculus).

FAQs about Review and Reach Ahead (RRAP)

Does my child need to do an Assessment for the Review and Reach-Ahead Program?
Yes.

How long is each tutoring session?
90 minutes in August , 75 minutes September to June

Will the student be evaluated?
Yes. They will be evaluated based on their homework, quizzes, and tests.

Will homework be assigned?
Yes. A minimum of 60 minutes of homework is assigned at the end of each session. Homework is assigned and each student is taught strategies for doing their homework that will maximize how much they understand it.

Quizzes (minimum 5) are assigned on a regular basis and each student is shown strategies on how to prepare for them.

Tests (maximum 3) are assigned after a section is completed and students are shown strategies on studying (test preparation) to maximize understanding as well as strategies to maximize test-writing efficiency. Tests are cumulative in nature, so studying for the final test creates a situation very similar to preparing for a final exam.

Do you teach any study strategies during the Review and Reach-Ahead Program?
Yes. Study strategies are focused on throughout the Program since we want to be sure the student is getting stronger on all fronts.

How do you keep parents informed throughout the program?
An interim Progress Report is sent out after the first 6-8 sessions, and a Final Progress Report is sent out after the 15 th (last) session. The Final Report gives the student a final mark which is based on how the student has done on their Homework, Quizzes and Tests plus it provides an overview of which concepts have been covered.