A. Mrzljak
We have seen great progress with our daughter since she started Mathnesium. Plus, she looks forward to attendi...
See more reviews here




A. Mrzljak
We have seen great progress with our daughter since she started Mathnesium. Plus, she looks forward to attendi...
See more reviews hereOur Results
94%
Math Skills
of parents report an improvement in their child’s math skills and understanding.
93%
Attitude
of parents report improved attitude toward math after attending Mathnasium.
90%
Success
of students saw an improvement in their school grades.
Our Results
The Proof Is In The Numbers
Math Skills
of parents report an improvement in their child’s math skills and understanding.
Attitude
of parents report improved attitude toward math after attending Mathnasium.
Success
of students saw an improvement in their school grades.
At Mathnasium of Johnston-Grimes, our specially trained tutors use the Mathnasium Method™ to help students build a deep understanding of math. This proprietary teaching approach blends personalized learning plans with mental, verbal, visual, tactile, and written techniques, ensuring instruction is tailored to each student’s unique needs and learning style.
The Mathnasium Method™ is designed to create a solid foundation for math excellence, helping students truly understand—and even enjoy—math.
Our caring, specially trained math tutors in Grimes provide face-to-face instruction in a supportive and engaging group environment. We work with K-12 students of all skill levels, both in-center and online, to help them reach their full math potential.
Learn how Mathnasium tutors helped Malachi gain confidence in math.
At Mathnasium of Johnston-Grimes, students receive personalized learning plans designed around a detailed assessment of their skill level, challenges, and academic goals.
This customized approach helps students learn at their own pace while strengthening critical thinking, problem-solving skills, and the confidence needed to succeed in math.
Discover how Mathnasium helped Maddie transform her math skills to achieve more confidence in the subject. Initially struggling with the lowest math grades in her class, Maddie worked with our tutors using a personalized approach tailored to her specific needs.
Math Tutors Near You
We specialize in math-only instruction with a customized and fun learning approach that delivers results. We proudly serve neighborhoods and schools in Johnston and Grimes, including:
Specially Trained and Caring Team
Lauren Ness
Center Director
Lauren grew up in Virginia and moved to Iowa in 8th grade. She graduated from Iowa State University in 2018 with a degree in elementary education. She has tutored students in math since 2018 and loves watching her students grow and learn! In her free time Lauren enjoys reading, cooking, swimming, and playing board games with family and friends.
Click here to meet our entire team!
Favorite number: 4, because it is an even number and the day she was born.
Favorite math joke: Why was 6 afraid of 7? Because 7 8 9! (7 ate 9)
I love Mathnasium because: Mathnasium allows students to grow their number sense and gain confidence in math. The environment at Mathnasium is very inviting and friendly. I enjoy seeing students at the center become excited about math and gaining new math skills.
We’d love the chance to help your child succeed in math—enroll today!
Jennifer Speer
Owner
Jennifer has a unique perspective that allows her to understand your kids and help them.
She is a successful business owner and homeschooling mom of 3! She has the perspective of an educator as well as a busy parent and knows the challenges of both. Jennifer knows how to engage the kids and hold their interest. She keeps them progressing in math in a way they will actually enjoy!
Jennifer has always had a strong grip on Mathematics, earning her B.B.A in Finance at Southwest Texas State University and then owning and operating successful businesses alongside her husband James.
After discovering Mathnasium and seeing what it can offer kids, they made a tough decision to sell their previous business and start all over again. As scary as that sounds, they knew that parents wanted the best education options available for their children. Now she and James have expanded to multiple locations and have thousands of amazing success stories as a result of the passionate instructors, inspiring learning environment, unique teaching style, and world-class curriculum at Mathnasium!
Favorite Math Joke: There are 3 kinds of people in this world... Those who can count, and those who can't.
Fun Fact: Graduated college in 3 1/2 years with a 4.0!
I love Mathnasium because: I get to be a part of a great organization that changes kids' lives! Who wouldn't want to be a part of that?!?
Larry Martinek
Creator of the Mathnasium Method
Larry has spent his entire career finding a better way to teach math. From inner city public schools, to acclaimed magnet schools, to leading private and parochial schools, Larry has served as both a classroom teacher and as an educational consultant. He has designed curriculum, teaching strategies, and teaching materials to help students and teachers learn math more effectively. He has trained teachers in the art and science of boosting students' ability to “do” math, thereby increasing students' math scores and feeling of self-worth. Larry is the developer of Mathnasium’s educational program – one of the most comprehensive and innovative curricula ever produced for teaching math. While Larry is not an Instructor at our Center, he is a valuable asset we can call on to ask about specific students' scenarios for guidance and advice. This has helped to make visits more productive and enjoyable for many of our students.
Lulu Kang
Instructor
Lulu is a junior at Johnston High School and is involved in many activities, including dance and marching band. She also loves to crochet and cook, if she has the time for it! Lulu’s upbeat personality and steady dedication help students stay engaged and feel successful, whether they’re mastering new topics or building on what they already know.
Favorite number: 9, because it was the first number that I could memorize on my times tables!
Favorite math joke: Why can algebra increase your dancing skills? Because you can use algo-rhythm!
In five years, I will be: In college using my math skills!
I love Mathnasium because: It teaches kids strategies to help them with math- but more importantly, it gives them confidence, which is what math is all about.
Henry Pruitt
Instructor
Henry is a second-year junior at Drake University studying actuarial science with a minor in data analytics. He stays busy both on campus and at Mathnasium, and somehow works even better that way. In his free time, he enjoys playing basketball and golf, gaming, and keeping up with sports so he can chat with students about their favorite teams.
Favorite Number
12 — he’s always noticed it throughout school, and he loves that it’s divisible by 1, 2, 3, and 4.
Favorite Math Joke
A pie in Puerto Rico costs $1.00…
A pie in Jamaica costs $1.50…
A pie in Cuba costs $2.00…
Those are the pie-rates of the Caribbean!
In 5 Years
Henry hopes to have earned his Fellowship in the Society of Actuaries and be serving in a leadership role at an insurance company.
Why Mathnasium?
Mathnasium is where his own love for math began, and he enjoys passing that same inspiration on to his students.
Paige Gibbs
Instructor
Paige is a student at Waukee Northwest High School who enjoys singing, playing piano, learning new things, and spending time with friends. She plans to study actuarial science and finance at a four-year university after graduation.
Favorite Number:
11 — it was always her cubby number in elementary school, so she considers it lucky.
Favorite Math Joke:
Why can’t your nose be 12 inches long? Because then it would be a foot!
5 Years From Now:
Working as an actuary.
Why Mathnasium:
Paige loves helping students grow passionate about math and enjoys sharing a special connection to Mathnasium through her grandfather, who was also an instructor.
Students can take 3 easy steps to enroll at Mathnasium.
All students begin their Mathnasium journey with a diagnostic assessment that pinpoints what they already know and what they still need to learn.
FAQ
At Mathnasium of Johnston-Grimes, we’re confident your child will grow in skills, confidence, and enjoyment of math with our proven approach. That’s why we offer a 30-Day, 100% Satisfaction Guarantee. If you don’t see the value we promise within the first month, we’ll refund your tuition. It’s our way of making sure your family has complete peace of mind.
Mathnasium of Johnston-Grimes is located at 2810 SE Grimes Blvd, Grimes, IA 50111, at the intersection of 28th Street and Grimes Boulevard, between Scooter’s Coffee and Jimmy John’s.
Our center offers easy access for families in Johnston, Grimes, Waukee, Dallas Center, Urbandale, and the surrounding communities.
We proudly serve students from:
Wallace, Shuler, Walnut Hills, and Timber Ridge Elementary Schools
Johnston Middle and High Schools, Urbandale Middle and High Schools
Des Moines Christian School
St Pius X Catholic School
Johnston-Grimes Area Homeschool Families
We work with students in grades K–12 across a wide range of math subjects, from early arithmetic to Algebra and Geometry.
Our specially trained math tutors in Johnston-Grimes help students build foundational skills, improve academic performance, and gain long-term confidence in math.
We provide math-only tutoring through a flat monthly membership with no long-term contracts. Most students benefit from attending 2–3 sessions per week. We’ll determine the right plan during a free assessment.
To learn more about pricing and enrollment, contact us at [email protected].
Yes! Mathnasium of Johnston-Grimes is an approved vendor for the ESA program, making it easier for families to access our personalized math tutoring services.
Absolutely! At Mathnasium of Johnston-Grimes, we make math tutoring fun and engaging. Our experienced instructors use conversational, interactive teaching methods to help kids feel comfortable and excited about learning.
We also offer an awesome Rewards Program to keep students motivated and celebrate their achievements. Plus, our free monthly Game Nights give kids a chance to have fun while sharpening their math skills in a relaxed, social environment.
We understand that math tutoring can feel intimidating for some kids, but at Mathnasium, it’s different. Once students step into our Mathnasium Learning Center, meet our enthusiastic instructors, and experience our unique approach to math learning, their attitude toward math tutoring transforms. We see it all the time—students who enjoy learning, learn more and gain confidence!
Each student begins with a diagnostic assessment that helps us understand their skill level, identify learning gaps, and learn more about their academic goals. These insights allow us to create a personalized learning plan tailored to their needs.
At Mathnasium of Johnston-Grimes, we don’t follow a standard curriculum. We use the Mathnasium Method™, a proprietary teaching approach that blends structure with personalization.
Building upon what the student already knows, we add new concepts gradually, breaking them down into manageable steps to help them fill in their knowledge gaps, develop solid foundational skills, and even transform how they think and feel about math.
Yes. We work with students at all skill levels, whether they are looking to catch up, keep up, or get ahead on their math journey.
Students who are struggling benefit from focused instruction that builds confidence and supports lasting understanding. Advanced learners engage in enrichment that deepens their knowledge and challenges them to think critically.
Yes. We welcome homeschool students in grades K–12, as well as those attending public and private schools across Johnston, Grimes, and nearby areas.
Yes. Our tutors set aside time during sessions to help students with their math homework and ensure they understand the material they are covering in school.
No. We do not assign homework. All learning takes place during structured sessions with our specially trained tutors, so students can focus on making measurable progress while they’re with us.
Yes. We help students prepare for math portions of standardized and school-based exams, including state tests, ACT®, and SAT®. Our test prep programs include personalized learning plans, focused practice, and strategies that build both skill and confidence.
Yes. Mathnasium of Johnston-Grimes offers both in-center and online tutoring. Whether students attend sessions in person or online, they receive personalized, face-to-face instruction from the same specially trained tutors in a supportive and engaging group environment.
No. Students who participate in online tutoring receive the same quality of live, face-to-face instruction in a fun and supportive group environment as those who attend sessions in the center.
No. The cost is the same regardless of whether students attend online, in person, or through a hybrid format.
Risk-free 30-Day, 100% Guarantee. Confidence grows fast at Mathnasium Johnston-Grimes
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Mon - Thu
3:00PM - 8:00PM
Sun
1:00PM - 4:00PM
Mon - Thu
1:00PM - 8:00PM
Sun
1:00PM - 4:00PM
| Mon - Thu: | 3:00PM - 8:00PM |
| Sun: | 1:00PM - 4:00PM |
| Mon - Thu: | 1:00PM - 8:00PM |
| Sun: | 1:00PM - 4:00PM |