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Mathnasium’s tutors empower students to excel on the Delaware System of Student Assessments (DeSSA) math test using personalized learning plans and proven teaching techniques.
Mathnasium believes most students can understand and excel in math. Our specially trained tutors work with students in an engaging and supportive environment to help them prepare for and score well on the DeSSA math test.
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Schedule Free Assessment
Schedule Free Assessment
Schedule Free Assessment
Schedule Free Assessment
Schedule Free Assessment
The Mathnasium Method™
At Mathnasium, students receive personalized face-to-face instruction in a supportive group environment. Using the Mathnasium Method™, a proprietary teaching approach based on personalized learning plans and proven teaching techniques, we help students develop solid foundations for math mastery, so they can truly understand DeSSA math and gain the skills they need to excel on the test.
A Method That Gets Results
94%
of parents report an improvement in their child’s math skills and understanding
90%
of students saw an improvement in their school grades
93%
of parents report their child’s improved attitude towards math after attending Mathnasium
Whether they choose to attend Mathnasium at their nearest learning center or online, all our students receive the same quality of live, face-to-face instruction.
The Delaware System of Student Assessments (DeSSA) is an annual statewide assessment program that evaluates students’ performance based on Delaware content standards, showing how well their learning aligns with expected benchmarks.
The DeSSA evaluates students in:
English language arts (ELA) for grades 3-8
Mathematics for grades 3-8
Science for grades 5, 8, and 10
Social studies for grades 4, 7, and 11
SAT® Evidence-Based Reading and Writing and Math assessments for high school
DeSSA-Alt in Reading, Mathematics, and Science for students with significant intellectual disabilities
DeSSA spans from early elementary all the way through high school, with the SAT serving as the summative assessment for 11th graders. That means the math skills students build in middle school have a direct bearing on how they perform on a college-admissions exam just a few years later.
Students take the DeSSA grade-level math test in grades 3 through 8. In high school, 11th graders take the SAT Math assessment as part of DeSSA.
Addressing foundational weaknesses early, rather than waiting until high school, gives students the most time to build lasting confidence.
Students in Delaware take the DeSSA math test in the spring, typically between April and May. Schools schedule their own testing days within the state's window, so exact dates vary by district and building.
We recommend starting math tutoring well before testing season. That way, students have time to learn and practice the concepts they will see, rather than rushing through a review at the last minute.
DeSSA Math for grades 3-8 is aligned to Delaware's content standards, which are based on the Common Core State Standards. The exact topics depend on grade level, but students can expect to work with:
Number sense and operations (including fractions and decimals)
Ratios, rates, and proportional reasoning
Expressions, equations, and algebraic thinking
Geometry and measurement
Data analysis, statistics, and probability
For 11th graders, the SAT Math section focuses heavily on algebra, problem-solving and data analysis, and some advanced math, including elements of geometry and trigonometry. Students are expected to apply skills in real-world contexts and multi-step problems.
Mathnasium learning centers in Delaware can cover every topic a student may encounter on DeSSA math, from early grade-level concepts all the way through SAT®-level content. We build each student's personalized learning plan from a diagnostic assessment, so preparation stays focused on what actually needs work.
For grades 3-8, DeSSA Math results are reported using scale scores and performance levels: Below Expectations, Approaching Expectations, Meeting Expectations, or Exceeding Expectations.
These levels help families understand not just where a student scored, but whether they are on track with Delaware's grade-level standards.
For 11th graders, the SAT® math section is scored on a scale of 200 to 800, with 800 being a perfect score. SAT® scores are also reported with subscores that break down performance by skill area, which can be useful for identifying exactly where preparation would have the most impact.
DeSSA scores reflect students’ mastery of core subjects. In Delaware, DeSSA scores, including math scores, can affect the students’:
Academic progress: Identifying areas of strength and areas needing improvement
Instructional support: Helping educators tailor teaching strategies to meet individual student needs
College readiness: SAT® scores contribute to college admissions decisions
Graduation requirements: High school students may need to meet specific DeSSA benchmarks for graduation
No, Mathnasium is a math-only learning center. We prepare students for a variety of K-12 math classes and tests, including DeSSA math and the SAT® math section for high schoolers.
If a student struggles with wordy math questions or data-heavy problems, we can help them work through the math side of those questions and choose a clear first step, while keeping the focus squarely on math skills.
Mathnasium prepares students for the DeSSA math test by following personalized learning plans that target their specific needs.
Our specially trained tutors meet students where they are on their math journey and work with them to close their knowledge gaps so they can truly understand the concepts they will face on the test. We add new concepts in sequence, breaking them down into manageable steps to help students increase knowledge level by level.
Working with our tutors, students enhance their critical thinking and problem-solving skills and build the confidence they need to succeed on DeSSA and other standardized tests.
Mathnasium’s DeSSA math tutors employ the Mathnasium Method™, our proprietary teaching approach designed to help students unlock their math potential. The Mathnasium Method™ fosters math mastery by:
Using personalized assessment and learning plans: We begin by assessing each student’s current skill level which allows us to design a personalized learning plan to guide them in mastering DeSSA math.
Building on existing knowledge: Guided by the personalized learning plan, our tutors start with what the student already knows to help them fill their knowledge gaps. Adding new concepts in sequence, we work with students to expand their knowledge level by level while enhancing their critical thinking and problem-solving skills.
Teaching for understanding: We teach math in a way that makes sense to the student, using a variety of mental, visual, verbal, tactile, and written techniques to help them master any math concept.
Feeling behind in math is rarely about ability. More often, it comes down to a few missing pieces that make new material harder to follow. At Mathnasium, we focus on finding those pieces first.
Every student begins with a diagnostic assessment. From there, our tutors follow a personalized learning plan that:
Targets the specific foundational gaps that are holding the student back
Rebuilds grade-level skills aligned to Delaware's content standards step by step
Develops the kind of flexible reasoning that DeSSA math questions, including multi-step and real-world application problems, require
Progress tends to feel steady and motivating because students are always working at a level that challenges them without overwhelming them.
For many students, test anxiety is less about nerves and more about feeling uncertain when a question looks unfamiliar. That uncertainty shrinks when students truly know the material and have practiced working through problems they have not seen before.
At Mathnasium, we help students feel more settled heading into DeSSA by:
Strengthening the underlying skills so fewer questions feel like a surprise
Practicing a variety of problem types, including multi-step and application problems, in a calm and supportive setting
Teaching reliable strategies for getting started on a hard problem and checking work clearly
Building a steady routine so students know what to expect from themselves, not just from the test
We also help 11th graders preparing for the SAT® math section become comfortable with the format and pacing so the experience itself feels familiar on test day.
No, there’s no difference between our in-center and online DeSSA math tutoring. Our live, face-to-face online sessions are conducted by the same tutors you would meet at your local Mathnasium learning center, and students follow the same personalized learning plan in either setting.
To join Mathnasium, students take part in a diagnostic assessment which helps us pinpoint their math strengths and areas for improvement.
We use the assessment-based insights to create a personalized learning plan that sets students on the best path toward their academic goals, including excelling on the DeSSA math exam.
We usually recommend 2 to 3 math tutoring sessions per week. However, our tutors may adjust the frequency based on each student’s specific goals and needs.
For students preparing for the grade-level assessments, starting early in the school year gives the most time to build foundations steadily. For 11th graders working toward the SAT Math section, earlier is also better, as the skills that the test draws on develop over years.
Enrolling your student at Mathnasium is as easy as one-two-three:
Find a location. Reach out to your nearest learning center, even if your student will be learning online.
Schedule an assessment. Our diagnostic skills assessment helps us create a customized learning plan for your student.
Book your sessions. Your local Center Director can guide you and your student in setting up a tutoring schedule.
My daughter loves attending Mathnasium and has grown more confident in her abilities. She always walks out of a session with a smile on her face!
The best place for your kids’ tutoring, providing individual attention to each child, opening doors for a bright future.
My kids have been going to Mathnasium for years. They were ALWAYS more prepared than others in their math classes when school started. Worth every penny!!
