Ryan Costa’s Mathnasium of Portsmouth transforms struggling math students into confident learners through personalized instruction and proven methods.
At 7 PM on a Tuesday night in Portsmouth, Rhode Island, Ryan Costa sat across from a frustrated eighth-grader whose confidence had been shattered by another failed algebra test. The student’s parents had tried everything, online videos, expensive private tutors, even threatening to take away video games. Nothing worked. But as Ryan began breaking down equations using Mathnasium’s proven method, something clicked. For the first time in months, the student smiled while doing math.
This scene plays out repeatedly at Mathnasium of Portsmouth, where Ryan has made it his mission to combat America’s growing mathematics education crisis one student at a time.
The Math Emergency Hiding in Plain Sight
While headlines focus on reading scores and college admissions scandals, a quieter crisis has been building in American classrooms. According to the National Assessment of Educational Progress, only 26% of high school seniors scored proficient or above in mathematics in 2019. The pandemic made things worse, with math scores dropping nationwide as students struggled with remote learning and reduced instruction time.
Ryan recognized this crisis long before it made national news. A lifelong mathematics educator turned franchisee, he understood that behind every failing grade was a student who had simply lost confidence in their ability to succeed.
“We’re not just teaching math,” Ryan explains. “We’re rebuilding the relationship between students and numbers. When a kid tells me they hate math, I know they really mean they hate feeling stupid. Our job is to change that narrative completely.”
From Educator to Entrepreneur
Ryan’s journey to franchise ownership began in traditional classroom settings, where he witnessed firsthand how standardized curricula left struggling students behind. Bright kids who simply learned differently were labeled as “not math people”, a myth that Ryan knew was both false and damaging.
The decision to open a Mathnasium franchise wasn’t just business, it was personal mission work. Unlike traditional tutoring that focuses on homework completion, Mathnasium’s proprietary method identifies exactly where mathematical understanding broke down and rebuilds it from the foundation up.
“I’ve seen kids go from crying about math homework to asking for extra practice problems,” Ryan shares. “That transformation doesn’t happen overnight, but when it does, it changes everything, not just their grades, but their entire relationship with learning.”
The Portsmouth Difference
What sets Mathnasium of Portsmouth apart isn’t just methodology, it’s Ryan’s deep understanding of his community’s unique needs. Portsmouth families value academic excellence but also recognize that sustainable success requires confidence and genuine comprehension, not just memorization.
The center’s approach begins with comprehensive assessment that pinpoints specific knowledge gaps. From there, customized learning plans address each student’s individual needs while building on their existing strengths. This personalized attention has earned the center recognition as the best tutoring business in Rhode Island according to BusinessRate.
“We make math fun,” Ryan emphasizes. “Not in a gimmicky way, but by helping students experience the satisfaction of understanding something that once felt impossible. That’s genuinely enjoyable.”
The results speak for themselves through excellent Google Reviews and consistent student improvement. Parents regularly report not just grade improvements, but increased confidence and willingness to tackle challenging problems.
Beyond Grades: Mental Health Impact
Ryan has observed something that recent research confirms, mathematics anxiety affects far more than academic performance. Students who struggle with math often develop generalized anxiety about learning and school performance. Conversely, mathematical confidence tends to boost overall academic self-esteem.
“A student who masters algebra doesn’t just get better at math,” Ryan notes. “They learn they can overcome challenges they once thought were insurmountable. That mindset transfers to everything else they do.”
This psychological component drives Ryan’s passion for the work. Each success story represents not just improved test scores, but a young person who has reclaimed their confidence and curiosity about learning.
Community Investment
Ryan’s commitment extends beyond individual student success to community educational health. By addressing mathematics deficiencies early and effectively, Mathnasium of Portsmouth helps ensure that local students remain competitive for advanced coursework, college admission, and STEM career paths.
The center’s Facebook community provides ongoing support and celebrates student achievements, creating a network where mathematical success becomes normalized and celebrated rather than feared or avoided.
Looking Forward
As educational challenges continue evolving, Ryan remains focused on fundamentals, personalized attention, proven methods, and genuine care for student success. His vision extends beyond just filling knowledge gaps to fostering lifelong mathematical confidence and problem-solving skills.
If your child has been struggling with mathematics anxiety, falling behind in coursework, or has been told they’re “just not a math person,” Ryan’s team at Mathnasium of Portsmouth offers a different path forward. Through proven methods and personalized attention, they help students catch up, keep up, and get ahead, building not just mathematical skills, but the confidence to tackle any challenge.
About Mathnasium of Portsmouth
Ryan Costa owns and operates Mathnasium of Portsmouth, recognized as Rhode Island’s best tutoring business according to BusinessRate. The center specializes in personalized mathematics instruction for students from elementary through high school levels. Located in Portsmouth, Rhode Island, the center serves families throughout the South Coast region. Learn more at www.mathnasium.com/portsmouth, connect on Facebook for consultation.
