Kumon is the world’s largest after-school enrichment program. We have math and reading curriculums that start with preschool material for kids who enroll as young as age three, and advance all the way to the end of high school.
Kumon has two sides: the academic learning side and the side where we teach students how to self-learn, gain confidence and become independent thinkers. We combine advancing their math and reading skills with teaching them how to become even better students. How to put in effort. How to learn from failure. How to evaluate and be analytical when they’re solving a problem and find a mistake. How not to erase the whole answer but to go back and find exactly where the mistake occurred.
Over time, many of our students become very confident as they work on material years beyond their grade level. They often find themselves doing school homework much faster and with better results. And many are able to qualify for advanced classes in high school that help with their future college education.
How does Kumon work?
In the Kumon Program, students learn through daily practice of about 30 minutes per subject per day. Two days a week they complete assignments at their Kumon Center, and the other days they do them at home, or wherever life takes them. When you first enroll your children, we’ll have them complete a placement test that identifies the most appropriate starting level for them. This has nothing to do with their age or grade in school; it’s about the skills they’ve mastered to date. Based on their starting level, they’ll work on daily assignments through what we call a self-learning approach. As they’re working on their assignments, we’re also assessing whether they’ve mastered each concept by looking at their speed and accuracy. If they’ve mastered it, great! They advance to the next level. If they haven’t, we have them go back to relearn those concepts.
How old are the kids enrolled in Kumon?
Kids can be enrolled in Kumon from as young as age 3, all the way through high school.
What do Kumon’s virtual classes entail?
With many states still limiting business operations, Kumon North America has implemented a phased reopening for centers. Following their state’s reopening guidelines, centers will be offering a mix of virtual and in-center classes that will limit the number of students in our centers and promote proper social distancing precautions. The virtual classes are being held via videoconferencing where students complete the assigned work from the comfort of their home while a certified Instructor or assistant is available for assistance. Consultants are also available by phone or email. Since many of our centers are independently owned and operated, please check with your local center about their virtual learning protocol and availability. For additional details regarding our centers’ safety and social distancing guidelines, please see the “What is Kumon doing to keep my kids safe while they are at the center?” section in the FAQs.
What is Kumon doing to keep my kids safe while they are at the center?
As centers begin to reopen for in-center classes, Kumon North America has implemented strict safety guidelines which include:
Regularly cleaning and disinfecting all surfaces
Scheduling students to prevent overcrowding
Practicing social distancing
Providing a mix of in-center and virtual classes at participating centers to limit class sizes
Spacing out the desks and implementing staggered seating
Washing hands frequently
Checking temperatures upon entry
Wearing masks
My child already does well in school. Why would I consider Kumon?
A wonderful difference between the Kumon curriculum and the school curriculum is that your children advance based on their abilities alone. In school, your kids are limited—regardless of their knowledge level, if they’re in third grade, they’ll be limited to studying third-grade material. In Kumon, however, they have the freedom to move ahead when they’re ready for each incremental lesson. That’s why so many Kumon children are studying material one, two, three or more years ahead of their grade level.
If you are concerned that your child will be bored in school after advancing with Kumon, our parents and students report the opposite. Students with a firm grasp of the fundamentals in math and reading become much more engaged and self-confident in school. Doing homework each night also becomes less daunting and time consuming—a plus for both students and parents. And with Kumon, you have more information on how their learning is advancing, so you can make sure any curriculum includes classes that are appropriately challenging.
How is Kumon different from tutoring?
Tutoring may not get to the root of the problem.
When a child needs help with math or reading, tutoring often focuses on addressing an immediate need. The Kumon Method recognizes that a child’s struggle likely stems from having missed earlier, fundamental learning.
Kumon identifies where your child’s learning started to fall behind, while a tutor may not.
To fix the root of your child’s struggles, the starting point needs to be correct. While a tutor may begin tutoring a fifth grader on fifth-grade material, Kumon may start them at a different level.
Tutoring is passive learning. Kumon teaches self-learning.
A tutor often sits with a child and explains how to solve a problem. This makes the child a passive learner, listening to an explanation with no guarantee the concept has been fully grasped. Conversely, self-learning in Kumon keeps your children actively engaged. They learn by studying examples that equip them to do the work on their own.
How does Kumon help if my child has fallen behind or struggles with homework?
If your child is a bit behind in school, struggling with homework or having some difficulties with math or reading, Kumon is an excellent choice. Kids often struggle in school because the teacher moves on without knowing if every student fully understands the lesson. Our method uses carefully designed worksheets. Each teaches a lesson that’s one small step more advanced than the previous one. As children complete each worksheet, our method ensures they have fully absorbed that concept before moving on. If your child is like many kids who come to us a little behind, he or she will likely be ahead of his or her peers after spending some time with us.
How is Kumon different from traditional teaching?
Kumon is based on the concept of self-learning. To understand self-learning, it’s important to first understand what we’re all familiar with, which is traditional learning. In the classroom environment, your children are often passive learners. They may be sitting in class, but are they always paying attention? Are they fully engaged or daydreaming in space? There’s no guarantee they’re fully grasping every lesson the teacher is teaching.
Conversely, self-learning in Kumon ensures your children are always actively engaged. They learn by studying examples, which empower them to do the work on their own. This differs from sitting in front of a teacher—or a tutor—listening to them explain how to solve the problem. Your kids learn by doing, not watching, and build the confidence to rely on themselves instead of what the teacher knows.
What kind of progress can I expect for my child?
Every child is different. Children advance at their own pace through their program of worksheets. Since each worksheet teaches a lesson that’s one step more advanced than the previous one, children fully absorb each concept before moving on. That’s a big part of why Kumon works for kids of all abilities. And why so many of our kids end up studying above grade level.
What are the Instructors’ qualifications?
All of our Instructors are required to have a four-year degree, and all have completed extensive Kumon curriculum training.
Does Kumon follow my child’s school curriculum?
Kumon works alongside it and is supplemental to your child’s schoolwork. During your Parent Orientation, you’ll speak with the Instructor and will be able to see the Center and our materials, so you can understand how it works.
Does Kumon offer SAT/ACT/graduation test help?
While we don’t specifically do test preparation for SAT, ACT or state standardized testing, we help our students develop the work skills they need to feel very prepared for major standardized exams. Our timed assignments also help children become comfortable working in those high-pressure test-taking conditions. Our program also helps strengthen time-management and problem-solving skills.
What is my role as a parent?
The most important step you can take is to help your child establish a routine by scheduling daily “Kumon time.” To encourage your child, you’ll want to celebrate and praise victories and progress large or small. Younger children may need some extra guidance from you in completing worksheets. It’s also very important to maintain regular communication with your Instructor about homework, motivation, curriculum or any other major activity in your child’s life. The Instructor is there for you as well as your child, and wants what you want: to help your child succeed.
What does Kumon cost?
Kumon’s monthly tuition ranges from $120 to $160 per subject. Kumon Centers are individually owned and operated therefore costs may vary. Please contact your local Kumon Center to confirm monthly tuition rates.
How do I enroll my child?
Your first step is to schedule a free Parent Orientation at the Kumon Center most convenient for you. Click here to find a Center near you. At that session your Kumon Instructor will provide further information on how the Kumon Program works and answer your questions. Your child will also complete our free assessment test, which helps your Kumon Instructor determine the perfect starting point for your child’s lessons. You should plan on spending between 45 and 60 minutes at the Parent Orientation.
Where Smart Kids Get Smarter
Most Kumon Centers are independently owned and operated. Additional fees may apply. See center for applicable terms and conditions.
Our instructors explain How the Kumon Program Works
What's the difference? Kumon vs. Tutoring
1/12
The worksheets and teaching methods keep my child engaged and challenge her appropriately. Normally, my daughter's report card was filled with I's (needs improvement). Now there are a few O's (outstanding), which is the highest mark possible.
Niki — Cypress, TX
2/12
My daughter came to Kumon with unique challenges and attention span issues. I have seen immense gains in my daughter's reading comprehension and fluidity. One unexpected benefit was the overall improvement of my daughter's study skills. I'm now a proud mother of an honor roll student.
Malissa — Fullerton, CA
3/12
My daughter has been doing Kumon since age 6. By the time she was in eighth grade, she was already taking high school math. She would not have been able to be so academically advanced without Kumon.
Jenny — Aliso Viejo, CA
4/12
My son has shown so much improvement in math within the last six months. His confidence has improved, and he has gone from hating math to loving it! I would definitely recommend Kumon.
Tania — Norman, OK
5/12
Outstanding! Our first-grader’s math skills (speed and accuracy) showed tremendous improvement only a few short weeks into the program. Highly recommended.
Douglas — Gilbert, AZ
6/12
My daughter has taken Kumon for several years, and it has been a lifesaver. Her math grades have improved and her confidence has grown. I am happy that she has had Kumon to give her the boost she needed.
Lynn — West Los Angeles, CA
7/12
Kumon has been great for my daughter! She lacked confidence in math before starting Kumon, and within three months of entering Kumon, she was at the top of her second-grade class. I am so thankful for the experience we have had at Kumon.
Lee Ann — Cedar Park, TX
8/12
Excellent results! So happy I brought my kids here. Both got so much better at math.
Selena — Irvine, CA
9/12
My twin sons started less than a year ago, and I’ve seen huge changes in them! This is the place if you want to give your children a head start!
Gwen — Charlotte, NC
10/12
One of the best investments you can make in your child to keep them ahead of the curve!
Philip — Wesley Chapel, NC
11/12
My son started at 4, and now he is 5 and doing math and reading at a third-grade level. The outcome was incredible.
Jamal — Arlington, TX
12/12
Not only did her grades improve, but she became very comfortable doing her math, whether for KUMON or school. She went from a low B (almost a C) to an A+. I am extremely pleased with the program offered by Kumon.
Karla — Virginia Beach, VA
What Parents Say about Kumon
Kumon is an ongoing learning enrichment program, not a tutoring center
Parents often choose tutoring in the hopes of quickly eliminating a child’s struggles, but a short-term fix doesn’t address the fundamental gaps in learning.
The Kumon Method ensures children master every building block of math or reading through a proven method of short, daily assignments known as the Kumon Worksheets.
The worksheets take approximately 30 minutes per day, two days a week at the Kumon Center and the other days at home. Each worksheet ensures a concept is mastered before moving on to the next incrementally more challenging worksheet.
It may take longer to see results, but this little bit of study every day and the ongoing mastery it builds is how Kumon kids succeed.
Kumon identifies the root of your child’s struggles and begins there
Tutoring often focuses on the immediate need, such as “help with fractions.”
The Kumon Program recognizes that a child’s struggle likely stems from having missed earlier, fundamental learning.
This may mean taking your child back at first to ensure this important learning is mastered before moving forward.
In Kumon, your child will complete an assessment test to measure mastery to date
While a tutor may start a fifth grader on fifth-grade material, Kumon may start them at a different level.
It’s critical that any gaps in learning be filled first, so your child can better master more advanced concepts.
Kumon teaches self-learning
A traditional tutor often sits with a child and explains how to solve a problem.
Listening to an explanation is no guarantee that the concept has been fully grasped. This is why struggles often resurface.
Self-learning in Kumon keeps your kids actively engaged. They learn by studying examples and then are able to do the work on their own.
Kumon keeps your kids advancing beyond their grade level
Tutoring is often a short-term fix that helps children with material they’re being taught in their current grade.
The Kumon Math and Reading Program keeps kids advancing and never limits their learning. Many Kumon children who start a bit behind not only catch up but advance to studying material ahead of their grade level.
You’ll find your child completing homework, tests and exams more quickly, correctly and with less stress.
When your child is struggling in school, a tutor may seem like the logical choice. Understanding how Kumon is different from traditional tutoring is important in determining what is best for your child.
Why are so many Straight-A Students Enrolled in Kumon?
Sixth graders studying calculus or eighth graders reading Shakespeare. In Kumon, that’s not unusual, because Kumon is a learning enrichment program that never limits a child’s advancement. To understand why Kumon is such a valuable addition to the way your kids learn in school, we encourage you to attend a free Parent Orientation at a Kumon Center near you. In the meantime, here are just a few highlights:
Kumon teaches kids to learn independently
In traditional teaching, your kids are often passive learners. That means they listen to someone else explain how to solve a problem, instead of acquiring the ability to figure it out for themselves.
Kumon teaches self-learning. Your kids learn by studying examples that help them see—and grasp—how to master each concept on their own. Rather than relying on the teacher’s knowledge, they learn to rely on themselves.
This ability to learn independently is a valuable life skill. It can help your kids achieve success in school and throughout every stage of their lives.
The Kumon Worksheets ensure your children master every building block of learning
In school, a teacher may move on to a new lesson before all children have fully absorbed and mastered the previous one. Even the best students sometimes miss bits and pieces of fundamental learning. This missed learning adds up and can lead to difficulties later on.
In Kumon, kids complete short, daily assignments known as Kumon Worksheets. Each is designed to ensure your child fully masters a concept before moving on to the next, incrementally more challenging, worksheet. This is how Kumon eliminates the learning gaps that often lead to struggles in school.
For over 60 years, this proven Kumon Worksheet method has helped Kumon kids advance and reach their full potential.
Kumon doesn’t limit your child’s advancement
In school, children traditionally learn at one speed—the pace of the class. So if your kids master a concept more quickly than their peers, they have to wait until the class moves ahead to the next lesson. In Kumon, your kids continually advance at their own pace, often beyond the material allowed for their grade in school. That’s why even young students can progress to high school calculus, Shakespeare and other advanced material with Kumon.
If your child moves ahead in Kumon, will he or she be bored in school? Our parents and students report the opposite. Students who walk into school with a firm grasp of the fundamentals become much more engaged and self-confident in class. Each night’s homework also becomes less daunting and time-consuming, making evenings more enjoyable for everyone.
Kumon fits any busy schedule. It takes just 30 minutes per subject per day
Even if your kids attend extracurricular activities like sports or music, they’ll have time for Kumon. Two days a week, they’ll complete their Kumon Worksheets at their Kumon Center, with the Instructor there to guide them and monitor their progress. The other days, the Kumon Worksheets are done at home.
As your kids advance in the Kumon Program, they’ll likely find themselves completing class homework assignments more quickly and feeling more prepared for tests. This can actually leave them with more free time than their friends.
What To Expect with TheKumon Math and Reading Program
Make this year a success with Kumon! Enroll your kids today!
Learn without missing a step
Your kids will advance through math and reading concepts incrementally, building on each previous day’s work. This allows your kids to master each concept at their own pace, and ensures nothing in their math and reading education is missed. Their Kumon experience will support their school work, making them better prepared for homework completion and tests.
Improve concentration and focus
As your kids progress, you’ll see them developing skills beyond math and reading, giving you confidence that they are prepared to succeed in life. Kumon parents tell us they see their kids’ focus and attention spans increase—two essential skills for getting the most out of class time and completing homework and tests.
Gain mental math skills
Your kid’s mental math skills will become stronger, allowing them to get through homework and tests more quickly. No matter their starting point, they will be able to work their way through each level in the Math program, eventually mastering even calculus.
Increase confidence
Many parents are most excited about their kids’ off-the-charts confidence. They tell us they even notice it positively affecting other activities, such as sports and music. This confidence can propel them to greater success in all areas of life.
Deepen critical comprehension skills
Your kids will add to their reading and writing skills by increasing vocabulary, improving spelling and truly understanding grammar. Their comprehension skills will improve, carrying over to all classes where accurately understanding directions and content is crucial.
Develop perseverance
Parents can’t believe how Kumon imparts a greater drive to persevere in their kids. That determination is a skill that isn’t easily taught but develops naturally as kids progress in Kumon. Our Kumon parents describe it as “grit” and understand that it develops over time.
Whether your kids are preschoolers or already well into their school years, the Kumon Math and Reading Program ensures they receive the best foundation in math and reading along with essential skills for success.
Kumon gets your kids’ learning back on track,So they are ready to tackle new challenges with confidence!
Enroll your kids in the Kumon Math and Reading Program today!
An Individualized Lesson Plan
Your kids will take a Placement Test that will assist our certified Instructors in assessing where they stand in their learning. Whether they need to catch up or are ready to move ahead, their Instructor will create an individualized curriculum that fits their needs.
Individualized Lesson Plan
Our Placement Test assists our certified Instructors in developing an individualized curriculum that fits your child’s needs—whether they need to catch up or are ready to move ahead.
More Than Book Smarts
While your kids will advance their math, reading and writing skills, Kumon is equally about instilling valuable life skills, like perseverance, work ethic, self-motivation and the confidence to tackle any challenge.
Self-learning is fundamental
Your kids won’t be tutored in Kumon. Instead, they work independently, learning how to solve problems for themselves. The worksheets provide examples to guide them in completing each lesson.
More Than Book Smarts
Kumon is equally about instilling valuable life skills, like perseverance, work ethic, self-motivation and the confidence to tackle any challenge.
Self Learning Is Fundamental
Your kids won’t be tutored in Kumon. Instead, they work independently, learning how to solve problems for themselves. Daily worksheets provide examples to guide them in completing each lesson.
More Than Book Smarts
Kumon is equally about instilling valuable life skills, like perseverance, work ethic, self-motivation and the confidence to tackle any challenge.
Instructor Guidance
Your Instructor will partner with you, whether in person or remotely by telephone, video or email, to determine how to best guide your kids in their lessons.
Instructor Guidance
Your Instructor will partner with you, whether in person or remotely by telephone, video or email, to determine how to best guide your kids in their lessons.
After a year filled with so many challenges, your kids will benefit more than ever from having a math, reading and writing curriculum that’s built around their unique needs. Kumon meets your kids at their level and works to fill gaps in their learning so they can get back on track and moving ahead!