Kumon Math and Reading Center: Program Raises Students' Grades, Confidence

On Nov. 1, will celebrate its year anniversary in Frankfort at its Bankview Drive location. However, this learning center offers more than assistance for struggling students. The Kumon model provides for independent, individualized, longterm support and enrichment for students, said director Leah Kakaletris.

"There is no one-on-one tutoring going on," she said. "The children complete worksheets daily to master concepts in our curriculum." 

The Kumon program originated 50 years ago in Japan when Toru Kumon created a practice method for his son, who brought home a bad test grade (98 percent), Kakaletris said.

The daily worksheets proved so helpful for his son that soon other families in the village began requesting them for their children. Kumon learning centers are now on every continent and are the oldest supplemental learning program, she added.

Kakaletris and her husband decided to open a Kumon after discovering this method and researching it extensively. They settled on Frankfort because they felt this area was underserved by this type of supplemental academic program.

"The whole point is independent study to motivate the child and boost their confidence that they can do (this) on their own," Kakaletris said.

That confidence boost then spills over into other learning areas and helps students unlock their potential at their own pace. Some students might need help catching up, while other students might be encouraged to work ahead.

"They're learning concepts in our curriculum before they're introduced at school. They (can) study above grade level," she added.

That's why there's no set time frame in which students enter and exit the program. They could be with Kumon for years, starting as early as preschool.

Frankfort resident Traci Mitchell said she first learned about Kumon from her AP and honors English students at who had gone through the program when they were younger. Although her son was only 3 at the time, she researched the program and said she was thrilled when Kumon opened a center in Frankfort.

"I wanted to enroll him not necessarily just for the advancement in academics but for the confidence in the classroom," said Mitchell, who waited until this summer when her son was 6 and about to enter first grade before signing him up.

"He tends to be a shy kid," she added. "He won't ask questions. I thought this would really be helpful so he wasn't lagging behind."

The study method is based on repetition and drill practice, starting wherever a child is at, progressing through mastery of that skill and then taking him or her well beyond it. Kumon students complete worksheets at home but do come to the center twice a week where they continue to work independently. The length of the visits vary depending on whether a child is enrolled for just reading, just math or both.

Mitchell placed her son into both the reading and math tracks.

"It does require a lot of hands on at home, such as sitting with them going over their worksheets, checking their answers. But anything that's educational is incredibly valuable and worth any amount of time that you dedicate to it," Mitchell said.

"Our advertising is mainly word of mouth." Kakaletris said. "Once you're a Kumon parent, you're always a Kumon parent."

For more information, e-mail Kakaletris a leahkakaletris@ikumon.com.