East Mesa students, Piper Fritz and Geethika Ameneni, both 10 years old, were accepted to this year’s fifth-grade class at Mesa Public Schools Mesa Academy for Advanced Studies.
“Both students prepared for admission by attending classes at Kumon at Superstition Springs,” said Kumon owner, Kathy Leano. “The Mesa Kumon has been training local students in the internationally acclaimed Kumon method for math and reading for 10 years. We offer help for both remedial students, and those who want an opportunity to excel.”
Kathy claims students entering the Kumon curriculum become proficient at their grade level within six months to a year, and advance beyond from that point on. “Most students learn about the method from their friends, who have taken it,” Kathy said. “So, most of our clientele is by word of mouth.”
Piper’s grandmother, Dolores Gruhn, has nothing but praise for the Kumon curriculum. “Piper wanted to do it after her younger sister, Rylee, who is 7 years old, had been going there,” Dolores said. “Rylee had a very early and unusual understanding for math, and after Kumon, she was able to test into kindergarten at 4 years old.”
Dolores believes the challenging program at Kumon also is helping Piper succeed in her advanced studies at Mesa Academy. “Kumon teaches you how to time your work. So, taking tests is easier, too,” she said. “As a grandma, I believe it’s great for remedial work, as well as for children who want and need more to their studies.”
Geethika’s mother, Shashi Ameneni, said Geethika started at Kumon when she was 5 years old. “She was always learning above her grade level,” Shashi said, “and she enjoyed the more challenging work.”
“It usually takes a year to gain the full benefit of the program,” Kathy stated. “It is not a quick I need to pass my test type of tutoring. It’s not for helping with school homework. About 70 percent of our students come because they need help in basic math and reading,” she continued. “They need to learn mental math, not to count on their fingers. The rest are seeking educational enrichment beyond what is taught in their school classes, and can learn well beyond their grade levels.”
Kathy defined the Kumon curriculum as:
A rigorous, international, mastery-based program—students have to master one concept before another new concept is introduced. Mastery is determined through speed and accuracy.
Individualized work is assigned based on the child’s ability to do it independently, accurately and quickly—not by grade.
A seven-day-a-week program. Students come to our center twice a week, and complete 10 to 15 minutes of homework the other five days at home. Daily practice is the key to success. Students have to practice what they learn. If they don’t practice, they forget.
A goal of helping students reach their grade level, and study at least one grade level higher within a year.
Kathy worked with Kumon corporate headquarters for eight years before purchasing the Mesa franchise three years ago. Her center has six Kumon-trained instructors.
Kumon at Superstition Springs is located at 1229 S. Power Road. For more information, call (480) 807-5515, or visit www.kumon.com.