Kumon, the world’s largest after-school math and reading enrichment program, opened a center in Kirkland at 385 Kirkland Ave. (across from the Kirkland Performance Center).
The Kirkland Chamber of Commerce held a grand opening ribbon-cutting event, with Kirkland Councilman Bob Sternoff, on Sept. 15.
Kumon’s individualized approach helps children progress by ability rather than age or grade.
In the U.S., 200,000 students from preschool to high school are developing their math and reading skills independently and gaining confidence through Kumon’s Method of Learning.
The Kumon Center of Kirkland joins the more than 1,300 U.S. instructors committed to helping children excel through the ability-based program.
“At Kumon, we believe children have unlimited potential to succeed,” said small business owner, Peter Youngs. “I saw the success of Kumon with my own two daughters. I am now eager to bring the power of the Kumon Method to the children of Kirkland.”
In a recent report, “Teaching Math to the Talented,” published in Education Next, American students were significantly outperformed by 33 countries including Taiwan, Hong Kong, South Korea, and Finland.
America’s lack of advanced students impacts the country’s future economic growth and that’s why Youngs cares deeply about helping Kirkland students in his after-school enrichment program.
More than half of U.S. Kumon students study advanced math, and 24 percent of these students are learning materials two to three years above their grade level.
Youngs saw his own two daughters develop a love of learning in Kumon, as well as discipline, accuracy, and mastery of computational skills. As a result of his daughters’ success, he was inspired to open his own Kumon Center.
Prior to opening Kumon of Kirkland, Youngs earned a master’s degree in Education from Seattle University. He has spent the past two decades teaching English skills and Communication courses at Bellevue College and other institutions in the area.
In addition to weekly classes, the Kirkland Kumon Center plans to hold education events that are open to the public, such as Family Education Nights on topics including developing strong reading comprehension, eliminating homework hassles and how to prepare for the SAT.
Kumon of Kirkland class hours are: from 3-6:30 p.m. Tuesdays and Fridays. Students study for approximately a half-hour per subject and have short assignments to complete at home.
For more information, or to schedule a free placement test, call 425-968-8573 or email kirkland_WA@ikumon.com.
To learn more about Kumon, visit www.kumon.com.
