Kumon Math and Reading Centers, an after school supplemental
education program for children of all ages, ranked No. 1 in the tutoring
category of Entrepreneur Magazine’s 24th annual “Franchise 500” issue for the
second year in a row.
About Kumon
In 1954, Toru Kumon, a high school math teacher in Japan, began developing
materials to help his second grade son who was struggling in math. As an
educator, Mr. Kumon realized that a strong foundation in the basics was needed
for success in higher-level math.
With these principles in mind, Mr. Kumon created a series of carefully sequenced
materials for his son to do after school. Through daily practice and a
commitment to mastering each concept, the young boy improved his math skills and
gained the ability to solve math problems well beyond his grade level.
Mr. Kumon's neighbours heard about the success of his son and started asking him
to work with their children. To meet this spontaneous demand, the first Kumon
Center was opened in Mr. Kumon's home in 1956. For two years, this new approach
to education was refined and formalized. In 1958, the Kumon Institute of
Education was established with the objective of helping students excel in math
and gain a love for learning.
Kumon expanded rapidly through the 1960's. In 1974, the first Kumon Center in
North America opened in New York. Canadian operations began six years later with
the first center opening in Toronto in 1980. The reading program was established
in North America in 1991.
In the U.S., there are currently 130,110 students enrolled at 1,210 Kumon
Centers.
Worldwide, there are 3.7 million students studying at more than 25,000 Kumon
Centers in 43 countries.
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