Is your child struggling with math? Have you been thinking about trying tutoring? If so, you may have started looking at Mathnasium and Kumon. These are two of the leading tutoring centers in the US. How do you know which one will be the best fit for your child? We’ll take a look at similarities and differences as we examine Mathnasium vs Kumon.
Consider Your Options
While Mathnasium and Kumon are two of the biggest tutoring providers, there are several other options. Before we dive into Mathnasium vs Kumon, let’s take a quick look at other options that might work better for your child.
Virtual Tutoring
While some Mathnasium and Kumon Centers are offering online tutoring during the pandemic, they are typically exclusively in person (If you’d like more info about Online Tutoring vs. In Person tutoring, check out this blogpost).
Virtual tutoring can be live, real time sessions, and it can also be pre-recorded lessons that kids watch and/or work on. Both have pros and cons. Real time virtual tutroing allows for in the moment help and instruction, but prerecorded lessons allow for flexibilty and self-pacing. A great online tutoing option is Mastery Genius. They offer adaptive assessments, customized curriculum and don’t move on until your child has mastered that concept. They offer tutoring in math and reading subjects.
Virtual tutoring gives parents and students more flexibility, no germs, no pick ups and drop offs, and is typically much more affordable than in person tutoring.
Mathnasium vs Kumon Basic Overview
Mathnasuim and Kumon are both in -person center based tutoring programs. During the COVID pandemic some locations began to offer select online services. It is unclear if these online services will continue when the pandemic is over. Both Mathnasium and Kumon are franchised centers. Each location is individually owned and operated, with corporate oversight and curriculum. Mathnasium has over 1,000 locations worldwide, while Kumon has nearly 25,000 worldwide locations. Both Mathnasium and Kumon have helped thousands of students improve their math skills.
Students go to the centers 1-2 times per week at Kumon and 2- 3 times per week at Mathnasium. Students work on assignments based on their current understanding of the subject. There are instructors with the group to help students if they are having trouble.
Mathnasium only offers help with math subjects. They provide math tutoring for 2nd-12th graders, as well as college prep. Kumon offers tutoring services in math and reading. However, Kumon’s services are typically geared towards elementary school aged students.
As far as pricing goes, Kumon typically charges a monthly fee of $80-$150 per subject. This fee allows students to come to 1-2 sessions per week for that subject. Mathnasium typically charges $200-$300 per month. The Mathnasium membership is unlimited, meaning that students can technically attend the center more than recommended 2-3 times per week.
Mathnasium Model
As stated previously, Mathnasium only offers help with math subjects. They have programs for kids from 2nd grade all the way through 12th grade. Mathnasium offers small group classes with instructors. Students complete worksheets based on their current level in that subject.
Mathnasium sessions typically last for 60 minutes. Students work through their worksheets during the sessions only. They don’t take any worksheets home with them.
Mathnasium conducts assessments of each student to to determine their current level of understanding. After the assessment, students are assigned a customized learning program. They have a different program for each grade, with objectives students complete before moving on to the next level. Mathnasium prides itself on using mental, verbal, visual, tactile and written approaches helping students understand math concepts and to build their number sense.
Kumon Model
Kumon focuses on working with elementary school students. Unlike Mathnasium, Kumon offers support for reading as well as math. Their reading and math programs aim to help improve reading comprehension and increase number sense.
At a Kumon center, students are typically seated in a large room with one main administrator and a number of helpers. Students work on worksheets for 30 minutes and have additional worksheets to take home and complete during the week. They typically have 5 assignments to complete during the week.
Kumon encourages kids to work at their own pace and focuses on making small improvements with each worksheet. The Kumon method focuses on short, small, incremental assignments to help students master the basic concepts of math and reading.
Mathnasium vs Kumon: Who Wins?
So, now that you know more about Mathnasium vs Kumon, which one should you choose? For starters, if your child is struggling with reading, then Mathnasium is not the choice for you (for more information on Sylvan vs Kumon, click here). If your child needs help with math, then take into consideration their learning style and ability to focus. If your child can work on their own and complete small assignments at home, Kumon would be a good option. Does your child has trouble focusing, needs more attention from instructors and won’t complete assignments at home? tThen Mathnasium is a better choice. If your child can focus on the computer and you want to make fast progress, then Mastery Genius is an affordable and flexible choice.
If you and your child put effort into either Mathnasium or Kumon, or an online tutoring program, you are likely to see results. Kids often need a little extra help to master the basics so they can move on to more complicated concepts!
