Spinoff of Sylvan thread...what about Kumon or Huntington???

[sksjasams]

We don't have a Sylvan in our area. We do have a Kumon Learning Center and a Huntington Learning Center. Does anyone have any personal experience with either one of these - either as a customer or employee?

DS gets great grades, but his test scores and standardized test scores are low. I would like him to get some extra help on test taking skills and study skills in particular, but also would consider some math work as well to make sure he is ready for algebra this fall.

Thank you in advance for any input!!

 

[sksjasams]

Anyone?? No one has any experience at all with Kumon or Huntington?

Please? Thank you!

 

[mistysue]

My only experience with Kumon was when I tried to get my daughter in at our local one. For whatever reason I could not get them to give me information. Emails were not responded to, they never answered the phone and the couple times when I stopped in whoever was there would tell me to call. (which they didn't answer)
Not too surprisingly they went out of business a few months after I stopped trying.

If I wanted to help my kids standardized test scores, I would probably get a book on it that had some practice tests. One of the most important parts of standard tests is to listen to the directions. I know people like to zone out, but that is where you learn the "rules of the game." Things like how on some a wrong answer counts against you, but on some it won't. Doing practice tests and having a general comfort level with the style of the test can make a huge difference. In the expensive classes all they really do is tell you things you can google online for free or get in a "for dummies" book and take some practice tests. They don't have any secrets.

 

[clm10308]

Kumon isn't specifically test prep. It is designed to improve math and reading skills. There is a canned program and each student is tested to see where they should start in the program. Students attend twice a week I think and then have daily homework that they are expected to complete on their own.

Many students are very successful and do make big improvements in skills, but if your are not looking to accelerate your child and just want general test taking skills I don't know that you would like the program.

 

[a1tinkfans]

We don't have a Sylvan in our area. We do have a Kumon Learning Center and a Huntington Learning Center. Does anyone have any personal experience with either one of these - either as a customer or employee?

DS gets great grades, but his test scores and standardized test scores are low. I would like him to get some extra help on test taking skills and study skills in particular, but also would consider some math work as well to make sure he is ready for algebra this fall.

Thank you in advance for any input!!

since he is getting good grades, did you consider speaking with guidance dept to get a teacher tutor to help him in the math and perhaps also to guide him/you on WHY the standardized scores are lower? Is that only in math, or others as well? Is it that he is too rushed to finish, thus losing points?, not able to get the directions understood, any specific learning issues known to you?
Not sure Id spend $$$ on those type places..since you are going in Blind IMHO, meaning, you already know he tests great but standards are low, so to me, Id want to figure THAT out, especially before the SAT's etc....
if he is doing well on regular tests, why is his study habit "off" perhaps he is just not knowing HOW to best take the particular test?? (ie leave them blank or Never leave it blank etc....)KWIM???
Best of Luck....I find that Higher ranked teachers are EXCELLENT tutors and they can guide the student in specifics....guidance usually knows who can help Most....Id ask

 

[CTdiznymom]

Many years ago when our DD was in 4th gr. and having math issues we signed her up with Huntington. If I remember correctlyshe went twice a week after school for the year. I believe it helped her not only with her math skills, but to focus more on the work at hand.

Funny story: We had a conference, and the teacher said she was doing well except for when they play this particular math game. She couldn't understand why she wouldn't "win" the challenge when they played each other. We let it go for another few times, but it continued. When we finally asked her, she said she "felt bad" that the teacher was losing! So she let her win most of the games! (Open toilet & flush $$$)

 

[monica9]

I have my 4 year old daughter in Kumon. I know thats early but I want her to have an advantage when she is older and get into the habit of homework everyday. You go every tuesday and saturday for 25 minutes and you have take home work for each of the other days that last maybe 10 minutes tops. The kids learn at their own pace and once theyve mastered something, they move on. If they get stuck at one point, they just continue practicing until they get it.
My daughter is so young so she doesn't know anything else but to do the work everyday and really enjoys it. Ive been doing workbooks with her since she was 18 months old just to get her used to it. She is now reading and just turned 4 2 weeks ago.

I highly suggest you invest in kumon. Try it out, doesn't hurt if you have the money. They can only benefit from it!

 

[Chloes Mom]

My son is a junior. He is above average student with usually high test scores on state/national tests.
His first attempt at the ACT was a 25. He was extremely disappointed and upset. After spending 30 hrs at Huntington with the ACT prep class. It is a one on one tutoring session, the lesson plans are made especially for him in accordance to his act test results.
He has taken the April test at school with a score of 27, another ACT test at hunginton with a score of 29, and finally a last post test with a score of 31.
He just finished the national ACT test at the local college, Saturday, and came home feeling very confident. His Goal score was 32 or above, and he feels like he did that well on Saturday.
Huntington taught him some ACT tips and strageties that were very helpful. His biggest change was a 22 in reading to a 32 in reading after the classes.

I can honestly say, I feel I got my money's worth( and it was not cheap).