Josie’s Story
Josie is 10-years-old, studying three years above her grade level in the Kumon Program. In fact, she’s studying the same math material that her mom, who is an eighth grade teacher, teaches her students. Imagine that, a 10-year-old transforming equations, working with linear functions and simplifying monomials and polynomials. She’s well on her way to advanced algebraic expressions and she isn’t even in middle school yet.
One of the things that Josie likes most about Kumon is the fact that she’s studying above her grade level.
“Kumon gives me confidence because I know how strong of a student it has made me,” says Josie. “I know that I can do and learn anything if I do the work and practice daily. Kumon has taught me about the importance of focusing and to not be afraid of challenges, but to enjoy them and work through them because I know I can overcome anything.”
Josie embodies everything that Toru Kumon had in mind when he founded the Kumon Method. He felt that students would experience the true benefits of the Kumon Method if they acquired the study habits necessary for self-learning and advanced study.
Discover more inspiring success stories on the Kumon Blog !
Meet Oyshee
Reading Program Completer, 7th grade
How has Kumon impacted your life?
"Kumon has given me the base I needed in order to become involved in my community while also having a high GPA. Coming from a first-generation family, I came to Kumon without knowing English that well. Kumon has taught me English and provided surefire methods that would help me succeed in core subjects. By providing the necessary foundation, Kumon has impacted what I am capable of today. It has helped me discover what I struggle with and how to improve without my grades being the compromise I would have to make. In general, Kumon has truly raised confidence in my abilities as a student. "
What advice can you give other Kumon students?
"I would advise other Kumon students to take the initiative and search for opportunities. Opportunities are everywhere, and sometimes, you have to take the initiative and seek them. I would also suggest to check out QuestBridge. They are an organization that opens up opportunities for low-income, high-achieving students in their junior and senior years of high school. The most important advice I can give is not to compare yourself to others. Everyone has different goals, different experiences, and different approaches. If you start to trust your own abilities and dreams rather than ponder about what you were not capable of that others were, then you are one step closer to fulfilling your dreams. Believe in yourself and follow your dreams."
Oyshee has completed the entire Kumon Reading Program in 7th grade – starting from letter sounds, to fairy tales, to Shakespeare. She began her Kumon journey when she was a kindergartner. Her parents enrolled her in the program to help improve her reading skills, since English was not the primary language spoken at home. Like many students, Oyshee is the first in her family to join Kumon. Her younger sibling also began the program and hopes to make as much progress as her sister.
Oyshee surpassed her parent’s expectations when she began studying ahead of grade level. The daily routine of completing Kumon has allowed her to manage her time for school work along with her extracurricular activities, which include holding leadership roles in the Speech and Debate, NHS, and school council. She is also an active member of her community by volunteering at the library and participating in local organizations like MedSupplyDrive NOLA, the Engin Program, and Cresent Novels.
Oyshee wants to apply the skills she learned in Kumon to pursue a career in either clinical research or molecular biology research. Kumon Math and Reading Center of Metairie is very proud of Oyshee’s accomplishments. We continue to wish her success on her education journey!!