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Success  Stories

Introduction

Our students, ranging from preschool through Grade 12, develop the skills that help them build upon each concept they learn. With individualized learning plans, motivation and practice, our centre prepares students to become avid learners, encouraging success throughout their entire academic experience and beyond.


Testimonial

Vanessa's Journey: Mastering Math and Reading with Kumon

Vanessa

My name is Vanessa, and I’m currently an 11th grade student studying in the International Baccalaureate Programme. I’d like to share my journey, detailing the four years and ten months I was enrolled in the Kumon program. It all began in the fifth grade when my mom signed me up for after-school enrichment to prepare me for the IB entrance test. When I first started, I couldn’t recite my multiplication table past five and mispronounced the word “keen” when reading a passage aloud.

Joining Kumon opened my eyes to more challenging material that awaited me. The program’s structure, which emphasizes daily practice, allowed me to see progress steadily. By the time I was in seventh grade, I had already read Shakespeare and Katherine Mansfield. By the eighth grade, I was excitedly studying sequences and series – material far beyond my grade level that I loved showing off to classmates and teachers. This early exposure to advanced concepts not only prepared me for future coursework within high school but also taught me habits of persistence and hard work. Through the Kumon program, I was introduced to a wide range of novels that sparked a love for literature. Most of the books sitting on my bookshelf today, such as “To Kill a Mockingbird” and “Pride and Prejudice,” are stories that I first laid eyes on during a Tuesday evening class at Kumon Oak Ridges years ago. I can say confidently that my enthusiasm for math flourished due to my time enrolled in Kumon. The math program at Kumon was extremely comprehensive for me as a young learner. The independent learning aspect greatly appealed to me, as I was able to master by example and practice the basis of mathematics, such as multiplying and dividing. Since the 8th grade, I’ve participated in the Waterloo Math Contests and have always achieved a certificate of distinction. Last year, I was awarded the highest math average of the grade at my high school. I accredit all these feats to my hard work with the guidance and aid of the Kumon math program.

So what pushed me in a determination to complete both programs? Commitment and an ambition for success was what motivated me to complete the reading program in one year and eight months and the math program in four years and ten months. From a young age, I had the dream to finish both programs as quickly as I could, and I never gave up on that dream. The more I learned, the more I wanted to keep learning, and Kumon offered that to me. When concepts stumped me, or my work came back with x’s on every page, that didn’t defeat me. With the friendly staff assistance and Farnaz’s patient explanations, they were able to help me work through any difficulties I faced.

Looking back, I realize that Kumon was more than just an enrichment program – it was a friend that hoped to help me succeed. The daily worksheets required commitment and instilled a work ethic that I will carry with me forever. Kumon has taught me that growth doesn’t happen overnight; it’s the result of practice and a desire to learn. Today, as a student in one of the most rigorous high school programs, I can confidently say that Kumon played a vital role in encouraging me in my academic excellence. For anyone considering Kumon, I would highly recommend it – whether you’re looking to strengthen your skills or get ahead. My time in Kumon showed me that anyone starting at any level, through dedication, can achieve excellence.