Mathnasium Vs. Kumon: Which Tutoring Service Is Best for You?

Finding the best tutoring system that works best for your child and your wallet can be a difficult and time-consuming task since there are so many options for online math tutors. Two of the current most popular math tutoring centers are Mathnasium and Kumon. In this article, we will cover the significant similarities and differences between the two platforms, so you can ultimately decide which center your child connects with that is affordable for you.

Mathnasium vs. Kumon: Which is Best?

When determining which tutoring center is the best, it can be helpful to compare and contrast the critical components of each platform. Mathnasium is a tutoring center that focuses on teaching and improving math skills in a fun and engaging way. On the other hand, Kumon covers many different subjects in a strict, systematic manner. Throughout this guide, we will discuss the benefits of online tutoring and how to find the best online math tutors for you and your child.

Quick Facts:

Why You Should Consider Online Tutoring

While both Mathnasium and Kumon offer online tutoring options, most of their curriculum is based in person. The rise of e-learning in classrooms worldwide has transformed the way students absorb information and complete their coursework.

While online learning isn’t ideal for every student, lots of kids thrive with the private, one-on-one support that they may not always get inside of a classroom, and lots of parents prefer the convenience of having their child attend tutoring sessions in the comfort of their own home. Therefore, parents don't have to stress over dropping off and picking up their kids as they can get tutoring help from the next room. Additionally, parents can see how the tutor is working with their child to ensure their son or daughter is benefiting from the program.

If neither Mathnasium nor Kumon is catching your eye, then it may be worth considering Learner, one of the best online tutoring programs. Learner works with you and your situation personally to match you with the best program for your child's needs.

Mathnasium Overview

Mathematics is often considered one of the most challenging subjects for students in any grade. As kids grow older, math becomes even more complicated when students are introduced to algebra, geometry, and calculus. Mathnasium focuses on not only effectively teaching math in a way that students can understand but makes sure kids are having fun as they learn these challenging concepts.

What is Mathnasium?

Mathnasium is a learning program for pre-K students through high school students that only focuses on math. In this personalized curriculum, each student works at their own pace alongside three to five other students at a table with one instructor. Mathnasium also offers SAT and ACT prep for students who want to improve their math scores as they prepare for college. At Mathnasium, the student is in charge of their education as they can choose which math topic they want to cover with their tutor in each session.

Pros:

• A hands-on learning environment
• Personalized learning plans
• Self-scheduled tutoring sessions
• Offers both in-person and online sessions

Cons: 

• Only math 
• Can be expensive
• Not the same tutor every time
• Not one-on-one tutoring 

Bottom Line: Mathnasium is an excellent option if your child excels in other subjects but seems to only struggle with math and if your child requires personalized but not one-on-one tutoring sessions.

How Does Mathnasium Work?

Upon signing up for Mathnasium, you must take an initial assessment. After completing this initiation, you’ll then discuss the results and your goals for the math program with the center director. From here, your child will design their binder and be given a personalized learning plan.

Mathnasium measures a student’s progress through a rewards system. After a student passes a certain number of master checks after completing a series of workbooks and lessons, the student receives punches on their mastery card. Once they earn a certain amount of punches, students can pick a prize from the Mathnasium prize cabinet. This method keeps every student engaged and enthusiastic as they can track their progress and see results. After all, kids love prizes!

How Much Does Mathnasium Cost?

Rates for Mathnasium vary by the location of each center, but typical costs for the math program average between $200 and $300 per month. Students typically attend sessions twice per week for the program to keep kids learning at the same pace. Younger students have hour-long sessions, and older students can have 75-minute sessions. However, the time your child spends in sessions ultimately depends on which payment plan you are subscribed to.

Mathnasium offers two membership plans. A year-round 6-month membership package provides a balanced approach for skills growth, with up to 12 sessions per month. The price does not change if you want to add more sessions.

A month-to-month membership package provides the same benefits as a 6-month membership package without long-term commitments.

The grand total of a Mathnasium subscription will decide on each person’s specific subscription package, in addition to any coupons or special needs that need to be accommodated and are discussed between the consumer and the center director.

Is Mathnasium Legit?

As one of the top math tutoring programs in the country, Mathnasium is legit. Mathnasium’s learning program offers excellent math tutoring methods to assist any child who may be struggling with the subject. Mathnasium is fun, interactive, and uses positive reinforcement to get students excited about learning and keep them engaged in their lessons. Mathnasium doesn’t just feel like another hour of school due to its entertaining environment.

What Are Customers Saying About Mathnasium?

Based on the Mathnasium website, parents and students have positive reviews about the math tutoring center. Parents praise the innovation and flexibility from Mathnasium when the Coronavirus pandemic hit. With this massive transition to remote learning, students remained engaged with lessons, and instructors were patient, understanding, and helpful. Moreover, students love Mathnasium as the program allows students to bring in their school homework or test preps so they can receive extra help on their current studies.

Based on consumer feedback, Mathnasium is known for increasing self-esteem and confidence amongst students. The center also provides a sense of relief for parents knowing that their child is improving their math skills and getting the assistance they need to pass in school. According to numerous tutors, students, and parents, the best part about Mathnasium is the level of personalization each center offers to every student. Older and younger students who may not enjoy studying math often feel seen and understood as they can grasp complex concepts with the help of their tutors. Mathnasium provides a system that works effectively and produces positive results for everyone.

Kumon Overview

If your child is struggling in school with math and/or reading, then Kumon is the tutoring program you should consider. Kumon provides tutoring services in math and reading and is more focused on the independent progress of each student rather than having kids receive feedback from an instructor.

What is Kumon?

Kumon was created in Japan in the 1950s and had been using the same learning method to teach the basic concepts of math and reading to students for over 60 years. Instead of personalized learning plans, Kumon focuses on placing students in levels based on their test scores and mastery of each subject. At every Kumon center, each student is responsible for learning concepts independently and tracking their own progress.

Pros:

• Structured curriculum
• Offers reading and math curriculums 
• Less expensive than Mathnasium

Cons: 

• Less individualized 
• Extra homework
• Repetitive learning 

Bottom Line: Kumon is the best choice for students who require repetition to learn new concepts and can complete their work independently without any guided help.

How Does Kumon Work?

At first glance, Kumon seems similar to Mathnasium as it is also an in-person learning center that offers online tutoring options for elementary school students to high school students who are struggling with math. However, Kumon offers lessons in reading as well, with teaching methods that are far different from its competitors.

Kumon’s teaching method focuses on memorization and repetition. Math and reading lessons with Kumon constantly repeat the basics of each subject until a student has memorized and understood the concept. When a student is ready, they will take an assessment test where they will be assigned to a slightly lower class than they tested into. According to Kumon, this ensures that students master the basics of each lesson.

In each lesson, Kumon students work through worksheets until they have mastered the concept being taught. Students are not allowed to bring in their homework as they are strictly bound to learning the lessons in Kumon’s curriculum. Additionally, students cannot move on to a different topic until they have mastered the current lesson they are on. Kumon then sends students home with about 30 minutes of homework to work on after they complete their tutoring session for the day.

Even though Kumon has an independent learning curriculum, the center does have tutors. However, Kumon’s tutors are often high school and college students rather than certified professionals. Instead of giving one-on-one advice and mentoring Kumon students, tutors at Kumon are in charge of a classroom full of children working on the same subject. The tutors are similar to teachers, as they are available to answer questions, but they do not offer individual tutoring assistance.

How Much Does Kumon Cost?

Similar to Mathnasium, costs for Kumon will vary based on location. Generally, you can expect to pay $95-$125 per month per subject, in addition to a $30-$50 one-time registration fee.

Students attend tutoring sessions with Kumon twice a week. Sessions are the same length for students in any grade; however, high school and higher levels of education may cost more. Therefore, the main variable cost for Kumon is whether a student is enrolled in tutoring for math, reading, or both and which grade level they are in.

Is Kumon Legit?

Kumon is a legit tutoring program. Kumon offers repetitive and independent teaching methods for students struggling with math and/or reading and who benefit from a school-like atmosphere with no interruptions and little to no help. For a student to succeed at Kumon, they need lots of dedication, tenaciousness, and motivation to work hard to improve their skills for their education.

What Are Customers Saying About Kumon?

When searching online, it appears that Kumon receives a lot of mixed reviews from both parents and students. Many families criticize Kumon for the program’s lack of personal support and their strict policy on extra work. On the other hand, many other consumers praise Kumon’s rigorous teaching structure as they claim that the repetitive learning model and push on memorization produce effective results for their children.

One common complaint that parents and students have about Kumon is the center’s policy on placing students in a lower class than they tested into. According to Kumon, this ensures that every student has mastered every concept. However, according to parents, this leads kids to grow bored as they are forced to complete coursework they already know.

Compared to Mathnasium, Kumon may seem mundane and boring regarding the program’s teaching model. However, the tutoring system appears to produce similar results as its competitor, as it helps students improve their math and reading skills. Therefore, Kumon gets the job done.

Mathnasium vs. Kumon: Similarities

One of the main similarities between Mathnasium and Kumon is that they aim to help students struggling in academics reach a better standard. Both tutoring services teach math and have produced proven positive results among students and families. While Mathnasium and Kumon may have different teaching models, both centers are set up similarly as they offer both in-person and online lessons in group formats and require students to complete assessments to conclude and move on from a lesson.

Mathnasium vs. Kumon: Differences

The significant difference to note between Mathnasium and Kumon is their teaching models. Mathnasium is centered around satisfying each student’s needs by allowing them to bring in homework and have a say on what they’re working on. Additionally, Mathnasium rewards students for their progress. On the other hand, Kumon has a rigid curriculum focused on memorization and repetition and allows students to learn and track their progress independently. It’s also important to note that Mathnasium only offers services in math, whereas Kumon provides support in both math and reading.

Another difference between these two math tutoring programs is that Kumon is generally less expensive than Mathnasium. The price for both services depends on each family and their situation, but Kumon still tends to be the cheaper option.

Finally, tutors at Mathnasium go through extensive training and need to score a minimum test score before working at the center. Mathnasium tutors are required to either be college graduates or currently enrolled in college. Students at Mathnasium are given one-on-one attention and small group instruction from these tutors, making the experience more personal and inclusive. At Kumon, tutors are not nearly as involved with students and their coursework. Anyone can become a tutor at Kumon since they serve as moderators rather than teachers.

Mathnasium vs. Kumon: Which is Better?

The ultimate decision on which tutoring service is better depends on what your child needs, how they learn, and what you can afford. Since every student learns differently, it’s essential to have an open and honest discussion with your child to gain insight into how they learn best and which subjects they are struggling with the most.

For a more personalized, engaging, and rewarding approach to learning math, Mathnasium is the better choice for your child. If your child learns better by memorizing concepts that are repeatedly taught to them and prefer to track their progress, then Kumon would be the ideal choice.

Mathnasium only offers tutoring services in math, whereas Kumon covers math and/or reading. Depending on which subject(s) your child is having trouble in, either tutoring center could be beneficial.

When deciding which tutoring service is better, there are lots of factors to take into account. If your child is struggling in school, it's essential to let them take control of their own education and figure out which learning method and program works better for them while keeping your own budget in mind. But if neither Mathnasium nor Kumon appeal to you or your child, then Learner would most likely be the better option for you and your family.

Why We Recommend Learner Instead

The benefits of Mathnasium are personalized lesson plans, guided help, and a rewards system. Kumon uses repetition to help students memorize their lessons and allows students to track their progress. With individualized online tutoring from Learner, you can combine these methods and make the perfect lesson plan for your child. Additionally, every session with Learner can be completed from the comfort of your home. Therefore, you won’t have to stress about finding or commuting to In-person math tutors when there are a ton available right at your fingertips.

When you sign up for Learner, you must answer a short, 1-minute assessment to inform the service of your child's tutoring needs. Then, the Learner team will reach out for a 5-minute call and schedule your first free session within the next 72 hours. Learner guarantees you and your child will see progress in as little as two weeks for guaranteed better math grades.

Learner is a company that offers a custom-matched math expert for each type of problem you need to solve. The tutors are world-class experts in their fields, so no matter what level your child struggles with, you'll be able to find someone to help in a caring and personalized manner.

Frequently Asked Questions

Are you still feeling unsure about Mathnasium, Kumon, Learner, or online math tutoring in general? Check out these frequently asked questions families have about tutoring to get a better idea on which service would be best for you.

How Much Does Tutoring Cost?

With different types of tutoring, the costs will vary. For private tutors from a student or teaching assistant, you can expect to pay $25 per hour. For high-level tutors such as professors or teachers, it will cost $56 per hour. Sessions at tutoring centers can start at $45 per hour. Online tutors can charge anywhere from $10 to $100 per hour.

How Much Should I Pay My Tutor?

When deciding how much you should pay your child's tutor, it depends on you and your family's current financial situation. It's essential to keep in mind a budget and be realistic about your options and your child's needs. However much you want to spend on a tutor is ultimately up to you.

Is a Tutor Worth it for Your Child?

If you notice your child struggling with a subject, it can be helpful to look into different programs and tutoring services for them. If your student wants extra help with their schoolwork, then having a discussion on what they need academically can be beneficial. Depending on what your child needs and what free or paid services are available to you, getting a tutor for your child can definitely be worth it in the long run.

How Can I Find a Tutor Online?

When searching for a tutor online, it’s crucial to have an idea beforehand as to what kind of tutor you are looking for. Once you know what you can afford and what your child will benefit from, you can conduct a search online for top-rated tutors near you.

Is Online Tutoring Better?

Online tutoring offers more flexibility and convenience than traditional tutoring, as parents don't have to worry about commuting their child to a tutoring center daily. However, some kids don't learn well when being taught remotely. While online tutoring can be better and more efficient, it truly depends on how your child learns and what they feel most comfortable with.