Kumon math tutoring happens through daily worksheets that progress from letters A to O. They cover everything from basic counting and arithmetic to fractions, algebra, calculus, and even statistics.

During my time, the worksheets were print-outs completed in-center or as homework. Now, there’s Kumon Connect, letting students work on the materials on a tablet, and parents track their child’s progress anytime. 

Led by Ms. Neena, a former school teacher with a master’s in instruction and mathematics, the kind team has patiently helped hundreds of students. One mother was especially grateful that her son’s math skills improved in just nine months.  

Registration costs $80 per student, and tuition is $175 per month. But a free assessment first determines a student’s current level and best starting point—the same applies to their reading program. 

Just watch out for the occasional referral programs, though, as some clients reported delays in receiving promised incentives. 

This Kumon center literally changed my son’s life  

“This Kumon center literally saved my son’s academic career. He was enrolled in an underperforming public school in Grade 5 and could hardly subtract, multiply or divide single digit integers. He hated math and hated school. I placed him in Kumon math at this location for about 9 months, and while he complained every step of the way, he made so much progress! The teachers and staff were amazing with him and communicative with me. Suddenly he could even add, subtract, multiply and divide fractions and decimals at lightning speed with great accuracy. For Grade 6, I enrolled my son in a charter school with an advanced math program. He loves it and is doing so well. Now he just started Grade 7 and has been asking to go back to Kumon. This Kumon center literally changed my son’s life.”

Casey Lee, Google Review

My daughter shows progress 

“We love the staff and the owner Neena! My daughter shows progress!” 

M.R., Google Review

More than 90% of parents who enrolled their children at Mathnasium report improvements in both math skills and confidence. We see this in kids and teens getting higher grades at school and having a more positive homework attitude. 

The Mathnasium Method™  is a major factor, and every tutor is certified and highly trained in it. It basically makes learning fun with games, prizes, and a compassionate teaching style—be it in-center, online, or hybrid. 

Before lessons formally begin, a free diagnostic assessment is scheduled to identify students’ strengths and skill gaps. A customized learning plan then follows, which may include three-month intro courses and SAT/ACT prep programs. 

Basic arithmetic, equations, geometry, number sense, and problem solving are just a few of the topics taught. 

Many families opt for a monthly membership—eight sessions per month—and pay using ESA funds, as Mathnasium is an ESA/ClassWallet-approved vendor. However, the lack of published pricing online gives others pause. 

I wholeheartedly recommend Mathnasium if your child is struggling in math

“Mathnasium has been an absolute blessing for us and our 9 year old daughter! Prior to Mathnasium, her teacher, as well as my wife and I, recognized she was falling behind in her number sense, and, most importantly, her confidence in anything with numbers was decreasing significantly. After just a short time at mathnasium, she is voluntarily using math around the house, her math scores have improved, homework is no longer a battle, and her confidence with numbers has blossomed! They do a great job of making it fun with games, prizes, etc and the director has been very encouraging to our daughter and helpful with us. I whole-heartedly recommend Mathnasium if your child is struggling in math.”

Jacob Sprute, Google Review

We love this place  

“We love this place! Our son was struggling with his confidence around Math even though he knew most of the stuff. He needed that extra help to really solidify all the info into his memory. He’s been doing great in Math, his teacher even emailed us to let us know he’s way more receptive in class and confident around the subject and his grades went up. Plus, he was always excited to go here because of the reward system.” 

Diana Brandt, Google Review

The name Positive Tutors rings true, as they help students achieve great results in problem-solving, geometry, eighth-grade math, and other school homework. Tutor Pauleen often receives special mention for her simple, step-by-step teaching.

Together with the rest of the highly qualified educators, each with over 10 years of teaching experience and advanced degrees, the team is known to show deep knowledge and dedication. Their support extends to English, reading, and writing.

Lessons are built around the learner’s challenges and goals. However, since Positive Tutors mainly operates online, in-center sessions aren’t available, though in-home tutoring appointments can be arranged. 

Also, all programs include a five-day trial, where parents and children meet multiple tutors to find the right fit. It’s here that some notice less personalized approaches, like rushing through concepts without fully addressing a student’s confusion. 

The good news is the reasonable pricing—$29.99 per class or $18.99 with a subscription—explained in detail during the first consultation. 

Helped me so much in geometry and was so patient

“My tutor Pauleen has helped me so much in geometry and she’s so patient. Without her I would be struggling in class right now but she explains everything so well and helps me step by step!! 100% recommend!”

James Son, Google Review

Miss Pauleen has expertise and dedication to teaching math 

“I had the privilege of enrolling my daughter in the 8th-grade math tuition class taught by Positive Tutors. and I must say, it has been a great experience for my daughter! It was evident that Miss Pauleen has expertise and dedication to teaching math. She is very kind and her ability to break down complex concepts into understandable and simple way is truly remarkable. I really recommend her as a tutor!” 

Narmeen, Google Review

What first caught our attention about Varsity Tutors was its media mentions on Fox, Time, and USA Today. Add to that its educators, many of whom are graduates of Princeton, Yale, Stanford, and Cornell. 

Their BS, AB, and PhD degrees make them well-qualified to teach math at different levels—middle school math, pre-calculus, and trigonometry. Some tutors even expand their lessons to science, English, and PSAT writing.

Most parents and students praise the targeted instruction and personalized plans, which helped reduce school anxiety and provided homework support. Still, a few moms felt the pace and content were too challenging for a nine-year-old or led to lower grades.

Occasionally, unreliable customer service and tutors missing scheduled class times caused more difficulties. 

The upside is flexibility—one-on-one sessions are held online, in-home, or at a preferred public location. Plus, first consultations lay out costs clearly, accommodating different budgets for regular weekly sessions or intensive prep before a big exam. 

Tutoring is one-on-one, and they’ll come to your house or preferred location 

“We have used varsity tutors with several of our children. They helped the older kids with all of their SAT prep and study. Now my 7th grader gets extra help with math through varsity. His tutor is Leslie and our son says he can really learn with her. Varsity has great costumer service and are easy to work with. I especially like that the tutoring is one on one and they will come to your house or preferred location.”

5Meo.Ethereal, Google Review

The program provides the necessary flexibility

“My child worked with a Varsity tutor and was able to raise her grade and reduce her anxiety in the class. I have been grateful that the administrative staff of Varsity Tutors is attentive to the customers’ needs, they explain their services well, and the program provides the necessary flexibility.” 

Clara Urias, Google Review

According to many parents, Sylvan Learning makes students happy and motivated. We’re talking teens tackling algebra, fifth graders building math skills, and SAT takers aiming to score higher in the math sections. 

Much of this comes from the caring tutors, all holding bachelor’s degrees and familiar with Phoenix schools’ curricula. They create personalized plans that empower students to reach three times more growth in math (and reading) than their peers. 

That growth takes place in the center, online, or via homeschool support. And when school’s out, it’s also fostered in Sylvan’s engaging STEM and academic camps. 

Drawbacks mainly involve unclear pricing that discouraged some parents. For instance, a $52/hour rate didn’t deliver the promised one-on-one setup, and a $900 upfront payment excluded the parents’ chosen math program.

Even so, the affordable payment plans, explained well during the first call, inspire others to stay. Not to mention the free report card consultations and SAT/ACT practice exams. 

My teenage daughter leaves happy and excited to take her next algebra test 

“My teenage daughter needed help with understanding her algebra class and homework! Within a few weeks her test scores improved, she has been getting lots of help with her homework and she leaves every time happy, more confident and excited to take her next algebra test! Sylvan has been a huge blessing!”

Julisha Schnieder, Google Review

Sylvan Learning has been wonderful for my kids  

“Sylvan Learning Center in Phoenix has been wonderful for my kids. My 5th grader gets help with math and writing and my 1st grader is in the reading program.  Both of them have improved in their areas and they LOVE going. THANK YOU SYLVAN TEACHERS!!!” 

Chantel Williams, Google Review