Kumon Math and Reading Center of Berryessa

I am writing this review 20 years later.
Imagine, a hopeful 9 year old scoring well above his grade level in math and english being told by his high expectations asian parents he isn’t as smart as his older brother. Growing up as the younger brother, he always had a chip on his shoulder, being raised as if everything he’d ever done wasn’t quite good enough. Despite being top of his class in mathematics, his parents decide to further his education by sending him off to private tutoring lessons. Reluctantly, he agrees because what does he know? His parents are smarter, and if it will help him overcome the gap between siblings, what is there to lose?
Over the course of a summer at Kumon our young protagonist, despite acing the placement exam is shockingly relegated to working on his math fundamentals, beginning with subtraction. Keep in mind, the placement test was finished with ease and the young boy earned flawless marks. Any hope of advancing into algebra before reaching middle school was dashed, as our hero knew he would not find what he was looking for here. So while collecting a hefty fee every month while tutoring consisted of handing out double digit subtraction problems, the poor bastard toiled through problem after problem until by week 12, he was placed into the multiplication unit, beginning with single digit multiplication math.
If you’re not a complete idiot, this place is a waste of time. Like common core, this center serves only to help those who actually need help and simply hold back those at or above grade level. Still can’t believe I wasted a summer attending this place. I feel bad for my cousins who have more strict parents and wasted years coming here. My money was too good for them.

I attended this Kumon Center back when I was in 2^nd grade. I remember that during my diagnostic test, I struggled to answer problems as simple as «6+7,» having to count with my fingers. Clearly, I wasn’t very good at math. The idea of having to do outside homework didn’t sound very good to me at first. However, I can say with absolute certainty that after attending Kumon, my skills in math become dramatically better. My ability to answer simple math problems improved greatly. By 3^rd grade, I was already much faster than my peers in doing the multiplication tables and even long division.
I would say that Kumon builds an amazing and strong foundation in math. By the time students get to high school, yes, they are allowed to use calculators in class. However, using the device can only get you so far. With a tight grip on the fundamentals, your ability to understand math carries on into subjects like Math Analysis and especially Calculus. I firmly believe that my 3 years as a Kumon student made every math class up to Calculus BC much easier for me than for the majority of my peers. I ended up earning all As in every math class.
On top of the good exercises that your child will receive from here, this Kumon is also under very good management. The instructor, Cassandra Hugh, is very experienced, always on top of everything and knows what is best for the students. She is very organized and is dedicated to the students and their progress. During my time at Kumon, she really encouraged me to keep learning to better my performance.
Without a doubt, I would strongly recommend this Kumon center to any parent or child who struggles just as I did. Kumon will definitely improve the math skills and creates the confidence needed to succeed in other subjects as well. I strongly believe you won’t find a Kumon center as solid and organized as this one.

My sister and cousin were both enrolled in Kumon. They were also unhappy with the fact that they had to do extra work besides their school work. However, I saw that they improved tremendously in both their math and reading. They learned new and fast techniques to do certain math problems. In reading, their writing and analyzing also improved. With Kumon, they were ahead of their class, having already learned materials that their class has not been taught.
Cassandra is an attentive instructor who would closely follow each and every student. She would know which students were slacking or which were performing well. She gets to know the student well by monitoring their progress and would guide them if they were to need help.
Highly recommend for those who want to be ahead of their class or for those who need to catch up. Parents, I believe that this program truly does help the students. Cassandra and her aides would put in a lot of effort to help the students understand the work that they were given, so don’t worry about your child not knowing how to do a certain problem.

Attending this Kumon Center from 5^th grade up until I was in the 12^th grade had a profound impact on me throughout my academic career.
Math never came easy for me. It was something that I just didn’t «get.» At a young age, I had the most difficult time in math which created anxiety and frustration. Thus, my parents enrolled me in Kumon. Initially, I thought it was «too easy.» I was doing addition as a 5^th grader! «I could do 5 + 8; no problem!» or so I told myself, but I was counting with my fingers, and I constantly made small mistakes. The Kumon worksheets gave me the practice I needed, and as I moved on to subtraction, multiplication, and division, I learned to calculate mentally, and my efficiency and accuracy improved significantly! I remember winning a medal for being the fastest and most accurate multiplier and divider in my grade level! (As a young child, it was quite the accomplishment!) However, when I was learning math above my grade level at Kumon, it got progressively more difficult. Tears welled up in my eyes after receiving 20 pages of corrections. There were times when I felt discouraged, but I worked hard, asked the assistants for help when I needed, and I NEVER GAVE UP.
So does Kumon take hard work, dedication, and persistence? YES. Most definitely. Anything worth having in life takes hard work, dedication, and persistence. Kumon instilled these values in me, and these are values I carry with me wherever I go and no matter what challenges I face.
The success of this Kumon center would not be possible without the Instructor, Cassandra Hugh. She is kind, but also tough. She will push you because she believes in you and your potential to succeed. She also gets to know each and every one of her students and keeps up with their progress because she genuinely cares about them. I admire her authenticity and passion in helping her students succeed and reach their full potential.
Despite the moaning and groaning I hear from Kumon students (and yes, I was one of them), one thing is clear: Kumon made school easier. I was typically a shy student in high school, but when it came to math, I was raising my hand to answer questions, and I was helping my peers understand difficult concepts and problems. I also wasn’t afraid to tackle difficult problems on my own. I became a self-​sufficient and confident learner thanks to Kumon.
As a UC Davis Alum and now, as I LIVE my career goals and dreams, I am constantly reminded and appreciative of all that Kumon has given me. Special thanks to Cassandra as well!

Not only have I been a student for this center for 7 years, I have also been an assistant for an additional 7+ years under the instruction of Cassandra Hugh.
My experience started off the same as the previous reviewers, unwillingly. My cousin was going to this program, so my mother entrusted her judgment and enrolled me as well. Although it was torture having extra homework, the program benefited an infinite learning experience. I never liked numbers, but enrolling into Kumon made me love the challenge that it had. Outside of the program, I was also able to be ahead of my classmates and held a leadership role when it came to assisting them when they needed help with the work in class. Although I stopped the program before entering high school, I still succeeded and did phenomenal without any difficulties. I would like to say «Thank You» to Kumon for that.
After stopping the programming, I applied as an assistant for Cassandra during my freshman year in high school. Other than knowing Cassandra through the eyes of a student as being «mean,» I grew another relationship with her with the eyes of understanding, assertive, and a visionary when it comes to the success of the Kumon program.
Stationed at the front desk, I would assist students and parents. Not only that, I was able to spread the great news that our program has to offer for those who were interested.
The process starts off with making an appointment and the progression builts up from there. In the appointment, the potential student takes a test in either the math or reading program. This assessment helps the instructor to see what level the student has to start off with. The program of Kumon begins with building a great foundation. Whether it is with numbers or letters, a solid base creates a strong growth in the development of learning. From the previous reviewers, one can compare that the students in Kumon do not enroll for a short time. This program teaches commitment, perseverance, diligence, and promotes self-​learning.
Kumon is an amazing program that all parents should invest in for the success of their children.

We transferred over from another center 2 years ago, and we haven’t looked back. The owner/​instructor, Cassandra, is outstanding. There were several instances where my son did not do his homework. Cassandra took the time to call me and tell me he had to stay late to finish. Despite my son’s gripes about homework, just like any child will, his grades have improved dramatically. My daughter on the other hand loves homework. Her math level has exceeded her current grade level. The combination of Cassandra’s work ethic and the Kumon program makes Berryessa Center one of the best.
I can read the older reviews were all from students. I can understand why they feel the way they feel. Kumon is homework intensive. Cassandra is strict, but fair. What parent doesn’t love that?

My cousins went to this Kumon center for a few years. They, like the previous reviewers, didn’t go there willingly (who likes extra homework?), but the truth is that the program helped. It promotes independent learning and is self-​paced. New students sign up by taking placement test to determine their starting level and then progress from there. Students go to class twice a week and get homework every day. There are assistants in the center to grade worksheets and answer students’ questions, but Kumon is not a one-​on-​one tutoring service.
Cassandra is the instructor and she is both friendly and stern. After all, the center is like a classroom and students go there to do their work, so of course eating, drinking, talking, etc. are not allowed. If you do your work and behave in class, she will not give you a hard time. If you are busy with school work or activities and can’t finish the work, just talk to her and she will make adjustments for you. She only gets tough when students play tricks and not turn in their work, but from an adult’s perspective, that’s what you expect from a responsible instructor.
This center has been around for decades. It has a small library and designated area for younger kids. Last I checked the tuition was $ 120/​month per subject, which is fair considering the fact that you get homework everyday.

this place makes me nervous. especially cassandra, she dislikes me. i know it.
okay okay so i would talk, laugh, eat and chew gum while working. so what?!
don’t have to complain and nag, geeze lady. well, im sure glad i don’t attend anymore :-) almost went for 5 years? but i quit after seventh grade. eventually i reached a point where i just could not keep up with the workload. then, i would cheat and use the answer book… i got desperate. i must reluctantly admit. it DID help me. the daily assignments and on location help HELPED. during the process i found shortcuts and gained a head for computation. without this i would not be ahead for my age. cause i was forced to learn concepts or i was stuck on that wooden table.
KUMON, you made me smarter. but you ruined my Mondays and Saturdays. thanks, i cannot say i miss you.

Im givign this place 2 stars cuz i just hate it. But it helps. Ive been here for the longest time ever and i still go here. i like knwo this place inside out. I was here before they extended it and was here before there was a glass window in the back. yea, a looong time. i still have the old box too. i hate this place. i complain about it but it helps sometimes.