TEANECK, N.J.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Kumon, the world's largest after-school education company, opens a historical museum in dedication of its late founder, Toru Kumon, on Wednesday, March 17th, at 10 a.m. at the Kumon North American headquarters in Teaneck, New Jersey. The Kumon University Museum documents the growth of the company in the United States and worldwide. Hundreds of educators and franchisees who contributed to Kumon's expansion will participate in the opening ceremony.
"Kumon was founded by a father's desire to help his son, and the pioneers who brought Kumon to North America were also driven to nurture their children and those in the community to reach their full potential through the Kumon Method of Learning," said Mr. Kusuzawa, president of Kumon North America. "The Kumon University Museum aims to educate visitors about the legacy and mission of our company and philosophy of our program."
The development of the museum took more than ten years, and it was part of the company's expansion vision to create a national training program for its North American franchisees. The Kumon University Museum serves as a research and education center for Kumon Instructors and associates to examine new methods to develop independent learning skills in children.
The first Kumon Center to open outside of Japan was in Larchmont, New York, in 1974. Since then, Kumon has expanded to 46 countries and is helping more than four million children worldwide. In the United States there are 1,330 Kumon Centers with more than 202,729 children enrolled in the program. The franchise continues to attract entrepreneurs with a strong desire to help children and their communities.
The opening ceremony honors four inductees into Kumon North America's new Hall of Fame:
Kumon partnered with the renowned New York architectural firm HLW International LLP to create and design the 2,000-square-foot Kumon University Museum, and with the innovative Xibits Inc., from Grand Rapids, Michigan, to develop the graphics and contents of the exhibit.
Kumon [Koo-mon] is an after-school math and reading program that unlocks the potential of children so they can achieve more on their own. Founded in Japan in 1958, the learning method uses an individualized approach that helps children develop a solid command of math and reading skills. Through daily practice and mastery of materials, students increase confidence, improve concentration and develop better study skills. Kumon has 26,000 centers in 46 countries and more than four million students studying worldwide. The company's North American headquarters is in Teaneck, New Jersey.
Kumon Math & Reading Centers aim to help all children in North America learn how to learn by helping them acquire basic academic skills and become independent learners.