Schools

Moorestown Kumon Celebrates 1-Year Anniversary

Curious about Kumon? Stop by an open house next weekend and enter for a chance to win $2,000 tuition.

Even though she’s surrounded by older, more established Kumon centers across South Jersey—Cinnaminson, Medford, route: {:controller=>"listings", :action=>"show", :id=>"kumon-of-medford"} -->, Marlton, Cherry Hill—Jasleen Sobti has managed to carve out her own niche here in Moorestown.

Sobti, owner/operator of the , has exceeded corporate expectations by hitting 100 enrollments —no small feat, considering there’s a Kumon Center just down the road in that’s been around for a decade.

Asked what sets her apart, Sobti said she puts special emphasis on communicating with the parents of her students. It’s a lesson she picked up as a Kumon parent herself.

“I did not have a clear understanding of what my kids were doing or why they were doing it,” she said of her experience at a local Kumon Center where her daughters were enrolled. “I let my parents be part of the lesson planning.”

The feeling of inclusion has been a hit with parents, Sobti said. “Because of that, a lot of my parents are recommending friends, and friends are recommending friends. That cascade is starting for me … I am proud in that sense, but not vain. I’ve grown to my surprise.”

Shandi Hogg, of Moorestown, said she’s been particularly impressed by Sobti’s ability to customize the lessons for each of her three daughters—Lia, 12; Lily, 9; and Lena, 5—playing off their strengths and weaknesses.

“She has a unique way of getting to know every kid,” said Hogg. “Jasleen is unique—just the way she pays attention to every kid … It’s not like they’re just going there and she just gives them the packet.”

Lalu Haridas, whose son (fourth grade) and daughter (kindergarten) are both enrolled at the Moorestown Kumon, said he too has noticed a distinct difference between his experience with Sobti and his experience at other Kumons, particularly in the lesson planning.

“We feel there’s something different, something better about this Kumon,” Haridas said.

Parents who enroll their kids at Kumon typically fall into one of two categories, Sobti said: Either their child is struggling and they want to “strengthen the fundamentals,” or their child is doing well, but they want to give them that extra boost to get them into the advanced classes.

Kumon—named for the Japanese instructor who invented it, Toru Kumon—is both a method of teaching that customizes instruction for high-achieving students, struggling students, and everyone in between, and also the largest afterschool math and reading enrichment program in the world.

What Kumon achieves, which Sobti believes is even more important than strengthening the fundamentals of math and reading—is infusing students with a sense of discipline, of focus.

“Through that discipline, they become more independent students,” said Sobti.

She mentioned a fifth grade girl at


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