Huntington Learning Center Finds Early Academic Support Grows in Popularity

ORADELL, N.J., October 1, 2026 /CourierPR/ -- Huntington Learning Center, a leading educational support provider, has released the results of a new national survey that highlights a significant shift in how parents are approaching their children’s education. The survey, conducted by YouGov and commissioned by Huntington Learning Center, reveals that nearly six in ten (58%) parents whose children receive tutoring or supplemental academic support first began during elementary school, compared to 25% in middle school and 17% in high school. This proactive approach underscores the growing recognition of the importance of early academic support in addressing foundational learning gaps.

The findings come at a time when new international data further emphasizes concerns about students’ academic readiness. Results from the 2025 Programme for International Student Assessment (PISA), released this month, show that U.S. 15-year-olds scored an average of 490 in reading, a 14-point decline from 2022. For Huntington Learning Center, the latest PISA results reinforce the urgency behind what families and educators are seeing firsthand: strengthening foundational academic skills cannot wait until students are already struggling.

Parents are increasingly taking a proactive approach to their children’s education, with 58% of parents whose children currently receive tutoring or academic support first beginning during elementary school. This shift is particularly evident when compared to 25% who started in middle school and 17% who began in high school. The survey also found that 41% of parents agree that students benefit from additional academic support beyond what they receive in school, reinforcing the idea that helping students succeed often requires collaboration between schools, families, and supplemental educational resources.

Anne Huntington Sharma, President and CEO of Huntington Learning Center, emphasized the importance of education as a partnership.

The survey findings align with trends reported by Huntington Learning Center locations across the country. In a separate survey of Huntington franchise locations, 61% reported students arriving with larger academic skill gaps than they observed just two years ago. Nearly 80% of these locations reported increased concerns about student math readiness, while 70% noted that students are entering high school less prepared for advanced mathematics coursework. Additionally, 61% of parents reported increased inquiries and enrollments for reading support programs, and 46% reported increased SAT and ACT preparation inquiries over the past year.

These findings suggest that families are increasingly viewing supplemental academic support as a proactive complement to classroom instruction, helping students strengthen foundational skills, stay on pace academically, and prepare for future educational milestones. The concern is particularly evident when it comes to testing and academic expectations. When asked about the biggest sources of academic pressure facing children today, parents identified standardized testing requirements (34%) as the leading source of stress, followed by peer comparison (32%), parents and family expectations (28%), and social media (28%).

The survey also found that families are seeking academic support earlier than ever before. Among parents whose children currently receive tutoring or academic support, 58% said their child first began receiving support during elementary school, compared to 25% in middle school and 17% in high school. The findings reinforce a growing shift in how families think about academic support, not as a last resort, but as an investment in helping students develop strong learning habits, confidence, and the skills needed for long-term success.

For nearly 50 years, Huntington Learning Center has helped students build the skills, confidence, and motivation needed to succeed in school and beyond. Huntington provides personalized tutoring and test preparation programs for K-12 students through both in-center and online instruction. With hundreds of locations nationwide, Huntington offers individualized academic evaluations and customized learning plans designed to help students reach their full potential.