ORADELL, NJ / ACCESS Newswire / October 1, 2026 / Parents are increasingly taking a proactive approach to their children's education, with a new national survey commissioned by Huntington Learning Center and conducted by YouGov finding that among families whose children receive tutoring or supplemental academic support, nearly six in ten (58%) first began during elementary school.

The findings come as new international data raise fresh concerns about academic readiness among U.S. students. 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 recognize that education is a partnership, and the latest reading scores are another reminder of why building strong academic foundations early matters," said Anne Huntington Sharma, President and CEO of Huntington Learning Center. "Schools provide an incredible foundation, but when a student needs additional support, addressing those needs early can help strengthen skills, build confidence and prevent smaller gaps from becoming bigger challenges."

Huntington's new survey suggests many parents are already taking that proactive approach. Among parents whose children currently receive tutoring or academic support, 58% said their child first began receiving support during elementary school, compared with 25% in middle school and 17% in high school.

The survey also found that 41% of parents agree 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.

"Parents recognize that education is a partnership," said Anne Huntington Sharma, President and CEO of Huntington Learning Center. "Schools provide an incredible foundation, and many families are choosing to supplement that learning with personalized support that helps students build confidence, strengthen skills, and reach their full potential. We often say it takes a village to help every child succeed academically."

Supporting that trend, 41% of parents surveyed said their child benefits from academic support beyond what they receive during the regular school day to help them succeed or stay competitive.

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% reported increased concerns about student math readiness.
• 70% said students are entering high school less prepared for advanced mathematics coursework.
• 61% reported increased inquiries and enrollments for reading support programs.
• 46% reported increased SAT and ACT preparation inquiries over the past year.

Together, the findings suggest 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%).

"Testing continues to play an important role in many students' educational journeys, from classroom assessments to college admissions," said Sharma. "Families are looking for ways to help students develop the academic skills, study habits, and confidence needed to perform at their best and reach their goals."

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 with 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.

While academic achievement remains important, parents reported taking a broader view of success. When asked what matters most for a child's future success, parents were most likely to select work ethic and discipline (27%), emotional well-being (24%), and creativity and problem-solving (22%), while only 10% selected grades and test scores.

According to Huntington Learning Center, the findings reinforce the importance of helping students build strong academic foundations while developing the confidence and learning skills needed for long-term success.

Through personalized tutoring, academic evaluations, reading and math programs, study skills instruction, and standardized test preparation, Huntington Learning Center helps students strengthen academic performance, close learning gaps, and achieve their educational goals.

For more information about Huntington Learning Center and its programs, https://huntingtonhelps.com/.

About Huntington Learning Center

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.

Survey Methodology:
This survey was conducted online within the United States by YouGov among 971 parents of children ages 5-18. Fieldwork was conducted June 15-19, 2026.

MEDIA CONTACT:
Chelsea Kershaw
MBP Consultants
Chelsea@MBPConsultants.com
909-573-7237

SOURCE: Huntington Learning Center