Khushi — Math Gifted & Talented placement and an acceptance to Woodbridge Academy Magnet School
When Khushi's math grades started slipping — from steady A's into B's and B-minuses — the number on the report card wasn't the real problem. The real problem was quieter. "Getting those grades had an impact on what I thought about math," she remembers. A little of her confidence went with every point.
Today, Khushi is heading into high school with a Math Gifted & Talented placement behind her, an acceptance to Woodbridge Academy Magnet School, and a plan that runs all the way to medical school. This is the story of how one hour a week — and one very patient coach — turned a shaky subject into a strength.
Khushi was never a student who gave up easily. But math had become the subject that chipped away at her. "School wasn't terrible, but math I was struggling a lot with," she says. Her grades were sliding, and so was her belief in herself. "I lacked confidence," she admits — and for a kid used to A's, watching them slip into B-minuses stung.
"There was a moment when I realized I needed help and I wanted to do something about it, so I wouldn't struggle in the long term." — Khushi
For Khushi, the goal wasn't just to patch up a bad quarter. She wanted to actually understand math — "to grow, learn from my mistakes, and know how to use my math skills appropriately." She set her sights high from the start: advanced placement, stronger scores, and, most of all, her confidence back.
She enrolled in Common Core Math, once a week for an hour. She had a feeling it would take work. "I felt very good after the first class. I knew there would be some struggle, but I knew it was good for me."
Ask Khushi what changed everything and she doesn't hesitate: Coach Takuma.
What set him apart was the way he taught — not one rigid method, but the reasoning underneath it all. "In public school they teach one method," she says. "Here they explain everything in more detail — every skill, and the why behind it." When she got stuck, she never felt rushed. "It's a friendly atmosphere. I can ask all my questions and express my doubts and keep learning."
One piece of his advice stuck with her more than any formula:
"Don't overthink it — sometimes it's all right there in front of you." — Coach Takuma, in Khushi's words
For a student who'd started second-guessing herself, that was everything. "It helps me believe in myself," she says.
The proof came in algebra. Khushi hit a concept that just wouldn't land — until it did. "After a few classes with Coach Takuma, it made so much more sense." Sometimes, she says, she just needs a little more elaboration on how something works. "And Genie does that."
The biggest change wasn't a single test score — it was how Khushi carried herself in class.
"At first I wasn't confident. But over time, being able to learn in a way that doesn't feel so stressful, I've been able to participate and be more involved in class." — Khushi
That mattered even more because advanced classes move fast. "In public school, we can't always stop to address individual concerns, and advanced placement is so fast-paced." Genie gave her the one thing the fast lane couldn't: time to truly understand.
Khushi's work showed up where it counts. She earned a spot in the Math Gifted & Talented program and — the moment she'll never forget — an acceptance to Woodbridge Academy Magnet School. Fittingly, she found out at Genie Academy.
"When I first got my acceptance letter for the Magnet school, I was at Genie, and I got to share that moment with my coaches." — Khushi
The focus Khushi built in math shows up everywhere else, too. She's been a competitive dancer for three years — Bollywood and South Asian dance — and competes in yearly speech and writing competitions that have stretched her confidence even further. "Dedication is important. I have to focus on what I'm doing and keep practicing over and over again. It helps me with the bigger picture of discipline."
She's noticed herself growing up, too. "As I've gotten older and I'm going to high school, I've noticed a change in my responsibilities and time management."
Khushi isn't slowing down. She's preparing for the SAT and ACT, taking AP classes, and starting to think about college. And her dream is a big one.
"I want to be a doctor. I want to go into OB and deliveries — dedicate myself to helping women." — Khushi
The girl who once doubted herself in math is now building the discipline to get there.
For any kid who's struggling or nervous about starting, Khushi keeps it simple:
"At Genie, they will get the help they need. They'll understand things here. Trust me — it's not a super high-stress environment. It's great. You should definitely go do it." — Khushi
Her favorite part? "The atmosphere and the help I get. It's not as stressful as public school can be. It's flexible."
When Khushi started, she just wanted to stop her grades from slipping. What she found was bigger: her confidence, her voice in the classroom, and a clear line of sight to the future she wants.
This is the power of discovering the genius your child was born to be. In Khushi's case, it started with four words: don't overthink it.
If your child is ready to understand the why behind the math and get their confidence back, Genie Academy could be the missing piece.
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