A learning journey built on teaching experience
Elite Abacus Academy is based in Tiruvannamalai, Tamil Nadu, and offers two courses: Abacus, taught across eight levels, and Chess. The academy brings 25+ years of teaching experience to its work with learners. Its tagline, “Building bright minds, one skill at a time,” reflects a focus on steady learning rather than a promise of instant results.
The Abacus course progresses from familiarity with the instrument and basic calculation to advanced mental mathematics. Chess offers children a different kind of practice: learning rules, reading a position and considering a move. Both courses are for children in Class 2 to Class 9, taught offline 3 times a week.
The academy was founded in 2001 by Mr. K. Raghuraman and Mrs. R. Hemalatha, who still lead the teaching today. Classes now run at three locations in Tiruvannamalai.
Our teaching approach
Start with a clear foundation
Skills make more sense when learners understand the first steps. In Abacus, that means becoming familiar with the instrument, number values and basic techniques before tackling more involved arithmetic. In Chess, it means learning the board, the pieces and the rules before trying to memorise strategies. Strong foundations give learners something reliable to build on.
Practise with purpose
Repetition is most useful when a child knows what they are practising. A focused Abacus exercise may strengthen accuracy in a particular operation. A Chess puzzle may invite the learner to look for a tactic or protect a piece. Parents can support practice by asking what the child learned or which part is still challenging, without turning every exercise into a test.
Encourage understanding alongside speed
Fast answers can be satisfying, but speed is not a substitute for understanding. The Abacus curriculum includes timed practice and speed development at later levels. Those activities are most meaningful when the learner already has a reliable method. In Chess, thoughtful play involves considering possibilities rather than rushing a move. Both courses offer room for learners to pause, think and explain.
Notice individual progress
Children arrive with different interests and prior experience. A beginner may need time to become comfortable with an abacus or chessboard; another learner may already know some of the basics. A useful conversation with the teacher can clarify where a student should begin and what progress will look like. Contact the academy to ask how it assesses level placement and communicates with families.
Courses at Elite Abacus Academy
Abacus classes in Tiruvannamalai cover eight named levels, from Basic Calculation to Abacus Mastery. The sequence includes addition and subtraction, mental calculation, visualisation, multiplication, division, speed practice and memory challenges.
Chess classes in Tiruvannamalai introduce the game and build towards tactics, planning and reflective play, with the same age group and class days as Abacus.
Families interested in the broader work can also explore student event photographs, browse the parent learning articles or read about the franchise enquiry process.
Meet the founders
Mr. K. Raghuraman
Founder & Head Trainer
Mr. K. Raghuraman founded Elite Abacus Academy in 2001 and has led its teaching since. His mathematics background shapes how the course is taught: children first understand what each bead movement means, then build towards fast, confident mental calculation. Over 25 years he has guided many batches of Tiruvannamalai students through the eight Abacus levels and into Chess, with a focus on clear foundations, patient practice and steady progress over shortcuts.
Mrs. R. Hemalatha
Co-Founder & Head Trainer
Mrs. R. Hemalatha brings over 35 years of teaching experience. She has been teaching since 1990, and co-founded the academy in 2001, where she is a Head Trainer. She also teaches Science to Classes 5 to 8 at Dr. V. Genguswamy Naidu School, Tiruvannamalai. Because she teaches children of the same age every day at school, she knows how they learn best: short, clear explanations, regular encouragement, and practice set at the right pace for each child.
Find us in Tiruvannamalai
Elite Abacus Academy serves families in Tiruvannamalai and nearby villages from three locations: the main location at 96, Sivan Pada Street, plus Anna Nagar and Nallavanpalayam. See the contact page for addresses, class days and directions.
The academy can be reached by phone at +91 96008 00453 or by email at eliteiittvm@gmail.com.