Contact Information
| New Students: | (732) 356-3128 |
| Current Families: | (732) 356-1970 |
| Fax: | (732) 356-1985 |
| Monday: | 11:00 AM - 8:00 PM |
| Tuesday: | 11:00 AM - 8:00 PM |
| Wednesday: | 11:00 AM - 6:00 PM |
| Thursday: | 11:00 AM - 8:00 PM |
| Friday: | 12:00 PM - 6:00 PM |
| Saturday: | 9:00 AM - 1:00 PM |
| Sunday: | Closed |
News
Sylvan's tutors teach skills that last a lifetime. We help students learn how to become self-motivated and achieve independence; above all else, we enable them to approach school — and life — with confidence.
We also maintain Sylvan tutoring special offers and seasonal promotions that make getting your child on the road to success easier.
Frequently Asked Questions
How does Sylvan measure progress in students?
The answer to every question asked, every task assigned and every problem attempted is recorded in the student’s Sylvan notebook. The student must meet objective criteria before a skill is considered mastered. For example, in vocabulary, a student must score three consecutive 100%’s or five 80%’s. Only then is the next skill
addressed. Every 36 hours of instruction students are reassessed using the California Achievement Test to provide an external, objective accountability.
How successful is Sylvan with students?
During the last four years, reading students at Sylvan Learning Center in Martinsville, NJ, improved an average of 1.3 grade levels in vocabulary, and 1.7 grade levels in reading comprehension in their first 36 hours of instruction. Math students increased 1.8 grade levels in computation and 1.7 in concepts and applications. Students with learning disabilities or attention deficit disorders often achieve success at a different rate; however, Sylvan’s individual programs are designed to be successful regardless of how great a student’s need may be.
How long does it take for students to reach their goals?
Since each student’s goals are individualized, it is not possible to say how long a program will take until after the Sylvan Skills Assessment™. At the initial conference we give parents an estimate of the length of time it will take to reach the student’s goals based on our computer database and the professional judgment of our Director of Education. We can predict the approximate length of a program because Sylvan has helped well over a million students during the past twenty-seven years. The average length of enrollment at the Sylvan Learning Center is 72 hours. Some of our programs as short as 12 hours, while some students require as much as 200 hours of instruction.
What are the qualifications of Sylvan instructors?
All Sylvan instructors are certified teachers. The exception may be those instructing in advanced mathematics, who must have a degree in math or a related field. It takes a very special person to be a Sylvan Instructor.
Teachers are selected for their expertise and for being warm, patient and affirming. Each teacher receives additional training in Sylvan educational philosophy and procedures. Most instruction is provided by part-time faculty members, many of whom have full time jobs with the public school system.
What learning materials are used for instruction?
Instructional materials come from leading educational publishers such as McGraw Hill, Glencoe, D.C. Heath, Houghton Mifflin, Jamestown Publishers, Modern Curriculum Press, Macmillan, Curriculum Associates, and SRA. At Sylvan we match the student to the materials that he/she can learn from the best.
What are the hours of instruction at Sylvan?
Instruction is offered after school and on Saturdays. Because our individualized approach to instruction demands close attention and concentration by students, most students attend two or more, minimum two-hour sessions per week.
How does Sylvan communicate with parents?
Each student is assigned to a Director who supervises the student’s academic progress and maintains close communication with the family. Parent conferences are held after every 12 hours of instruction, and telephone calls and emails are welcomed at any time.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the goal of Sylvan programs?
Sylvan helps students develop academic skills and abilities so they can become sure of themselves, strong, and confident. Sylvan gives students the individual help they need and builds a love of learning in each student
What is Sylvan’s “individualized approach” to instruction?
We start with a battery of educational tests to identify skill gaps and develop an educational plan. This plan is quite specific and includes short term and long term goals, teaching materials, and special considerations for the student’s instruction. The teaching materials for each skill gap include passages to be read and responded to, problems to be solved, and drills to be completed. No two educational programs are identical. After each hour of instruction, each student’s educational plan is reviewed and modified for the next hour of instruction. Students progress at their own pace. Sylvan instructors teach no more than three students at one time.
What curriculum standards are followed at Sylvan?
The mathematics program follows the National Council of Teachers of Mathematics Standards. The reading program is based on current research published by the National Research Council and follows the model of stages of reading development of Jeanne Chall, Ph.D., former Director of the Harvard Literacy Lab. The writing program meets the National Council of Teachers of English Standards.
How is Sylvan different from a tutor?
Tutors can help a student pass a course, but they do not get at the root causes of academic problems. A tutor may be the best answer if a student’s problem is of recent origin and is limited to a specific course. But most academic problems come from skill gaps that started in previous years. The Sylvan Skills Assessment™ reveals if there are skill gaps at earlier levels and provides a targeted educational plan to fill those gaps. Thus, the Sylvan intervention not only addresses the current academic difficulty, but prevents the problem from extending into the future. Private home tutors do not adopt this system in their teaching methods. Therefore the effectiveness of the private home tutoring is a temporary solution. Children do not master the skills that they need help from private home tutoring.
Frequently Asked Questions
How does Sylvan work with the student’s school?
Sylvan strives to have good communication with school teachers and guidance counselors (with the permission of the parents). We visit teachers at the school at the beginning of a student’s program, and telephone calls, progress reports and e-mails are sent to the school thereafter. We even participate in educational planning and school meetings for students with school programs already in place. Sylvan’s ultimate success is achieved when a student succeeds in his/her regular classroom, so we place a priority on working with schools.
How much does Sylvan cost?
The Sylvan educational program is individualized and intense. Each hour of a student’s instruction requires approximately another hour of lesson preparation, program monitoring and other professional services. This investment produces the greatest gains in the shortest time possible. If you face a tough cleaning job, you can buy watered down, less effective store brands or a full strength, proven national brand. Sylvan has twenty-seven years of demonstrated effectiveness. Other tutors may say they cost less, but they do not put the same quality ingredients into their tutoring as found in the concentrated Sylvan program. A Sylvan instructional hour cost varies depend on the program student enrolls. The first step is the student must take The Sylvan Skills Assessment™, which will evaluate the students academic strengths and weaknesses and based on the results of this test Sylvan gives an estimate of the number of hours needed to meet a student’s educational needs. Once a student is assessed, Sylvan will set up an Enrollment conference with both parents to discuss the student's need. Most families purchase the entire program designed to meet their student’s needs, and receive free bonus hours valued at 5% to 10%.
Can families afford Sylvan?
For most students it is a once in a lifetime expense that produces lasting results. Once their academic skills have been straightened out, most students will most likely not need Sylvan services again. We have programs to make your student’s Sylvan program affordable. Most families purchase the entire program designed to meet their student’s needs, and receive free bonus hours valued at 5% to 10%. Other families pay monthly with our Autopay program. We can provide a payment program for almost any family. Currently we offer Sallie Mae's, SLM Finance program which gives very flexible payment to any family. The loan application process & approval is carried out at the Sylvan Center and parents do not need to go to a bank or other financial institute to apply. The approval process takes approximately 24 hours. Under this SLM program the payments can be as low as $88 a month. We do not require contracts. If a student completes his/her program earlier than predicted, we will refund tuition for any unused sessions.
What new programs does the Sylvan at Martinsville offer for 2009?
Sylvan at Martinsville introduced in 2009 the following new programs
- Homework help
- Beginners reading for PreK and up
- College Prep Writing Program
- Summer Camps – Math, Reading & Writing
During the year 2010 we introduced the following programs
- Sylvan Online
- Sylvan In-Home Tutoring
During the year 2011 we plan to introduce the following programs
- Sylvan in School Programs
Promotions
Currently Sylvan offers discounted hourly rates for students enrolled over 36 hours. Please contact the center to get more details. (732) 356-1970.
Sylvan is now offering Physics tutoring! Students looking to get some additional support in Homework or in test preparation for their Physics classes call (732) 356-1970 to enroll.
Sylvan SAT Prep
Sylvan offers ongoing SAT Prep instruction for those preparing for the upcoming test dates. Enroll in our program and get a FREE SAT Diagnostic Test to determine your strengths and weaknesses.
Please call Ian Torley at (732) 356-3128 or (732) 356-1970
E-Mail us at: SylvanM@optimum.net
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