Jessica:

I wanted to express to you and your staff how overjoyed Brian and I are with the success that Cameron has enjoyed since being a student at Sylvan.

When Cameron first started attending in January 2009, he was having difficulty with his studies but even more affected were his confidence and self esteem as a result of those difficulties. He was not excited about school and found nothing to enjoy in any of his classes. One teacher worked to help him the others literally didn’t have the time, energy or available resources. It was apparent to us that Cameron needed more help than his dad or I could provide, which is what brought us frantically to your desk during Christmas break.

Needless to say, Cameron was NOT thrilled. He refused to come through the door unless Brian and I conducted Navy seal-type surveillance to guarantee no one was coming or going from one of the other businesses that might see him. He begrudgingly got through the initial testing only to tell us that we were too old to understand the ‘new math’ and to beg us not to make him go to Sylvan. He didn’t want his two brothers to know about Sylvan in case they let it slip during a conversation to a cousin of a friend who had a sibling who might also be attending Westminster High School!!

From the minute he began coming regularly, you and your staff made Cameron feel comfortable and welcome. By the third visit, he stopped having me to drop him off in the Martin’s parking lot wearing a hat, big sunglasses and the darkened car windows all the way up. By week three, he was discussing the tutoring with a friend at our house one afternoon and sounded proud of what he was learning. He didn’t even whisper!! After a couple of months, he didn’t mind that his brothers knew about it and he was asking them for rides to get there when I needed to work late. And he spoke to us about what he was doing during his sessions there!

In spite of himself, Cameron began to look forward to it. He was able to bring his difficulties to the table and have them addressed – completely and totally until he was comfortable with the topic. Over time, he began to bridge what he was learning into was being taught in school. His confidence and self-esteem have snowballed. In 10th grade he is optimistic about school and college, working diligently in all of his classes and managing to stay on top of his assignments and grades for the first time. He is a much happier, more confident, less intimidated student who participates at a high rate, is comfortable asking questions and does not feel overwhelmed with his assignments. He also knows that if he feels that things are getting ahead of him, he can bring any question, homework or class assignment to his session and receive the tutelage he needs. He looks forward to Sylvan and enjoys every staff person he’s had the pleasure to meet or work with.

‘Thank you’ simply doesn’t encompass the gratitude we feel for what you have all managed to give our son and the peace of mind you’ve given us. The value of an education is priceless. It is literally everything to having our children be successful. You cannot put a price on the pride in Cameron’s eyes and the accomplished squaring of the shoulders as he shows me his grade indicating that he has a 106% in his GP Lit class! He’s even completed extra credit without needing it to keep a passing grade!! Nine months ago, this was not the case. Thanks to you and your staff, Cameron has come a long way in a very short time.

Cameron’s Dad and I looked at more expensive and less expensive options. We made our decision as we sat in your office talking with you in December. Cameron’s happiness and level of improvement remind us every day that we made the correct choice for him. Thank you and your staff for all that you’ve done.

Very sincerely,

Sherry and Brian Dull

Summer at Sylvan, a great place to be!

It is not a struggle to get (my daughter) there and she knows it is helping her. She told me she is learning more at Sylvan than she did in school! Sad but true.... The entire staff is friendly, happy, informative, and possitive. If you have to spend a summer at school, Sylvan is the place!

- Marcia E., mother of Emily

My daughter has been struggling with reading and comprehension since she began Kindergarten. However, since she has been at Sylvan she has made great progress. My husband and I hear her in her room at night reading to herself before she goes to bed. I'm glad we had Sylvan to help us along the way.

- Sylvan of Westminster Parent

Students love to come to us!

Michael has struggled in school for several years now. He really enjoys going to his classes at Sylvan. He never gives me a hard time about going. He likes all the teachers he has had so far and feels he is definately learning. Thank you so much.

- Sylvan Parent

Sylvan has greatly helped my son with his academic reading & even cultivated his great strengths which is in math. The personalized attention that Sylvan has given to my son has indeed helped him in his ISEE exam & boost his confidence level as well.

- Sylvan Parent

Let us help with homework!

The positive moment came when my son said he felt good "knocking out" some of his homework.

- Sylvan Parent

Everyone has been very nice and supportive of my daughter's needs. She is very excited about going and looks forward to each visit. She also enjoys getting tokens and using them to get rewards!

- Sylvan Parent

My daughter has been going to Sylvan now for 7 weeks. She enjoys it today as much as she did the first time she went. The staff and the students who have attended have made it a very enjoyable experience for her, my husband and I.

- Crystal, mother of Victoria B.

John Stossel's Report

John Stossel Reports in this artical:

"Was Dorian just incapable of learning? No. ABC News did see great progress in him — when we sent him to a private, for-profit tutoring center. In just 72 hours of tutoring, Sylvan Learning Center brought Dorian's reading up more than two grade levels.


In 72 hours, a private company did what South Carolina's government schools could not do in over 12 years."

To read entire artical please go to: Jewish World Review

- John Stossel