Win the Homework War

Check out the latest issue of Hood Magazine. Our contribution on how to win the homework war is on page 13.

Unlock Your Child's Full Potential

If your child's academic performance in their first semester was not where it should be, contact us at Sylvan. We can unlock their full potential. 605-362-4885.

Cost of Services and Enrollment Process

1. Sylvan Skills Assessment - $195.00
2. The Sylvan Skills Assessment will give us an “estimated length of program” which is a program tailored to your child’s specific academic needs and strengths and the goals you want them to achieve. We then know the length of your child’s program and what your estimated cost will be.
3. Program Rates Range $39.00 - $48.00 per hour. These hourly rates include tax, curriculum preparation, materials, instruction, progress assessments, monthly conferences with you and, upon authorization, communication with your child’s teacher(s).
4. Payment options: Monthly payment via auto-debit of Checking, Savings, Visa, MasterCard or Discover, Prepayment of program via own funds or through financing with our partners Your Tuition Solution or Fortiva Financial LLC, who offer affordable no-interest and extended monthly payment plans.

Give us a call today at 605-362-4885. Together we will establish a sound academic, financial and scheduling arrangement so your child will be on their way to success and you will feel relaxed and optimistic about their future.

Instructional Schedule

School Year Schedule: Monday, August 22, 2011 - Saturday, May 19, 2012

Monday: 4pm, 5pm, 6pm, 7pm
Tuesday: 4pm, 5pm, 6pm, 7pm
Wednesday: 4pm, 5pm, 6pm, 7pm
Thursday: 4pm, 5pm, 6pm, 7pm
Friday: NO SESSIONS
Saturday: 9am, 10am, 11am, 12pm, 1pm
Sunday: NO SESSIONS

Summer Schedule: Monday, May 21, 2012 - Saturday, August 18, 2012

Monday: 3pm, 4pm, 5pm, 6pm
Tuesday: 9am, 10am, 11am, 12pm, 3pm, 4pm, 5pm
Wednesday: 9am, 10am 11am, 12pm
Thursday: 9am, 10am, 11am, 12pm, 3pm, 4pm and 5pm
Friday: NO SESSIONS
Saturday: 9am, 10am, 11am, 12pm
Sunday: NO SESSIONS

Most students attend 2-4 hours per week during the school year and 4-6 hours during the summer. We will work together with you to determine a schedule that fits your lifestyle.

The Spring ACT is coming....

This seminar provides strategies in math, verbal, reasoning and critical thinking skills for ACT success. The course also focuses on test-taking strategies. It is great for students at any level. We have seen scores increase 2, 3, 4 and even 6 points!

The next ACT prep seminar is to prepare for the April 14, 2012 test date. Deadlines, dates and times are as follows:

Registration Deadline: February 24*
ACT Pre-Test: Sunday, February 12 1-4pm
Class Dates: Sundays 1 - 5pm
February 26, March 4, 11,
18, 25 and April 1
Writing Lesson: Monday, March 19 5-8pm
ACT Practice Test: March 26 or 27 5-8pm
Cost: $695
*$100 Non-refundable deposit is required to register.
*Limited Enrollment - the seminar has six spots left as of 2/6/12.

Click here for ACT Registration Form(1.03 MB)

Family Traditions

Check out Hood Magazine's December Issue. Our own Dr. Rick contributes his thoughts on Family Traditions on page 9.

Your Sylvan Tuition Solution

Each family at Sylvan commits to two plans. The first is a plan to achieve academic success for their child and the second is an investment plan that is financially sound and sensible for the family's budget. We will work with you to determine what is the best plan for you.
Options range from prepaying for hours, which is at a lower hourly rate, or by paying monthly. Some families utilize our funding partner, Your Tuition Solution, or YTS. Feel free to click on the link provided below to check out YTS's website which they have created specifically for our Sylvan families. YTS offers interest and no-interest financing! They have been assisting Sylvan families for years with affordable solutions to their financial needs. We are fully confident in their credibility and trust their expertise which is why we highly recommend YTS if our families are in need of their services.

Sylvan Online is Here for our Families

We are extremely excited be able to offer Sylvan Online to you. Though we all enjoy the benefits of living in this area of the country, simple geography and travel time have been an obstacle for many of our families in the past. Sylvan Online overcomes this obstacle and provides our families with the convenience they need in order to achieve the academic goals they have for their children in the comfort of their own home. This option is appropriate for students who are at a 3rd grade reading or math level. Instruction programs available with Sylvan Online are Academic Reading, Sylvan Math Essentials and Algebra I. While nothing can replace the interaction of the in-center experience, we feel confident this is a viable option as it is live online tutoring.

As with most Sylvan programs, everything begins with an assessment. This first step is completed in-center in Sioux Falls. If distance is impeding your ability to get your child the help they need, view the demo below. Then call us at 605.362.4885 to schedule an assessment. We are here to help your child feel successful and confident and for you to feel relaxed and optimistic about their future. Now distance is no longer an obstacle for you.

Fit 4 Algebra

Why is Algebra readiness so important? According to the National Mathematics Council, Algebra is a demonstrable gateway to later achievement. The first year of Algebra is a prerequisite for all higher-level mathematics in high school: Geometry, Algebra II, Trigonometry, and Calculus. Moreover, research shows that completion of Algebra II correlates significantly with success in college and earnings from employment, so it’s critical to make sure our students are ready for this important gatekeeper course early on. Additionally, the Educational Testing Service says that “the skills essential to success in college are much the same as those it takes to get ahead in the workplace. Just as courses like Algebra II are the gatekeepers to higher education, we must now come to understand that they are gatekeepers to well-paying jobs, as well."

SylvanMathPrep.com: Sylvan’s Online Homework Support Service

Finish your homework faster and easier! With SylvanMathPrep.com, you’ll see short videos, corresponding to the exact pages and concepts in your textbook, that explain the math lessons you’re studying.

SylvanMathPrep.com presents math problems in a new way, shows you the work so you can see how to do it, and provides practice problems (with the answers!), so you can master the concepts in no time!

To get started, visit SylvanMathPrep.com to sign up – a FREE trial is available! Select your textbook and page number and the video will explain exactly what you need to know.

Getting ready for the SAT or ACT? SylvanMathPrep.com can help you study for the math portions of these tests as well. Sign Up Today!

Hood Magazine

Check out the September issue of Hood Magazine. Our contribution on what to do about bullies is on pages 20 - 21.

Approved Supplemental Educational Service Provider for No Child Left Behind

The Sioux Falls Sylvan Learning Center has been approved by the South Dakota State Department of Education as a provider of services for those students who qualify under the No Child Left Behind Act. If your child attends one of the following schools in Sioux Falls and other regional areas for the 2011-2012 school year, he or she may qualify for free services from Sylvan.

Sioux Falls Schools:
Axtell Park - Family Immersion Center
Cleveland
Hayward
Annie Sullivan
Laura B. Anderson
Longfellow
Terry Redlin

Regional Areas:
Andes Central
Chamberlain
Huron
Sisseton
Wagner Community School
Watertown

Parent and Student Testimonials

Want to hear from real parents and students about their experiences with Sylvan? Click on this link to watch some video testimonials.

How much time should children spend doing their homework?

Educators generally agree on these guidelines:
Grades K - 2: 10-20 minutes per day
Grades 3 - 6: 30-60 minutes per day
Middle & High School: The amount of homework will vary by subject. In addition to daily assignments, older students may also receive long-term projects, such as term papers, that may have deadlines weeks away. The key for academic success for teenagers is organization and planning.

Discuss your child's classroom homework policies with his/her teacher(s) and ask how much time each expects students to spend on homework nightly.

Independence and Confidence

Why is Sylvan your best choice? The reason is INDEPENDENCE and CONFIDENCE. Our goals are your goals. You do not want to invest the time and money in tutoring only to have your child not be able to work independently in and out of the classroom! We want our students to learn to self-correct so that they will be able to perform in the classroom and the real world NOT just at Sylvan. We build CONFIDENCE in our students because we provide the correct balance between direct instruction and independent practice. Sylvan's tutoring approach promotes independent learning and confidence.
• Tutors work with no more than three children at a time. While the first student is receiving direct instruction, the second and third are engaged in guided or independent practice.
• Sylvan's tutoring model is supported by research and encourages students to learn and practice skills independently—without relying on the help of an instructor, tutor or parent.
• See your child take ownership of his own learning, while you benefit from a results-oriented, cost-effective tutoring option for your family.

Report Card a Problem? We're the Solution!

If your family stresses out over schoolwork, Sylvan can help. Our highly personalized approach to learning builds the skills, habits and attitudes your child needs to succeed in school and in life. Haven't seen the results you want? Sylvan is the Solution!

Are you a AAA Member? SAVE at Sylvan!

We are proud to partner with AAA - the nation's leader in travel services. As an AAA member, you will benefit from discounts on services at Sylvan Learning.
Discounts include:
50% off our Sylvan Skills Assessment
15% off full tuition*
Free month of sylvanmathprep.com

*At participating centers only.
Valid for new enrollments only. Minimum 36 hours.
Cannot be combined with any other offer, coupon, discount or promotion.
Limit one coupon per customer.
Void where prohibited.

Surprise Visit

We knew Jacob was a HUGE hockey fan, especially of his favorite hometown team, the Sioux Falls Stampede. Carol Hofman, our Director of Education, thought it would be a great idea to surprise him with a visit from his favorite Stampede player, Jake Drewiske ('05 - '08). Robbie Vrolyk ('07 - '09) also joined in the surprise. Jacob had a great time chatting with the players about hockey and the great hardwork he is doing at Sylvan. Thanks guys for visiting us at Sylvan!

The Language of Math

Mathematics is the only language shared by all humans - regardless of native tongue, geography,
economic background or culture. In today’s global economy, everyone, not just those who are mathematically inclined, must know how to speak math and understand mathematical concepts. The key to lifelong, academic and economic success is the development of critical thinking skills and numerical fluency in math from Pre-K to High School.

Sylvan’s Math Essentials Program and Upper Level Math Programs are based on this premise. Contact us now to start your child. 362-4885

We hope you like us on Facebook

Check out our Sylvan Learning of Sioux Falls Facebook page. We hope you like us too!

Check out Dr. Rick's Blog

Richard E. Bavaria, Ph.D., has forty years of education experience, in both the public and private sectors, including more than a decade with Sylvan Learning. He is one of our education experts and writes a great blog on anything pertaining to education. It's a fun, enlightening blog to check out! Simply click on the link provided.

College Preparation - Getting Accepted is Getting Tougher

More students are going to college now than ever before and a direct result of this is a rise in competition of getting into college. According to USA Today, 76% of college admission departments first look to a student's college prep course grades with SAT/ACT coming in a close second at 58%. Overall grades came in third with 52% importance. Work and school activities came in last at 8%. To add to this, 45-50% of students who start college never finish. Don't let your child become a statistic!

The Sioux Falls Sylvan College Preparation Progams consist of:
ACT Prep
Advanced Reading Skills
Sylvan Study Skills
College Prep Writing
Upper Level Math including Algebra I, Algebra II, Geometry, Trigonometry, and Precalculus

Contact us today to learn more about these fantastic programs and how they can prepare YOUR CHILD for the college admissions process AND completion of their goal by GRADUATING with their degree.

University Degrees Impact Lifetime Earning Potentials.
Mean Annual Earnings by education level*
Professional Degree: $106,014
Doctoral Degree: $132,817
Master's Degree: $79,628
Bachelor's Degree: $66,689
Associate's Degree: $46,8976
Some college: $43,554
High school graduate: $37,584
*Data represents mean earnings for both sexes and all races who worked full-time and year-round, according to the Census Bureau's Current Population Survey 2008 (Annual Social and Economic Supplement).

Sioux Falls Wins Top Honors

We are proud to be awarded the Gold Award for Territory Excellence at this year's national conference in Las Vegas. This means that our center in Sioux Falls is one of Sylvan's top accredited centers by our national team. Congratulations to all our staff and loyal customers who make it happen!

Great Websites

Here are some fun, free, creative and educational websites for your child:

www.storylineonnline.net

www.yahooligans.com

www.funbrain.com

www.primarygames.com

www.mathfactcafe.com

www.aaamath.com

www.math2.com

www.factmonster.com

www.kidinfo.com

www.kidsdomain.com

How to Handle a Poor Report Card

While many students will come home with good grades, others would rather stuff their report cards deep into their backpacks than show them to their parents. As parents, you want your child to do well in school, so what do you do when your child’s report card isn’t as good as it could be?

Children get frustrated and upset when their report cards show they are doing poorly. Understanding your child’s personal ability and determining if your expectations are too high will allow both you and your child to set appropriate goals for each class before report cards are distributed. It will also help establish an environment in which your child is not apprehensive about sharing his report card with you.

Sylvan Learning Center, the leading provider of in-center and live, online tutoring at home to students of all ages and skill levels, offers the following tips for parents on how to deal with a poor report card:

1. Set expectations. Not every child will earn all A’s, but that doesn’t mean your child should strive for less. Talk with your child before the school year starts and explain that you won’t be upset if he doesn’t bring home all A’s -- but that you will be upset if he doesn’t try his hardest and doesn’t ask for help.

2. Communicate with your child. Don’t wait until report cards are issued to talk with your child about school and grades. Talk with her every night and every week about homework. Ask how she is doing in school and what subjects she finds challenging.

3. Discuss your child’s performance with his teacher and/or guidance counselor. Your child’s teacher and/or guidance counselor is the best source for information about your child’s scholastic performance. Your child’s teacher can recommend ways to help your child or point out difficulties he is having. His guidance counselor can provide progress reports between reports cards or help set up additional parent-teacher conferences when necessary.

4. Set goals for improvement with your child. If your child is currently a C student -- then setting a goal of getting all A’s may not be reasonable. However, creating an improvement goal for each subject will help her work toward an attainable level for each class.

5. Establish a personalized study plan with your child. Your child should keep a schedule of all classes, assignments and key dates (e.g., project deadlines, big exams, etc). As part of that schedule, she should include specific time for studying, projects and extracurricular activities. The more comprehensive the schedule, the more efficient your child will be in completing her homework and the better she’ll do in school.

6. Seek outside help. Some children may need additional attention that can’t be provided in school. Speak with your child’s teacher about tutoring or supplemental education providers to help your child work towards better grades in school.

7. Praise your child’s successes. Praise your child for what he is doing well, whether it’s a specific academic subject or an extracurricular activity. If your child is not doing well in English, but loves to read the latest Harry Potter book, show him the connection between the two.

What is Dyslexia?

Dyslexia is often a confusing term used to describe the condition of children who have problems learning to read. As many as one in five children has some difficulty with reading. At Sylvan, we are not as concerned with the clinical term dyslexia as we are concerned about teaching struggling students to read fluently. Sylvan's proven programs help thousands of struggling readers break the reading code.
That being said, if your child has been diagnosed with dyslexia, the essentials of an effective, research-based intervention program include:
1. Systematic and direct instruction in phonemic awareness, phonics, sight vocabulary, and comprehension
2. Practice
3. Fluency training
4. Enriched language experiences

This intervention program is exactly the same steps we use at Sylvan to teach children to read. We have been teaching kids to read fluently with corresponding comprehension for 30 years. We can help yours too.

If you are interested in learning more about this subject we suggest a wonderful book by Dr. Sally Shaywitz entitled "Overcoming Dyslexia". Dr. Shaywitz is Professor of Pediatrics at the Yale University School of Medicine and codirector of the Yale Center for the Study of Student Learning and Attention. She is also a member of the National Reading Panel and the Institute of Medicine of the Academy of Sciences, and chosen as one of America's Top Doctors.

Reading Disabilities

Have you been bombarded with information about reading disabilities and offered the latest "miracle cure" for your child's reading problems? In the past twenty years, researchers have dramatically increased their knowledge regarding reading disorders. Brain imaging studies have proven that some children have faulty neural pathways in their brains, which makes learning to read extremely challenging. The exciting news is that researchers have found that, after state-of-the-art intervention, brain repair actually occurs! For the first time, there is an evidence-based guide to help professionals teach students to read using methods that have been proven to work. The teaching of reading has gone from an art to a science!

At Sylvan, we have worked successfully with students who were diagnosed as "dyslexic" because our programs are based on the latest methodology and information. However, we do not emphasize the use of the term "dyslexic" to describe our students, because reading disorders occur along a continuum. We work hard to accurately diagnose a student's academic strengths and weaknesses and provide appropriate intervention. Sylvan's intensive assessment process results in specific information giving us a complete picture of how the child is reading. We tell you how your child is performing compared to other students of the same age and grade. We tell you about the importance of "phonemic awareness" and show you how we can work together to help your child develop phonemic awareness. We talk to you about the significance of vocabulary development. We identify specific comprehension skills your child needs to master. We explain why reading rate is so critical to your child's academic success. Our goal is for your student to become a fluent and proficient reader, and we reach that goal by implementing a personalized plan of achievement based on the latest research.

To discuss the concerns you have for your child, request an appointment by clicking the tab at the top right-hand corner of this webpage or call the center directly at 605-362-4885. We are here for you!

Kindergarten Readiness

Kindergarten is the new first grade. In most schools, students are expected to be reading when they enter first grade. Do you want to get your child off to the best possible start in school? In Sylvan's Beginning Reading Program, children learn reading skills that focus on phonics and comprehension helping them build a foundation for future learning. Our trained and certified teachers assess your child's reading ability and design a personalized program to meet his or her individual needs. Children are eligible for our program at age 4.

Call the Sioux Falls Sylvan Learning Center today at 605-362-4885.

Why is Sylvan More than Just a Tutor?

Sylvan is much more than just a tutor. We begin by administering a thorough Sylvan Skills Assessment designed to identify your child's specific needs. Then we create a personalized program just for your child. We work with each child individually at a table with up to two other students. Our certified teachers ensure that your child will gain independence and understanding through a method called mastery learning. After thirty years in the education business, Sylvan has developed state-of-the-art techniques and efficient and effective methods to deliver our services.

At Sylvan, our teachers will do more than just get your child through a particular class. Your child will master the skills he or she may have missed along the way and the skills necessary to succeed in school and beyond. Your child will gain confidence as the result of hard work and participation in a program that is proven!

College Prep Writing Program

Effective writing is critical to achieving better test scores, writing better college application essays and becoming a lifelong communicator. That's why Sylvan's College Prep Writing tutoring helps students with the writing skills they need to get into the college of their dreams:
-Research papers: Develop research & organization skills
-College entrance essays: Mastering writing techniques that carry students beyond high school, including ACT prep
-How to avoid the pitfalls of plagiarism
-How to write an analysis essay

CALL TODAY AND SEE WHY MORE PARENTS AND TEACHERS CHOOSE SYLVAN FOR THEIR OWN CHILDREN. 605.362.4885

Sioux Falls Christian Wins $10,000 Award!

For more than 27 years, Sylvan Learning has partnered with local educators to provide resources to help students succeed in mathematics. Michelle Boer, a Sioux Falls Christian math teacher and a Sylvan Learning Center teacher, wanted her students to reach their mathematical potential. She visited with Kristen Mulder, Technology Integration Coordinator at Sioux Falls Christian and encouraged her to enter their school in the Texas Instruments and Sylvan Learning Technology & Tutoring Awards Program sweepstakes.

SIOUX FALLS CHRISTIAN WAS THE FIRST OF THREE WINNERS FROM THE USA AND CANADA! THEY RECEIVED 30 TI-84 PLUS SILVER EDITION GRAPHING CALCULATORS, A TI-NAVIGATOR SYSTEM AND A SYLVAN LEARNING TUTORING SCHOLARSHIP. THE TOTAL VALUE OF THE AWARD IS $10,000!

A ceremony was held at the school on October 23, 2007. Audra Staebell, Sylvan's Marketing Director, represented Sylvan and presented the award to Mrs. Mulder.

Congratulations Sioux Falls Christian!

How Effective Are Sylvan's Programs?

Sylvan Learning Center's programs are researched, piloted and tested thoroughly before we implement them in our center. When developing programs, Sylvan's national team of experts is guided by standards set by the National Reading Panel and The National Council of Teachers of Mathematics. Sylvan's team consists of top educators nationwide to ensure the development of state-of-the-art programs. Sylvan consistently revises programs to incorporate the latest research findings. The Sioux Falls Sylvan Learning Center prides itself in delivering the highest quality education available. Sylvan math and reading students increase an average of 1.5 grade equivalents after just 36 hours of instruction!

Advanced Reading Skills

Can you think of a better gift for your college-bound student than the gift of TIME? Sylvan's Advanced Reading Skills program helps students cover more course work in less time, allowing them to achieve greater academic success. Sylvan offers a state-of-the-art program that is guaranteed to help students read faster with increased comprehension in just twelve hours of instruction!

Accreditation Counts

The Sioux Falls Sylvan Learning Center is accredited by the Commission on International and Trans-Regional Accreditation (CITA), an organization promoting quality schools and continuous improvement. We are also accredited by the North Central Association of Schools and Colleges.

Accreditation is important to parents and children, because it tells them that Sylvan Learning Center adheres to rigorous standards and has gone through a challenging process to improve educational program delivery.

Accreditation also provides us the opportunity to offer courses for credit. We offer these courses in cooperation with the student's local school district. Most of our students taking courses for credit are high school students who have had difficulty passing challenging upper level math courses such as Algebra and Geometry. Enrichment students enroll in courses for credit, because they can then be more prepared for college by taking the maximum number of upper level courses offered in their high schools.

Why Do Enrichment Students Attend Sylvan?

Students attend Sylvan for various reasons. Many parents send their children to Sylvan because their children need to be challenged. Some parents want their children to have the Sylvan Advantage every step of the way. Children who are academically inclined are just as happy to spend hours at Sylvan honing their math or writing skills as they are participating in recreational activities. Our trained and certified teachers help enrichment students reach their FULL POTENTIAL with individual instruction and attention.

Help your child achieve greater success by calling 605-362-4885 or inquire through email at info@sylvanhelp.com.