A True Test of Success: From a parent letter

My son hated to read and doing story problems in math became a guessing game. I hate to admit it, but I dreaded going through his backpack. I kept hoping he had no homework.
On my way home one day, I drove by Sylvan...I explained our reading comprehension issues and homework disaster scenarios...that every approach I tried always led to the same conclusion, arguing and tears. I have to tell you I left there that day feeling like a load had been lifted from my shoulders. At last, I had someone who could help me "fix" a problem I did not know how to fix myself.
My son was very scared and upset when I told him I had signed him up for testing. However, by the end of the testing period, he was laughing and smiling and admitted he had had a good time.
It has been about eight months now since we started Sylvan (we did two 1-hour classes per week). The results are incredible. Not only do Beth and her staff make my son feel comfortable, but they make learning so fun he doesn't even realize how much and how fast he has learned.
I just had another conference with Beth. My son has progressed so fast that he will complete the program in fewer hours than initially thought. However, the true test of his success comes from me.
1. Homework has been a breeze this year.
We still have the "normal" discussions about homework such as "right now? in a minute." These are discussions I will take any day.
2. When we sit down and read a book there is no more struggle to get through it. He enjoys reading and has the confidence he used to have.
3. His teacher says he has confidence in class and will actually raise his hand to answer questions. And the best test of all is that I can be MOM again and not the monster.
Beth and the Sylvan teachers will never know how much my son and I appreciate all their hard work and effort they put forth to make learning fun again. I have and will continue to recommend Sylvan to any parent who is looking for that little bit of help and hope.

Student Quotes

I love this! I used to hate math, but now its my favorite subject. At school, the teacher was teaching us, but my friend didn't get it, so I taught him!

- Elijah, grade 3

I want to be sure to get to Sylvan this summer, because I really need to get all my base skills for math next fall.

- Paul, grade 9

When Kayla's mother enrolled her at Sylvan, she was not sure it would work. She was simply ready to try anything! She was thrilled when Kayla said one evening, as they were each reading their own book, "I'm so glad I share your love for books."

Lori tells us her son is now getting straight A's and her daughter is now reading for pleasure and doing great. Both of the children have recommended Sylvan to their own friends.

Elizabeth was watching T.V., and the child actors were telling about their heroes. She told her mother, "Mom, you are my hero because you got me into Sylvan!"

Katie was at the back of the classroom helping her friends with their pre-algebra assignment. The kids asked, "How did you get so smart? Last year you were not getting this at all." Katie smiled. "I go to Sylvan."

Taylor's mom said that his teacher from last year pulled her aside on the last day of school to comment on what a wonderful turnaround Taylor had made in math during the year. At the beginning of the year he lacked skills and confidence and, as a result, was very negative about math. He improved so much that in the last week of school he came in in second place in the math competition!

Denise saw a former math student at his high school graduation. As she congratulated him, he told her he could never have done it without Sylvan.

When her teacher was explaining a new concept to the class, Mary quickly announced that she knew how to do the skill. The teacher allowed her to explain and demonstrate it at the board. The class was impressed, and Mary felt great! She could hardly wait to get home to tell her mother. Mary had learned the concept at Sylvan.

Alex's mother is continually amazed with the strategies he has learned at Sylvan. Lately, he has been teaching her syllabication rules. Almost every time she works with him on a new skill he announces, "I already learned that at Sylvan." He then tells her about the strategy that goes with the skill.