Sylvan Nationwide is Excellent!

My daughter, Nina, a fifth grader, began attending Sylvan in October, 2007. At this time, I was spending every night doing homework, studying for tests, etc. When Nina came home with a bad grade, I felt I had made a bad grade. I called Sylvan and spoke to Susan to learn more about the programs. One thing I strongly remember her saying is – ‘All children want to be successful. If they are not, there is a reason.’ I signed Nina up for a skills assessment…As Nina began making progress at Sylvan, her grades in school began to rise from F’s to C’s to B’s and then to A’s. She is so much more confident in her skills and works more independently doing homework. Today was an award program at her school. She received the Journeyman Award, which is for the most improved student in her class! I am so excited - as is she! Sylvan has made the difference! Nina is no longer a struggling fifth grader – she is a confident independent learner. I highly recommend Sylvan to any family, as this investment will make a huge difference for Nina.” says Mindy, a happy mother from the Sylvan Learning in Jackson, MS.

Jack's Journey

Jack has done a complete 180 degree turn from where he was when he started.
Homework has always been a struggle with him; teachers have always blamed ADD. We saw the doctor & after much hesitation put him on straterra; this just seemed to make him more tired in school. We sent him to a local tutoring place but there he never really caught up, only finished his homework. He still seemed to be behind the curve-literally failing every class....When Jack entered into the 6th grade he stumbled upon two of the greatest teachers in the district who determined he had "gaps". So I hesitatingly took him for testing to Sylvan thinking that this was not going to do any good. Ironically the night before we took him into
testing at sylvan we were still doing homework at 10pm when a commercial came on that said "If you are still doing homework with your child call sylvan". So we took him into testing & really not much to my surprise he was 3 grade levels behind & so we signed him up. With no doubt in my mind Sylvan is the single best investment I've ever made in my life. After a few months I was almost in tears at the progress he was making! I couldn't believe that my son was progressing at the pace he was & I could actually see it in him. No longer would he sit down lay his head on is homework & cry for hours. He would pull the homework out, grab a pencil & get to doing the work & in no time the homework would be complete. It took a few times of going to parent teacher conferences to stop me from wondering if they were
talking about my son but there was a slow change in him that I could
see. His confidence and his personality were starting to flourish & he was becoming more outgoing. You have taken a boy who I couldn't see
graduating high school & made his mother & I as well as himself
believe that he WILL grow up and go to college & do something great
with his life. I'll forever be indebted to the teachers at your
facility; I can't begin to thank you enough.

- Mr. Goins (in a letter to Jodi Newman)

SAT Success

Before I came to Sylvan I scored a 1690 on my SAT's. After working through their SAT Prep course, my scores improved by 270 points! Now, my highest SAT score is a 1960. I improved by 150 points in the math section and 120 points in the verbal section. Now, I am ranked in the 85-90 percentile in each of the subject areas! I was also able to improve my essay by two points! Thanks, Sylvan!

- K. Butler as told to Jodi Newman

A Mother's Heart

I, Jodi, one of the Directors at Southlake Sylvan, was so thrilled to read this email from one of our Sylvan mom's today. It brings tears to my eyes as I know so many mom's (and their family) want so desperately to see the sparkle in their child's eye when he "gets it" and the "lightbulb comes on". What a blessing, Sylvan Families, you are to MY heart--and what an HONOR it is to serve You. Read on....
"Today is another wonderful day. His sentences are so good along with his speaking. He is growing more and more inquisitive about things and it is so fun! Yes, this has been the day I've dreamed of for years and cannot wait to see what our future journey has in store for us. I have always known how smart (my son) is and as he can verbalize, ask questions, read and communicate the whole world will be able to see the beautiful little soul he is too! Thank you for your partnership! We have been so very blessed to have such wonderful doctors and you, Margie and the teachers up at Sylvan. We just cannot thank you enough! This is truly an amazing and Godly journey that we are on. His perfect plan as always!

- Southlake Mom --as emailed to Jodi Newman, ED

Struggling for Success: A TAKS Testimony

"I owe Sylvan Learning Center my life. They literally changed me from a person who used to struggle in math to someone who enjoys it.

Since I was in Middle School, I was never able to pass the math TAKS test. When I got to High School, I was put into a remedial TAKS class just to pass the test (and even those didn't help me). I was put on ADD meds. No matter what my parents, doctor, or I did-I couldn't pass the test. My 11th grade year, my parents decided to send me to Sylvan. Even though I didn't want to go because I felt like a loser, I decided it was something I had to do. My Sylvan tutor helped me learn math-and even helped with my math homework. I started to get 90s, and I even earned tokens at Sylvan. (The tokens would add up so that I could get a prize, and it may sound childish but it's what inspired me to do my best and work hard.)

In January I met the standards I was supposed to meet, and stopped going to Sylvan. After not going to Sylvan anymore, my grades continued to go up and I did well in my class. Come April, it was time for the math TAKS. I was really nervous when I sat down at my desk. My hands were shaking and my face was sweating. Next thing I know, my teacher said, "Students-please unseal your test booklet." Right when it was time for me to succeed, I used all my strategies I learned at Sylvan and put my whole heart into it. When the test was over, I walked out of the classroom and felt confident (and powerful!). A couple of weeks passed, and I finally got the results back. Looking at that paper my eyes went straight to the math section. There it was-the words printed in blank ink: I PASSED! That was the happiest day! I had a big smile you could see a mile away. I immediately called my mom and told her the news, and it felt so good to succeed for myself--but also to make my family proud of me.

I owe Sylvan my life. I learned in life and in school if you work hard for what you want it will come easier."

-Kamille

Note from Kamille's parents:
"Thank you for all your help and for making a difference in the life of our daughter."

- Kamille, Sylvan Southlake Student-11th grade

SUMMER CAMPS SUCCESS

We're so proud of our SUM FUN campers this week! They did an OUTSTANDING JOB! CONGRATS to Will, Lindley, Ally, Matt, and Ulrich! Way to go!

- Denise and Jodi, Directors

SAT SEMINAR SUCCESS

Our current group of kids reported that they love the SAT course, and appreciate the fact that it teaches skill + strategy. In addition, our new online tool allows them free additional practice and review on lessons they would like more exposure to! Call us today for more information regarding SAT or ACT prep!

- Jodi Newman

Ethan's Enthusiasm

Hello Ladies,

I wanted to give you an update on Ethan. He is doing AWESOME in second grade. His reading is at grade level and his comprehension is amazing (according to his teacher). His teacher stated that based on his "robotic" reading style, she was shocked at how high his comprehension is - he scored the highest possible score. He now loves to read and doesn't fight us at all when it's time for his nightly reading. His confidence is 100% better than it was before we started the Sylvan program. I cannot thank you enough for instilling that confidence in him! Greg and I plan on re-enrolling Ethan in the late Spring. We know that with the help he received from Sylvan over the Summer, he was able to start 2nd grade feeling really confident. We want to make sure that each Summer, we keep him on track and establish a regular reading routine - which we were able to do this past Summer with your help.

So thank you Ladies. Sylvan really made a difference.

Melanie (Southlake, TX)

- Melanie L (mom/Southlake, TX)

Homer's Reading Home Run!

Hey Jodi,

Homer's Reading Assessment scores for the 1st six weeks of school indicate that he is doing great! His teacher said he is at or above grade level in all areas and off the charts in fluency, which is where I was most concerned. Thanks for everything, and we'll see you in the summer!

- Monica B, Southlake Mom