Eric French

"Eric had a difficult time as a second grader at Daniel Bagley Elementary, especially with his reading. Eric didn’t want to read aloud in class because he didn’t understand everything that he read. When Eric’s parents discovered that he was two grade levels behind in reading, they decided to try Sylvan.

Eric enrolled in the Sylvan Beginning Reading program and soon graduated to the Academic Reading program. “The teachers and directors at Sylvan took a real interest in Eric,” say his parents, Al and Karen. “They attended meetings at school and worked with his classroom teachers to improve his reading.”

Eric has received the “Mayor’s Award” for the most improved reader in the fifth grade. Eric continues at Sylvan while attending Hamilton International Middle School and his confidence and reading abilities are higher than ever!

“Eric is no longer afraid to read aloud,” say his parents. “He now volunteers to read to his classmates!”"

Hayden Folmar

"Hayden's fifth grade teacher at Laurelhurst Elementary expressed concern to Hayden’s parents last year regarding his academics. The teacher worried that Hayden’s cheerful and easygoing attitude was masking an underlying struggle with reading and math. Hayden’s elementary school had always offered extra help to those who needed it, but with limited space available and priority given to younger students, there was no help available for fifth grade readers. As Hayden prepared to enter middle school, his parents were in need of a new solution.

“We came to Sylvan because it could provide immediate available help,” says Hayden’s Mom, Jana, who is thrilled with Hayden’s newfound confidence and his increased independence with his homework. “It takes a lot of pressure off us.”

In the course of his work at Sylvan, Hayden has advanced two grade levels in reading and in math. Jana says that Hayden’s new skills and confidence have eased his transition into middle school at Hamilton International. Hayden likes his tutors and loves earning certificates for his accomplishments at Sylvan, of which he has almost enough to circle the border of his bedroom!

“Hayden takes more pride in his work now,” says his Mom. “He values good grades much more than before, and does extra credit when he wants to do better!”"

Isis Shah

"Isis attended University Child Development School and had always benefited from small group instruction. She needed extra help to succeed in school, and her parents tried another learning center, as well as private tutoring. But Isis was still struggling in 5th grade with her math and writing skills. Finally, Isis’s mom, Deanne, decided to try Sylvan.

“Nothing else has worked as well as Sylvan,” says Deanne. “Isis really likes coming here. She is a linear thinker, so the step-by-step process has helped her tremendously.”

These days, Isis is doing much better in school, and her self-confidence has risen greatly. Spelling used to be a challenge for Isis, but her abilities have really improved since beginning her writing program at Sylvan. Best of all, Isis now declares that math is her favorite subject, something that, a few months ago, her parents would never have imagined her saying!

After seeing Isis’s success in the writing and math programs, Deanne decided to enroll her son Ajay in Beginning Reading. Isis’s cousins enrolled at Sylvan as well. For the Shahs, Sylvan is a family affair!"

Jazz Brandon

"Jazz had been a strong 7th grade student at Seattle Girls School and worked hard at academics. However, her teachers identified some skill gaps in math, and suggested that Jazz take a summer math course to fill in those gaps.

“We heard about Sylvan through word of mouth,” says Jazz’s mom, Marja, who is the head of the Seattle Girls School. “We had a friend who had gone to Sylvan for math.”

Over the course of her program, Jazz’s scores in math have improved three grade levels. During the last several hours of her program, Jazz worked diligently on algebraic reasoning skills, and developed the confidence to tackle the upcoming algebra course at school as planned.

Jazz enjoys coming to Sylvan and especially enjoys transition time. She always jumps at the opportunity to earn extra tokens by playing trivia games, like “Such and Such,” at which she is a formidable competitor!

Jazz’s mom is extremely pleased with her increased skill level and ability in math. Says Marja: “Sylvan does exactly what it says it will do!”"

Regan Bell

"Regan was doing well at Seattle Girls School, but as she prepared to enter the seventh grade at this math and science focused school, her parents, Karen and David, felt that she needed a boost in some areas of math and study skills. Regan had tried one-on-one tutoring programs in the past, but her parents felt that these programs were too generalized, and that Regan needed a curriculum that was specifically targeted to her needs. They decided to bring Regan to Sylvan for a skills assessment in Math and Study Skills.

“The assessment and evaluation at Sylvan to determine exactly where the weaknesses are is tremendous, and I think very accurate,” says Karen. “The ability to target the instruction to the areas of weakness, or just need for practice, is excellent.”

The Sylvan Study Skills program helped Regan, who is a ballet dancer, organize her busy schedule. Her confidence in her math abilities is much higher these days, and she actually enjoys doing math homework! Regan’s teachers are noticing her newfound confidence and abilities as well; her math teacher recently asked her to join the math team, calling her a “whiz!”

Regan enjoys coming to Sylvan because of the good relationships she has developed with her Sylvan tutors.

“Regan has been very positive about coming to Sylvan.” says Karen. “She usually skips out the door at the end of a session!”"

Angela Peranzi

"Angela always dreaded going to school and completing her math homework as a sixth grader at St. Joseph’s School. Angela’s mom, Danila, never understood why school was so unpleasant, but wanted to get her some help. She enrolled Angela in Sylvan’s math program and she began to excel.

Danila came to understand that Sylvan offered students more attention. Sylvan offered students a place where they could truthfully communicate what was hard and easy. More importantly, Sylvan does not give bad grades if students don’t know how to do assigned work in a certain subject. “Sylvan believes in testing to teach and that is why my daughter is doing such a great job in school.”

Angela would come home with her homework completed and marvelous test scores. She received her first report card with straight A’s the first trimester of sixth grade. Angela couldn’t believe it, nor could her mom."

Heather Nalbone

"As a junior at Bishop Blanchet High School, Heather had high expectations for high school and aspirations for college. As a single parent with an illness, Heather’s mom, Jeanne, turned to Sylvan to provide her daughter with the help she needed as she struggled with her classes at school.

Her lesson plan at Sylvan targeted specific reading skills and provided help with homework. Her hard work and the individualized instruction helped to boost her reading comprehension and vocabulary skills above grade level. Heather’s mom felt a great deal of relief that her daughter was receiving personal, caring attention.

“The entire staff of Sylvan took my child’s success as their personal responsibility. They took care of everything, from adjusting her curriculum to scheduling to boosting her confidence; it was a win-win situation.” Heather’s Sylvan success translated directly to success at school. She was accepted at each of the four of the colleges to which she applied.

“Enrolling at Sylvan decreased my personal stress level tremendously,” says Jeanne, “and helped Heather get into college.”"

Gavin Rood

"Gavin just completed kindergarten at Olympic View Elementary. His confidence was waning. He had told his teacher that he was “only a little smart,” because he saw other students in class developing their alphabet skills and starting to read. Gavin was developing good math skills and he was strong in conceptualizing how math worked, but he was struggling to learn to read.

Having struggled the same way in school, Gavin’s mother, Coleen, knew she needed to address this immediately. She enrolled Gavin in a Sylvan Beginning Reading program.

“Gavin’s first months at Sylvan were amazing to watch!” said Coleen. His ability and confidence were rising and he was eager to share what he learned. Gavin was so excited to read he was seen holding and practicing with books all the time.

Gavin continued with Sylvan over summer vacation to help reinforce his newly acquired skills and continue to prepare him for first grade. Reinforcing good study habits early in his academic life is important to Coleen and helped Gavin see what he is capable of and what how good learning can feel.

“Sylvan provided the structure and the proven techniques to give Gavin the boost he needed,” says Coleen. “Thank you for being the key to our puzzle!”"

Michael Hodges

"Michael had low grades and poor self-esteem as a sixth grader at St. Matthew’s School. Michael was struggling to finish his nightly homework in three to four hours and his mother wasn’t sure he’d pass the sixth grade. Michael attended study hall three times a week and met with a learning specialist at his school, but when these weren’t enough, Michael’s parents decided to try Sylvan.

After taking a Sylvan Skills Assessment and identifying a skill gap in his reading, Michael enrolled in an Academic Reading program. Michael moved up three levels in comprehension and his vocabulary also showed consistent improvement. Thanks to his determination and positive attitude, Michael was named a Sylvan Student of the Month.

Since coming to Sylvan, Michael’s grades at school have risen and his confidence has increased. His teachers at St. Matthew’s have seen an improvement in his motivation and the quality of his work. He is also a more active participant in class discussions and homework is no longer the struggle it once was. Michael is even participating in extra-curricular activities.

“It absolutely works.” says Michael’s mother. “Everything has changed for the better. Michael won second place in a speech tournament after six months at Sylvan!”"

Emily Tennyson

"Emily was an energetic, intelligent and imaginative fifth grader at Wedgwood Elementary. However, Emily’s reading scores were somewhat below grade level and her parents were concerned about her transition into middle school. Their best efforts to help Emily at home were producing only marginal results. Following a referral from another family who had success at Sylvan, Emily’s parents decided to try Sylvan.

Emily enrolled in an Academic Reading program with a prescriptive lesson plan pinpointing her areas of need. “Immediately her motivation kicked in,” says Emily’s father, Bill. Emily has made noticeable growth in comprehension, advancing 2.6-grade levels on her first progress assessment. Her fluency and intonation while reading aloud have also improved greatly. Emily’s Sylvan success and increased confidence led to a passing score on the Washington Assessment of Student Learning (WASL) test in reading for her grade level.

Emily comes away from her Sylvan lessons with enthusiasm, pride, and confidence. She likes getting to know her fellow students and the rewards that come from her hard work. “I like getting tokens because I know that I have earned them,” she says.

“Reading is more fun for Emily now,” says Bill, “Emily is not just learning to read, she is learning how to read. We are proud of Emily and grateful for Sylvan!”"

Success Stories

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- Learning Center