Sylvan Learning

Last updated

Sylvan Learning, Inc.
Company type Subsidiary
Industry Education, Tutoring
Founded1979;46 years ago (1979) (as Sylvan Learning Corporation)
Portland, Oregon, U.S.
Headquarters Baltimore, Maryland, U.S.
Parent Unleashed Brands
Website www.sylvanlearning.com

Sylvan Learning, Inc. (formerly Sylvan Learning Corporation) consists of franchised and corporate supplemental learning centers which provide personalized instruction in reading, writing, mathematics, study skills, homework support, and test preparation for college entrance and state exams. Some centers also offer STEM courses in robotics and coding. Sylvan provides personalized learning programs and primarily serves students in primary and secondary education.

Contents

History

Sylvan Learning began in Portland, Oregon in 1979 at the Sylvan Hill Medical Center Building. It was founded by former school teacher W. Berry Fowler, who had also worked with the educational company The Reading Game. By 1983, Sylvan had dozens of franchises and moved its headquarters to Bellevue, WA. In 1986, having over 500 franchises, Sylvan went public on the NASDAQ exchange and used funds to develop corporate learning centers in key cities. By July 1987, KinderCare, then based in Montgomery, AL, owned the majority of stock and moved the company to Alabama. Most of the staff did not relocate.

In 1991 the company was taken over by R. Christopher Hoehn-Saric and Douglas L. Becker. In 1997 the company had an annual revenues of $246 million, and in addition to tutoring centers, Sylvan had expanded to offer teacher training, computerized testing, distance learning, and other services. [1]

In 2003, Sylvan Learning was purchased by Apollo Management from Sylvan Learning Systems Inc., its parent company. [2] [3] (Sylvan Learning Systems Inc. shifted focus to post-secondary education, and to reflect that change was renamed Laureate Education in 2004.) [3] In 2016, John McAuliffe was named as Chief Executive Officer. [4]

Over 28 franchised centers located in multiple states closed between 2008 and 2012, some very suddenly. [5] [6] [7] [8] [9] [10] [11] [12] [13] [14] [15] [16] Most Sylvan locations utilize a digital learning system called SylvanSync, which provides lessons on tablets with instructors teaching lessons, which become more independent if the student progresses. [17] Sylvan employs standardized assessments to place and monitor students and to evaluate instructors.

See also

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References

  1. ↑ Cavanaugh, Joanne P. (September 1998). "Sylvan's Fast Learners". Johns Hopkins Magazine. Retrieved February 22, 2015.
  2. ↑ Walsh, Mark (March 19, 2003). "Sylvan Learning, Changing Focus, Sells K-12 Sector". Education Week. Retrieved October 22, 2013.
  3. 1 2 "Sylvan Learning Renamed". New York Times. May 18, 2004. Retrieved October 22, 2013.
  4. ↑ Learning, Sylvan. "Sylvan Learning Franchise Opportunities | Meet Our Leadership Team". franchiseblog.sylvanlearning.com. Retrieved February 12, 2016.
  5. ↑ Brennan, George (May 10, 2008). "Sylvan tutoring centers close". Cape Cod Times. Local Media Group, Inc. Retrieved July 14, 2015.
  6. ↑ "Sylvan Learning centers suddenly close". Wisconsin State Journal. madison.com. May 11, 2010. Retrieved July 14, 2015.
  7. ↑ Hilton, John (January 16, 2009). "Dickinson Sylvan Learning Center Closes". The Sentinel cumberlink.com. The Sentinel. Retrieved July 14, 2015.
  8. ↑ Cassidy, CJ (May 20, 2009). "Sylvan Learning Center closes in Cape Girardeau". KFVS12 News. WorldNow. Retrieved July 14, 2015.
  9. ↑ Braden, Jonathon (January 23, 2013). "Sylvan shuts down tutoring centers". Columbia Daily Tribune. Columbia Daily Tribune. Retrieved July 14, 2015.
  10. ↑ Nienaber, Dan (August 25, 2009). "Sylvan closing was surprise to some". Mankato Free Press. Mankato Free Press. Retrieved July 14, 2015.
  11. ↑ "Sylvan closing its doors". KTIV4. WorldNow. January 29, 2010. Retrieved July 14, 2015.
  12. ↑ "Sylvan Closing Outrages Parents, Teachers". The Denver Channel. Scripps TV Station Group. May 11, 2011. Retrieved July 14, 2015.
  13. ↑ Flack, Eric (December 28, 2011). "Customers of shuttered Sylvan Learning Center will get satisfaction". Wave 3 News. WorldNow. Retrieved July 14, 2015.
  14. ↑ "Learning Center Closes Leaving Some Without Refunds". CBS Minnesota. CBS Local Media. January 8, 2011. Retrieved July 14, 2015.
  15. ↑ Dickinson, Christina (May 11, 2011). "Sylvan Learning Center closes abruptly". 9 News Colorado. Multimedia Holdings Corporation. Retrieved July 14, 2015.
  16. ↑ "Sylvan to close". Fremont Tribune. Fremont Tribune. April 29, 2010. Retrieved July 14, 2015.
  17. ↑ ""Sylvan Learning looks to expand franchise base through new technology"". www.bizjournals.com. Retrieved September 28, 2017.

Bibliography

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