Kumon, Score, or Sylvan?

I am a 2nd grade teacher and have been teaching for the past 8 years. I fully recommend Sylvan. I have seen it do wonders for some of my students, especially in reading. Hope this helps.... I will warn you it can get pricy...but they show results.

Not personally but friends of mine had great results at Sylvan, their daughter was getting D's and F's in 3rd grade and after about 6 months is a straight A student. They did not give specifics, but mentioned it was pricy but definetly worth it! Hope this helps!

I have only heard that Sullivan is very expensive and you have to pay $200 for just the eval....

Patty
http://members.cox.net/myhomedaycare

I am not sure about these places, but have you tried any tools at home? There are so many educational tools out there now! I'm an educational consultant for Discovery Toys, which is all educational stuff. There are toys, games, books, and software. What areas does your child need help in? Maybe I can recommend something that would help. And it'll be more fun at home rather than at a learning center. And the best part is that you get to spend that time with your child, too!

I've been going to Kumon with my almost 5 year old daughter for about a year and a half. I love the program. HOWEVER, it's IMPERATIVE to have parent involvement. The foundation of Kumon is practice EVERY DAY. So you can take your child to the Kumon center twice a week to do the work, but the rest of the week there are worksheets to take home to do EVERY DAY.

Kumon has both math and reading programs. My daughter can now add numbers up to 15 + 9, and can read simple books and street signs, and is constantly trying to sound out longer words.

This is NOT a tutoring program. However, they will test your child and start her at a level where she is comfortable. This is done to increase her confidence in her ability, and repetitions are done to reinforce the skills that are learned. The increase in the difficulty in the work is very gradual to help reinforce skills and to not make the child get discouraged. I believe this is a very good program, but there MUST be a SIGNIFICANT committment by the parent to work with the child EVERY DAY. I have to admit being tired and frustrated and wanting to quit, but it's been worth it. Hope this helps!

As a former teacher, I would not recommend them. Many of my parents complained about them. I would ask at your daughter's school. Oftentimes, there are teachers who tutor after hours (and a lot less expensively) than the chains. Which skills are you wishing to help along? Also, locally, you can post an ad for an education major over at FGCU. I had a friend who had good luck with that. Found a wonderful student who was loving, patient, and kind with their son, and was affordable.

I have an appointment this Saturday at Sylvan for my daughter to get evaluated for what areas she needs help in as far as reading. It is pricy, I had to put down a $50 deposit before they would go ahead with setting up the evaluation (which costs $195.00) Her 3rd grade teacher said to give it a month or 2 and if I don't see any results don't even bother with it. So I'll wait and see.

According to an MSNBC report, Sylvan scored in the top 3 along with Princeton. Kumon was in the top ten. I would go with Sylvan because they have been around a long time. If your child receives free/reduce lunch, I would wait as the school district in Palm Beach County is paying for these services and your child gets it for free. A letter just went home about this. Just make sure you get the letter/registration by Sept. 1st Deadline to register for Sylvan is Sept. 3. Inquire.

I don't know much about any of these, but would love to hear what you learn. We're looking for some help for our son. Thanks!

Please understand that the employees are NOT specialist for children that learn differently. They are teachers with their teaching degree who need extra money and work there. The programs are not tailor fitted. They will test your child and the results will show what areas they need help in. Then your child will work through a workbook. So I do feel a tutor could do the same. Buy a workbook and work with your child and progress through the workbook. It takes consistency. Those programs are good for that.

I don't think those programs are worth the money. You would pay less for a educational/reading specialist that is certified to instruct children with learning differences.

Pam

I used to work at Huntington Learning Center. I would get paid 8 bucks an hour , but i know the parents were paying a lot of money.

I would start with talking to the school. I don't know your finances - but tutoring from Sylvan is expensive. I checked for my daughter when she was young.

C.,
My son was 7 and attended Sylvan Learning Center. He really enjoyed it but it was very expensive. It was over $300.00 per month. I am not completely convinced it helped him as much as I would have thought. I think it was more a maturity issue.

Good luck,
S.

Hello C.,

I am a 12 year veteran teacher, and from my experience, these tutoring companies can range from okay to good.

Sylvan, I've found, tests the students using their own materials (not the school district, or state standards based material). I had one parent complain that their child seemed to test low, and suddenly she was paying for more tutoring in more areas than she originally went in for. I certainly did not agree with the "other" areas Sylvan prescribed tutoring for.

Kumon, as far as I know, is a very intensive EXTRA homework based program, utilizing rote memorization, particularly math. It's been some years (maybe 5?) since I've knows students who went to Kumon, and they were from Asian families who valued strength in mathematical academics. The kids did drills and worksheets, and timed tests the while time.

Score, I have no knowledge of.

Oh, and my neighbor is using Huntington for her high school daughter....I haven't heard what they think about it, but I'll ask.

I hope this helps. I am new to Jacksonville, and am staying home to spend time with my children, a kindergartener and a preschooler. I am very experienced with tutoring, and can help if you like.....

K.

For effective, convenient and affordable instruction using the Lindamood-Bell® programs, consider R.. www.readingboosters.com

Is she in a public school? Many schools have teachers that work as tutors to earn some extra money. They will know the school's expectations and can easily conference with her teacher.

I think that any of those centers are only as good as the tutor that they set you up with, and you know that there is a lot of overhead cost (I know that Sylvan charges something like $50/hr but they pay their tutors a lot less - like around $11 I think - I had a friend that worked there) You MIGHT luck out, or not. ANd, it's not one on one - there are a few kids to each "teacher ". Also, they teach to a very specific test: the California Achievment Test. So, they'll test in the beginning, teach the child how to do well on it, and show a lot of improvement at the end, ON IT. If it happens to match what your kid needs to know to do well in school, great. If not, well, you can move to California and she'll do well on the test there, I guess! : 0 ) .....I don't know how those other programs work.

If your child has a learning disability, I would suggest a program like Lindamood or PACE, that works with auditory amd visual processing skills. I also know a particular tutor who has helped MY child incredibly in math (her specialty is figuring out "blocks") and you could try her: her website is: http://www.celebrationlearningcenter.com/

She is very expensive, ($55/hr, like sylvan) but she is a certified experienced teacher with masters degree and she works alone - you won't get some kid right out of college looking to pick up extra money.

Hi C. G,
I live in Sarasota and a Friend of mine sent her son to Sylvan he is 7 and needing help with reading. They have an excellent program and a reward system for his achievements. It is worth looking into. Set up an appointment and go and see what the program is like.
C.

Try sylvan they seem to be good from what I have heard. How have her learning needs been evaluated so far. It seems very young to labeled as needing help with learning. Sylvan can help evaluated her.

What exactly does she need help with? Math? Reading? Reading comprehension?
If she has not learned to read, or doesn't have good comprehension skills, there is a workbook that you could zip through with her very quickly that might help. It is geared for (I guess, about 4 or 5 yr olds... teaching them to read). I did it with my 3 1/2 yr old daughter b/c she wanted to read. She is a very advanced reader now (in 1st grade). It not only teaches reading, but writing letters, and comprehension skills of the material read. No math. It is called "Teach Your Child To Read in 100 Easy Lessons". It costs about $20. It would be an inexpensive place to start.. if reading is the issue. By the time my not quite 4 yr old finished it (in less than 6 months-she sometimes did 2 lessons a day) she could read my 2nd grader's school books. And understand them and answer questions about what she had read. It took about 20 min per lesson, but with a 6 yr old, I would think it would take less. She could easily (it takes time on your part too) do 2 lessons per day in about 30 minutes. The first 30 lessons could probably be done in a couple of days. Just be sure to read the intro for parents at the beginning... It tells you exactly what to do, how to do it, and what NOT to do....
I hope this helps.

I have researched all, but have not tried any- If you find out will you let me know? I am also looking for some reading/math help for my 6 year old daughter.

can't help you there!

My experience is that those center are really expensive and they don't work as much as they said in the comercials.For example Sylvan cost $175 for the evaluation and about $52 per hour if you pay in advance the amount of session that the child may need.In Florida we have a program call"No child left behind". You can find information in your area with the school. They will give you information on tutoring services and the school is "C" for three years you may qualify for free tutoring. Also if you live in Ocala I recomend Eugene Martin. She is private tutor(25 per hour) and her number is ###-###-####.
Good Luck!!!

Hi! I am a teacher in Tampa on maternity leave with 10 years experience. From what I have heard all those places are pretty pricey. I am tutoring while on leave if you are interested. I was most recently a first grade teacher (sounds like the grade your daughter is in). I charge $25.00 an hour if at my house or $30.00 if at yours or another location. I provide all materials unless you have something specific for me. My specialties are reading and math. I live near Hillsborough and Dale Mabry. Please let me know if I can be of any help. Feel free to e-mail or call - ____@____.com or ###-###-####.
Thanks!
A.

I have only heard of Kumon & Sylvan. From my understanding, Kumon is to help kids advance & get a step ahead for the next grade level. Sylvan is more for tutoring kids who aren't getting the hang of something. No experience with Score.

This was a God send to my 15 year old daughter, she needed help with Trig and I did check out Sylvan and others then I ran across a ad for Club Z In-Home tutoring they are great.They come to your home to work with your child.Please tell them G. Gresham ###-###-#### refered you. Check them out at www.clubzinhometutoring.com

C., I checked these centers out,but where too expensive, so I checked into The Polk county learning resource center and that is who I am working with for my 6 yr old son, the tutoring is at a local library and you can choose how often, Adam really likes it and is doing well, he was retained in the 1st grade and did not qualify for polk county after school tutoring at the school last year so he failed 1st grade. check this center out they offer alot and are not so expensive.

Hi C. we have looked in to Sylvan they are super expensive have contracts etc.But they do guarantee that you will see improvements.Kumon is the one that I would like to go with for our daughter,I have done more research on them,Kumon has been around for over 25 years and it is the Japanese way of teaching math.They started out just focusing on math and their way of teaching is different from American way. there is a lot or repetiveness and they do worksheets but thats what you need with math.There is to much to type if you go to www.kumon that will get you to their website.They don't have contracts.Goodluck I hope this helps.A.

I looked into Sylvan, here in FL, for my 11 yr old son, but it was very expensive so we sit down together and work on it, which seems to be working for now at least until he surpasses me then I will have to look into alternate methods if need be.
However my 9 yr old daughter is in tutoring through her elementary school. It's free and it has helped her grades majorly. All you should have to do is discuss it with your childs teacher. Typically in 1st grade and 2nd grade they have a test (here in FL it's the Gates-McGinite or something like that) they give the kids and if they score below grade level on it then the teacher fills out an AIP that you both agree to and sign which also gives you a referral for tutoring through the school.

Good luck.

My ex husband's son went to Sylvan, It helped him A LOT!!!!!!

Good Luck!

HI C.,

My neighbor has been a teacher for about 25 years and now tutors at home. She may know something regarding these centers. I'll ask her if she would mind if I give you her email address. Good luck.

D.

Hello, I don't have a lot of information about the learning centers. We did find out that some of them require a one year commitment and you can't cancel. That is all I really know about them. Instead of going that way we went to a private tutor for my 6 year old over the summer that has been wonderful. She is a retired teacher. I am not sure what kind of tutoring she needs but, if you would like to email me at ____@____.com I will give you the information.
Hope it helps you.

Does your daughter attend a public school in Pinellas County? There are 33 schools here that provide FREE tutoring. I can get you more information depending on which school you attend. I am an elem. special education teacher on maternity leave, and I am managing a tutoring company in Pinellas County. Our company is school-based, so let me know which school you're at and I can get you more info. If you're not at one of the 33 schools, I have heard great things about Sylvan, but not the other companies.

Hope that helps!
K. Fradley
____@____.com

GOOD MORNING,
I NOW PEAPLE WHO USED KUMON, BUT I NEVER HEARD ABOUT OTHERS.
I THINK A GOOD WAY TO STAR WILL BE TO COMPARE BENEFITS OFFER BY EACH ONE. I WISH YOU LUCK WITH YOUR DAUGHTER.

I am a first grade teacher on Maternity Leave. I tutor on the side to make extra money. I live in the Forest Hills/Carrollwood Area. Give me a call if you're interested.

###-###-#### K.

My son has been going to Sylvan for almost a year. When he started he was at an upper k level reading skill (he was 9 when he started). After a little less than a year he is now at a 3.2 reading level. He is finishing up 3rd grade now and will be completely caught up by the end of the year. It is expensive but they do have loan options (what we chose). They use Sallie Mae for the loans. It was $175 for the evaluation and it is (without the loan) $720 per month. Expensive but an investment worth making. My son's confidence level has increased so much that he is offering to read street signs and anything else he can see (except books, reading comprehension is next to make that more enjoyable). For us it was well worth the money to see him make better grades and have fun doing it. He is still a little shy with his other classmates because he is still behind from them but he knows he will catch up. This was also encouraging to me as I thought he might have a learning disability. Seeing him progress almost 3 grade levels in less than a year let me know there is nothing wrong with him. He was just in schools that pushed him aside because they didn't want to deal with him and by the time we found out he was already significantly behind. I can say that I wish we would have started him out sooner then maybe he wouldn't have been held back a year. We started looking into Sylvan when he was 7. We didn't do it then because of the money. As time progressed, his reading skills didn't. It got to the point that we had to do something because he was just sinking fast. Make sure you know all the payment options and that will make the price tag not seem so bad. Hope this helps.

I read most of the responses as I had not done my research before I enrolled my kids in Kumon.. my older son was ahead in school and wanted to move further ... my twins (in Kindergarten -- are going to Kumon for almost a year .. and can almost read anything and an easy chapter book .. their grammer is excellent .. almost 2nd grade level). I am happy with Kumon and it is about $100 per month per child/subject. They do get worksheets and you will have to work with the child to make sure they complete .. the child masters the area and then moves on .. it is repetitive (which can be boring for parents and chld), but it works.
Also, schools have free tutoring in Tampa area .. so find out from school. Good Luck

Hi C.,
We actually use Huntington Learning Center. IT's expensive, however, it's been wonderful for my 15 yr old son. Our younger son is about to start there as well. Good luck! M.

I don't have experience with the learning centers; however, I do have a suggestion. You may want to ask at her Elementary school. Usually there are teachers that tutor after school and they cost alot less.

I know Sylvan is really great, but also very expensive and you have to have good credit, which I don't. I checked with my sons school however he is in the 4th grade, and there was a teacher that was able to spend a few hours with him a week for a much cheaper price. So you might try that option, talk to the school and see if there is someone who is willing to help. Good luck.