ARG the joys of homework.
My daughter is in 9th grade and I feel she needs help in English and Math.
I was wondering if anyone could share with me thier experiences with Sylvan or Kumon?
We are paying $17,000 for her to go to school and she spends over 7 hours there so it is frustrating to think that she is going to have to spend even more time in a learning environment and we spend even more $$$. It is even more frustrating to find out that you can go to Sylvan free if you go to the local public high school.
Thank you in advance for any and all advice.

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John 14:1
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GO BEARS!!
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I would see if there is after school tutoring offered there at school first before I would do Sylvan. I did bring my son to Sylvan for one month. I paid about $40.00 per session and then I went to observe, there were 2-3 kids with the tutor at one time, hello....I was not paying for group tutoring sessions, I was paying for one on one tutoring or so I thought. I didn't have a great experience personally, but maybe someone else has.

Have you checked on Craig's List? Sometimes there are credentialed teachers offering tutoring. I don't know the price of this service but they come to your home. Home Tutoring, Tutoring Services, Tutors | ClubZ!

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All we are and all we see is but a dream in a dream, All that you see or seem, is but a dream within a dream--Edgar Allan Poe

Has she tried to ask the teachers for extra help or ask to see if any students would be willing to tutor her? There are a lot of great online math sites that have video feed if you need help. You type in what subject you are studying and there are a bunch of videos on those particular subjects and you can even type in which problems you need help with and there will be similar problems and they walk you through it. How about someone older, like maybe a junior/senior that would be willing to tutor? Even if you pay them, I'm sure it's less than going to a center for learning. Plus, if they have had the teacher, then they'll be more helpful than someone at a center.

We've been doing Sylvan since last April. Our son was in 8th grade Algebra which most kids here take at 9th grade. I knew he shouldn't have been in advanced math but he thought he could do it so we let him. Math is a weaker area for him.

Anyway, algebra was hard and he was barely passing. We knew he didn't really understand it. DH is an engineer and could show him how to do algebra but they butted heads when they worked together.

We decided to try Sylvan. There are ususally coupons on their website to get a discount on signing up and testing. They want a twice a week commitment at $46.00 an hour. We paid that ($92.00 per week) until DH was laid off from his job. We told them that we would continue if they would let us drop down to once a week which they did.

DS is still going once a week. He's in 9th grade now and he likes Algebra and understands it. He is taking it for the first semester in 9th grade. He has an A and he is proud of himself. He LOVES Sylvan. I have been tempted to stop Sylvan as DH is still looking for a job but DS does not want to stop going. He has all A's and one B+ right now, one month into school.

I know we could find a cheaper tutor but he really loves it. He never has said one negative word about Sylvan, and never once has he given us any grief about going. That's pretty good for a 14 year old teenage boy!

He is in a public high school, and we pay. I don't know why you think that because a public school is attended, that you don't have to pay. Do you maybe know something that I don't??? Let me know. :-) I could use the money.

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Donna

I work at a local public High School. They often will have honor roll students that will agree to help the students that are having issues keeping their grades up. It seems to work out well. They can help during study halls, or before and after school. The teacher are also willing to meet with the students before or after school. I cannot imagine paying a huge amount of money for a private school, and having to hire a tutor. I would think that the teachers would at least be more willing to offer assistance.

DONNAQUILT

This is what I learned about the Sylvan in our area (perhaps where you live they might have the same service for public school students~this made my husband laugh since the Langley High School district is a very wealthy area of Virginia so he was surprised that it was a Title I school)

Sylvan of McLean Offers Supplemental Education Services to Title I Schools in the State of Virginia!
Sylvan of McLean is excited to assist more students in achieving academic success by becoming a state approved provider of Supplemental Education Services to Title I schools. For the first time in the center's history, it is now a VA state approved provider of Supplemental Education Services. If your child attends a Title I school in the state of Virginia, please contact your school's SES (Supplemental Education Services) Coordinator or Principal in order to learn how your child can receive free tutoring at the school, at our center, or through our innovative online program that uses live online tutors!
***Since 2009-2010 will be the first year that Sylvan of McLean has offered Supplemental Education Services, there is no statistical data to report regarding its past results. Since the center opened in the year 2000, it has always held extremely high academic standards and has maintained an Academic Success rate of a minimum of 97%. During the past 9 years, the center has won several academic success awards and has always distinguished itself as an education leader within the Sylvan community and the education field in general. We are thrilled to have the opportunity to use our proven process and programs to help more Virginia children succeed!

TAMMYLEEB
I agree with you!! The teachers are willing to assist the girls after school but as my daughter said if she does not understand them during class she is not going to be able to understand them after school. It is frustrating.

__________________
John 14:1
GO GATORS!!
GO BEARS!!
Check out my pictures!! Just click below:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/gotjenks/

Wow. I'll have to check here, but I'm pretty sure that DS is not at a Title 1 school. It's nice that service is offered there. I will be checking this out here though!
Thanks so much for the info!

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Donna