Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Check out some of our most common questions and learn more about Sylvan and what we offer. Not seeing what you need? You can contact us for more information.
Tutoring programs
Does Sylvan offer online tutoring?
Yes! Our Sylvan centers offer the same programs online that you would find in-center.
With our online tutoring programs, your child will keep skills sharp with Sylvan’s proven digital curriculum and interact live with certified tutors through face-to-face online sessions.
Whether you’re navigating take-home packets, online lessons from school, ACT or SAT Prep, or anything else, Sylvan is here to help your child.
Learn more about online tutoring.
How many programs does Sylvan Learning offer?
From math to homework help, reading to coding classes, Sylvan has you covered. We don’t believe in one-size-fits-all solutions. Sylvan gives you options, so your child can learn in the way that works best.
- If your child is struggling to keep up in class, we recommend our Personalized Tutoring programs that use our proven Sylvan Method™. We combine the best in teaching and technology to create a truly personalized learning plan that helps your child improve in class. In fact, with our Personalized Tutoring programs, we guarantee progress!
- If your child needs more practice with a subject outside of the classroom, an added challenge or help with homework and tests, our Academic Coaching program is for you! We provide proactive support to sharpen skills or get extra guided practice time to help keep up and get ahead with homework and school performance. Discover how our affordable monthly packages will fit into your schedule and budget!
- If you want your child to stand out in elementary school, rock advanced higher-level classes or score high on the SAT and ACT, our advancement experts are ready! Through our Advancement Placement Support and Test Prep programs, we can help your student accelerate skills, take on tough workloads and get a jump on the opportunities ahead.
No matter what your family’s needs are, we’ll create the right learning solution for your child’s goals. And Sylvan is happy to work around your schedule. We offer sessions at convenient times during the week, including after school, evenings and even weekends.
What kind of training do Sylvan tutors have?
Trained and certified in Sylvan instructional techniques, each tutor has their own expertise and understands your local curriculum — ensuring your child will be more successful in the classroom. Our tutors partner with your child’s teachers, so you can feel confident that your child’s learning plan is on track.
Does Sylvan offer one-on-one tutoring?
We believe that learning should be personal, and at Sylvan, it is. Our tutors are more than traditional tutors. They get to know each student and provide the positive reinforcement and motivation that lead to success — not only on tests and homework but beyond the classroom. Although most of our tutoring is done in small groups, each student does get focused one-on-one attention during every session. They will also get time to work on skills independently, which is crucial for truly mastering concepts and skills. It’s a combination that’s gotten results for millions of successful students and counting! Learn more about how our proven process works.
Will my child really like coming to a Sylvan center?
Kids love coming to Sylvan. (Nothing like a good dose of confidence, a cool tutor and the latest technology to make learning fun!) Sylvan is a place where students feel inspired to learn and are comfortable asking questions and trying their best. We combine the professionalism of a great staff, the enthusiasm of amazing tutors and the coolness factor of digital learning to make going to Sylvan the highlight of your child’s day (and ours as well!).
Hear from our families and see for yourself why kids and their parents love coming to Sylvan.
Does Sylvan offer bilingual services for Spanish-speaking families?
Many Sylvan centers have Spanish-speaking staff and tutors. However, we recommend you check with your local center to make sure that the staff and tutors there speak Spanish.
Does Sylvan help students with dyslexia?
Although Sylvan doesn’t adhere to any specialized intervention program, we do have centers that help students with mild to moderate special needs and some learning differences, including dyslexia. Availability can vary based on the Sylvan location. We encourage you to connect with the closest Sylvan team so they can learn about your needs and share the most specific information about how they can help.
Does Sylvan tutor college students?
Our programs are typically for K-12. However, many of our centers still tutor college-level students depending on the subject, needs and staff. We also offer GRE prep for college students interested in pursuing a graduate degree. Our local education experts are happy to learn more about what you’re looking for and figure out a solution to accommodate your needs!
Do Sylvan tutors work with my child’s teacher or school?
Yes — collaborating with your child’s classroom teacher plays a key role in the success of their learning program. With your permission, our tutors communicate with your child’s classroom teacher and partner with them on a regular basis. This ensures that the progress you see in our tutoring program is reflected in the classroom.
Seeing results
What makes Sylvan’s tutoring work?
At Sylvan, we believe the best kind of learning — the kind that makes students not only smarter but more independent and confident — considers that each child is unique, with their own learning style. That’s why our Personalized Tutoring programs use our proven Sylvan Method™ , which makes learning personal and meaningful. We assess your child’s academic strengths and needs, pinpointing the skills and attitudes that your child needs to strengthen. The result? Better report cards and more confident students.
My child already had a school assessment. What makes Sylvan’s assessment different?
We believe learning should be personal and designed for each child. The cornerstone of our approach is the insight provided by an academic assessment, observations from a Sylvan tutor and attitude surveys that students complete themselves. These go deeper than standard assessments: We don’t just try to answer what your child needs to learn, but also why they need extra help, from academic needs to self-limiting beliefs. Your child’s learning plan is tailored to exactly what they need to learn and thrive — both in the classroom and beyond.
How will I know that my child is really making progress?
Results matter to us, so our tutors are available to share progress reports and schedule regular monthly conferences to keep you informed. We also created mySylvan™, a personalized website for your on-the-go family. Available anytime, anywhere, mySylvan™ gives you real-time information on your child’s progress, educational activities for your child and resources for you.
Pricing and payments
How much does tutoring at Sylvan cost per hour?
No matter what your need is, Sylvan has learning programs to fit every budget, with our personal tutoring programs costing $50+ per session. All our Sylvan centers are locally owned and operated, so pricing varies by location. It’s best to contact your local Sylvan center for specifics. For a general idea of the cost for our various programs, you can also visit our Pricing page.
Do you offer payment plans and financing?
We understand that raising a family can get expensive, so affordability is one of our top priorities at Sylvan. Explore our payment plans that offset the cost of tutoring, such as flexible monthly payment options.
Does Medicaid pay for tutoring at Sylvan Learning Centers?
Typically, tutoring services are not covered by insurance, but we recommend speaking with your insurance company directly, as they will have the most accurate information about whether your plan can be applied for tutoring services.
What is covered by Medicaid varies by state. We recommend checking your state’s Medicaid website to confirm, as they will have the most accurate information about whether your plan can be applied for tutoring services.
What is Sylvan Learning’s refund policy?
All of Sylvan’s franchise locations are locally owned and operated and handle their own billing in-center. The franchise owners are solely responsible for settling customer accounts, as they received the amounts paid by the customers and manage the customer relationships. Sylvan corporate is not able to issue any refunds. Our Support Team can help connect you directly with the franchise owner if you share your information via this form.
Does Sylvan Learning offer scholarships or financial aid?
We do not offer scholarships or financial aid. However, we try to make tutoring affordable for families. Our local teams can work with you to find a way to fit tutoring into your schedule and budget. We recommend contacting your local center for details on how they can help you.
Does Sylvan have any benefits or rewards programs?
Our Friends & Family Benefits Program is our way of rewarding our Sylvan families. It’s a great way to keep learning momentum up and potentially earn free Sylvan tutoring.
For every family you refer that enrolls, you both get a FREE week of tutoring. Additionally, you have Lifetime Rewards Benefits that include a free annual assessment for the student who first enrolled and a free annual assessment for up to two siblings of that student.
The Friends and Family program is valid at participating Sylvan Learning locations only. Some restrictions apply. Contact us for details. Valid for new enrollments only. New family must enroll in a qualifying Sylvan Learning program. Annual Assessments limited to two siblings. Cannot be combined with any other Sylvan offer, promotion, coupon or discount. Void where prohibited.
Scheduling
How often does my child need to attend tutoring?
If your child needs intensive tutoring to get back on track, we recommend two or three tutoring sessions per week in our Personalized Tutoring program to see real progress. That consistency really makes a difference, which is why we guarantee progress!
If your child is doing well, but you want to ensure they stay on track and get extra practice time or homework help, our Academic Coaching programs are a great way to get proactive support once or twice a week. Our affordable monthly packages range by location, so contact your local center to discuss availability.
We know your family is busy. That’s why we offer convenient after-school, evening and weekend sessions. Talk to us if you’re finding it hard to schedule sessions — we’ll work together to create a schedule that works with your family.
How long are Sylvan’s tutoring sessions?
Tutoring sessions typically last one hour. During that time, there is always a mix of guided practice, or personal instruction that’s tailored to your child’s exact needs and learning plan, as well as application time, or independent practice.
Motivating students
My child doesn’t seem to like school anymore. How do I know if my child needs a tutor?
It’s normal for kids to have good days and bad days. What inspires one child to learn at school might not be the same for another. However, there are some clear signs that a child may need a tutor.
Does your child:
- Seem to have lost that “spark” with learning?
- Struggle to focus on reading or homework?
- Get poor test scores?
- Seem to be developing low self-esteem?
If so, you’re doing the right thing to seek help and give your child a better chance at success. Great teachers inspire, and our tutors don’t only strive to help students learn concepts and develop better study habits — they also help your child grow into a confident student who enjoys learning.
To us, the words “connect” and “motivate” point to what we do best. Our tutors love engaging our students in a way that builds their confidence as well as their passion for learning. And we don’t just talk about it: At Sylvan, your child will interact with great teachers and the latest technology as cool teaching tools — a combination that engages learners at all skill levels. Interactive lessons adjust to your child’s skill level and pace, making learning rewarding instead of frustrating. Our teachers don’t just instruct, they challenge and inspire.
Ready to get started?
Give us a call at (888) 338-2283 or fill out the form to discuss your child’s learning goals and schedule our Insight™ Assessment to accurately determine where your child stands academically.
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