Sylvan Learning
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![]() | This article contains content that is written like an advertisement. (March 2009) |
File:Sylvan Learning.png | |
Company type | Private |
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Industry | Education, Tutoring |
Founded | 1979 (as Sylvan Learning Corporation) |
Headquarters | Baltimore, Maryland |
Website | www.sylvanlearning.com |
Sylvan Learning (formerly Sylvan Learning Center) consists of franchised and corporate supplemental learning centers which provide personalized instruction in reading, writing, mathematics, study skills and test preparation for college entrance and state exams. Sylvan serves students aged 4 ½ through high school with personalized learning programs. Sylvan Learning appears to be a trade name of Educate Inc located at 1001 Fleet St in Baltimore, Maryland 21202. Their main number is 410-843-8000.
Sylvan Learning began in Portland, Oregon in 1979 and was founded by former school teacher W. Berry Fowler. In its 30 years, Sylvan has served more than two million students. Currently, Sylvan Learning operates approximately 1,100 learning centers across North America – 49 US states and six provinces in Canada – as well as ten countries.
In 2009, Sylvan Learning was ranked number 67 in Franchise Times magazine’s “Top 200 Systems” based on total number of units[1] and has been ranked 24 times in Entrepreneur magazine’s “Franchise 500 Ranking,” the industry’s premier franchise ranking[citation needed]. Most recently, Sylvan was named one of the “25 Top Franchises for Hispanic American Ownership” by Poder Enterprise magazine[citation needed], and was ranked in Bond’s “Top 100 Franchises.”[citation needed]
Several franchised centers have closed in the 2008 to 2010 timeframe including three in Massachusetts and Connecticut (2008), three in Wisconsin (2008/9), two in Arkansas (2009), two in Missouri (2009) and three in northern Colorado (2010). Per the Sylvan spokesperson, Jennifer Gaegler, It appears that the corporate response is to send their students to an on-line solution and deny refunds.
As a franchisor Sylvan Corporate may not elect to support their franchisees during a bankruptcy. They have stated that “Sylvan Learning, Inc. is a separate entity which licensed to [franchisee] the right to operate a Sylvan Learning Center. Sylvan did not, and will not, assume any of the Franchisee's liabilities.”
References
- ^ Franchise Times Changing Landscape Accessed December 30, 2009.