Providing Personalized Instruction: Sylvan Learning

Sylvan Learning strives to create confident, independent students by targeting the causes of academic frustrations. And because of this successful, proven approach to learning, Sylvan Learning has grown to become the leading provider of tutoring to students of all ages, grades and skill levels.

Offering a proven approach to learning focused around Mastery Learning, Sylvan’s personal instructors ensure your child truly understands and masters a skill before moving on to the next level.

Each Sylvan Learning experience begins with a personalized Sylvan Skills Assessment® to accurately pinpoint an individual student’s academic strengths and weaknesses. The results are then used to develop a personalized learning program that will fulfill that child’s specific academic needs.

Learning programs are individually customized to address a child’s specific skill gaps, ensuring he or she receives exactly the right help. Sylvan students also receive individualized assistance in the areas of reading, writing, math, study skills, homework help and state test prep. To guarantee testing success, Sylvan offers courses to help students prepare for the ACT and SAT college-entrance exams.

“It’s all about building confidence in each student so they can achieve better results in school,” said Patti McGrath, a veteran educator and center director and owner of the Mount Pleasant Sylvan, located in the Oakland Market off Highway 17. “Students work on individualized programs at tables of two to three students with a certified teacher. We encourage independent learning for our students, as well one-on-one tutoring time. Students love coming to Sylvan once they experience success within the first few sessions.”

Patti’s husband, Ray McGrath, director, owner and a business teacher at Wando High School, said that Sylvan Learning is not meant to replace the classroom experience but rather to augment what is being taught and work with students to succeed in school. The center’s staff, especially Director Caitlin Gibbs, the McGrath’s daughter and a former teacher, works closely with area schools to develop a positive and productive relationship that helps children achieve better results. The center has even partnered with local schools to provide educational tools and materials.

Parents also have the option of enrolling their child in Sylvan’s STEM program — a fun-filled program packed with activities that inspires skills for the future. From coding video games to building robots, hands-on STEM activities engage children in nontraditional ways. Children buddy up and work together to plan, build and problem solve, enhancing creativity and building collaboration skills. The program is designed to keep learning fun and expand a child’s technical skills from grades one through eight.

Making learning as convenient as possible, Sylvan offers flexible scheduling with classes in the afternoons and evenings and on weekends — all to work around parents’ careers and children’s school and after-school activities.

In recognition of Sylvan’s 40th anniversary, Sylvan’s Mount Pleasant location is offering a special rate of $40 an hour when signing up for 40 or more hours of tutoring.

Sylvan Learning of Mount Pleasant is located in the Oakland Market Shops on Highway 17 in North Mount Pleasant. Call 843-352-7364 or visit sylvanlearning.com/mtpleasant to learn more.