Sylvan Learning of Hamilton Helps and Celebrates Student Achievement - Mercerspace.com
Jun 07, 2017
By Laurie Pellichero
https://mercerspace.com/2016/08/30/sylvan-learning-helps-and-celebrates-student-achievement/
Located on Quakerbridge Road, Sylvan Learning of Hamilton has been helping area children reach their full potential for nearly 40 years. The office is owned and operated by Mark Kance, who took over as executive director of the center four and a half years ago.
“We offer much more than tutoring,” Kance said. “We work together with students and their parents to reach goals.”
Sylvan offers personalized programs in a wide range of subjects to help students catch up, keep up or get ahead in school. Subjects include math, reading, writing, science, study skills, homework help and advanced reading. Now is also a great time for college-bound teens to take advantage of Sylvan’s prep programs, including SAT and ACT Prep and College Prep Writing.
“Our services help keep kids on track and identify skill gaps so they can move forward,” Kance said. “We keep them challenged but not frustrated.”
Each program begins with a Sylvan Skills Assessment that is designed to identify each student’s specific academic strengths and needs. A plan is then developed that is unique to each child.
“If we find there is an issue, we can go in and address it,” Kance said. “We fill in the gaps for weaknesses and move the children forward, from low to high. We want everyone to reach their true potential.”
Kance is from the area, and attended West Windsor-Plainsboro High School South from grades K-10 before heading to The Hun School of Princeton for grades 11 and 12. He received his bachelor’s degree from Hofstra University and holds a master’s in teaching from The College of New Jersey.
He now lives in Robbinsville with his wife, Amy, who is managing director of Sylvan Learning of Hamilton.
Kance, who grew up with learning challenges, worked as a teacher before deciding to take over the learning center.
“I can make a bigger difference here on an individual basis,” he said. “We provide a custom program for each child and see results. Our goal is to fix issues as quickly as possible.”
Amy emphasized that they partner with parents and teachers to help the students succeed, offering guidance and a commitment to learning every step of the way.
“Together, we reach goals and celebrate achievements,” she said.
The Kances said that the teachers at Sylvan Learning have the patience, knowledge and know how to connect with each student, giving them the personal attention and motivation to thrive.
“We offer something that can’t be easily replicated,” Kance said. “We meet with each family and strive to understand their needs—their background, challenges, learning style—and dig deeper. If we didn’t understand the history by asking good questions, we wouldn’t be as successful.”
Sylvan is also different because it uses a digital learning platform that replaces books, paper and pencils, but not human interaction.
“It is more easily adaptive, and provides parents with reporting data on what each student worked on, what they are working on and what’s coming next,” Amy said.
Sylvan also offers advance study skills courses including Study Skill and Goal-Setting Essentials, Improved Organization and Time Management, Powerful Communication and Presentations, Note-Taking Strategies That Work and Test Taking with Confidence.
“A learning situation impacts the whole family,” Kance said. “We take the frustration level away. The families have a sense of relief that someone can help them. They put it on us to deal with their problems, and we alleviate the struggle and help get the children more comfortable. Then when they leave here they ask when they can come back next, and they are no longer fearful.”
“We work on building self-confidence,” he continued. “We are a premier offering with clear differences, and adaptive programs that deliver results are at the core of it. I love it when we finish programs and see confidence, motivation and skills improving. The parents say the kids are happy to come here and are picking up books at home—and homework is easier. They see a marked difference in their children.”
Sylvan Learning of Hamilton is located at 3635 Quakerbridge Road, in Hamilton, directly across from Princeton BMW. Phone: (609) 588-9037. Sylvan works with students in towns including Robbinsville, Yardville and more.