People in our community ask me all the time, “Where do you work?” and I always say—very proudly—“I’m the local owner of a Sylvan Learning Franchise here in West Linn.” (We’re close to the Willamette Garage food carts on Willamette Falls Drive.)
So, almost immediately, the follow-up question comes: “So… what does Sylvan do?”
For years, my go-to response has been “Sylvan is a tutoring company that’s been around for over 45 years helping students learn in core curriculum subjects.”
But recently it hit me: if even my closest friends still don’t quite understand what I do, then clearly my go-to response isn’t cutting it. So here I am, trying a different approach—something clearer, more personal, and hopefully something that sticks.
Here we go!
Why Sylvan Exists (and Why I Love What I Do)
Kids learn so much in school, and their progress is measured with standardized tests that districts use for data.
And trust me—I love data. I’m the first to say, “The data doesn’t lie!”
But I’ve also learned that standardized tests can create pressure and confusion, especially for students who might be neurodivergent learners (neurodivergent just means people whose brains process information differently from what society considers “typical”).
We’ve always known that not all students learn the same—and that’s exactly where Sylvan steps in.
We use our certified curriculum to make sure students truly understand the concepts behind each learning objective. And here’s how we can personalize it: we don’t force kids to work through every learning objective to complete a grade level. We identify where they’re strong, where they need more support, and tailor instruction precisely to them.
So how do we create a personalized learning plan right away? It’s all based on the Sylvan method.
The Sylvan Method of Teaching
Okay, here’s the formula.
But what does that mean? Let me try and explain it the way it makes sense to me.
Step 1: Assess Where the Student Is
Okay okay, it might sound like I was bashing standardized tests, but no—they are useful and again, I love data! We use a standardized assessment platform, one many families already know: the STAR assessment from Renaissance. It helps provide a starting point for a student academically. How is our standardized test different than school? We are right there with your student, noticing how they feel while taking the assessment. Are they anxious? Rushing? Unsure? Those emotional cues guide us just as much as the score does.
Step 2: Build a Learning Plan That Fits
Based on the assessment, we create a personalized learning plan. The key difference from school? We’re not just looking at the academic data—we’re paying attention to the whole child. How they react. What frustrates them. What motivates them. This lets us support them in ways a score alone never could.
Step 3: Teach—and Adjust Along the Way
Once the plan is set, we start teaching! It usually takes 4–5 sessions for a student to really settle in and for us to make sure the plan is at the right level. We’re constantly adjusting based on how they respond. It’s truly a personalized learning journey.
Step 4: Apply What They Learn in Real Life
My favorite stories from parents are the little everyday moments. Like being in the car and hearing their child suddenly read a sign out loud: “Hey Mom, that says Burger King! That one says Taco Bell!”
Whether Mom decides to stop for dinner is a different story—but the joy of spontaneous reading? That’s priceless.
Why Sylvan Works
Sylvan has been around for over 45 years, and there’s a reason for that. Fun fact: the global Sylvan franchise started right here in Portland, Oregon! I’m incredibly proud to be the owner of the very first Sylvan Learning Center—still going strong today.
Text us today at 503-451-5815 to learn more about Sylvan. If you mention the blog post, you can get a free assessment.
Together, we can build a paradise for learning.
— Amy