Sylvan Learning Centers

Pauline of Plato MO (03/29/09)
I enrolled my 7 yr.old son for reading, I paid 3842.00 up front. Plus 175.00 for testing. After about 4 months, this was for 108.00 hours of tutoring,@ 36.00 hour . We started on 9-25-08 . By the time the 36 hours came around,My son did not reach the full one grade level that they guarantee. So we should of got the 12 free hours, that I have in writing from them. But they did not stand by this guarantee, We were still charge for the 12 hours. Plus we were charged for the 2 hours of testing that was already paid for. Then we were charge for snow and ice days that they are closed on. And 2 sick days .

To top all this off. We get a letter that the Rolla, Mo. Sylvan is closing it's door on 1-31-09. I call the attorney office that was given on this letter to find out they are filing Chapter 7 . I Via-e-mail the Sylvan corp office, and got no were. Because all the offices are independently own . So Sylvan dose not stand behind the contract you sign with their name all over it. I was told After month of fighting and write letters and reviews , That the Jefferson City or Washington office MAY work out something to take on the pre-paid people.

After weeks, I was told that the Jefferson office will take my son with No other charges. ONLY for 44 hours, Equaling out to 1584.00 that they showed left on my sons account. This did not enclued the 12 free hours,nor the 12 hours for the snow days that THEY were closed,nor the 2 sick days or the 1 test day. As of TODAY, I drive 2 1/2 hours, One way to go to Jefferson city , for 3 hours of tutoring,for 44 hours. I am still out 36 hours.

Alex of Newark, CA March 8, 2009

Alex of Newark CA (03/08/09)
Attention California Residents about Sylvan Learning Center! The guarantee on their contracts and web site are worthless. Back in September 2008, we enrolled our granddaughter into the Sylvan Learning to improve on her reading skills and comprehension, as she was only noted reading in 2-grade level (she was entering 4th grade). This assessment was concurring of her level of reading by Sylvan Learning Center and Newark California Unified School District.

The guarantee was she would improve by the end of the program and start reading 5th-grade level. It did not happen after 5 months nor do her reading skills improve to the 3rd grade level after 36 hours. This evaluation was base on the State of California Education testing program. As we requested the director to add another 12 hours to her program, she said no.

Sylvan tested her skills and her reading skills did improve to one grade per Sylvan standards. The testing is base on a national assessment? test, which no one told us, that the State of California does not recognized; though this type of testing is recognized in over 40 other states. Nowhere we read or heard that the State of California education system does recognize Sylvan test assessments; or better yet, Sylvan Learning Center does not recognize the State of California testing for grade children.

We should be refunded the entire full amount of the tuition of 5,585.00. We feel we been mislead, defrauded upon and influence by false advertising.

We also feel that we should submit this complaint to the State of California State Attorney and investigate other claims besides ours and maybe there is pattern of defrauding consumers by Sylvan Learning Center in Fremont, California.

Out 5,585.00 and my granddaughters time.

Donna of Camas, WA February 19, 2009

Donna of Camas WA (02/19/09)
The Sylvan Learning Center my child attended went into bankruptcy. Do Not pre-pay if you send your child there. It may reduce your payment a little but you won't get back any money still in your account if this happens. A concerned teacher is the only person to contact us and let us know they closed. Of course, she lost her job and had no idea what was going on but at least gave us a call rather than have us show up and find the note on the door telling us they were closed permanently. I know it is a franchise but shame on the corporate office.

Jamie of San Diego, CA January 29, 2009

Jamie of San Diego CA (01/29/09)
My son attended Sylvan Learning center for a total of 9 months while in 1st and 2nd grade. During this time I received bi-weekly reports stating that his progress was good. My son received multiple awards for passing each test and advancing to the next level in both reading and math. I noticed that the reports I was receiving from Sylvan were contradicting compared to the reports my son was bringing home from school. I eventually addressed my concerns with Sylvan which led the Director Rebecca to make the decision to offer a few free sessions.

Needless to say the sessions were a waste of time just like the entire 9 months. I took out a loan through Sallie Mae for 7,000 which I am still paying 55.00 monthly. I feel cheated, my son is currently in 3rd grade and was just assessed with a learning disability. Sylvan took advantage of the opportunity to make money instead of helping a child who was in need. I have read the other complaints on this site and I pray we are able to start a class action lawsuit!

Milton of Riverside, CA January 23, 2009

Milton of Riverside CA (01/23/09)
I signed up for an 8,000.00 loan through Sallie-Mae, my first mistake. Sallie-Mae is a third party, they fund Sylvan fully upfront, then you are on the hook for the entire loan, whether it works or not. After a couple of months in the program I was curious about why they were still going over odd and even. My daughter was in 3rd grade, at school they were learning multiplication tables, yet Sylvan was still doing odd and even numbers. The center director, Rachelle told us that they would not move on until the students were firmly established in the basics, Basics that my daughter would recite with ease when we were in the car or at home,yet somehow Sylvan's tests said otherwise. I finally removed my daughter from the Sylvan program when I received my daughter's report card and her grades WENT DOWN in every area that Sylvan tried to help her in. She made it through third grade, but by the skin of her teeth.

Rather than subject my daughter to Sylvan for the entire summer, I said enough is enough and pulled her and demanded a refund. I was informed that the Sylvan Advantage is that if the student does not improve a whole grade then there would be additional classes at no additional cost. I did not want my daughter's grades to suffer further so I demanded a refund of the unused portion of the loan so that I could be through with Sylvan. That was in early summer. In September I folowed up with an e-mail demanding my refund. I was told by R. Stortz on Spt. 29 that my loan would be reimbursed the unused funds in 6 to 8 weeks Processing time.

After 10 weeks and still no refund, during which time I continuued to pay my monthly amounts to Sallie-Mae, I contacted Dave at Sylvan, the second in charge at the center. He did not initially return calls because he was ill. I finally caught him in late December. His explanation was that due to the hard financial times, the owner, John was behind in processing refund requests. He promised me that the loan would be refunded by Jan. 15. Today is Jan. 22, my loan still has not been refunded. Sallle Mae is a third party in this. They funded the loan and now demand payment. I am stuck paying them.

No one at Sallie-Mae will return correspondence asking for help. And Sylvan continues on with what amounts to free money from my loan which they so far have not refunded. I would not recommend Sylvan to anyone. A better bet would be to check with a local college, they offer tutoring by students at a price less than half of what Sylvan charges, and with no contracts.

I am stuck paying an 8,000.00 loan at 185.00 per month, when most of that should be refunded and my loan payed off quickly. Sylvan has been a dissapointment to us.

Debra of Everman, TX January 13, 2009

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