When Academic Tutoring Centers began, there were only a handful of "learning/tutoring" centers in existence.  Over the last fifteen years, that has changed dramatically.  As a parent, the choices are overwhelming.  Should a parent choose a well known brand name or a more local company?  It is difficult to decide, but we hope the following information helps each family make the right decision.

Most Learning/Tutoring Centers are owned by Franchisees who must follow the methods designed by the Franchise.  In other words, the owners of many Centers are not teachers and in some cases do not employ teachers as the tutors.  Many owners are individuals who have made a financial investment to open a business.  The tutoring in these businesses, no matter what they claim, is routine and ready-made.  Much like going to McDonalds, a family has a nice menu to choose from, but, in the end, choices are limited by what the Franchise will allow.  In order to pay the franchise fees, owners hire cut-rate teachers, often paying them about $9.00 an hour.  Do parents want their children tutored by an instructor earning such a low wage?  No, but the selling techniques are incredibly smooth, the commercials on TV and radio so enchanting, and claims of success so convincing, it is difficult for a parent not to sign that rather expensive contract. 

Academic Tutoring Centers is the antithesis of the Franchised Center.  We pay our teachers, on average three times what other centers pay - for a reason: we want the best because the best teachers deliver the best results.  Many of our instructors have been with us for over a decade!  They are dedicated individuals who truly care about their profession and about results.  At Academic Tutoring Centers, there are never any enrollment fees or contracts to sign.  We don't feel a need to lock someone into a contract.  It seems to us that education contracts are one sided, designed to protect a learning center from an unhappy child or parent.  To be frank, in our nearly twenty year history, we have not had many unhappy children or parents, so, we have no need for ridiculous contracts.  Our goal is to make sure your child comes home from tutoring with two things: new knowledge and a smile.

We could go on and on about the differences between Academic Tutoring Centers and the plethora of competitors, but we won't.  Give us a call or stop in to see the difference for yourself.