MESUT Y
map-marker Metairie, Louisiana

Terrible and theifs

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These guys have contract saying if you are to cancel your membership, you will get credited back only 75% of what you paid. We canceled within 24 hours of signing in and they kept 100% of $4000 dollar we gave them without my kid even taking a single class. Be careful with these guys they are nothing but theifs
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Reason of review:
Return, Exchange or Cancellation Policy
2 comments
Guest

This is exactly what happened to us. I am from a different location but seems like these is happening everywhere.Their intentions are not to help our kids but to get our money.

These has to stop before more families are victimized by these people. If you are one of these families we have to speak up.

Guest
reply icon Replying to comment of Guest-1453600

That’s what happened to our family! We have a legal team looking into this now!

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Maria Mxe

Charges with no service provided

They showered us with encouragement and open a loan account. charged for the estimated tutoring hours then , We decided to cancel enrollment. Not a single class was attended. We did not even have a schedule and yet we were still charged.This is wrong and This has to stop. Please don`t sign any contract with them or better yet please don`t patronized this kind of people. I saw the previous review and I definitely can relate. Tried to talk to the manager and all she can say is "you can give your opinion at sylvan learning comment section. What kind of customer service is that? After posting a comment. What is next? thank you for your money? Please help if you`re on the same boat as we are.
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Loss:
$1200
Reason of review:
Return, Exchange or Cancellation Policy

Preferred solution: Full refund

Hernandez
map-marker Waco, Texas

Lack of knowledge and professionalism in this center

Located on 5016 W Waco drive. These people are not professionals and will not take your TEXAS Drivers License as an ID to take an exam.I had already taken other PRAXIS exams using the same ID, never had a problem. According to the two "professionals " they have assisting customers, other locations do not follow the rules. I drove one hour and a half to take my exam and they refused to accept my DL because my second last name was not on the receipt . I asked for the owners number and again the "professional lady' they had as a supervisor gave me the number and said "call tomorrow because they are closed". I called the number from the parking lot and guess what, THEY WERE OPEN. Before scheduling an exam in this location drive a bit further and go some where else. I have used the same ID in other Sylvan's learning centers and I have never had one problem. I can use my DL to vote, but not to take an exam.
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Loss:
$150
Cons:
  • How they treat customers
Reason of review:
Did not accept my government ID
Anonymous

Not worth it. Nor what I agreed to

Having picked the areas in which we wanted help, I was surprised when my son only seemed to be doing his homework the first couple of visits. Homework he was very capable of doing on his own. I did say something and they tried to work on one of the areas we had selected (organization). But it was very basic and juvenile for a 15 year old. I called and requested he receive some help with engineering, which they were unable to do. My son tried to get to the engineering website at sylvan but their wifi internet connection or speed never allowed it to even open.
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Reason of review:
Not as described/ advertised
Tiarah Qjg
map-marker Forest Park, Illinois

Forest Park did wonders for my child

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My middle school daughter attended over the summer to help with her math. She learned so much from the math teachers and gained confidence in leaps and bounds.

She started the school year ahead of her peers and has actually enjoyed going to school this year. While pricing can be expensive, the amount of attention and care that my child received, more than made up for it. They went back to a skill that she was comfortable with and built a program to build on and help her grow.

I highly recommend giving it a try. Also, with the groupon available, it is well worth it.

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Pros:
  • Atmosphere
  • Staff
Reason of review:
Good quality
Deontae Tim

Sylvan Learning Center Customer Care Review

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I absolutely love Sylvan of Waco! My daughter is passing math and I'm so proud of her. Her confidence level has dramatically improved. The staff is awesome and they work so very hard with my daughter
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Reason of review:
Good customer service
Anonymous

Sylvan Improves grades for sure

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Very good experience. My daughter attended Sylvan and excellent improvement in 6 months of time.

They motivate kids with tokens, prizes and the program is highly recommended. Sylvan has no competition in tutoring, they offer everything a child need and they cater average, above average as well as gifted students. Teaching methodology is good, material they provide thru iPad is outstanding! Their Robotics classes are the best, my daughter learnt HTML coding in 6 hours!!!

I probably continue with Sylvan in her high school and also for ACT preparation. Teachers are very motivated, place is spacious and very clean. Highly automated programs and no paper-pen business.

My daughter is always excited to go to Sylvan to learn. I strongly recommend to all of my friends and families to Sylvan

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Pros:
  • Product and programs
Reason of review:
Good quality
Anonymous

Only few program, not for every student, design for money collection.

The Sylvan Learning Center in the Kahala Mall, is bad. They have few program to fit only few style and they are more interesting to collect money than teaching. When you asking any information, first word you will here that "no guarantee!" {{redacted}}
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Reason of review:
Bad quality
Terell Vuq
map-marker Trophy Club, Texas

Sylvan Learning Center Tutoring Course Review from Trophy Club, Texas

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Enrolled my son at Sylvan in Lake Mary, FL, to get him prepared and ahead for 2nd Grade. After initial evaluation, we were told that he needed at least 3 days per week tutoring for reading. We received all sorts of promises about how we would see a huge improvement in his grades, he would be well prepared for the year. The Director pitched it like they were doing one on one training and even stated that how low the margin was from the $45/session they charged to the $36/hour the teacher was paid. Come to find out that they were cramming 3 kids in the tutoring session and going over lessons on an IPad. In addition, the rumor was that these instructors received pay no where close to the $36 hour we were told. Additionally, we were told they would meet with us every month and go over the improvement (they stated they test the kids each month to track progress). The first few months, we didn't have a meeting because we were told our son has to get adjusted before they can evaluate his success. After about the 5th month, with little improvement on his grades, we met with the director to pull him out. We heard a lot of talk about how many kids were succeeding but no specifics on our son. The Director had the audacity to show us some other child's before and after test to prove the program works. When we asked how our son has been doing on testing we were told that he signed on and off and did not take the test that was administered via the IPad. I was shocked- this supposedly happened for the past 3-4 months of testing and not once were we told this was happening?! The excuse was that our son probably did this because he was scared not to do well and disappoint the staff at Sylvan. Give me a break! We waisted thousands of dollars on tutoring with no results. In addition, when we questioned our son later he stated that was untrue. Most likely, they didn't want to reveal the test scores because it would prove it was not working! Parents- please don't fall for the false promises and smoke and mirrors that the Director gives you during the initial consultation. He is only in it for the money and has no genuine concern on how the kids are improving. Absolutely disgusted with this place. You are taking advantage of caring parents at the expense of a child's education!
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Reason of review:
Bad quality
Anonymous
map-marker Ottawa, Ontario

Sylvan Learning Center Teacher Review

My son started sylvan in August, he's doing great. All teachers are very nice. Sylvan learning center is so big. Jackie is also very good.
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Reason of review:
Good customer service
Julie C Bms

This review is from a real person who provided valid contact information and hasn't been caught misusing, spamming or abusing our website. Check our FAQ

Verified Reviewer
| map-marker Wellington, Kansas

Sylvan Learning Center Customer Care Review from Wellington, Kansas

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Today I visited the Sylvan Learning Center/ Praxis Testing Site at 21st and Woodlawn in Wichita, KS. It was my 4th time testing at the center for various teaching certifications and, as usual, the experience was absolutely horrible. When I arrived, the two women in the waiting area were already near tears because of the tongue-lashing they'd already gotten from the evil blonde front desk attendant who makes every visit a misery. Though I didn't know these women, they were so upset that they proceeded to fill me in on Blondie's abusive behavior while we waited. They even said that instructors in their WSU counseling program had warned them not to be rattled by the epic rudeness of the Sylvan staff. This center takes testing security seriously to the point of ridiculousness, and Blondie seemed to relish searching me, making me turn out my pockets, pull up my pant legs, and remove my reading glasses from my head because apparently, she suspected me of using high-tech mirrored lenses to cheat off my neighbors. Throughout this ordeal, she kept up a barrage of belittling, sarcastic comments that made me so angry that I had trouble focusing on my test and instead, spent my time wondering whom I could complain to about this wretched woman. Please, somebody, fire this beast and free her to go pursue her true calling as an abusive prison matron somewhere. If you're at all a nervous tester, DONT GO HERE! Make the drive to another center, even if you have to play for a hotel stay, because this situation is the ultimate stressful testing environment!
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Reason of review:
Poor customer service
4 comments
Guest

First off, the "lady" that you are referring to is no longer there. Secondly, the company that you have been complaining about is Prometric, NOT Sylvan; get your facts straight.

Both companies shared an office/building at the time you were there. There is now new ownership, and they are operating at a different location.

Thirdly, the security measures that you went through are mandated by the client (in your case, ETS). These security checks are there to help keep the integrity of the tests. They were not done just to *** YOU off.

You are not so important that you were the only person that was required to turn your pockets out, and pull-up your pant-legs.

Everyone has to go through the routine. I think you need to deal with YOUR anger issues.

Guest
reply icon Replying to comment of Guest-1374393

Clearly written by one of the hateful psychos who work there...^^^

Guest
reply icon Replying to comment of Guest-1379647

I believe you are correct. DUDE has some issues to deal with.

I went through the same ordeal in Texas.

Very rude staff and ignorant staff in general. You would think that these people would have some education before trying to continue there carrer as a teacher.

Guest
reply icon Replying to comment of Guest-1421144

Yeah, it's just really upsetting to be scolded and degraded when you're already stressed and nervous about testing. I've tested at other sites and the staff members have managed to follow security protocol while still being kind.

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Anonymous
map-marker Houston, Texas

Sylvan Learning Center Customer Care Review

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I recently took a test at the Waco Sylvan center. It was noisy, the customer service manager was all doped up. I wouldn't recommend this place for testing! Period!
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Reason of review:
Poor customer service
Anonymous

Behind the scenes at a center

I work at a Sylvan as a teacher, I can tell you sometimes it works and sometimes it doesn't. I feel bad for many of the parents who have to take out a loan in order to get their kid decent tutoring - many private tutors can do wonders and charge a lot less. Much of Sylvan's curriculum is Ipad based and if the child is motivated to improve - it can help. Unfortunately this is often not the case. Many kids have learning disabilities and require more direct 1:1 ratio tutoring - Sylvan (as a rule) always places 3 kids at one table with 1 teacher. So if one of them requires a lot of attention, the other two kids suffer (and their parents are not getting what they're paying for). Sylvan officially states this to help improve independent learning (which is total b.s.) - the truth is it increase profits for the center. Any teacher you speak to will always prefer 1:1 over 3:1 teaching. Much of Sylvan's reading curriculum is pulled from copyright free sources (meaning it's very old and usually not easy for kids to grasp). Again this is more of a money saving move than anything else. Also we teachers often spot curriculum errors (wrong conclusions, incorrect math answers, etc). Finally the pay is horrible for teachers - you parents are paying close to 50-60/hour, the teacher only gets 10-12/hr of that (not per kid either, for the total hour). Many teachers take on Sylvan when they can't find work elsewhere and then get stuck into a barely livable cycle of low pay work. Why should you care? Ask yourselves - if you were only getting $12/hr (and less than full time hours as well) - how motivated would you feel after several months? TO sum it up: Sylvan can work but it's overpriced, not using the best curriculum and teaching practices, and the teachers themselves often feel demoralized. Hope this helps with your decision!
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Reason of review:
Poor customer service
Anonymous
map-marker New York, New York

Sylvan Learning Center Tutoring Course Review

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My daughter was in Sylvan and they made me pay for a year. She stopped in July - July 15!2015 to be precise. However they are reimbursing me for the rest of the year. Roughly $3590. It is february 2016. If I don't pay for a day they send all collection agencies. Whom should contact. I am going crazy here. Can someone help mr
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Reason of review:
Problems with payment
Ivonne Wpb
map-marker Springfield, Illinois

Sylvan Learning Center - Sylvan Math Tutoring Program Review from Springfield, Illinois

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My daughter attended Sylvan in Springdfield, Il for 20 hours in which four of those hours should have been makeup which I passed on. My daughter would be tutored as they call it (really she would complete her homework for two hours then play on an iPad if she had time which never happened) with a first or second grader and a freaking sophomore or junior in high school. I decided I wanted to cancel because they sell you a dream that turns out to be a nightmare. I was charged a cancellation fee on top of 70 bucks an hour for a different lady each week who may or may not be familiar with 5th grade math to assist my daughter with her homework. I'm a nurse I save lives and hardly medicine and I don't make that with time and a half. For 20 hours with no improvements noted and much disappointment I was billed drum roll please 2525.17 I'm still trying to figure out what I'm paying for. If you cancel because you are not satisfied they will add all types of ridiculous fees. I would never recommend these people to anyone not even my worst enemy. I'm totally turned off by the customer service and the lack of services provided including the assist director trying to lie to me in my face. Do not use Sylvan check out your local school districts tutor bank on the district websites.
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Reason of review:
Problems with payment