Recent News:

Entrepreneur Magazine/Sept 2011

Summit Learning Services
Tutoring
(954) 583-9288
summitlearning.net
Startup Cost: $32.99K - 46.99K
Total Franchises/Company owned: 20/13

___________________________________________________________

While working as a private school teacher two years ago, Plantation resident Jeanee Thompson tutored a few elementary school students in math and reading on the side.

That summer of tutoring for extra cash inspired Thompson to launch her own educational learning center, Summit Learning Services, which provides one-to-one tutoring and small group learning sessions to students from preschool to adults.

Thompson focused on developing a curriculum and acquiring materials: kid-friendly furniture, computers, workbooks and learning aides.

Sales from 2007 to 2008 increased by five times, and that figure is expected to triple in 2009.

But during that growth, Thompson needed help with the business plan. For advice she turned to her boyfriend, Ed Cwieka, who owned his own medical staffing firm and had experience in building a business from the ground up. Ready for a career change and seeing potential in hers, Cwieka sold his company to co-found Summit and concentrate on business operations. Business dollars are tight, Cwieka said. "We do what every company does, watch the little things, look for payment terms."

Cwieka's expertise in hiring helped Thompson to formulate a plan to attract qualified teachers. Summit taps about 50 certified teachers who also are currently working in local public schools. Cwieka obtained office space in a professional park. They developed a marketing strategy that includes a partnership with public schools through the No Child Left Behind initiative. They participate in the volunteer Partners in Education program. They provide student scholarships for Summit's services.

Summit classroom labs accommodate four to six students on average. Student essays and drawings decorate hall and classroom walls. Posters of math and scientific tables, maps and color charts hang thoughout the place.

Summit added to its roster of services an intensive four-week FCAT Boot Camp, which this year quickly sold out. Expanded year-round learning is scheduled in the evenings and weekends. Tutors travel to homes, libraries or other venues convenient to the client. Half-day summer educational camps serve about 140 students and they receive T-shirts, snacks and awards.

Summit runs smaller operations in Miami-Dade and Palm Beach counties.

Jenny Bailey's son, a second-grader, needed extra help in addition to the time she spent working with him on his school assignments. She turned to Summit because she noticed their flier outside a shop she visited at the same business park. Bailey's son attended Summit's summer and FCAT camps.

Bailey had to budget for the extra expense. Private student fees range from $40 to $50 an hour. "I could take the money and do other things, but instead I chose to tighten the belt a little to invest in my son," she said. "Education is a need, not a want." Bailey's son instantly liked the environment and hunkered down to the process of learning, said Bailey. "There is always room for improvement. If you give children a foundation, they can go on to greater things in life. This helped to build his confidence. He showed a great increase in his reading score and I referred a couple of friends."

Feedback is critical in a business like this, said Thompson. The relationship lasts long after the customer has been served, because of referrals. "Involve the parent or you lose the client," said Thompson.

Cindy Kent can be reached at ckent@SunSentinel.com; Twitter: mindingyourbiz and 954-356-4662

 ____________________________________________________________________________

May 21, 2008/Community Involvement Awards 2008

Broward County Public Schools name Summit Learning Services Partner of the Year.

In the fall of 2007, Ms. Jeanee Thompson, the President of Summit Learning Services, appeared at Griffin Elementary School. She expressed her interest in assisting those students who were experiencing difficulty in academics and offered the assistance that Summit Learning Services could provide. Griffin Elementary selected several first grade children as the target group requiring extra help in reading skills. Ms. Thompson focused on phonological phonemic awareness and reading readiness skills to build the solid foundation those children need to learn to read. Workbooks were purchased and special incentives were offered to the students as rewards for successful learning. Ms. Thompson met with the children in each of the classes for 45 minutes each week. Within a few months, the students demonstrated tremendous improvement in reading and could readily decode even unfamiliar words. Children eagerly await Ms. Thompson's visits. Summit Learning Services also provided a Web site that students could use, free of charge, at home with their parents. Parents have expressed their appreciation for this partnership. This year Griffin Elementary will express their appreciation for their partner by hosting a special Thank You  breakfast on May 28, 2008 and present Ms. Thompson with a commemorative plaque. It is easy to see how highly this partnership is valued.

Tutoring service offers scholarships to FCAT camp

By C. Ron Allen | South Florida Sun-Sentinel
February 3, 2008

Plantation - As South Florida public schools find themselves in the midst of a test-preparation frenzy for the Florida Comprehensive Assessment Test, one private tutoring service is offering scholarships for needy students in the third, fourth and fifth grades.

"It's not a fun camp," Ed Cwieka, co-founder of the Plantation-based Summit Learning Services said, adding that the students receive individual attention because of the class size. "Classes max out at eight students. It gives everyone a chance to learn."

The four-week camp offers two sessions between Feb. 11 and March 7. Cwieka said he will provide at least five scholarships to the camp, which normally costs $450. There could be more, depending on the number of seats available, he said.

Cwieka awarded five scholarships to students attending a similar camp in December.

"This is our way of giving back," said Cwieka, who is opening more centers across the area. "We feel it's the right thing to do."

Rose Gaskin's son, Russhard, 11, of Lauderhill, was one of five scholarship recipients for the camp in December.

"It was wonderful. I was trying to get him to improve his math and reading skills," Rose Gaskin said, adding that if he had the opportunity, she would send him again.

The Florida Legislature instituted the standardized tests in 1998 to assess whether students were learning what they should. Poor performance on the test could prevent some third-graders from moving to the next grade. About 19 percent of the 19,366 third-graders who took the test last year failed, according to the Broward County School District.

Third-graders who fail the FCAT can try passing an alternative test, or teachers can submit a portfolio of schoolwork to show that children can read on grade level. But school officials warn that the alternative test is more difficult than the FCAT.

Some students are exempt, including children who do not speak English and those who already have flunked twice. Even disabled students who fail the test must repeat third grade, unless they have been held back previously or are so disabled they cannot take the test.

Low-performing schools earn failing grades, and those with F's for two of four years would see their students become eligible to transfer to better-performing public schools or attend private schools with vouchers.

Educational Services: Our Offices or Your Home 1-on-1 Education Homework Assistance All Subjects K - 12 FCAT Preparation Singapore Math College Preparation Small & Large Groups Available

Corporate Office 6955 W. Broward Blvd. Publix Shopping Plaza Plantation, Florida 33317     Hours of Operation: Monday - Friday 9 a.m. - 8 p.m. Saturday 9 a.m. - 4 p.m.