When "window shopping" for a great tutoring fit, parents should look for the following key ingredients to a quality tutoring experience:
- Highly Qualified Instructors: A strong background in education is a necessity for those who are working with struggling students. Teachers must know "how learning works" and be able to adjust their instruction frequently to accommodate for different styles of learning. At Excel Achievement Center, we pride ourselves on hiring the most qualified professionals in education. Our staff consists of South Dakota certified teachers, the vast majority of which hold Master's Degrees in Education; and an elite group of outstanding pre-service teachers from 2 of our local Universities.
- Research-based Methodology: The curriculum in use should align with sound research and "best practices" in the field of education. Each state has developed their own set of "Standards" that all schools in the state adhere to. Your tutoring facility should also be using these Standards & Benchmarks to guide student learning. Furthermore, any quality tutoring facility should be familiar with the latest research put out by the National Reading Panel and the National Council of Teachers of Mathematics. Excel Achievement Center utilizes all of these standards and practices.
- Individualized Instruction: The instruction your child receives in a tutoring program should be individualized to fit their unique needs. Teachers and students should have the flexibilty to change directions as a lesson progresses and new understanding takes place. At Excel Achievement Center, we do not believe in a "cookie cutter" approach to teaching where the same lesson is used for all students. Instead, we operate on a one-on-one basis; 1 teacher to 1 student for every tutoring session! Therefore, our highly experienced staff has the ability to work closely with your child for an entire hour long session.
- Accountability & Communication: As a parent, you should never be left asking, "I wonder how my child is doing?" A quality tutoring program keeps the lines of communication open between parents, school, and tutoring. Progress, breakthroughs, and struggles should all be discussed when they are occurring rather than as a "surprise" at the end of a program. Parents of students enrolled at Excel Achievement Center have formal, sit-down meetings called "Parent Reports" every 6 weeks to discuss progress and concerns. Upon parent request, the Education Director also communicates with the child's classroom teacher to ensure that strategies being learned at Excel are also transferring over to the classroom. Furthermore, to put parents' minds at ease Excel Achievement Center will allow students to get up to 25% into their tutoring program and still offer a refund of monies not spent if the fit doesn't seem "right."
The process for enrolling at Excel Achievement Center begins with a FREE Consultation with one of the Center Directors. Call us today at 988-0900 to book yours!