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Sylvan Learning Centers

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Sylvan Learning Centers Program Manager/Center Director reviews

2.0

2% would recommend to a friend

(88 total reviews)

John McAuliffe

3% approve of CEO

1% positive business outlook

Program Manager/Center Director employees have rated Sylvan Learning Centers with 2.0 out of 5 stars, based on 88 company reviews on Glassdoor. This indicates that most Program Manager/Center Director professionals have a poor working experience there. Sylvan Learning Centers is rated 47% below average by Program Manager/Center Director professionals compared to other employers within the Education industry (3.7 stars).

Reviews by job title

88 reviews
1.0
Jun 9, 2012

13 years of heading down hill

Recommend
CEO approval
Business Outlook

Pros

Sylvan has a legitimate system that really helps students. Most teachers say that working at Sylvan allows them to do teach like they always wished they could. All instruction is one to one or in small groups, with each lesson individually tailored to the individual student. Many of the franchisees are very sharp and are dedicated to providing value for the tuiton the parents pay. If they were just out for the money they would have opened a pizza place or a quick oil change business.

Cons

The best year for revenues was in 1999. Sylvan is a high ticket discretionary expenditure that has suffered with the recession. There has been little money for raises at the local centers. About 25% of the franchises have gone out of business and there have been large cutbacks at the central office. Central office employees are great people but have become more and more overworked. There is distrust and conflict between management and franchisees.

1.0
Mar 26, 2012
Recommend
CEO approval
Business Outlook

Pros

The KIDS, for sure! Loved working with the kids, the parents were generally great too! Sometimes had quiet time when tutoring sessions weren't going on. Kinda liked decorating bulletin boards and cleaning up the center a little. Nice to see the kids improve. I believed in the system. The tutors were great. Hard to believe so many highly educated and able teachers actually WANTED to make some extra bucks tutoring (especially for the low hourly pay they got)!

Cons

Vacation/time off - what time off? No work/life balance. Usually had to work Saturdays. Such a small center (which most are) that it's hard to leave the building. We literally never went to lunch. I had to bring my lunch or order in. Usually only two to three employees working at each center (besides tutors) so you can't leave your post and they won't allow you to delegate. As Center Director, you're basically just the recruiter. Not really managing much and it really doesn't help your resume like I thought it would. Anyone can own a Sylvan if they have the dough so it's had to know who makes a good owner to work for. Mine were terrible! They micro-managed like crazy and made working there unbearable. The only time I liked it was when they weren't there, but they'd still call a lot! The actual job wasn't bad at all and the system really does work for these kids. You have to keep the seats full, which is sometimes hard, but even if they are full, it's never enough. They will try to find new ways to make a buck and keep you busy! So again, you really aren't managing anything.

1.0
Feb 13, 2011
Recommend
CEO approval
Business Outlook

Pros

Sylvan is a recognizable brand. If you're passionate about education and teaching, the children you work with are the only positive outcome of your day.

Cons

Terribly inadequate training, no incentives, no work/life balance. Franchise owned center management seems to not be regulated by corporate at all. The franchise I work for invests little or nothing into their employees in the way of training. Employees are ill-equipped to meet expectations. High employee turn over.

Viewing 85 - 87 of 88 Reviews

Glassdoor has 1,335 Sylvan Learning Centers reviews submitted anonymously by Sylvan Learning Centers employees. Read employee reviews and ratings on Glassdoor to decide if Sylvan Learning Centers is right for you.