--- title: "Sylvan Learning Eyes Florida as a Priority Market for Expansion to Help Children Experiencing COVID-Related Learning Loss" url: https://burnaze.com/article/5dd9bd15-1347-4b97-b450-6ef5c938c2d6 source: "1851 Franchise" original_url: https://1851franchise.com/sylvan-learning-eyes-florida-as-a-priority-market-for-expansion-to-help-children-experiencing-covid-related-learning-loss-2717594 category: "Tutoring" industry: "Education & Childcare" segment: "Tutoring" topics: ["Development & multi-unit"] published: 2022-01-06T13:08:00.000Z modified: 2026-11-01T01:12:32.198Z image: https://newimage.1851franchise.com/cdn-cgi/image/quality=85,format=webp,width=1280,height=720/story/featureImage/e03a89b84409fdc4ef701ea9e2fa85222492.jpg --- # Sylvan Learning Eyes Florida as a Priority Market for Expansion to Help Children Experiencing COVID-Related Learning Loss **TL;DR:** Sylvan Learning is targeting Florida as a priority market for expansion to help children experiencing COVID-related learning loss. The company has 35 centers operating in the state and plans to open in 26 additional markets. *originally published in 1851 Franchise on 2022-01-06. [Read the original](https://1851franchise.com/sylvan-learning-eyes-florida-as-a-priority-market-for-expansion-to-help-children-experiencing-covid-related-learning-loss-2717594).* ## Key facts - Sylvan Learning targets Florida for expansion - 91% of educators reported decline in performance - Sylvan's personalized teaching model shows up to three times more academic growth ## Story Sylvan Learning, the leading provider of supplemental and enrichment education for students in grade K-12 with more than 750 points of presence worldwide, is targeting Florida as it expands its footprint amid growing demand for its academic support services in the Sunshine State. Last fall, only 54% of Florida’s students went to school in person, and educators statewide reported a notable decline in performance. Recent survey responses showed 91% of “superintendents, educators, charter school networks and partnering organizations” supported academic enrichment and support for school districts, with the second-highest response in favor of supporting students with intervention programs in the face of COVID-19 learning loss. As the country moves into its post-pandemic phase and students return to school, it’s become increasingly clear that COVID-related disruptions have resulted in gaps in learning. A recent study estimates that pandemic learning loss puts students behind in their studies anywhere from four to 12 months. In Florida, schools are scrambling to find ways to help students catch up in an effort to prevent what could become a generational education crisis. ## Florida market growth Luckily, Sylvan is uniquely suited to address the problem. With a recent combination of resales — like recent successful resales in Clermont, Orange Park, Gainesville, Ocala, Tampa and Orlando — and new owner signings across Florida, the Florida market has plenty of room for growth. Currently, 35 centers are operating in the state, with the capacity to open in 26 additional markets. “We’re confident about our ability to transform outcomes for our students in the state of Florida,” said Sylvan Learning CEO John McAuliffe. “In addition to our personalized teaching model, we continue to invest in learning technology that allows us to respond to parents’ needs in the areas hardest hit by the pandemic in these challenging times. Expansion of Sylvan is great news for the Sunshine State.” With more than 14% growth in population over the last 10 years and nearly 20% of the state’s population under the age of 18, the area is primed for franchise growth in the education sector. “I’ve been with Sylvan for 32 years, and I moved here in 1986 from Indianapolis because I looked all over the country and decided this was where I wanted to live,” said Sylvan Learning franchisee Terry Hiduke. “Florida is such a great place for a Sylvan, because the kids here really need our help and truly benefit from the supplemental learning.” Hiduke’s recently remodeled 2,500-square-foot main center is located in Fort Myers, with two satellite locations in Cape Coral and Estero. For Hiduke, the demand is so great that he’s currently considering expanding his Cape Coral satellite facility. A 20-minute drive from Collier County, the Estero location serves families in multiple areas, so much so that he’s also considering expanding further into Collier. “Collier County is really huge, so that’s a big opportunity we’re considering,” Hiduke said. “There's really a lot of opportunity all throughout Florida, as long as the economy stays booming the way it is and the schools struggle to get everyone caught up.” Hiduke said that when he first considered buying into Sylvan more than 30 years ago, he ultimately ended up signing because of the guaranteed results. “What I loved about the product was that no one else was helping kids as fast and as thoroughly as Sylvan was, and that’s still true today,” he said. “I think the key to being a Sylvan owner and really being successful is believing you can help kids — and that's really the number-one thing.” ## Sylvan method benefits Independent research shows the Sylvan Method™, developed through academic research, teaching experience and technology, builds confidence, boosts skills, delivers better grades and results in up to three times more academic growth compared to students who don’t utilize Sylvan. The brands’ proprietary software, SylvanSync™, equips owners with the tools to provide their teachers with engaging content to motivate students with adaptive lessons and a personal learning plan. Offering a breadth of programs, including reading, writing, math, SAT and ACT prep, study skills and advanced reading, Sylvan’s Personalized Tutoring programs for reading and math even guarantee progress results to keep families coming back for continued business. At the beginning of the pandemic, Sylvan introduced a virtual tutoring option to ensure that children still had access to their tutoring sessions. As school districts transitioned to remote learning, Sylvan created its School Support program to help children stay on track and help parents manage the complexities of this current school year. The brand also rolled out a mobile app in some markets that allows parents to book virtual lessons with Sylvan-approved tutors. It’s this kind of innovation that gives Sylvan Learning franchise owners the advantage over the competition and the ability to support its educators with evolving programming and technology. Boasting thousands of school relationships in North America, Canada, Hong Kong, UAE, Kuwait, Vietnam and Turkey, Sylvan Learning has been focused on building academic confidence, igniting intellectual curiosity and inspiring a love for learning — all of which make a big impact in school and in life. With its eyes now on Florida expansion, the industry-leading learning franchise is seeking franchise partners to provide a much-needed service as students struggle to get caught up and reach their full potential. “Franchisees will be able to make a difference in their community by bringing Sylvan Learning to more families in Florida,” said McAuliffe. “At a time when demand for our services is unprecedented, Sylvan Learning’s system is stronger, more nimble and more united than ever.” Open markets of particular interest across Florida include Orlando, West Palm Beach, Miami, Naples, Marco Island, Palm Coast, Daytona Beach, St. Augustine and Jacksonville. With more than 40 years of experience and more than 750 points of presence throughout North America, Sylvan Learning is the leading provider of personal learning for students in grades K-12. Sylvan is transforming how students learn, inspiring them to succeed in school and in life. Sylvan’s proven tutoring approach blends amazing teachers with SylvanSync™ technology on the iPad® for an engaging learning experience. Sylvan also leads the way with Sylvan EDGE — STEM and accelerated courses and Sylvan Prep — college and test prep courses. Sylvan supports families through every stage of the academic journey. Sylvan is a wholly owned subsidiary of Franchise Group, Inc. ## Entities - 1851 Franchise (publication) - unit expansion (topic) - franchise growth (topic) - Education & Childcare (sector) - Florida (location) - Sylvan Learning (company) - John McAuliffe (person) - Colliers (company) - education sector (topic) - learning loss (topic) --- Originally reported by 1851 Franchise (https://1851franchise.com/sylvan-learning-eyes-florida-as-a-priority-market-for-expansion-to-help-children-experiencing-covid-related-learning-loss-2717594). Summarized by Burnaze (https://burnaze.com/article/5dd9bd15-1347-4b97-b450-6ef5c938c2d6).