Miller now owns five learning centers or “Sylvan Sync” satellite locations in Greater Cincinnati; seven in Greater Cleveland and Youngstown; and two in Greater Louisville.
Miller’s growth plan for the Cincinnati market includes opening a new site in July on Beechmont Avenue in Anderson Twp., as well as relocating the Eastgate location in June to a newly-renovated building.
“Cincinnati is an important market for us,” Miller said. “We will continue to expand in Cincinnati.”
Miller, who worked in global sales at Google the past six years, said she wanted a business venture that “took advantage of the growth of Ohio.”
In the U.S., the supplemental education sector makes up $5 billion worth of business, according to the Wall Street Journal. Miller said $1 billion alone is spent on test prep.
“If a young person doesn’t have a good experience in school, it sets them up for difficulty,” Miller said. “I wanted to invest my time in helping kids.”
The Sylvan Learning centers offer both enrichment and assistance to students in grades K-12, Miller said. Services include subject tutoring in math, reading and writing, study skills, homework help and test prep.
Miller said there is no set program used for students, but a customized plan developed after completing an assessment to find out their individual needs.
“No two students are alike,” Miller said.
Miller declined to release staffing levels for her 14 Sylvan locations, or the total investment she’s made in the locations, but said she’s working on expanding the staffing levels and upgrading the learning spaces.
Miller said the increasing use of technology has caused a need for more “Sylvan Sync” locations that can pop up in libraries, schools and office buildings. The sites include a lead teacher and iPads for the lessons.
“Kids would much rather do a lesson on an iPad than worksheets; that’s where the market is going,” Miller said.
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