FAQS

Why seek professional help?

  • Grades or standardized tests scores have deteriorated over the last few years
  • Academic performance is below ability
  • Academic performance is below grade level
  • The child has been having the same or similar problems for more than one year
  • The academic performance is inconsistent
  • The child has a history of developmental delays or learning disabilities
  • Tutoring after school has not helped
  • The child’s performance is inconsistent in reading, writing, math, and spelling
  • Parents notice that the child is not performing up to his/her ability

What to Look for in a Learning Center
(taken from "Ending the Homework Hassle" by John Rosemand)

  • Look for a Learning Center that:
  • Comes highly recommended by other parents and professional
  • Has been in business more than two years
  • Employs teachers who are state-certified and have classroom experience
  • Uses a variety of learning materials, thus enabling adaptation to a broad range of learning styles
  • Uses computer-assisted instruction as a supplement to teacher-based instruction, rather that as a primary instructional technique
  • Retests your child periodically to check his/her progress
  • Guarantees they will contact and continue to communicate with you child's regular classroom teacher
  • Promises to keep you regularly posted concerning your child's progress in their program
What services will a learning center provide?

  • Professional staff and teachers who understand the learning process
  • Diagnostic assessment of your child
  • On going conferences with the parents and teachers
  • Progress testing
  • Personalized program to help your child
  • Prevents students from falling through the cracks
What is covered for my tuition at Swan?

  • Eight individualized instructional hours per month, two hours per week. Students work on their own personalized program.
  • An individual educational program designed for your child's specific needs as identified by the results of the comprehensive skills testing.
  • An educational program monitored and updated after each instructional hour.
  • Use of state of the art materials and equipment, math manipulatives and other current basic skill materials. Instructional materials range from Primer through 12th grade level.
  • Parent Conferences and progress checks with the Swan Learning Center's Director at regular intervals; appointments after 10 hours of instruction. Additional conferences are welcomed.
  • All pre-testing and post-testing of materials used to determine instructional progress and mastery levels throughout the program.
  • All student materials, including notebook, checkbook, and purchases in the Swan Store.
  • Formal Progress testing upon completion of every 40 hours of instruction in one subject area.
  • Benefit of working with a team of dedicated educators who help each child improve his/her confidence, motivation and academic skills.
  • Proven results.
What are the steps to enrollment?

  • Step 1: Diagnostic Testing. Testing appointments are made in the morning and on Saturdays. A testing session usually last between 21/2 and 3 hours. The diagnostic test for preschoolers and kindergartners usually last 45 minutes to 1 hour.
  • Step 2: A conference is scheduled within a few days of the assessment to discuss test results. We want to get the results back to the parents as soon as possible. Appointment can be made for the morning, afternoon or evening.
  • Step 3: Establish Goals and Objectives for each student and set a schedule for your student. Most students attend Swan two hours a week. We teach Monday through Thursday 1:30 PM to 7:30 PM and on Saturdays from 9:30 AM to 11:30 AM.
Why do I need my student to take a Diagnostic Test?

  • Our battery of tests and screens identifies your student's areas of need. Following the diagnostic testing we will confer with you to determine the specific targeted areas to meet your student's needs and goals.
When will my child take the diagnostic test?

  • Testing appointments are made in the morning and on Saturdays. A testing session usually last between 21/2 and 3 hours. The diagnostic test for preschooler, kindergartners usually last 45 minutes to 1 hour.
When is the initial conference to discuss testing results?

  • Conference times are set within the two days of testing. We want to get the results back to the parents as soon as possible. Appointment can be made for the morning, afternoon or evening.
How are goals and objectives for each student established?

  • Our philosophy also calls for a personalized and individualized learning program for each student. We interview the parent, assess the student and together determine the appropriate course of education and goals. The parent's goals and objectives are collected at the initial testing appointment. We combine the parent's goals with the results of the diagnostic testing to establish the direction of each student's program.
Are you accredited?

  • We are accredited by CITA and SACS and offer courses for credit for middle and high school students.
When will my student come for instruction?

  • Most students attend Swan twice a week for one hour each time. We teach Monday through Thursday 1:30 PM to 7:30 PM and on Saturdays from 9:30 AM to 11:30 AM.
When do you progress test?

  • Student progress is assessed throughout the program. Formal progress testing after 40 hours of instruction provides a tangible measure of growth.
What about instruction?

  • Students work with teachers who get results. They learn in a positive and open environment where success is everyone's goal. We make learning fun while offering age appropriate challenges. To ensure tangible growth, each child works from an individualized program that can be extended or enriched as needed. We use the best tactile and traditional methods of instruction.
Do I have conferences with the director?

  • Academic and personal counseling relevant to academic progress is conducted every 5 weeks of enrollment or every 10 hours of instruction. We encourage parents to schedule conferences more frequently if needed.
With what community, business, and civic or charitable institutions has the school joined or formed an affiliation?

  • Swan is a member of the Education Industry Association and has participated in its yearly conference. We support the Learning Disability Association of Charlotte and are corporate members. Swan also maintains membership in the American Educational Research Association. Jenny Beaumont was asked to join the board of the Community Charter School as a community member and holds the position of Vice President and serves on the Randolph Middle School PTA Board and on the Cotswold Elementary School Board.
What are the methods of instruction?
  • · The philosophy of Swan Learning Center states that the latest research is implemented into the center and that tested learning techniques are used in the classroom. At Swan we incorporate the Orton-Gillingham method of teaching for emergent readers and use high interest text. Our methods of phonics instruction are traditional and based on educational theory and practice. Age appropriate supplies and manipulatives make learning fun and interesting, while our motivational program encourages pride in the student's work. Our criteria for mastery determine if a child is ready for a new level and both the instruction and program are adjusted as the student progresses.
What curriculum do you use?

  • · The philosophy and mission recognizes the need for varied curricula and a tailored system of education. The center uses the resources of many main line publishers and the researched based material of Orton Gillingham and Fast ForWord.