From One Center to a Legacy of Learning: Castro Valley Sylvan Celebrates 20 Years of Transforming Lives

When Bill Kramer opened his first Sylvan Learning in Piedmont in 1995 with business partner Jack McAboy, he wasn’t just launching a new venture — he was stepping into a lifelong mission to change lives through education. Now, 20 years after opening the Castro Valley location, Kramer says success is in the stories: kids who once thought they couldn’t do it learning that they could - rediscovering confidence and excelling in school, parents who say “you’ve changed my kid’s life” witnessing their child’s new belief in themselves; and team members so inspired by their work that they started tutoring part time and then decided to become full time educators. 

Today, his commitment to education, inspired by a family of teachers and a desire to give back to the community, continues to fuel growth and impact across the Bay Area. As demand for supplemental education remains strong, Kramer sees a bright future ahead — not just for his centers, but for every student who walks through their doors.

1851 Franchise spoke with Kramer about his successful franchising journey with Sylvan and the 20-year milestone of his learning center in Castro Valley. Here’s what he had to say:

1851 Franchise: Frame your personal story for us. What did you do before franchising, and how did you decide franchising made sense for you?

Bill Kramer: My business partner and I had worked together in another industry, and we were looking for something to do together. We explored a number of different businesses to buy or start. Then we heard about supplemental education companies, which interested us a lot.

Jack [McAboy], my business partner, had a strong connection to education. His mother was involved in the school district and served on the school board. He also started a scholarship fund through his Rotary Club in Oakland, where students committed to being with a mentor for six years, from seventh grade through high school, and in return, they’d receive funding to go to college. That program is still running 30-plus years later.

My background is similar - my grandfather, dad, and mom were all teachers. For both of us, the idea of changing lives through education was very meaningful. When we had the chance to start a business focused on education, it was extremely inviting. That’s how we got involved.

1851: Tell me about what you think has made your locations so successful? What has growth looked like over the years?

Kramer: The people who work in the centers. They’re extremely dedicated to helping every student, and passionate about making sure the students learn what they need to learn. Sometimes it’s their parents, grandparents or other relatives who bring them in, but it can also be people with no familial bond who want to help. Our staff really makes the difference. 

1851: What do you think sets Sylvan apart from other tutoring franchises in the community?

Kramer: One is simply our people — they’re fantastic. But Sylvan was a pioneer in 1979 when they started supplemental tutoring. We’ve always assessed the student’s needs, filled in their skill gaps, and we guarantee their academic growth. 

1851: How do you believe Sylvan has helped kids in your area?

Kramer: We’ve had parents and grandparents tell us that Sylvan changed their lives. Kids who didn’t believe they could succeed academically — kids who felt they were dumb — found success in the classroom after coming to Sylvan. The joy and excitement they shared with their parents about what they were able to accomplish made a huge impact. Parents told us it didn’t just change their child’s life — it changed the whole family.

1851: What have been some of the most significant milestones in your journey?

Kramer: There are so many ways to answer that question. We started with Sylvan in 1995 and opened our first center in Piedmont, then six others in the immediate area.  One milestone is the thousands of students we’ve helped over the years. Another is the number of staff members who’ve grown through their Sylvan experience — four of them went on to become Sylvan center owners themselves, many began working full time in public and private educational institutions, and several others started their own businesses in other fields. That’s been a really wonderful milestone.

1851: What do you think the future holds for the Castro Valley location, as well as all of your Sylvan locations?

Kramer: There’s a bright future. There will always be students who need a boost, and there will always be students who want to get ahead in the classroom. There’s a strong, ongoing demand for extra academic help.

1851: What advice do you have for other people thinking about becoming franchise owners?

Kramer: The people you hire will be the key to your success; always do what’s right for your customer. When your focus is “What’s best for this student”, you will never go wrong. These are key foundations for success.

ABOUT SYLVAN LEARNING

With more than 45 years of experience and more than 710 points of presence, 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.  For more information, visit www.SylvanLearning.com.

ABOUT UNLEASHED BRANDS

Unleashed Brands currently includes portfolio brands Urban Air, The Little Gym, Sylvan Learning, Snapology, XP League, Class 101, Premier Martial Arts and Water Wings Swim School. The platform was founded to curate and grow a portfolio of the most innovative and profitable franchise brands that help kids learn, play, and grow. Over the last 10 years, the team at Unleashed Brands has built a proven platform for scaling businesses focused on serving families. Its mission is to impact the lives of every child by providing fun, engaging, and inspiring experiences that help them reach their full potential. For more information, visit UnleashedBrands.com.