Franchisor Stories
These collaborations help Sylvan franchisees drive growth while ensuring that more students — regardless of background or financial situation — have access to the educational support they need.
For Sylvan Learning franchisee Kari Weigel, institutional partnerships have been a game-changer — not only for her business but also for the students she serves. As the owner of Sylvan Learning centers in Fargo and Bismarck, North Dakota, Weigel has built strong relationships with schools and organizations to provide much-needed educational support. Through these partnerships, she has expanded brand awareness, secured substantial business opportunities and, most importantly, helped more students access the resources they need to succeed.
Sylvan Learning’s commitment to institutional partnerships has been instrumental in bridging educational gaps and increasing student access to academic resources. Weigel’s centers have partnered with several high schools and middle schools on the Fort Peck Indian Reservation, for example, supported United Tribes Technical College and participated in initiatives like The Monarch Project, which aids Native American students across multiple high schools.
“We’ve been partnering with schools to help kids with the ACT and other academic support programs,” Weigel said. “Through grants and institutional contracts, we’re able to reach a much larger group of students, making a meaningful impact on their educational journeys.”
One of Sylvan’s most recent collaborations is with North Dakota’s Choice Ready program, which aims to prepare students for three potential paths after high school: military readiness, workforce readiness and university readiness. Maren Gerhardt, director of Sylvan Learning in North Dakota, explained how this program aligns with Sylvan’s mission.
“The state put together a grant, and we are working on ACT prep for high school students who want to participate in the university-ready path,” said Gerhardt. “This is our first year working on this initiative through institutional partnerships, but we’ve been helping students privately and working with schools in direct collaboration for years.”
Beyond the educational impact, these partnerships provide Sylvan franchisees with substantial business opportunities. When institutions recognize the value Sylvan brings to their students, long-term contracts follow, creating a reliable revenue stream for franchise owners.
"When you secure one of these institutional grants, it can be a game-changer for your business," Gerhardt said. "For example, one grant can drive revenue growth of up to 50% or more per center—equivalent to what a center generates in an entire year. If you do it right and exceed expectations, not only do you grow brand awareness, but you also solidify Sylvan’s reputation as a trusted educational partner.”
Many school administrators and community leaders are not fully aware that Sylvan Learning offers institutional partnership opportunities. “It’s always great to work this way because, through one contract, we can help multiple students,” Weigel said. “Once people learn what we can do, word spreads, and we start receiving more referrals.”
While the financial and branding benefits are significant, Weigel and Gerhardt agree that the most rewarding aspect of institutional partnerships is the ability to change students’ lives. Many of the students Sylvan serves through these programs are at risk of not graduating or facing barriers to higher education. The support they receive through Sylvan’s tutoring, test prep and skill-building programs can be life-changing.
“There’s nothing more fulfilling as an educator than seeing a student achieve something they never thought possible,” Gerhardt said. “When a student comes in crying because they thought they wouldn’t graduate but now they can, or when they show us their college acceptance letter with pride — that’s why we do this work.”
Weigel echoes that sentiment, emphasizing how education is a key to breaking hardships. “Every child we meet is a gift,” she said. “Over the years, we’ve worked with multiple generations of students. Watching them succeed and knowing we played a part in that is incredibly rewarding.”
For more information on franchising with Sylvan Learning, visit: https://1851franchise.com/sylvanlearning.
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