TBO.com - TBO is Tampa Bay Online

Center Helps Students Excel

LOIS KINDLE/Tampa Tribune

Arthur Pierce and Debra Squires recently opened a Huntington Learning Center in the Waterside Shops of Apollo Beach.

ADVERTISEMENT

By LOIS KINDLE, The Tampa Tribune

Published: February 9, 2008

Updated: 02/07/2008 06:44 pm

APOLLO BEACH - Two Ruskin residents recently partnered to help students who struggle with low grades and test scores get on the right track to academic success.

Arthur Pierce and Debra Squires recently opened a Huntington Learning Center franchise in the Waterside Shops of Apollo.

Both retired Verizon employees, their goal is to provide children with individualized academic programs to help them improve grades and study skills, raise test scores, build self-confidence and boost their motivation.

"We thoroughly evaluate each child to determine his or her needs," Squires said. "We test levels in reading, writing, phonics, spelling and math; and for older students, study skills and ACT/SAT preparation.

"Then we tailor a program specifically for the child, based on the results of our evaluation. The goal is to bring children above their grade levels."

"But for us, it goes a little further," Pierce said. "We want to work hand in hand with the schools to promote academic awareness and education, and to support the community as a whole. We're already sponsoring the Lennard High School baseball team and the South Shore Jr. Longhorns Pop Warner football program. We recently sponsored Beth Shields Middle School's winter carnival and its three-mile race. And we want to do more."

Their franchise area covers all of South Shore - Apollo Beach, Gibsonton, Riverview, Ruskin, Wimauma and Sun City Center.

The 3,150-square-foot facility features diagnostic and evaluation rooms; SAT and ACT prep room; a one-to-one room for children in kindergarten through third grade, where each student has his own teacher; and an open floor with 32 individual work stations, where children in grades four through 12 are taught in groups of four.

So far, Pierce and Squires have hired a staff of four state-certified teachers and will be hiring more, as needed.

A meeting to update parents on their child's progress is set up at 12-week intervals. Pierce and Squires also are willing to meet with teachers.

The two also are developing a scholarship program to help children from low-income families and a teacher-of-the-month program.

The diagnostic evaluation is $195, and program rates start at $40 per hour. Financing is available.

Huntington Learning Center also offers GED prep and other adult programs that include individualized instruction.

The center will host its grand opening at 5:30 p.m. Feb. 20. It will feature a caricaturist and cartoon characters for youngsters, a tour, an information table and light refreshments.

GET TO KNOW

WHO: Arthur Pierce, 49

BORN: Brooklyn, N.Y.

WORK HISTORY: Verizon for 24 years

EDUCATION: bachelor's degree in computer science, Grambling State University, Grambling, La.

LIVES: Ruskin

HUNTINGTON LEARNING CENTER

WHAT: Individualized tutoring and testing for children and adults

WHERE: 6144 U.S 41 N., Waterside Shops of Apollo Beach

GRAND OPENING: 5:30 p.m. Feb. 20

HOURS: 9 a.m.-8 p.m., Monday through Thursday; 2-7 p.m., Friday; and 9 a.m.-3 p.m., Saturday

INFORMATION: (813) 645-4162 or apollo_beach.huntingtonlearning .com

GET TO KNOW

WHO: Deborah Squires, 43

BORN: Brooklyn, N.Y.

WORK HISTORY: Verizon, 23 years

EDUCATION: bachelor's degree in business administration from Iona College, New York City; master's degree in business administration, Long Island University, Brooklyn, N.Y.

LIVES: Ruskin

Reporter Lois Kindle can be reached at (813) 865-1553 or lkindle@tampatrib.com.

Share this:

Loading Comments...

Email Print

ADVERTISEMENT