FDD Talk 2016: The Eye Level Learning Center Franchise Opportunity (Financial Performance Analysis, Estimated Costs, and Other Important Stuff You Need to Know)

In this FDD Talk 2016 post, you’ll learn the following:

• Section I – Background information on the Eye Level Learning Center franchise opportunity, including relevant news updates

• Section II – Estimated initial investment for an Eye Level Learning Center franchise, based on Item 7 of the company’s 2016 FDD

• Section III – Presentation and analysis of Eye Level Learning Center’s financial performance representations, based on Item 19 of the company’s 2016 FDD, including information on the:

• 2015 average number of subject-students per month for the 230 Eye Level Learning Centers operating during the 2015 calendar year

• 2015 average number of subject-students per month for the 28 Eye Level Performance Society Centers operating during the 2015 calendar year

Section I – Background Information

Eye Level Learning has been around since 1976, which is the year it was founded by Dr. Young-Joong Kang. He came up with a particular educational philosophy and teaching method in South Korea and started franchising the concept that same year.

This after-school program offers enrichment and remediation in English and math for children from 3-18 years of age. Key to the system is self-directed learning and critical thinking, both of which lead to skill development, build confidence, and instill a love of learning.

The number of global locations has been growing steadily for the past 6 years and now stands at 1,314, of which 741 are company-owned and 347 are located outside the U.S.

With North American headquarters in Ridgefield Park, NJ, here’s how Eye Level Learning keeps kids on the pathway to academic success in the competitive tutoring segment:

Student-Centered Learning

As Kang himself puts it, “…we think and teach at age appropriate levels for children.” That may sound like a no-brainer, but you’d be surprised how often teaching methods aren’t properly calibrated to where students are at themselves.

What Kang’s approach emphasizes is how each instructor must first become a student of their students in order to truly understand the learning challenge from the perspective of the student – at their “eye level.” It is only with that knowledge that the instructor can properly tailor the tutoring to the student. It’s a highly tailored academic coaching with the pace set by the student.

Six Virtues of Learning

Kang believes strongly that learners who are determined to succeed must exhibit six virtues: 1) a never-quite competitive attitude; 2) humility to protect against arrogance; 3) resisting temptation; 4) a sportsmanship kind of passion; 5) the power of possibility in achieving goals; and 6) effort over natural talent.

Three Programs

The math curriculum builds up basic skills and goes on to deal with advanced concepts and applications. The English curriculum covers the basics needed for reading and writing, then a focus on grammar, and eventually advanced written and verbal communication. Finally, there’s a play math curriculum that teaches math basics through the use of math storytelling, drawings, finger games, and a variety of theme studies to keep young students engaged.

Thinkers, Not Robots

Eye Level believes strongly that far too much learning is focused on rote memorization of facts, which is about as far from true learning as you can get. Eye Level is all about critical thinking, not just memorization and drilling it home with repetition.

More than 2.5 million children around the world are benefiting from the Eye Level approach to learning. Each student is placed appropriately based on the results of a diagnostic test Eye Level uses to assess each learner’s ability and needs, combined with observations made by center staff.

Competitive and Fun

Eye Level isn’t afraid to introduce an element of competitiveness into its math learning, but still with a spirit of fun. The Eye Level Math Olympiad is a special annual math test competition in November that started back in 2004 that gives kids a chance to shine.

Section II – Estimated Costs

• Please click here for detailed estimates of Eye Level Learning Center franchise costs, based on Item 7 of the company’s 2016 FDD.

Section III – Financial Performance Representations (Item 19, 2016 FDD) and Analysis