Instructors at Sylvan Learning Center in Hermitage want parents to know they are not alone when dealing with their children's school needs.

This is especially true when it comes to standardized state testing, they said.

Holly Baldarelli, executive director, and the staff at the Hermitage center recently celebrated five years of serving Mercer and Lawrence counties.

The center specializes in helping students do better in reading, math, study skills, writing and college preparation. Sylvan claims to be the leading provider of supplemental education in the world, with locations across the nation, Europe and Canada.

The programs Sylvan uses are all research-based, observable and measurable, Mrs. Baldarelli said.

030509