By Steve Cook
Kenneth*, a senior in a Richmond area
high school, “had the world at his feet,”
says Melvin Mitchell. Mitchell and his
wife, Stacy, own two local Huntington Learning
Center franchises. Continuing, he explains, “He
had everything but a decent SAT score.” And,
it was that SAT grade that stood between
Kenneth and an athletic scholarship from a
major East Coast University. He had taken the
test previously and both times had failed to
achieve a score necessary to be offered the
scholarship.
James, on the other hand, had anything
but the world at his feet. “He had a troubled
past,” Mitchell says of the teenager. “He went
through some tough times.” When tested,
James was found to be reading at a level two
grades behind his own.
While having very different backgrounds,
both teens had one thing in common. They
each had someone in their lives who cared
enough to get them some much-needed
assistance. Both were introduced to the
Huntington Learning Center.
The Mitchells own and operate a learning
center in Chester (see contact info below),
and have just recently opened a new location
in Mechanicsville. Mitchell, who has a
background in business, says that he and his
wife decided to buy the franchises because, “We wanted to do something where we
could make a difference with children and
their education.” Stacy Mitchell’s background is
in education, both in the public school system
as well as with adults.
Mitchell says the Huntington Learning
Center method can help make a difference
because of the different approach it takes in
helping students. “We take a holistic approach,”
Mitchell says, explaining, “It’s not just skill based.
We work with each student’s skills, as well as
their confidence level and their motivation.”
According to Mitchell, each student is given
a full evaluation in order to determine both
strengths and weaknesses. “Once these are
identified,” he says, “we put together a plan
to develop the strengths and address the
weaknesses.”
In addition to offering tutoring for students
from age 5 to 17, Huntington Learning Center
provides specialized assistance in helping to
prepare for SAT and ACT testing. “Our success
rate is outstanding,” Mitchell says. He points to
one success story, that of a local student in
his Chester center, who was recently accepted
into William and Mary University. “He’s one of
several local students who’ve gone through
Huntington to receive merit scholarships,” he
says.
But, what about Kenneth and James,
mentioned at the outset?
“Kenneth’s mom brought him to us,”
Mitchell says. “He knew the opportunities that
lay before him, but, like many seniors,” he had
too many activities in his life.” He adds that
Kenneth was not one of his more cooperative
students. “It was a tough go to keep him on
track, but we all worked together to get him
to do the things he needed to do.”
The result: “While Kenneth was not very
happy at first,” Mitchell says, “he was the most
vocal in celebrating his success. He has his
scholarship.”
James didn’t have a mom involved in his life. “He came in with lots of behavioral problems,”
Mitchell says. “There were a lot of challenges.”
What he did have was a foster family that
took an interest in him, and brought him to
Huntington.
Melvin Mitchell tells us the results. “Although
he was two grade levels behind when he came
in, James is now on the honor roll at his grade
level.” Mitchell is talking about much more than
just grades and school when he continues, “He
has a family now that cares about him, and
who are helping him get on the right track.
James is starting to soar.”
Regarding James’ success, as well as Kenneth’s
and the countless other students who have
succeeded at Huntington, Melvin Mitchell
concludes, “That’s what we do here. We (he
and his wife) wanted to make a difference. It’s
our passion. We’ve been blessed to be able
to do it.”
*Students names’ have been changed.
8005 Creighton Parkway • Mechanicsville, VA 23111
800 CAN-LEARN • www.huntingtonlearningcenter.com
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