Category Archives: Press Releases

Athena Learning Centers Opens Two Corporate-Owned Centers in Arizona; Hires Heidi Manoguerra as Educational Director in Region

Full-service K-12 education programs in Chandler and Gilbert will support students in math, reading, writing, science and exam prep

PRINCETON, NJ, June 10, 2015Athena Learning Centers of Princeton, New Jersey, today announced the simultaneous opening of two corporate- owned learning centers in Arizona, in Chandler (905 N. McClintock Drive) and Gilbert (690 W. Warner Road). In addition, the company announced it has hired Ms. Heidi Manoguerra as the educational director for the region.

Athena Learning Centers, which will occupy space at Tutor Time Child Care / Learning Centers in both cities, will offer students tutoring and educational support in math, reading, writing and science, as well as SAT and ACT college test preparation.

Both centers will be overseen by Ms. Manoguerra, a former principal of Sequoia Charter Schools and teacher at various schools in Arizona and Indiana. She is excited to introduce the Athena curriculum and its benefits to students and parents in these neighborhoods.

“Athena is the only after school tutoring program in the area in which all instructors are certified and state-endorsed,” said Ms. Manoguerra. “We not only teach a highly acclaimed curriculum, but help students develop the study skills that will help them succeed now and in all future educational pursuits.”

Athena Learning Centers are a community of year-round education programs that offer K-12 students innovative solutions for improving their math and reading skills in preparation for success in college and the 21st century workplace. The Athena Advantage℠ is a package of powerful enrichment and remedial solutions designed to help all students meet high standards.

Athena Learning Centers has partnered with several other leading education service providers to ensure that there is a strict alignment between what students learn via Athena Learning Centers’ programs and what they are expected to learn at school. Programs and lessons are regularly updated to keep pace with the latest standards and best practices in education.

Throughout the program, all progress and results are quantifiable. New students are assessed on their understanding of their grade-level schoolwork as well as their work habits and attitudes towards school. During coursework, instructors use a system of checkpoints to track progress, addressing needs immediately. Lastly, all students must pass a post-program test to make sure they have mastered the current work before moving on to the next level.

According to Mark Mele, co-founder and CEO of Athena Learning Centers, the company plans to add many more locations in 2015 to join those already established in Arizona, South Carolina, New Jersey, Texas and Florida.

“The global market for supplemental education services is expected to near $200 billion by 2020*, which presents a remarkable opportunity for our franchisees and corporate expansion,” said Mele. “The current trends toward larger class sizes, increased competition to get into colleges and busier lives and schedules of families are only deepening. With Athena Learning Centers, parents can rest assured that their children will be the best they can be within the academic environment regardless of these factors.”

For additional information about Athena Learning Centers, please contact the company at (855) 422-6532 or visit http://www.athenalearningcenters.com.

* statistic provided by Global Industry Analysts, Inc.

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About Athena

Athena offers the industry’s most innovative solutions for K-12 students, with a curriculum that is directly aligned with the new standards in school education. As a franchise investment opportunity, Athena Learning Centers partnered with best-in-class providers of education products and business services to provide franchisees with state-of-the-art systems and the Athena Advantage℠ educational package to use in each of its franchised locations nationwide. This package will give Athena Learning Centers a competitive edge in the marketplace.

Athena Learning Centers Opens Franchise in Richardson, Texas

Comprehensive program offers K-12 math, reading and science tutoring, college entry exam prep and preschool music education

RICHARDSON, Tex., January 13, 2015Athena Learning Centers of Princeton, New Jersey, today announced the establishment of its eighth U.S. franchise in Richardson, Texas. The center offers a comprehensive roster of educational programs that include K-12 tutoring in math, reading, writing and science, as well as SAT and ACT college test preparation for high schoolers, and music education for preschoolers. It is located at 2140 E. Beltline Road in Richardson. This is Athena’s seventh franchise, and the company plans to roll out many more that are currently in development in 2015.

The community of Athena Learning Centers offers innovative year-round education solutions for improving students’ math and reading skills in preparation for success in college and the 21st century workplace. Athena’s franchise in Richardson offers an after-school program curriculum that is specifically aligned with the Texas STAAR (State of Texas Assessment of Academic Readiness) and TEKS (Texas Essential Knowledge Standards) programs to fully support what students are expected to learn at school.

“Athena has a variety of research-based programs to support the educational needs of kids at all levels of proficiency,” said Valinda Rungpiti, owner of the Athena Learning Centers franchise in Richardson, Texas. “Improving students’ study skills and overall focus in their school work—training that will foster success in their classes now and in the workforce down the road—are key to The Athena Advantage℠.”

The Athena Advantage℠ is a package of powerful enrichment tools that help all students meet and exceed their educational goals. Throughout the program, all progress and results are quantifiable. By partnering with several other leading education services, such as Pearson Education, lessons are regularly updated to keep pace with the latest standards and best practices in education.

“Our decision to create Athena Learning Centers as a franchisor was fueled by our passion to help children and improve their lives through education,” said Mark Mele, CEO, Athena Learning Centers. “Valinda clearly shares our commitment, and we are very pleased to be represented by her team in Richardson, Texas.”

The Athena Learning Centers franchise in Richardson also offers ABC MUSIC & ME® created by Kindermusik®, a program that extends educational benefits to the pre-school level. Using a research-based early childhood curriculum comprised of thematic 30-minute lessons, students aged 2-5 years old learn important language, listening, and social skills.

According to Mele, the global market for supplemental education services is expected to near $200 billion by 2020*, which presents a remarkable opportunity for Athena franchisees.

“The current trends toward larger class sizes, increased competition to get into colleges and busier lives of families are only deepening,” said Mele. “With Athena Learning Centers, parents can rest assured that their children will be the best they can be within the academic environment regardless of these factors.”

The Richardson franchise joins seven others in the U.S. that are located in Texas, New Jersey and Florida.

For additional information on the Athena Learning Centers’ newest franchise in Richardson, Texas, please contact the company at 469-993-5465. For additional information on Athena Learning Centers, please call (855) 422-6532 or visit http://www.athenalearningcenters.com.

* Statistic provided by Global Industry Analysts, Inc.

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About Athena

Athena offers the industry’s most innovative solutions for K-12 students. As a franchise investment opportunity, Athena Learning Centers partnered with best-in-class providers of education products and business services to provide franchisees with state-of-the-art systems and the Athena Advantage℠ educational package to use in each of its franchised locations nationwide. This package will give Athena Learning Centers a competitive edge in the marketplace. The Athena program is aligned with the Common Core State Standards in states where this mandate is in affect.

Athena Learning Centers Conducts First Franchisee Training

PRESS RELEASE – December 19, 2014

Athena Learning Centers a K-12 After-School franchise learning center chain recently completed its first franchisee training for participants who will be opening Athena Learning Centers in Texas and New Jersey.

Athena Learning Centers recently completed its first franchisee training for participants who will be opening Athena Learning Centers in Texas and New Jersey. The franchisees and staff that attended were from the Bryan-College Station (BCS), Texas and Middletown, New Jersey locations. These centers will open for business in September.

The week-long training included curriculum training combined with business and marketing know-how from Athena’s corporate staff with a collective 70+ years in the franchising and supplemental education K-12 space. Several of Athena’s best-in-class vendors also gave hands-on guidance to the trainees. The training was conducted under the direction of Mariel Miller, Athena’s Vice President of Franchise Performance. Miller, a veteran in the supplemental education space, oversaw Franchise Centers for Sylvan Learning Centers.

“Our week-long training was a huge success,” says Miller. “We are excited about our Learning Center openings and showing how we can help students meet the new and higher standards demanded by the Common Core State Standards through the Athena Advantage.” Michelle Lee, franchisee from BSC, Texas said, “The quality of the instruction was incredible; it prepared me for opening and operating my center”.

As Athena Learning Centers continues to sell more franchises across the country, initial franchise training classes will be scheduled and held on a regular basis to accommodate new franchisees.

Athena offers the industry’s most innovative solutions for students K-12, with curriculum that is directly aligned with the Common Core State Standards for use in Common Core states. As a franchise investment opportunity, Athena Learning Centers partnered with best-in-class providers of education products and business services to provide franchisees with state-or-the -art systems and the Athena Advantage educational package to use in each of its franchised locations nationwide. This package will give Athena Learning Centers a competitive edge in the marketplace.

About Athena Learning Centers

Athena Learning Centers is a community of year-round Learning Centers where children go to improve their math and reading skills. Each franchised Athena Learning Center offers the Athena Advantage of powerful solutions to help all students meet high standards and prepare them to succeed in school and in life. Athena Learning Centers are open for enrolled children at least five times per week during after-school and weekend hours. Children are encouraged to attend two to three times per week for best results. Athena Learning Centers believes that success can be learned and have designed their programs with the goal of making students better mathematics and literacy learners.

Athena Learning Centers partnered with Pearson Education, the leader in education services. At Athena Learning Centers, there is alignment between what students will learn at the Center and what he/she is expected to learn at school.

THE ATHENA ADVANTAGE: MATH • READING • SCIENCE • EXAM PREP

• Math Program Powered by Athena’s Common Core Math Curriculum.

• Reading Program Powered by Athena’s Common Core Literacy Curriculum and Quick Reads for young readers.

• Athena’s University-Bound SAT/ACT Program – The new standard in exam preparation with curriculum by The Princeton Review®. Advanced private instruction and instructor led private study groups.

• ABC Music & Me® by Kindermusik® is a research-based early childhood curriculum that uses bundled, thematic 30-minute lessons to help Preschoolers (aged 2-5 years old) learn important language, listening, and social skills.

• Athena Learning Centers has also developed a recommended reading list for grades K-12 that is mapped to Common Core exemplar texts.

Athena Learning Centers will focus on franchise expansion in the Eastern United States, with more than 30 locations slated to open within the next year. For more information, please visit www.athenalearningcenters.com or call (855) 422-6532.
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Athena Learning Centers Approved for U.S. Small Business Association (SBA) Franchise Registry

Listing expedites SBA loan process for franchisees.

July 29, 2014 — Athena Learning Centers of Princeton, NJ announced today that the United States Small Business Association (SBA) has approved Athena’s registration to be on the SBA’s Franchise Registry. Approval on the Franchise Registry (franchiseregistry.com) allows Athena franchisees to streamline their loan application process for a SBA-backed loan. The Franchise Registry is a program in partnership with the SBA that allows potential franchisees to search a franchisor by name or industry to see which franchisors are in the registry’s database.

According to the SBA website, applicants for SBA-approved franchises benefit from a streamlined review process that expedites their loan application. Because the particular franchise is pre-approved, the loan review is less complex and focuses on specific aspects of that brand’s business plan.

“Being on the Franchise Registry is consistent with our strong desire to make owning an Athena franchise as simple as possible, says Athena’s Co-founder and COO Deven Klein. He adds, “I know from personal experience that our franchisees who seek a SBA-backed loan will cut their processing times significantly due to the streamlined review process that comes from being on the Franchise Registry.”

Athena Learning Centers are a community of year-round Learning Centers that offer K-12 students innovative solutions for improving their math and reading skills in preparation for success in college and the 21st century workplace. Athena’s after-school program curriculum is directly aligned with the Common Core State Standards. The company currently has franchises established in New Jersey, Texas and Florida, and plans to open 20 more in 2014.

About Athena

Athena offers the industry’s most innovative solutions for K-12 students, with a curriculum that is directly aligned with the Common Core State Standards. As a franchise investment opportunity, Athena Learning Centers partnered with best-in-class providers of education products and business services to provide franchisees with state-of-the-art systems and the Athena Advantage educational package to use in each of its franchised locations nationwide. This package will give Athena Learning Centers a competitive edge in the marketplace. See more at: www.athenalearningcenters.com.

Athena Learning Centers Adds In-Home Franchise Opportunities to Traditional Retail Storefront Model

PRINCETON, NJ, July 9, 2014Athena Learning Centers of Princeton, New Jersey, today introduced an In-Home brand model to potential franchisees that would enable them to offer K-12 one-to-one tutoring in math, reading, writing and science, as well as SAT and ACT college test preparation support in students’ homes or other mutually agreed upon locations. This complements the company’s traditional retail storefront franchise option, offering a lower-cost of entry to join the Athena Learning Centers network and a means to service smaller markets where the population would not support a retail storefront.

Athena Learning Centers are a community of year-round Learning Centers that offer K-12 students innovative solutions for improving their math and reading skills in preparation for success in college and the 21st century workplace. Athena’s after-school program curriculum is directly aligned with the Common Core State Standards. The company currently has franchises established in New Jersey, Texas and Florida, and plans to open 20 more in 2014.

“Our decision to create Athena Learning Centers as a franchisor was fueled by our passion to help children and improve their lives through education,” said Mark Mele, CEO, Athena Learning Centers. “We seek franchisees who share our commitment and realize that some will not have the resources or potential customer base to support a retail location. Our In-Home franchise option, along with our original retail storefront model, opens the door for virtually any qualified educator or entrepreneur to join our team and integrate our proven framework for success.”

In-Home Brand Option: New Way to Integrate The Athena AdvantageSM

By owning the Athena Learning Centers In-Home brand in their market, franchisees leverage all of the operational expertise and products of a traditional Athena Learning Center with an estimated initial investment of $45,000. (The investment for a retail storefront franchise is approximately $125,000.) Owners can either be certified teachers or employers with a staff of certified teachers that provide one-on-one instruction to students.

Those choosing the In-Home brand Athena Learning Centers offer students The Athena Advantage℠, the same package of powerful enrichment and remedial solutions used by retail storefront franchises, to help all students meet high standards. Throughout the program, all progress and results are quantifiable. New students are assessed on their understanding of their grade-level schoolwork as well as their work habits and attitudes towards school. During coursework, instructors use a system of checkpoints to track progress, addressing needs immediately. Lastly, all students must pass a post-program test to make sure they have mastered the current work before moving on to the next level.

Athena Learning Centers has partnered with several other leading education services, such as Pearson Education, to ensure that there is a strict alignment between what students learn via Athena Learning Centers’ programs and what they are expected to learn at school. Programs and lessons are regularly updated to keep pace with the latest standards and best practices in education.

“The global market for supplemental education services is expected to near $200 billion by 2020*, which presents a remarkable opportunity for our franchisees,” said Mele. “The current trends toward larger class sizes, increased competition to get into colleges and busier lives and schedules of families are only deepening. With Athena Learning Centers, parents can rest assured that their children will be the best they can be within the academic environment regardless of these factors.”

Athena Learning Centers also offer ABC MUSIC & ME® created by Kindermusik®, a program that extends the benefits to students, and potential for franchisees, to the pre-school level. Using a research-based early childhood curriculum comprised of thematic 30-minute lessons, preschoolers (aged 2-5 years old) learn important language, listening, and social skills.

Prospective franchisees interested in receiving additional information on the Athena Learning Centers In-Home or retail storefront brand options should contact the company at (855) 422-6532 or visit http://www.athenalearningcenters.com.

* statistic provided by Global Industry Analysts, Inc.

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About Athena

Athena offers the industry’s most innovative solutions for K-12 students, with a curriculum that is directly aligned with the Common Core State Standards. As a franchise investment opportunity, Athena Learning Centers partnered with best-in-class providers of education products and business services to provide franchisees with state-of-the-art systems and the Athena Advantage℠ educational package to use in each of its franchised locations nationwide. This package will give Athena Learning Centers a competitive edge in the marketplace.