Learning Academy

 

What We Do:

We are an Outreach Ministry of the Damascus United Methodist Church.  We provide high quality, affordable, individualized, after school academic tutoring. 

We have completed our seventh year of Ministry and continue to support the community, the local school systems in the four county area, and numerous private schools.

Our Mission:

  • Welcome children and families into a grace-filled learning environment
  • Equip children with basic academic skills through an individualized academic tutoring  program in grades K-12
  • Share God’s words of hope and promise by fostering a holistic and wholesome setting where a child’s individualized academic coaching is connected with confidence building to increase success in school and also in life
  • Reach out to children in the community who would not otherwise benefit from this ministry through the establishment of a need-based scholarship program

Certifications:

The Learning Academy instructs skills found within the curriculum's of Montgomery , Frederick, and Carroll County Public Schools.

The Learning Academy continues to provide services according to the NCLB Act.

This means that the Learning Academy is:

  • Approved by the Maryland State Department of Education to provide Supplemental Educational Services.
  • Aligned with the Maryland Voluntary State Curriculum objectives and assessment levels.
  • Correlated to the instructional programs and curriculums of Montgomery, Howard, Carroll, and Frederick County Public Schools, and numerous private schools.

Programs:

The Reading program continues to support skill levels from K to 12.  We have a program for “emerging Readers,” which is geared toward the pre-school and pre-K child.  It is phonics-based and is provided in a “workshop” format rather than individual.  All of our materials comply with the national standards for elementary, middle, and high school reading.  

The Math tutoring area continues in the areas of Elementary,  Pre-Algebra, Algebra I, Algebra II, Geometry, Pre-Calculus,  Calculus, and  Consumer Mathematics.  During this year, we have also provided assistance with prep for GED, ACT, PRAXIS, and ASVAB testing.    

The Study Skills program has been completely updated and enhanced for Middle School and High School level students.  The new writing program was implemented last year and is entitled “Write-On.”  It has three unique programs for elementary, middle school and high school students, respectively.  Even in today’s electronic world, the importance of a person being able to properly express him/her-self in writing is paramount for academic success.

Instructors:

Marlin Heckendorn manages the Learning Academy as its KnowledgePoints certified Director of Learning and instructs at all levels. 

Our faithful instructors are Pat and Pete Sypher.  Without these two wonderful people, the learning center could not and would not exist!!!

Scholarships:

This year, we were thankful to be able to provide tutoring for six students via the Scholarship Program.  

All residual revenues generated through the operation of the Learning Academy and/or donations are exclusively used for the need-based scholarship program providing financial assistance to those families that cannot otherwise afford the tutoring.  

DONATIONS ARE ALWAYS WELCOME AND NEEDED!!!   THE MORE FUNDS WE HAVE AVAILABLE, THE MORE CHILDREN WE CAN HELP.

 

These, then, are the things you should teach.

       -   Titus 2:15