Who We Are
About Us
California Learning Center, Sacramento, developed from the original network of private after-school educational clinics established in 1970. The philosophy and instructional model are based on an education study conducted for the United States government. We have been operating in the Sacramento area since the mid 1980s. California Learning Center is now completely independent, which gives us the flexibility to tailor programs to the individual needs of students, without any restraints imposed by corporate controls. Each student benefits from a completely personally developed education plan.
How It Works
Our research-based programs were developed at California State University, Los Angeles. Diagnostic testing pinpoints students' strengths and weaknesses, and leads to a personalized program. An individually designed tutoring program, documented in writing, ensures attainment of your child's goals. We seek input from students' classroom teachers and integrate it into the education plans. Activity-based, hands-on experiences stimulate primary and elementary children, while knowledge of the California standards and curriculum content strengthens the academic performances of the middle school and high school students. We teach new topics using a variety of approaches so that students quickly grasp novel concepts. Motivational plans stimulate enthusiasm at all levels - young children love the reward shelf, while our older students appreciate their 'CLC credit cards' that reward the effort expended. Our history of success is documented and proven.
Where We Start
To begin, diagnostic testing is administered to all students. We discover how a student learns and what specific educational areas need to be addressed. A complete academic profile is developed for each student, precise strengths and weaknesses are identified, and an individualized teaching plan is developed to address the student's specific needs. Strong visual learners must be provided with clear materials to learn by seeing, while auditory learners succeed when they hear and talk about new material to be learned. Young students, and many older ones (including adults), learn by doing. When students understand how they learn, they are empowered to head for academic success!
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Education Directors
Our directors form a highly experienced team. Before becoming the owner/director of California Learning Center, Sandra Hampton was a public school educator for 17 years. She has taught students from Kindergarten through high school. Sandy’s years as a Resource teacher prepared her for many aspects of leading the California Learning Center. She assessed students with nationally normed standardized tests, met regularly with teachers and parents and studied current methodology for teaching students in the 21st century. In addition, her time as a tutor at California Learning Center introduced her to proven materials and strategies. She implemented those at the school-site learning center where she was the leader for over 10 years.
Sandy earned several awards for teaching . After her first year of teaching, she was awarded the First Year Teacher of the Year Award from her district and was honored by the Roseville Area Schools Outstanding Teacher’s Foundation. Later she earned the Teacher of the Year award at her school site and was eventually honored by Placer County Office of Education for the award of Teacher Who Makes a Difference.
Sandy is dedicated to providing children the opportunity to succeed academically. Teaching students at the California Learning Center provides Sandy the opportunity to support many Sacramento area youth to thrive in school.
Kimberly McElhern is the Director of Middle/High School Programs. She gained her undergraduate education at the University of California, Berkeley. As a credentialed teacher, Kimberly has taught in both public and private settings. She is experienced at addressing student needs from 1st grade through college level, with a special emphasis on the middle school and high school student, and is qualified to teach language arts and math to an advanced level.
Tutors
We invite only credentialed teachers to work with our students. Tutors, possessing a comprehensive grasp of the curriculum, must have previous teaching experience. They are selected for their successful teaching skills, ability to motivate students, and genuine care and sensitivity in interacting with youth. Our tutors are experienced in recognizing why students encounter difficulties and know how to propose alternative strategies, so that problem areas are circumvented before they become obstacles.
STUDENT / TUTOR RATIO
Students thrive with close teacher contact. We average a 2:1 student / tutor ratio, with a credentialed teacher. Younger students, or ADD children, may benefit from an individual learning situation. Our programs offer each student an individualized program, moving step by step up the academic ladder. All students enjoy 1:1 teacher interaction and personalized learning time. Then they practice applying information recently learned and receive immediate feedback. Studies have confirmed that this is a most effective teaching model and encourages our students to develop a level of independence that is imperative if they are to transfer their newly acquired skills into the classroom.