The Study Skills Program is a six hour program taught one-on-one by an experienced tutor in student organization and motivation. This is for the student who fails to turn in assignments on time. It is also suited for the student who needs advice in how to prepare for a test. Does your student need a plan to get organized? Could your student benefit from better class preparation? At WHIZard Academy your student will get personal attention and recommendations that will result in immediate benefits.
WHIZard Academy Attending the Southwest Metro Expo in Chanhassen
WHIZard Academy will be exhibiting at the SouthWest Metro Expo which will be held on Saturday March 27 from 10 AM to 6 PM at the Chanhassen Recreation Center. Come and find out about our new Study Skills Program as well as our Summer Stay Sharp Programs. Of course we will gladly talk to you about our regular programs such as Math, English, Homework Assistance, ACT/SAT Test Preparation, Physics and Chemistry. Come and find out why our tutoring programs really work.
February 15, 2010
WHIZard Academy At the Midwest Kid's Fest
This past weekend, we attended the Midwest Kids Fest. It was two days of fun for families from around the Twin Cities. We had a great time talking with parents about our many programs and many parents were very interested in learning more about what WHIZard Academy has to offer.
This was our first expo event in St. Paul and we were glad to see the positive response on the St Paul side of the cities, to the WHIZard Academy program. We had a steady stream of visitors to our booth so we didn't get much of a chance to take a lot of pictures but here are a few to enjoy!
October 10, 2009
WHIZard Academy is sponsoring College Affordability Workshops
The main speaker is Katherine Vessenes, JD, CFP, RFC, a nationally known financial advisor and author. There are three workshops:
Thursday Oct 22nd from 6:30 to 7:45 PM at Vestment Financial Advisors in Chanhassen
Saturday October 24th from 8:30 to 9:45 AM at WHIZard Academy in Eden Prairie And Wednesday November 4th from 6:30 to 7:45 PM at the Ridgedale Library in Minnetonka. Who should attend: students, parents and grandparents? Learn how to make college more affordable and still retire comfortably. Call Erin Williams at 952-401-1045 to register. Click to read our pdf on the event.
July 20, 2009
WHIZard Academy Sponsors 1st Annual Summer Kid's Art Show
WHIZard Academy, located in Eden Prairie, helped support the 1st Annual Summer Kid's Art Show organized by The Provisions Book. Children aged 1 to 16 gathered Sunday July 19 at the Dunn Bros Historic Smith Douglas More House to paint summer scenes of Eden Prairie. WHIZard Academy donated balloons and magnetized pens for the gift bags that were presented to all participants. All entries will be on display July 19-25, 2009.
April 12, 2009
WHIZard Academy's First Web Ad
Posted March 12, 2009.
WHIZard Academy Sponsors Player of the Game
WHIZard Academy for Mathematics & Englishlocated in Eden Prairie at 8353 Crystal View Rd, Suite 203, is sponsoring the player of the game for all Eden Prairie Eagles hockey games inBoys Hockey Section Finals and the State Championship. The games are broadcast on The Score 690 and the Relevant Radio 1330. Join us for this exciting time of the year where the Eden Prairie Eagles return to the State Championship for the first time since 2003.
� Eden Prairie 4, Minnetonka 2 in Class 2A, Section 6 Final March 5, 2009
� Eden Prairie 3, Hill-Murray 2 (OT) Class 2A Quarterfinal March 12, 2009
� Eden Prairie 4, Blaine 2 Semifinal March 13, 2009
� Eden Prairie 3, Moorhead 0 Final March 14, 2009
Congratulations to the Eden Prairie Eagles for winning their first state championship in hockey! Listen to the radio spot that was run during all of these games.
Posted February 2, 2009
The WHIZard Academy for Mathematics & English is proud to announce that it became a sponsor of the Foundation for Eden Prairie Schools (FEPS) and the Taste of Eatin' Prairie, which will be held at The Viking Fieldhouse Practice Facility in Eden Prairie on Saturday, February 21 from 6-10 PM. In addition to being a sponsor, the WHIZard Academy will provide two Education Investment Vouchers worth $50 each for the silent auction. Claude Chenard, owner, stated that "WHIZard Academy is pleased to be able to support the efforts of the Foundation for Eden Prairie Schools." WHIZard Academy specializes in customized tutorial and enrichment programs in Math and English. The WHIZard Academy teaching system has been perfected over 25 years by an international team of educational experts. Posted October 1, 2008.
Claude Chenard, owner of the WHIZard Academy for Mathematics & English in Eden Prairie, has joined the Education/Recognition Committee of the Eden Prairie Chamber ofCommerce. The objective of this committee is to foster a better understanding of education and training needs of the business community. They also identify exceptional programs and individuals in the educational and business systems through the recognition and scholarship awards of the community. Claude Chenard said that "I am eager to help develop educational programs to the benefit of all members of the Eden Prairie business community."
Posted: September 24, 2008
Radio Ad
Please listen to the following radio ad that plays during the games of Eden Prairie High School football games on AM 1330
WLOL.
Published in: PRWeb - Press Release Newswire
Posted: September 8, 2008
Back to School Savings on Tutoring at WHIZard Academy; New Minnesota Graduation Requirements Have Many Parents Seeking Extra
Study Help
New Minnesota graduation requirements in English and math have many parents seeking extra study help at local tutoring centers,
such as WHIZard Academy. Each student's program is tailored to state requirements, fills the skill gaps identified by a WHIZard
Academy's evaluation tool and results in a customized program for each student. Parents can save 10 percent off of a tutoring
program that is tailored to Minnesota state education requirements when signing up by the end of September for one or more of
their children.
Eden Prairie, Minn. (PRWEB) September 8, 2008 -- Parents can
save 10 percent off of a tutoring program that is tailored to Minnesota state
education requirements when signing up by the end of September for one or more of their children.
Back-to-school savings are available on the most popular 50-hour and 100-hour tutoring packages. Parents can combine subjects,
such as math and English, into one student's program or include multiple siblings under one package.
"Based on WHIZard Academy's 15-year success with its own tutoring model, students can improve one or two grade levels in six
months with a minimum of three hours per week of tutoring," according to Claude Chenard, owner of the Eden Prairie WHIZard
Academy. Unlike other tutoring centers, which dictate the frequency of their programs, WHIZard Academy offers flexibility for
parents to choose the number of hours per week their students receive tutoring.
"Parents are seeking extra study help because they're concerned about the new high school graduation requirements," says Chenard.
The new requirements are tested in grade 10 for the English requirement (86.2 percent passed in Minnesota last year) and grade 11
for the math requirement. This is the first year that the math requirement must be passed for graduation. More than 58 percent of
grade 11 students in Minnesota failed the math assessment last year. Testing will take place next April 2009.
WHIZard Academy serves the southwestern suburban area. It specializes in math, English and science using a multi-sensory approach
that combines listening, reading and writing. Each student's program is tailored to state requirements, fills the skill gaps
identified by a WHIZard Academy's evaluation tool (free with enrollment) and results in a customized program for each
student.
Tutoring hours are Monday through Thursday from 3:45 p.m. to 7:15 p.m. and Saturday from 10:00 am to 1:30 pm. The tutoring center
is closed on Friday due to students' extra-curricular activities.
WHIZard Academy is a U.S. company founded on the successful tutoring model
and 15 years of international experience of its Canadian affiliate, Academy for Mathematics & Science. The Academy has over 50
learning centers across North America. In Minnesota, WHIZard serves students in Bloomington, Chanhassen, Chaska, Eden Prairie,
Hopkins, Minnetonka, and Shakopee, WHIZard Academy is located at 8353 Crystal View Road in Eden Prairie.
Published in: American Jewish World - Located in "Back to School" special section
Posted: August 22, 2008
New Tutoring Center Serves Southwestern Suburbs
Does your student need individualized tutoring attention – either to excel or master Minnesota state requirements?
The new WHIZard Academy, serving the southwestern suburban area, can do both. It specializes in math, English and science using a
multi-sensory approach. Each student's program is tailored to Minnesota state requirements and fills the skill gaps identified by
a WHIZard Academy's evaluation tool (free with enrollment).
"Parents are realizing that not only are the public schools their children attend not making the grade, but competition for
well-paying jobs in the workforce begins as early as preschool. As a result, more and more middle-income parents are willing to
pay $20 to $45 per hour – or more – to give their kids an educational edge through tutoring," according to a 2006
article published by The Heartland Institute.
Subject-matter experts are certified by WHIZard Academy in its teaching program. Core programs include: math, English, physics,
chemistry, and SAT and ACT preparation.
Serving students in Bloomington, Chanhassen, Chaska, Eden Prairie, Hopkins, Minnetonka, and Shakopee, WHIZard Academy is located at
8353 Crystal View Road in Eden Prairie.
June 2008 - Ribbon Cutting Ceremony with the Eden Prairie Chamber of Commerce
Posted: June 2008
Star Tribune West Metro School Briefs
EDEN PRAIRIE - New tutoring center
Minnesota's first WHIZard Academy for Mathematics and English is planning a grand opening from 10 a.m. until 3 p.m. Saturday at
8353 Crystal View Road, Eden Prairie, just above Punch Pizza in Lariat Center III.
Parents and educators are invited to stop by and learn more about the academy's customized instruction. In addition to Eden Prairie,
the location will serve students from Chanhassen, Chaska, Shakopee and Bloomington schools.
WHIZard Academy specializes in math, English and science using a multi-sensory approach combining listening, reading and writing.
Tutors provide tailored programs for individual students to help fill gaps identified by skill evaluations while meeting state
standards.
Summer programs will include a camp for children in grades 2-6, a math transition program for grades 8-9, calculus for grades 11-12,
essay writing for grades 9-12, standard tutoring of math, English and science, and SAT and ACT preparation.
New tutoring center to serve students in Eden Prairie, Chanhassen, Chaska, Shakopee and Bloomington
EDEN PRAIRIE, Minn. – The grand opening for Minnesota's first WHIZard Academy for Mathematics & English is set for
Saturday, June 14 at the new tutoring center's location at 8353 Crystal View Road (above Punch Pizza in Lariat Center III) in
Eden Prairie.
Parents and educators from five different school districts are invited to stop by between 10:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m. to learn more
about WHIZard Academy's customized teaching program based on Minnesota state curriculum requirements. Open house opportunities
include sign up for summer programs, a drawing for an iPod and refreshments.
"Visitors will be able to see and hear the comprehensiveness of our teaching materials," says Claude Chenard, WHIZard Academy's
owner. "They will be able to talk with educators who have designed and delivered this program across North America, as well as
listen to the CD instructional materials for different grade levels and subjects."
In addition to Eden Prairie, this first location will serve students in Chanhassen, Chaska, Shakopee, and Bloomington.
WHIZard Academy specializes in math, English and science using a multi-sensory approach that combines listening, reading and
writing. Tutors who are subject-matter experts and certified by WHIZard Academy in the teaching program provide individualized
attention to students. Unlike other tutoring centers, each student's program is tailored to state requirements. Each student's
tailored program fills the skill gaps identified by a WHIZard Academy's own skill-level evaluation tool, which is free with
enrollment.
Summer programs, which begin in June, include:
summer camp combines learning and fun through guided reading, math, language arts, and arts and crafts for children in grades 2 - 6
math transition program for grades 8 - 9
calculus for grade 11 - 12
essay writing for grades 9 - 12
standard tutoring of math, English and science
SAT and ACT preparation to strengthen students' foundations in English, math and essay writing.
WHIZard Academy is a U.S. company founded on the successful tutoring model and 15 years of international experience of its Canadian
affiliate, Academy for Mathematics & Science. The Academy has over 50 learning centers across North America.
Published in: Sun Newspapers - by Paul Wahl
Posted: May 2008
WHIZard Academy coming to Eden Prairie
It's not Hogwarts, but a WHIZard Academy is coming to Eden Prairie.
And while there will be no courses in spells and potions and it likely won't have a Quidditch team, there will be a good deal of
learning going on inside its walls.
The first Minnesota franchise of WHIZard Academy is expected to open June 14 at 8354 Crystal View Road, Eden Prairie, above Punch
Pizza.
The K-12 and college-level tutoring center will specialize in math, science and English, using a customized teaching program based
on Minnesota state curriculum requirements.
Claude Chenard of Claude Chenard & Associates LLC owns the exclusive Minnesota franchise rights for the Canadian company.
Chenard chose the academy franchise because it is in a growth sector and is a relatively clean business model with no
inventory.
"It's also about feeling good," Chenard told the Sun Current from his office in Toronto, Ontario. "Tutoring allows the parents,
students and tutor to experience benefits all around."
Chenard first came to Minnesota from New Hampshire in 1984. The former executive at Bloomington-based Katun Corp. spent much of his
career here and chose Minnesota as the launching pad for his new adventure.
Unique to WHIZard Academy's approach is its approach to teaching, which includes using the state's curriculum for grade and subject
and matching it with the instructional program.
He said other tutoring companies may teach learning skills, but WHIZard specializes in the subject itself.
The Eden Prairie location will be about 2,271 square feet and will double as the corporate headquarters for Chenard's company.
Future centers - 10 are planned in the metro area in the next five years with another five planned in out-state - will range between
1,200 and 1,600 square feet.
"We look for retail settings because the idea is mom drops off the kids for tutoring and then goes and kills an hour," Chenard
said.
Eighteen individual learning stations where students will work using CDs, computers, textbooks and worksheets will be
established.
The overall teaching program was developed through the Academy of Mathematics and Science, based in Toronto. Five other states
already have franchises.
Services begin with a student assessment, designed to identify areas of deficiency, Chenard said. Special support is also offered
for preparation for specific tests.
Parents receive a progress report by e-mail after each tutoring session, tracking growth and development. Students work at
individual stations, reducing peer pressure and distractions, assisted by qualified tutors.
Chenard said tutors are typically either certificated teachers or graduate students.
WHIZard Academy will be entering a market already served by two major national tutoring enterprises, Sylvan Learning Center and
Huntington Learning Center, along with a Kumon Math and Reading in Eden Prairie. A number of private companies are also in the
market.
New Jersey-based Huntington opened in 1977 and has franchises in 41 states. Sylvan was founded in 1979 and has 1,100 centers in the
United States.
Kumon, which began more than 50 years ago in Japan, uses untapped abilities each child possesses to improve achievement. It operates
more than 1,280 centers across the United States.
Analysts credit the No Child Left Behind Act for the growth in the tutoring sector. By one estimate, tutoring is a $4.6 billion
business annually, with 10 percent or higher growth in gross receipts for the past six years with more to come.
Published in: Reuters - by Susan Blakely
Posted: May 2008
First WHIZard Academy Franchise to Open in Minnesota - Owner plans 15 more of the customized tutoring centers in the Twin Cities -
EDEN PRAIRIE, Minn. -- The first Minnesota franchise of WHIZard Academy -- a tutoring center that offers a customized teaching
program based on Minnesota state curriculum requirements -- will open in Eden Prairie on June 14, according to Claude Chenard &
Associates LLC, which has purchased the Minnesota rights from the Canadian-based franchisor.
WHIZard Academy specializes in math, science and English using a multi-sensory approach that combines listening, reading and writing
with individual attention by certified tutors. Unlike other tutoring centers, each student's program is tailored to state
requirements. In addition, WHIZard Academy assists students in their classroom tests and exams.
The offerings include:
math for all levels of ability from kindergarten to college entrance level;
language arts (English) for kindergarten to grade 8;
science (chemistry and physics) for grades 10 to college entrance level; and,
SAT and ACT preparation to strengthen students' foundations in English, math and essay writing.
The teaching program offered by WHIZard Academy is backed by extensive experience and results by its founder, The Academy of
Mathematics & Science, based in Toronto. A team of educators research state-mandated education requirements for ongoing
program development. This franchise concept was launched in the United States nearly three years ago. Minnesota is the sixth
state to gain franchise rights. Claude Chenard, a former corporate vice president of sales and marketing for 25 years, plans to
open 15 franchises in the Twin Cities.
"According to a 2004 report from investment banking firm Goldman Sachs, tutoring is a $4.6 billion business, one that's seen 12 to
15 percent growth annually under NCLB (No Child Left Behind Act of 2001) and is expected to continue at that rate over the next
decade," according to the March 2006 edition of The Heartland Institute in an article titled "School Reform News."
WHIZard Academy is a U.S. company founded on the successful tutoring model and 15 years of international experience of its
Canadian affiliate, Academy for Mathematics & Science. The Academy has over 50 learning centers across North America.
Published in: Minneapolis / St. Paul Business Journal - by Katharine Grayson Staff Writer
Posted: May 2008
Canadian Tutoring Chain Will Test Market; Plans 10 Sites
WHIZard Academy for Mathematics & English, a Canadian chain of tutoring centers, has entered the Twin Cities market with plans
to open up to 15 locations.
Claude Chenard, a former executive at Bloomington-based Katun Corp., bought local franchise rights and will open a center in Eden
Prairie next month. Chenard hopes to establish at least 10 locations over the next five years.
WHIZard Academy tutors students in math, science and English. It also prepares high-school students for college-entrance exams, and
customizes programs to meet state curriculum requirements. It competes with chains such as Sylvan Learning Inc. and Huntington
Learning Centers Inc.
Chenard has yet to sign on other Minnesota franchisees, but said tutoring centers offer an attractive opportunity. "This is
the type of business that you don't have to worry about inventory. It's a very clean model."
WHIZard's centers can generate up to $300,000 in revenue within three years of operation, he said.
The market for tutoring services also has grown since approval of the No Child Left Behind Act. That legislation requires schools
failing to meet federal requirements to provide tutoring services. In 2005, schools spent $250 million on tutoring services due to
NCLB, according to Boston-based Eduventures, an education-market research firm.
WHIZard Academy has a foothold on the East Coast. Mitch Stark, who co-owns franchise rights to WHIZard in New Jersey, has opened
three locations since 2006 and plans to add two more this year.
WHIZard's biggest challenge is overcoming the brand recognition of its competitors, Stark said. "That's the most difficult part,
but we've made a lot of headway."
Chenard aims to compete partly by offering services at lower prices.
More ...
Name: WHIZard Academy for Mathematics & English
Headquarters: Thornhill, Ontario
Number of franchises: 50
Founded: 1994
Web: http://edenprairie.whizardacademy.com
