Testimonials
In their own words.
Hear What Others Say About TLCI
Families love us! Hear from our students and parents in their own words as they share what they enjoyed most about the TLCI customized earning experience.
From Students:
“I learned more about myself”
I want to thank TLCI…I enrolled as a senior and even though I only spent a year in the program, I learned more about myself that year than all my previous years in High School.
Zachary Gashi
“Made a lasting impression”
It is my pleasure to announce to you that I was accepted into MIT! I want to thank all of you from the bottom of my heart for helping me achieve this monumental goal. I owe it all to you, TLCI and my advisor, who accepted me as a student and motivated me to where I am today. You all have made a lasting impression on me that I cherish to this day.
Best Regards,
Walter Augustin
“Opens many doors”
Thank you for awarding my High School Diploma based on the areas of study I have experienced. It has been a tremendous aid and has helped open many doors as I have pursued entrance into a university. I recently accepted a Presidential Scholarship from Towson University and am going to be a full time student this semester. I have also accepted two Delegate Scholarships along with a Senatorial Scholarship that will automatically be renewed for a total of four years or until the completion of my degree (whichever comes first).It is my intention to study hard in pursuit of my degree in Biology, and, after undergraduate completion, continue studying toward a Ph.D. Again, I wish to thank you personally and The Learning Community.
Sincerely,
H. Jeffrey Peck
Jeffrey is TLCI’s youngest high school graduate at 12. He graduated from Towson University at 15 and entered medical school at 16.
“How thankful I am for TLCI and it’s emphasis on excellent education”
I would like to sincerely thank TLCI, and my advisor for everything. TLCI made my high school experience so unique; allowing me to pursue my career goal. Many of my fellow comrades in both dance and music, seemed to lack in their education or ended their education after they completed high school. I feel that so many of these kids never learned “outside the box” and when it was time for everyone to audition for professional ballet companies, I cannot tell you how thankful I am for TLCI, and it’s emphasis on excellent education and “thinking outside the box”! While my friends at local high schools party at beach week, and catch senioritis, I have been hitting the books, learning about everything, taking college courses, and opening my eyes to new ideas and knowledge every day. I’m a high achiever, I’m driven, I’m eager, I’m determined, I now know the importance of education, and that is what TLCI has enabled me to both see and be.
Abi Loutoo
“The Learning Community changed my life forever”
I was a student of the Learning Community in from 1998-2000. I was a very unhappy high school junior. Leaving high school and coming to the Learning Community changed my life forever. I had a great college experience at Montana State University, and now I am about to graduate from The University of Baltimore School of Law. I want to thank you sincerely for creating the Learning Community and giving me the turning point I needed to enjoy the rest of my education and to become a life-long learner. I am now applying for admission to the Maryland Bar. Again thanks so much for everything; you made a big difference in my life.
Sincerely,
G. Adam Ruther
From Parents:
“Enjoying every minute of her learning”
I just want to express our gratitude for the excellent support TLCI has provided us this last year. We are looking forward to another lovely year with you. Ananta has really blossomed and she is enjoying every minute of her learning experience.
Natalie de Sandi
“Pursue learning as a lifestyle”
I cannot begin to thank you for all the ways you [advisor] have poured your time, energy and heart into guiding our family through the learning process. When the girls joined TLCI they had a love for learning, but they had no idea how to turn curiosity into self-directed education. I am very impressed with the way you never gave them too much information at a time, but gradually, skillfully empowered them to learn independently. Through you, they learned to reflect, review and analyze their own work and the work of others on a pretty sophisticated level. They learned so many important skills for life, including time management & how to research and document. Most importantly, you taught them how to think more deeply about how they best learn, and to have the confidence and drive and desire to pursue learning as a lifestyle. It has been a gift to work with you.
With appreciation.
Sally
“Student with Asperger’s”
My daughter graduated from The Learning Community International last year; she was a member of TLCI for all four of her high school years (and previously, during early elementary school). She was the one who gave the graduation speech about her experiences as a student with Asperger’s — brought many in the audience to tears. She’s an ordinary kid who GREATLY benefited from TLCI’s support when we took her out of the school system because they couldn’t meet her needs. Her grandparents — who decried home school for years — are so impressed by how she’s doing in college that they would like to reimburse us for the amount we paid TLCI. Thank you for four wonderful years with TLCI!
Teresa
“Freedom in schedule and choice”
A year ago we were looking for 12th grade options for our sons. We discovered TLCI and our family were ably shepherded through a successful year. The freedom in schedule and choice afforded our sons the latitude to make, act, and expand upon their own choices all while completing the needed requirements and then some. Finishing high school with a professional and positive experience was very fulfilling and satisfying after two difficult years elsewhere.
We could have asked nothing more from TLCI’s able mentoring and support.
Ralph
“A life-changing experience”
I just wanted to drop a quick note of thanks. My son participated in The Learning Community International last year and it was definitely a life-changing experience for him. I am sorry to see him move back into the public system but know that he has gained the independence, confidence and skills necessary to be successful. Your vision in starting up TLCI has been greatly appreciated by my whole family as we have watched Cai grow and mature into a young man who despite his dyslexia and ADD now loves reading and learning. Of course, our advisor was a huge contributor to Cai’s success—her enthusiasm and kindness touched us to the very core, and her insight and knowledge guided us along the way. So, a very big “thank you” indeed!”
Sincerely,
Cathryn C. (and family ) 2010
“You are so responsive”
I think you know how we feel about our advisor and I can’t thank you enough. She has such a pulse on who we are and what we need…she’s brilliant! And, we are so grateful to you as an administrator as well. You are so responsive when we ask you for help.
Thank you!
Judie
“Grateful to TLCI for the gift of this very special type of an education”
This year marks the third year of our exciting learning journey with TLCI. At the beginning it was a great leap of faith, as we left an expensive and prestigious, private school … from the beginning, TLCI staff has guided and nurtured us. Without their support at that critical decision-making time we may have made (what we now are certain would have been) the wrong decision to remain at our exclusive private school, well known for its high student acceptance rate to the Ivy League Universities. But we are extremely fortunate, and took an alternate path of learning, and the rewards are visible every day. Our son works more efficiently, effectively and at his own pace in this setting. He is not ridiculed for being “too studious” enjoying Shakespeare, or for his love of Beethoven, Rachmaninoff, etc. that translates into his studying and playing classical piano several hours per day.
Both of our children excel in this learning environment, and we all are grateful to TLCI for helping us to give our children the gift of this very special type of an education. We wouldn’t be here without TLCI and all the support–administrative and academic–they provide, for, I might add, an incredibly [reasonable] tuition. Other TLCI families who have left private schools know what I mean. Perhaps, as a thank you, they too might consider contributing to the little-known TLCI scholarship fund. As we know, this is truly a worthy cause. Thanks to all.
Sincerely,
Wendy
“TLCI prepared her for whatever she decides to do”
The Learning Community was a Godsend for our daughter. Along with two admissions into the Learning Community, her high school experience included public school, a Christian boarding academy and community college. But she came back to the Learning Community for her senior year, and graduated with college credit. It was the Learning Community that was the impetus for preparing her for a possible future in law enforcement. Eventually she will probably go back to a bachelor’s/master’s program, as she would eventually like to teach at some level. The Learning Community prepared her for whatever she decides to do, not only with her career, but more importantly with her life.
Thank you once again for all you do everyday for the students of the Learning Community.
Mary Jo
“UPDATE: I reiterate my appreciation for TLCI”
Please consider this update on Michael’s accomplishments to be a tribute to the work you and others do at TLCI. As we all predicted, Michael has continued to excel. For example, he graduated from NOVA with five associates degrees, all magna cum laude: Computer Science, Electrical Engineering, Math, Physics, and Chemistry!!! This May, he will be completing his four-year degree in computer science, summa cum laude, from Virginia Tech, and has received seven substantial job offers from the NSA, Northrop, Lockheed Martin, IBM, McDonnell Douglas, and Red Hat Linux, among others. With all of those offers, it was a tough decision, but Michael recently accepted an incredibly attractive offer from Red Hat Linux (at their McLean VA location), and will begin his employment with them soon after graduating in May. Michael worked at O Power, on an internship last summer, and received an internship offer from IBM. Michael has held a number of computer-related positions while enrolled at Virginia Tech. All of this was done with relatively little difficulty. I reiterate my appreciation for TLCI, and for the fine work you and your Advisor do there.
Thank God we withdrew him from Woodbridge High, before it was too late!
Robert S.
“Fortunate to be involved with TLCI”
As a way of updating, Matt Hedges graduated Summa Cum Laude from University of Rhode Island in Film with a minor in Anthropology and is taking a year off before heading to grad school somewhere for film. His brother, Dan, in his senior year at the University of Vermont where he’s studying environmental science with a focus on economics and global sustainability. He has been in the Honors College since enrolling and has received $3000 in scholarship money every year attending. We were so fortunate to be involved with TLCI and thank you all for such a wonderful experience.
Virginia Hedges
“Out-shined all the others”
Tiana has been accepted by the Academy of Art University in California. She also won first place in a state contest for Florida. It was held in Orlando and had thousands of entries. A tulip from Washington DC, out-shined all the other entries. How Marvelous!!!
My daughter Priscilla who also graduated last June 2010, was put into an accelerated program for esthetics (specialized skin care). She has received a 3.62 GPA from the Florida College of Natural Health and has now received a state license. She may be continuing her education in the future, working towards a duo licensing. Priscilla is the youngest student that the college has ever enrolled. We are very proud!
Thank you.
Cara Weisman
“A life-changing experience”
“Got into Sorbonne Nouvelle – Université Paris 3!”
Our oldest son David got into a French program in Paris at the Sorbonne Nouvelle – Université Paris 3! His core subjects are philosophy and geography and he’ll be starting in October. My French friends cannot believe it…This boy has never taken a French class in his life – apart from a 2-week writing class at the Alliance Francaise!!
Hurray for TLCI and child-led learning!!
Catherine Kamm
“$13,000 four-year scholarship”
I just wanted to let you know that I have been offered admission to the University of Maryland and West Virginia University. Also, I just received a scholarship offer from WVU in the mail. They are offering me their Academic Excellence Level 1 scholarship, which is $13,000 a year for 4 years! Thank you for all of your hard work towards making these things happen!
Sincerely,
Ian W
“Our experience with The Learning Community has saved Michele’s life.”
I can’t believe how the time has passed and now Michele is a senior! After talking on the phone with my advisor the other day, I took a few minutes to reflect about the friendship and special bond we have with our amazing advisor! It brought me to tears, thinking about all the times she supported us through some of the darkest times in Michele’s life. They were tears of joy and gratitude! She always knows the right thing to say and do…she’s so connected to us that she has sensed that something was wrong and contacted me, finding out that her intuition was right and that Michele’s health had declined.
I’ve watched my daughter grow and develop in so many ways as a learner through the Learning Community. When we started five years ago, my daughter was illiterate. At the ripe old age of 13, she became a professional journalist, writing for The New York Times and teen magazines and in the process of becoming a published book author as well. My daughter’s well-being and accomplishments would have been impossible without the endless opportunities provided by TLCI, especially during difficult times. I truly believe that our experience with The Learning Community has saved Michele’s life. There is NO way that Michele could have ever survived her education (and even been educated) anywhere else!
Thank you from the bottom of our hearts.
Best,
Jane Pinczuk
“Became much more of a self-directed learner”
Our daughter finished up her high school education through The Learning Community International. She spent four months doing her studies independently and enjoying it immensely. She liked being able to choose books she was interested in reading, and as time went on, something she read would inspire her to study more on a certain subject. She became much more of a self-directed learner and also learned to manage her time better. The flexibility of the schedule allowed her creativity to flourish and also allowed her to pursue other activities she never had enough time for when in a traditional school setting. Working with TLCI and [our advisor] was a delight. [Our advisor] was very supportive and readily available. I am so grateful for this wonderful opportunity for our daughter and our family.
Mary G., Iowa
“How happy I am”
I cannot tell you how happy I am with the Learning Community and how Leandra continues to flourish. She is living in Mexico with a family now that has a child the same age as her and studying intensive Spanish. She is becoming certified in Scuba, reads Mexican authors, and is volunteering a couple times a week at a local school assisting with teaching children English.
Thank you!
Linda C.
“Continue to be a pre-professional dancer”
My daughter, Sara, a gifted and talented student with Dyslexia, was with TLCI during her 11th Grade, graduating early. TLCI was wonderful for Sara, as it enabled her to escape from public schools, build her individual, flexible learning program (a combination of Montgomery College courses and individually tutored courses) and to continue to be a pre-professional dancer with the Maryland Youth Ballet and to develop her art portfolio.
As a consequence, Sara has been admitted to Simon’s Rock College of Bard, a unique college for talented younger students affiliated with Bard College, in the Fall of 1999. She is now a freshman in their BA program (during what would be her senior high-school year) and doing excellently. we are both very thankful to TLCI for helping Sara find her way to success and to College.
Daniela Seminara
“I can begin building my life as I envision it”
It has been an eventful and exciting semester for me. Never in my wildest dreams could I have imagined the opportunities available to me now. I no longer have to get up every morning, at the crack of dawn, to drive, in the dark, to a mind numbingly boring and close-minded place where people have no idea how exciting the world outside can be. On my own I can challenge myself in any way I choose. Whether that challenge is physical, intellectual or philosophical, I can explore and understand through my own ambition. For this, I thank you. The first year with the program, I chose a slightly more structured curriculum than most. The vast majority of my learning was done through community college. I took courses in English, French, Accounting and Aviation. Overall, I found the college environment to be much more conducive to the way I learn. I also worked during the summer as an intern for a rock climbing shop and guiding service in West Virginia. This internship gave me a good basic understanding of the intricacies of retailing as well as those of a service-oriented business. One of the most exciting developments has been my change of venue. I moved, by myself, to another county, where I have a job at a ski resort and am a part time student at the local community college. Skiing is one of my passions, and I feel that this is the time in my life when I should indulge in my passions while I can. If fate smiles upon me and my life goes as I hope, I will, someday, be able to merge all my passions into one and make them my life’s sole purpose. In order for that to happen, however, I must first become an expert at all of my passions. And thanks to you and the opportunities your program has given me, I can begin building my life as I envision it.
G.A.R.
“Fortunate to be involved with TLCI.”
Matt graduated Summa Cum Laude from University of Rhode Island in Film with a minor in Anthropology and heading to grad school somewhere for film. His brother, Dan, in his senior year at the University of Vermont where he’s studying environmental science…He has been in the Honors College since enrolling and has received $3000 in scholarship money every year attending. We were so fortunate to be involved with TLCI and thank you all for such a wonderful experience.
Virginia Hedges
“Changed our lives for the better”
Thank you so much for the wonderful service you have provided for us. You guys completely changed our lives for the better. My sons are the most amazing men and I thank you for creating a place for us to do that. Good luck with all the lives that you continue to touch.
Terri
“Awarded an Achievement Scholarship”
After a year of testing the waters at Montgomery College with a wide range of courses Allison decided to apply to Hood College. She was accepted and was awarded the Achievement Scholarship. The amount of her award is $24,000, which equates to $6,000/year. She is extremely excited and surprised. She has decided to pursue a major in Early Childhood Education.
Thank you TLCI!
Laura Gladhill
“Glad this opportunity existed!”
Thank you so much for everything you both have done on behalf our children. TLCI has given them the opportunity and means to pursue their interests and dreams. It allowed us to pursue learning our way and create new paths to achieving their goals. We are so glad this opportunity existed!
Connie F.
“Pursuing my dreams”
I cannot thank my advisor enough for working with me on earning my diploma! To be honest, I wasn’t sure if I was ever going to be able to pursue my dreams of having a career in Graphic Design. Now that I have my diploma I can go to the college of my choice. My true goal is to become successful in a job that gives me the opportunity to utilize my artistic abilities. Thank you for making this possible!
Courtney T.
“Different background- not an obstacle to success!”
Not only was Jess accepted by McDaniel College, she was offered a MERIT SCHOLARSHIP for 4 years that will cover almost half of her tuition yearly! Awesome! And I was worried they might not accept her because of her “different” background….
Thanks for all you do!
Sue
“Our advisor is truly an asset”
We appreciate the support and great service TLCI has provided us while we’ve lived in MD. In particular, we’ve appreciated the great advisor. She’s been great with the kids. She is a patient listener, full of encouragement, and quick with valuable resources. She is wonderful about timely responses when we contact her, and I’ve valued her balanced perspective and wise advice. Our advisor is truly an asset to TLCI! Many thanks for her and the school for four very positive years in MD!
Regards,
Marjorie W
“My son has matured and developed considerable strengths”
After three and one-half years with TLCI, my son will be returning to a traditional classroom setting this fall. My son has matured and developed considerable strengths, and I am very grateful for the support of TLCI. If this turns out to not be the best educational setting for him, then I will be pleased to consider re-enrolling him in TLCI. I firmly believe that my son has benefited enormously…my very best wishes for TLCI’s continued success.
Diane
“I wish every child could experience TLCI”
I wanted to take a moment to give you my sincere appreciation for the simple, yet beautiful in spirit, graduation ceremony this year. I am sure every parent felt the pride to hear the kids speak in their own words in front of their peers, their experiences, thankfulness for the help they received, joy in realizing they graduated, and confidence that they were ready to find their true paths in life. I wish every child could experience TLCI. Only TLCI could have given Garrett the credit for working so hard after school and weekends (mowing, landscaping, mulching, power washing and staining decks, etc.) and giving him credit for being the individual he is and learning at the pace he could learn.
Thank you.
Mary Hash
“Our experience with TLCI…has exceeded my expectations”
I am glad to inform you that our experience with TLCI and the curriculum has exceeded my expectations, especially, the performance of our children. Although, they are all excellent A students in all their previous day schools, I still then at the beginning of their enrollment with TLCI, had my worries of the difficulties they will encounter as they convert their studies and knowledge they accumulated over the years from the Arabic language to an English American curriculum. They studied each lesson materials, opened Discovery videos, visited links and sites, done practice exercises, pre-tests, post-tests, and problems, and they understood and learned all materials in each instruction of each lesson before the moved ahead to the next one. As a parent, a teacher, and a mentor, of Talal, Danya, and Wael I am proud of them, the work, and the learning they have achieved. Please accept my sincere thanks to yourself, their advisor, and all the people at TLCI.
Sincerely,
Khalid Al Salem
“Glad to have found TLCI”
Since this is our last child with TLCI, I want to take this opportunity to thank you for the years of support and direction we have received. We were certainly glad to have found TLCI and I have recommended to many friends of mine.
Teresa
“The Learning Community was there…no other organization could even come close”
We thank everyone in the Learning Community who have embraced and supported my daughter and our family over the years. The Learning Community was there to help guide our daughter when no other organization could even come close. It’s educational advisors; administrators and fellow parents have been a source of inspiration and hope. I’ve watched my daughter grow and develop in so many ways… When we started five years ago, my daughter was illiterate. Now, at the ripe old age of 13, she is a professional journalist, writing for The New York Times and teen magazines. In fact, she is in the process of becoming a published book author as well. Most of all, she’s been able to restore her health and happiness. Again, my daughter’s well-being and accomplishments would have been impossible without the endless opportunities provided by TLCI, especially during difficult times—it’s been a lifesaver!
Thank you from the bottom of our hearts.
Best,
Jane
“The flexibility of the schedule allowed her creativity to flourish”
Our daughter finished up her high school education through The Learning Community International, enjoying it immensely. She liked being able to choose books she was interested in reading, and as time went on, something she read would inspire her to study more on a certain subject. She became much more of a self-directed learner and learned to manage her time better. The flexibility of the schedule allowed her creativity to flourish and allowed her to pursue other activities she never had enough time for when in a traditional school setting. Working with TLCI and Administrators was a delight, very supportive and readily available. I am so grateful for this wonderful opportunity for our daughter and our family.
Mary G.
“It is worth every penny”
Frankly, as a parent trying to take a good deal of responsibility for my son’s education, I find TLCI very informative and helpful. It is worth every penny of the tuition rate. (A parent who has a child enrolled in school but finds TLCI valuable enough to stay enrolled anyway!)
Best wishes,
Naomi
“How happy I am with the Learning Community”
I cannot tell you how happy I am with the Learning Community and how Leandra continues to flourish. She is living in Mexico with a family now, that has a child the same age as her, and studying intensive Spanish. She is becoming certified in Scuba, reads Mexican authors, and is volunteering a couple times a week at a local school assisting with teaching children English.
Thank you.
C.M.
“The Learning Community was a Godsend for our daughter”
The Learning Community was a Godsend for our daughter. The Learning Community was the impetus for preparing her for a possible future in law enforcement. Eventually she will probably go back to a bachelor’s/master’s program, as she would eventually like to teach at some level. The Learning Community prepared her for whatever she decides to do, not only with her career, but more importantly with her life.
Thank you once again for all you do everyday for the students of the Learning Community.
Mary Jo
“Appreciate the opportunity…to receive his diploma”
I appreciate so much the opportunity Martin had to receive his high school diploma through The Learning Community, and I appreciate the help you gave Martin and I in successfully completing his senior year. I’m proud of him, and he feels good about himself. He’s planning to attend WVU for a degree in Medical Technology.
Thank you,
Beth
“The value of being allowed to follow one’s own path of learning”
This is a very late letter to thank you so much for everything you did for our son Matthew Lindberg-Works‚ graduation from TLCI last May. Thank you also for the wonderful graduation celebration in Annapolis. My sister and her husband drove up from Virginia Beach to represent our extended family, and both said it was the best graduation they had ever attended, which is saying a lot, since my brother in law is in the Navy, where there are MANY graduation events. We were all so impressed with the addresses of the students; all were such endorsements for the value of being allowed to follow one’s own path of learning. All in all, it was a wonderful day.
“Very thankful to TLCI for helping Sara find her way to success”
My daughter, Sara Parent, a gifted and talented student with Dyslexia, was with TLC during her 11th grade. TLC was wonderful for Sara, as it enabled her to escape from public schools, build her individual, flexible learning program including college courses and individually tutored courses, and to continue to be a pre-professional dancer with the Maryland Youth Ballet and also develop her art portfolio. Consequently, Sara has been admitted to Simons Rock College of Bard, a unique college for talented younger students affiliated with Bard College, in the fall of 1999. She is now a freshman in their BA program (during what would be her senior high-school year) and doing excellently.
We are both very thankful to TLCI for helping Sara find her way to success and to college.
Daniela
“It has been a lifeline to our daughter”
We are truly blessed to have discovered your wonderful school. During the past two years, our daughter has progressed from about a 4th grade to a 7th grade reading level. While her reading is painstakingly slow at times, reading at this level is quite an accomplishment for a person who does not see the letters in words in a straight line, and who does not naturally read left to right. To her, the letters literally dance and zigzag across the line and the page. As for math, she has progressed well beyond the Algebra I taught in most schools; she excels at math.
Thank you again for all your support … It has been a lifeline to our daughter.
R.D.
“I can begin building my life as I envision it”
It has been an eventful and exciting semester for me. Never in my wildest dreams could I have imagined the opportunities available to me now. I can challenge myself in any way I choose, be it physical, intellectual, or philosophical, and explore diverse interests. For this, I thank you. The majority of my learning was done through community college where I found the college environment to be much more conducive to the way I learn. I also worked during the summer as an intern for a rock climbing shop and guiding service in West Virginia. This internship gave me a good basic understanding of the intricacies of retailing as well as those of a service-oriented business. One of the most exciting developments has been the ability to put in serious skiing time. Skiing is one of my passions, and I feel that this is the time in my life when I should indulge in my passions while I can. I hope to merge all my passions into one and make them my life’s sole purpose. In order for that to happen, however, I must first become an expert at all of my passions. And thanks to you and the opportunities your program has given me, I can begin building my life as I envision it.
G.A.R.
“TLCI offers hope, encouragement and a joyful learning experience”
In closing, I want to once again express my entire family’s appreciation. TLCI has definitely made a positive difference in the lives of my two children, Michael and Simone. They are living testimonials that TLCI can and does make a crucial difference in the educations and lives of students. TLCI offers young men and women, who would otherwise be mercilessly trampled underfoot and forgotten by the bureaucratic madness of a robotic public school system, encouragement, hope, and a joyful learning experience. It does so by instilling the concept of learning as being far more than mindless conformity to a set of rigid requirements and rules, instituted by the uncaring, embittered herd mentality that pervades the public school system.
Thank you, and keep up the good work!
Robert Shuffett
“A positive experience”
Our relationship with TLCI has in every way been a positive experience, and we will continue to recommend you to others.
J.P.