Joseph first came to the Verona, NJ Huntington in May 2011. Joseph was classified with dyslexia in first grade. When his parents first contacted Huntington, their main goal for Joseph was to improve his grades from Cs and Ds to As and Bs, and improve his confidence in his academic abilities. On the academic evaluation, Joseph scored well below three grade levels on the majority of administered exams.

At first Joseph disliked attending Huntington. He did not see how working with us would help with his school academics. Joseph also viewed attending Huntington during summer vacation as a waste of his summer, and he was upset at his parents for forcing him to come. Both of his parents and the Huntington staff members reminded Joseph that he was not being punished for attending Huntington, but that we were here to help him achieve his goals and aspirations.

At the conclusion of summer, Joseph completed 50 hours of instruction. Within these 50 hours, Joseph's California Achievement Test score improved three grade levels in math and vocabulary, and two grade levels in reading comprehension. Joseph started his new school year as a freshman in high school with newfound confidence.

Since his first day of high school, Joseph has attended the center twice a week. However, now Joseph looks forward to attending Huntington. He now sees that Huntington has helped him in school. Joseph started at Huntington as a C and D student. Just recently, Joseph received his first report card and he made the honor roll for the first time. He is excited to learn new concepts in school and at HLC. He has even asked his mom to attend next summer, and to come back for SAT preparation. Joseph's parents could not be happier or more excited for Joseph's accomplishments and improved confidence and motivation.

The following is a quote from Joseph's mom from an email she sent us recently:

"Last night, after everyone was asleep - Joe came into my room and asked me two questions: When can he begin to study for the SATs at Huntington and can we send him for two days a week this summer? I hope we did not wait too long to send him to Huntington, and if he wants to go to college he will still have the tools he will need. Mark and I will find a way to send him as long as Joe still has the motivation."

FROM: Joseph