Austin Families Left in Limbo After Sylvan Learning Locations Close Abruptly
AUSTIN, Texas — Schools are supposed to be a safe place to learn and grow, but for some families in Austin, the recent closing of local Sylvan Learning centers has left them feeling stranded. These closures impact children who rely on tutoring and structured learning to catch up in school.
The Situation Unfolds
Kim Houston McKnight found herself in a tough spot after trying to help her great-niece, diagnosed with autism, improve her academic skills. “She is behind in her grade level. She’s on the high-performing autism scale and so, she likes routine,” McKnight shared. To assist her great-niece, McKnight decided to enroll her in a program at Sylvan Learning of South Austin, located on South Lamar Boulevard.
McKnight paid nearly $2,700 in advance, which was meant to cover 60 sessions of tutoring. However, that support came to an abrupt halt. A letter posted at the center informed families that the franchisee had decided to close the Austin locations effective July 31. The letter cited a “lack of resources and termination of the forbearance period and franchise agreement” as the reasons for the closure.
Lost Hours and Irate Parents
After learning about the closure, McKnight discovered she had 24 hours of tutoring left for her great-niece. “There was a number and an email that you could call her, but I have called that number and I have emailed her numerous, numerous times with no response,” she expressed, highlighting her frustration at the lack of communication from franchisee Susan Fairbairn.
Another parent, Sonia Canales, faced a similar situation when she enrolled her 8-year-old son at a Sylvan location in Kyle. Canales had about seven sessions remaining when the center unexpectedly shut its doors. Like McKnight, Canales found the same letter posted on the center’s door, and her attempts to reach out for answers also went unanswered. “I paid almost roughly $4,000,” she stated, feeling deceived and upset. “He’s still left without help, and he’s still left behind.”
No Response from Franchisee
Attempts to contact Fairbairn for clarification were met with silence, leaving families feeling further abandoned in their quest for educational support for their children. When news outlets made inquiries regarding the situation, they also received no response from Fairbairn. This left families grappling with uncertainty as they searched for alternative options.
Company’s Official Statement
Unleashed Brands, the parent company of Sylvan Learning, did provide an official statement addressing the closures. The company mentioned that they had already organized for some of the affected families to receive tutoring from other franchisees, either virtually or in-person. They also noted that Fairbairn, the franchisee in question, had unexpectedly closed the centers without proper notification and that her franchise agreement had since been terminated.
In addition, they made it clear that families looking for refunds should directly reach out to Fairbairn, a task many frustrated parents are now facing.
Calls for Accountability
Parents like Canales expressed that they want **accountability and answers** for their investment in their children’s education. “These are children,” she pointed out. “These are our future, and you took advantage of families.”
The closure of the Sylvan Learning centers in Austin has left many families in a challenging position, raising concerns about the impact on children who desperately need support to get back on track academically. With no clear path forward, these families are now faced with the daunting task of finding alternative educational resources to aid their children.
