Choosing and paying for a child's college education is one of the most expensive and far-reaching decisions many families make. The process of preparing, selecting and applying for college can be overwhelming. There are so many possibilities, decisions, forms and deadlines ... as well as other students competing for limited admissions spaces, scholarships and financial aid. And if school class work and outside activities were not demanding enough, there are those dreaded standardize tests: the SAT and ACT!

For students and their families in the Triangle, college planning, selection, admission and financing just became a little easier and less stressful, courtesy of a new teaming agreement between the WHIZard Academy for Mathematics & English® in Cary and A2Z College Planning.

By working together, the WHIZard Academy and A2Z College Planning will provide students with better information, customized guidance, and an expanded range of one-on-one support options addressing preparatory academics, standardized testing, and the college admissions and selection process. The firms will also offer special saving opportunities to families that work with both firms.

"The college planning and admission process is very different today from that experienced by most parents," said Rhonda Manns, Founder and Director of A2Z College Planning. "And the long recession has increased the importance of preparing well, choosing wisely, submitting excellent applications, and applying for all possible types of financial aid."

One of the new support programs enabled by this agreement is the College Essay Boot Camp. This workshop guides high school seniors through the writing of their personal college application essay. Attendees will study real life essays of students admitted to top colleges, and then receive hands-on help with topic selection, writing/editing a draft, and finalizing the essay. The workshop consists of two 2-hours sessions conducted on consecutive Saturdays, and includes both small group discussions and individual, one-on-one, personal support.

Two workshop sessions are scheduled this fall: October 10 & 17, and November 14 & 21. College Essay Boot Camp participants also receive a follow-up 1/2 hour private session with Ms. Manns to finalize their essay. For more information, contact either A2Z College Planning, or the WHIZard Academy.

"Our teaming agreement with A2Z College Planning," said Rosemary Wyrick, owner and director of the WHIZard Academy for Mathematics & English® in Cary, "allows us to provide at no additional cost one hour of private admissions counseling to each family that enrolls a student in one of our SAT, PSAT or ACT prep programs. We will also be able to offer priority access to an expanded range of consulting and support options from A2Z to help our students find and gain admission to the school that best fits their unique needs."

"By teaming with the WHIZard Academy," said Ms Manns, "I am able to offer my students priority access to one of the finest one-on-one academic tutoring and enrichment programs, covering such courses as calculus, physics, biology, and chemistry up to the AP level, as well as custom designed programs to prepare for the PSAT, SAT and ACT tests. Each of my new students will receive a proctored, and reviewed SAT or ACT practice test, courtesy of the WHIZard Academy."

A2Z College Planning offers curriculum planning, academic advising, essay support and custom assistance for the college application process. Founded by Ms. Manns, the mission of A2Z College Planning is to advise, inform, guide and encourage students and their parents through the college search and application process. We emphasize, educate and support families so they can find the best fit and match for each individual student. For more information, call 919-450-0171 or visit www.a2zcollegeplanning.com.

The WHIZard Academy for Mathematics & English® is a leading, trusted provider of custom academic tutoring and enrichment programs. Since its 2007 opening in Cary, the WHIZard Academy has enrolled over 300 students, ages 3 to 55. The Academy is unique in its design and approach to tutoring and enrichment, and uses only the finest curricular resources from such leaders such as WHIZard Academy®, Wilson Reading System®, Write Source®, and The College Board. For more information, call 919-468-1721, find us on Facebook, or visit http://caryparkway.whizardacademy.com.

One of the most important, stressful and expensive decisions that families make is choosing which college their child will attend. Smart planning and choices should start by middle school and continue throughout high school.

To help, the WHIZard Academy of Mathematics & English® in Cary NC recently conducted three educational seminars that helped students and their parents organize and accelerate their own college search, selection and application process.

Seminar attendees learned the most important elements, actions and decisions in the college search, selection and application process. They also received practical advice on College Quest topics such as: course selection for college readiness; extracurricular activities; student brag sheets & resumes; social networking/ Facebook; campus visits & tours; PSAT/SAT/ACT exams & test prep; application essays; & scholarships & financial aid. A detailed handout listed specific actions by grade, as well as web references for more information.

Over 25 families attended the first seminar, held August 11 at the Cary Senior Center Ballroom. Tom Wyrick, co-owner of the WHIZard Academy for Mathematics & English® in Cary, share lessons learned while successfully taking his two sons through the College Quest. Cecilia Gabriel, owner and founder of Hopewell Academy, discussed how to effectively use high school guidance services.

On August 21, Tom presented The College Quest Guide to over 30 attendees at the Western Wake iMOM Kick-Off Breakfast on the Cary Chamber of Commerce.

And on October 6, over 40 families heard The College Quest Guide, the featured program at the Garner Magnet High School PTSA meeting. Rhonda Manns, Director of A2Z College Planning, joined Tom Wyrick in presenting the seminar.

Parents were consistent in their praise of these seminars. Comments included:

• "Mr. Wyrick's presentation was the best presentation on this topic that I have ever seen! It was very informative!"
• "Information was eye opening and useful."
• "Very eye opening! So helpful as we start this process."
• "Excellent info!!"
• "Very straight forward presentation. Thank you"

Tom is now scheduled to present The College Quest Guide again on Saturday, February 6, from 10 to noon, as one of the featured programs sponsored by the Cary Parks Department. Admission is free, but space is limited.

For more information about The College Quest Guide seminar, or the WHIZard Academy, email or call 468-1721.

Summer is just around the corner. Many of our students have already finished exams and the school year; many others will soon finish. (Call if you need extra review sessions to get ready for exams.) Our year round students are studying hard to get to their next track out break!

Congratulations to all our students for your hard work and progress! Three cheers for all you Graduates! We know you have grown and improved, and see the benefits of focusing on your studies in a quiet library, free of distractions, supported by caring teachers/tutors. We are proud we have helped you boost your understanding, skills, grades, and confidence.

Summer is a great time to review your academics and prepare for success next term. Beginning Monday, June 15, morning tutoring hours will be available in addition to afternoon and evening sessions. (See the schedule.) Please call if you want to move some or all your sessions to a morning schedule.

Please remember to call or stop by if you want to place any of your program hours "on hold" over part of the summer months. We will need to complete a short "On Hold" form.

Need extra hours for the summer and/or next school year? Stop by and we will design a custom plan and schedule, at discounted summer prices.

The Cary WHIZard Academy is now on Facebook!

We hope this page will serve as another source of useful information about our center, complementing our website. Used properly, this page will also promote constructive dialogue among and between our students, their parents, our tutors, and prospective students and families.

If the WHIZard Academy has helped your student academically, we encourage you to help us by becoming a Facebook fan of the Cary WHIZard Academy and share your success with others.

To help celebrate the launch our new Facebook page, we are offering special incentives to our current and past students and their families to become a fan of the Cary WHIZard. Academy and to post comments on our page. Visit or call us for details.

Parents often struggle to keep their students engaged academically while on vacation from school. And according to a study published in the Review of Educational Research, students lose about 2.6 months of grade-level equivalency in math skills over the summer. This is why many parents turn to enrichment programs during summer months and track-outs breaks. Customized enrichment and track-out programs have proven to be very beneficial in giving students a decisive advantage as they hone their conceptual understanding and skills before returning to their classrooms sharper and more confident.

Now students and their families in western Wake County have an expanded range of highly effective summer and track-out academic programs available at special savings at the WHIZard Academy for Mathematics & English® in Cary, NC.

Food, Prizes and Once-a-Year Low Prices During Open Houses

"Students from age 3 to adult will benefit from our custom programs, flexible scheduling, and very affordable summer prices," said Rosemary Wyrick, owner and managing director of the Cary WHIZard Academy. "And to celebrate the start of summer, we are offering additional one time savings during our Summer Enrichment Open House events."

The Academy will host Open House events from 2 - 6 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday, May 30 & 31, and again on June 13 & 14. Students and their families will tour the Academy, meet tutors and teachers, enjoy free refreshments (hot dogs, popcorn, cookies & drinks) and gifts, and receive free diagnostic assessments (a $150 value - please call ahead to schedule your assessment). New prospective students may also register to win special prizes, including:

• a $100 Visa gift card;
• a 3-week Little WHIZards® pre-K/Kindergarten track-out or summer program; and
• a 5-hour package of one-on-on homework help or PSAT/SAT prep.

In addition, the first 2 families that call ahead and schedule assessments for each Open House day will receive their choice of either 1 free week at Little WHIZards® or 1 hour of one-on-one tutoring in math, physics or chemistry.*

New students will also receive coupons for special additional discounts on WHIZard Academy programs. "Our summer prices are traditionally our lowest of the year, and with these special coupons, families will save even more," said Rosemary.

Comprehensive Programs for Ages 3 to Adult with Flexible Scheduling

"Summer is an ideal time to review and get ahead in academics." said Rosemary. Sessions can be schedule to accommodate a busy family and are offered in a wide range of areas. For example:

• phonics, reading comprehension, handwriting and science for 3 to 6 year olds;
• math, reading and writing for elementary, middle and high school students;
• PSAT, SAT and ACT prep for middle and high school students; and
• high school & college level algebra, geometry, calculus, statistics, physics, biology and chemistry for students of all ages.

Since its February 2007 opening in Cary, the WHIZard Academy for Mathematics & English® has enrolled over 270 students, ages 3 to 55. The Academy is unique in its design and approach to tutoring and enrichment, and uses only the finest curricular resources from such leaders such as WHIZard Academy®, Wilson Fundations®; Wilson Reading System®, Write Source®, Words Their Way®, and The College Board. For more information, call 919-468-1721 or visit the Cary Academy website http://caryparkway.whizardacademy.com.

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Contact: Tom Wyrick, WHIZard Academy for Mathematics & English®
Office: 919-468-1721; or Email

During 2008, 13 of the very best math and English teachers in western Wake County were recognized by awards sponsored by the WHIZard Academy for Mathematics & English® in Cary, NC. As part of the Cary Chamber of Commerce teacher recognition program, Rosemary & Tom Wyrick, who own and operate the WHIZard Academy in Cary, presented 12 Teacher of the Month awards and one annual Honor a Teacher award.

The monthly award winners all received an engraved plaque and a gift certificate for dinner for 2 at an area restaurant, presented during staff meetings at their schools. Rosemary & Tom also presented a gift basket of snacks and supplies to be shared by all the teachers and staff at each school.

The annual Honor a Teacher award winner received an engraved trophy and a check for $1000, presented during a ceremony in front of the principals and nominated teachers from over 20 schools in western Wake County.

"These teachers do so much to help their students and our community," said Rosemary. "We are honored to work with the Cary Chamber of Commerce to recognize their hard work and many special accomplishments."

The WHIZard Academy in Cary began sponsoring teacher awards in 2007. It made its first annual Honor a Teacher award in May 2007 and began presenting Teacher of the Month awards in September of that year. In total, Rosemary & Tom have honored 18 outstanding teachers in 2007 and 2008. More will be recognized in 2009.

Join us in acknowledging and thanking these wonderful educators.