Our History
Learning Ladder was born out of the love for a child! The inspiration for our company was founded by our Director who set out on a journey to obtain educational tools to help one of her own children who was struggling in school during their early elementary grade level years. The experience in seeking solutions became her own education and eventually sparked the desire to help others who were having similar experiences. In 2002 Learning Ladder was launched, bringing together qualified instructors, resource materials and assistive technology…being one of first tutoring facilities to provide every tutoring session with computers and online access to the internet. We have come a long way since then, expanding with many on-campus programs and full-service online tutoring services for the convenience of students and families.
The Launch
2002
The doors opened in La Canada and Learning Ladder was off to a great start, quickly becoming one of the most sought after tutoring companies in the San Gabriel Valley area.
Launch of St. Francis Program
2005
Success received recognition and Learning Ladder began building a reputation and presence in the community and on the campuses of area schools for SAT/ACT and HSPT/ISEE Prep.
Outreach
2005
Success received recognition and Learning Ladder began building a reputation and presence in the community and on the campuses of area schools for SAT/ACT and HSPT/ISEE Prep. The inaugural program was on the campus of St. Francis High School in January 2005, and continues annually to the present. Other campus programs have included multi-county programs. Participating schools have been Flintridge-Sacred Heart Academy, Mayfield Senior School, Ramona Convent Secondary School, Alverno Heights Academy, Cathedral High School, St. Monica Academy, New Horizon School, Sequoyah School, La Canada Preparatory, and Cornelia Connelly School in Orange County.
Giving Back
2009
Learning Ladder has grown to be a community partner. Over the past two decades we launched a number of community programs as our way of giving back. Learning Ladder established the Fr. Jesus Vela Scholarship which represents over $160,000 in grants funded over a decade by Learning Ladder to sponsor test prep summer programs for 6th, 7th, and 8th graders from St. Lawrence of Brindisi School located in Watts. The program has provided economically challenged students with opportunities to compete for private high school scholarships via obtaining competitive achievement scores on entrance exams. Each September we host the Annual Early Bird High School Night. For over a decade this high school admissions event, free to the public, is represented by top-notch area high schools and their admissions representatives. Meet Fr. Tony Night is a very popular event, allowing students and families an opportunity to better know the President of St. Francis High School. Our Summer Volunteer Expo provides high school students with information on volunteer and resume building opportunities for college applications. Habitat for Humanity, Tom Sawyer Camps, Descanso Gardens, Los Angeles County Fire & Police Departments, Pasadena Humane Society, YMCA of the Foothills, Boy Scouts of America, and USC Verdugo Hills Hospital are among just a few of many organizations that have participated in the program.
A Great New Location
2008
The economy went bust and so did many area tutoring companies. Learning Ladder was the only surviving tutoring company in it’s immediate area. Despite financial struggles for many families, they remained committed to our programs and recognized their children received value through a committed staff that shared dreams for their children’s’ futures. Learning Ladder made a move from a commercial setting to a shared educational campus space above the La Canada Unified School Superintendent’s Office. Families loved the friendly environment and Learning Ladder continued to thrive.
Launch of Ramona Convent Program
2005
Success received recognition and Learning Ladder began building a reputation and presence in the community and on the campuses of area schools for SAT/ACT and HSPT/ISEE Prep.
Launch of Sacred Heart Program
2005
Success received recognition and Learning Ladder began building a reputation and presence in the community and on the campuses of area schools for SAT/ACT and HSPT/ISEE Prep.
Launch of Online Tutoring Program
2005
Success received recognition and Learning Ladder began building a reputation and presence in the community and on the campuses of area schools for SAT/ACT and HSPT/ISEE Prep. The inaugural program was on the campus of St. Francis High School in January 2005, and continues annually to the present. Other campus programs have included multi-county programs. Participating schools have been Flintridge-Sacred Heart Academy, Mayfield Senior School, Ramona Convent Secondary School, Alverno Heights Academy, Cathedral High School, St. Monica Academy, New Horizon School, Sequoyah School, La Canada Preparatory, and Cornelia Connelly School in Orange County.
Launch of Foreign Exchange Program
2005
Success received recognition and Learning Ladder began building a reputation and presence in the community and on the campuses of area schools for SAT/ACT and HSPT/ISEE Prep. The inaugural program was on the campus of St. Francis High School in January 2005, and continues annually to the present. Other campus programs have included multi-county programs. Participating schools have been Flintridge-Sacred Heart Academy, Mayfield Senior School, Ramona Convent Secondary School, Alverno Heights Academy, Cathedral High School, St. Monica Academy, New Horizon School, Sequoyah School, La Canada Preparatory, and Cornelia Connelly School in Orange County.
Virtual Opportunity went Global
2020
And then there was COVID-19… and the world changed! Thanks to our top notch IT department we adapted immediately and were up and running within 24 hours after lockdown, providing one-on-one tutoring opportunities in our remote classrooms located on our website. A few months later we launched our full-day online summer camp for HSPT/ISEE & SAT/ACT test preparation. Students were provided online portals to access curriculum and testing opportunities that now provide immediate score back reports. We kept students fully engaged online for full day programs with creative exercises. Parents expressed gratitude for the convenience of accessing tutoring until 9PM at night without having to add another commuting stretch to their day. Students also like the convenience of being able to be with the same great tutors that they know, via an easy virtual experience. Parents value that one-on-one online tutoring is different from online classrooms, requiring full interaction and face-to-face engagement with the instructor.
This past year we embraced “virtual opportunity” and hosted numerous online events. IT staff are continuously upgrading our online programs to provide excellence and ease. Tutors have curriculum support and tools to create screen presentations for learning. Online is here to stay, however, we plan to still offer campus programs once it is 100% safe to do so. We welcome the scaling opportunity that online services provide to our business, but will remain committed to our core values and personalized service.
Finally, we are proud to say our reputation is spreading and with the need for online learning… the “word is now out” in China, Korea, and the Middle East. We welcome our international students to our flexible online access. Huanying! Welcome in Korean! Ahlan! Worldwide services is now a goal and look forward to providing excellence to students from every continent.
