Learning Lounge Opens In Castro Valley

According to the Learning Lounge's owner Justin Gillette, Castro Valley's new after-school tutoring center is more than just a place where kids get tutored.

"Catch some brain waves, get better grades," he said is the center's motto. "We're looking to promote a success-oriented environment."

As the former SAT director of the Lafayette Academy, Gillette has created a team of tutors to help local middle and high school students in Castro Valley excel in school.

"I want this to be a place exclusively for Castro Valley students," he said. "I'm not looking to replace the teachers, I'm just looking to supplement them in any way I can."

He said he decided to open his business in Castro Valley because he saw a lack of tutoring centers in the area.

Learning Lounge focuses mostly on Math and English along with college board tests such as the SAT and ACT.

He said the secret to students' success is making them feel comfortable and self-aware when it comes to learning rather than pressured and stressed.

"While there are different learning styles, everyone benefits from small class sizes," Gillette said.

Students will receive one-on-one tutoring with either him, his wife Filomena Borges, a Spanish professor at Mills College, or recent UC Berkeley graduate Darren Gelsi.

They opened their doors on Dec. 9 and have been tutoring about a dozen current Castro Valley clients. However, they hope to get more students on board once they celebrate their grand opening on Jan. 3. Gillete said he is also looking to hiring one to two more tutors.

For more information on the Learning Lounge, visit http://learningloungeonline.com/ or call 510-338-8408.