By Sameeha Jilani
Contributing Writer
While outside tutoring has proven to be successful in helping students raise academic scores, it can be pricey and isn’t always readily available to all students.
Study Hut founders Rob Stone and Sean-Patrick Burke are looking to change this by expanding their impact on students’ academics through scholarships offered from their newest branch that is located in Lomita, called the Study Hut Foundation.
“I’ve been going to Study Hut since the beginning of this year,” sophomore Sarah Kennedy said. “The best part is probably how laid back it is; they have lots of food and candy, and the tutors are very easy to talk to.”
Study Hut tutors are all recent college graduates that work with students individually in a variety of subjects, ranging from history to science to math. In addition to offering curriculum-based tutoring for K-12 students, Study Hut offers standardized test tutoring for tests such as the SAT and ACT. Study Hut prides itself on being able to provide individual solutions instead of using one method for every student.
“My education at University of California, Berkeley has tremendously helped me as a tutor,” tutor Patrick Chao said. “I prefer to tutor students in physics because it is closest to engineering. I love being able to walk through problems with students.”
Study Hut initially started out with one location in Manhattan Beach in 2005, but it has since expanded to several other areas. It now has four main locations: Hut 1 (or the Mother Hut) in Manhattan Beach, Hut 2 in Redondo Beach and two other facilities in El Segundo and Newport Beach.
Additionally, on May 1 of this year, Study Hut opened a new location in Lomita, called the Study Hut Foundation. The Foundation will offer free tutoring by college and high school graduates to select scholarship students.
“I went to Study Hut when I first struggled with my academic classes,” senior Juliana Hoft said. “I enjoy going because all of the tutors are very personable.”
Students who go to the Foundation are scholarship students that meet Study Hut’s requirements. They receive free tutoring provided by donations, as well as revenue generated by the Study Hut organization as a whole. The Foundation’s goal is to provide tutoring and test-prep services to motivated students who could otherwise not afford them.
“This project has been in the works for many years, and I’m proud to say that it has finally turned from dream into reality,” Study Hut desk manager Samantha Prins said.
On April 30, Study Hut held a Scholarship Award Breakfast to raise funds for the next year’s scholarships at the Bahia Corinthian Yacht Club in Newport Beach. Local businesses donated to the cause by acting as presenting sponsors or by sponsoring tables at the event with proceeds going to the Foundation.
“I am excited that Study Hut is offering scholarships to students who do not necessarily have the same resources as other Costa students,” senior Jaclyn Henn said. “It’s incredible that Study Hut is helping others.”
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