Post-storm update + NJ.com: "Foley Prep paves the way..."

Dear Parent/Guardian:

I hope yesterday spared you the worst. If you’re still without power, I hope it comes on soon. Right now our Freehold office is still without power and Bernardsville and Rumson-Fair Haven were left without power as of 6:30pm last night – I seek out corner offices that have a lot of light, and many of our students were perfectly fine working in the natural light yesterday during the storm. If you have questions about your appointment today, replying to this email is the simplest and fastest way to find out.

Our uber-admin, Eric, is away on vacation this week and Helen, our new full-time uber-admin, is still in training, so I’ve been on the phones nonstop (especially with the little tempest we experienced yesterday). So forgive me if there are any delays in communications, but so far I think we’ve managed to keep up. So good to have a core team – more like a community – of 17 Foley Prep Pros who pitch in to make the experience smoother for everyone.

Update on Supplemental Learning:

You know we are living in a new world when I, Ron Foley, purchase a paid article in a news outlet. Well, I have gone ahead and done it. If anything, it helps me to get my direct message out during a busy time for us. The article can be found at NJ.com/foley-paves-the-way-learning-replacement or, if you’re interested, just read the text below. I hope it helps.

We are working on specifics for the fall and registration now. Registration will officially open next week but it’s very important that I hear from those with pods as well as non-podded individuals who are interested. Details and pricing can be found on FoleyPrep.com/pods – please fill out the early interest form – we have 98 entries so far, which is helping me to plan for space and people.

I will add 2 new things to the pod-a-palooza that are not in the article:

I am hiring K-8 teachers and securing suitable spaces near at least two of our locations. It’s understandable that K-5 parents have a heightened level of concern for who is caring for their children, so they seem to be ahead of the curve asking for help from Foley Prep. If you know any certified K-5 teachers looking for work, please put them in touch. I plan to hire more 6th-12th grade teachers as well. Having been at this for so long, I’m very fortunate to have a decent Rolodex, but I can always use help finding good folks.
If you know families in or around Holmdel, NJ, please be sure to tell them that we are launching programming that will be similar to a K-12 school for up to 200 children. Please forward this email to them and tell them to email me as soon as possible.

Thanks, as always for your time. Clear skies today!

-Ron

Foley Prep paves the way for students to succeed with learning replacement services

NJ.com

July 31, 2020

If your 6^th through 12^th grade student will be online for school this fall or in a hybrid setting of in-person school with partial schooling online, Foley Prep is offering an excellent supplement to your child’s educational experience with pod-friendly microschooling at home or at a Foley Prep center or online starting mid-September. Registration begins in August.

Foley Prep has been delivering top-notch supplemental learning for more than 15 years in New Jersey for homeschoolers and for students interested in high school and college test prep.

“Students will have access to dedicated teachers, half of which are certified to teach in the state and most who have their master’s degrees, who know the curriculums,” said Ron Foley, owner of Foley Prep and a tenured professor of mathematics at Middlesex County College.

Foley Prep teachers’ subject-specific masteries include biology, chemistry, physics, history, English, pre-algebra, algebra I, algebra II, geometry, pre-calculus, calculus, AP level prep, French, Italian, Spanish, German and business and entrepreneurship.

“When students are not in school, they can come to us for what they need,” Foley said. “We have lots of flexibility built into the program, and we go beyond what they are expected to know.” For those who are in high school, that means they are tested on SAT, ACT or AP sections that correspond to the lesson. “This is a way to make sure they know the material,” he said, noting that standardized testing is a way to hold students to the high standard that colleges expect. “A student could be getting a good grade in class, but we have to make sure they understand the material. By weaving in these tests, it’s holding them accountable and all of this will benefit them down the road and in life,” he said.

Flexible morning, afternoon and evening options are available seven days per week at seven Foley Prep centers located in: Bell Works-Holmdel, Bernardsville, Freehold, Haddonfield, Mountain Lakes, Rumson/Fair Haven and Warren Township. Each location provides a safe environment that accommodates social distancing where masks are required, sanitizing is a priority and there is limited rotation of students and teachers. Most groups are comprised of fewer than five students. One-on-one tutoring is available.

“Most homes are within walking distance in the neighborhoods that we have centers,” said Foley, adding that he plans to open more in the state by the end of the year. “And we have beautiful spaces where the kids work and for the kids who are looking to work with friends, they can,” he said. “We’ve increased our Wi-Fi bandwidth so Foley Prep students can attend their schools’ classes remotely from the comfort of one of our centers.”

Parents can choose to form private customized micro learning pods with their kids’ friends. Foley Prep instructors are also available to go to a student’s home to meet with the pod of friends.

Enroll in half-day ($160), full-day ($300), monthly ($2,400) and three-months ($6,900) programs. Instructional periods are scheduled for mornings (10 to 11:30 a.m., 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m.); afternoons (2 to 3:30 p.m., 3:30 to 5 p.m.); and evenings (6 to 7:30 p.m., 7:30 to 9 p.m.). One-hour instructional study halls will take place between the morning, afternoon and evening sessions.

Enrichment classes will be added that might include: Java, C++, Python, filmmaking, soccer, tennis, personal training/workouts, meditation and yoga, a practice in which Mr. Foley is certified.

“You’re getting a private education at a great discount,” Foley said. “Students have the benefit of their districts for free and private instruction with Foley Prep. We are seeing this as a new model,” he said.

As a community college professor, Foley pointed out that he sees districts’ disparities and believes that this model eventually could be taken to inner-city districts through a conduit such as the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation.

The Foley Prep faculty has expanded to 17 full-time and 40 part-time instructors since the closure of schools due to the pandemic, and they are still hiring to meet demand. “If college students who scored well on the SAT/ACT are contemplating a gap year, they could teach with us and gain some valuable experience,” said Mr. Foley, who has taught and tutored all high school and college level mathematics in public and private education for more than 30 years.

“We want families to know that we are taking care of them. Kids could be stressed over the current situation or have anxiety,” Foley said. “We want them to know we are here for them.”

Visit Foley Prep for more information or to enroll in supplemental learning and test prep classes.