Best in Class can help your student excel

Looking to help your child get a foot up in education? Check out Best in Class Education Center.

Best in Class Education Center, at 12234 Poway Road, Suite 204 (on the second floor of the building) offers math and English classes and private tutoring for students pre-kindergarten through high school.

Owned and operated by husband-and-wife duo David and Caroline Krzywicki, Best in Class opened in March and is the first franchise location in San Diego.

The franchise began in Seattle, where the company existed for 20 years before franchising in 2011, said Caroline Kryzwicki. The Poway location is one of two locations in Southern California, with the other franchise location in Los Angeles.

Unlike many education and tutoring centers, Best in Class Education Center offers active instruction in a small group setting, with English classes maxing out at six students and math classes at eight students, said Caroline.

The center has four teachers on staff who work with the same classes, which allows consistency and structure for students, said David Kryzwicki. The teachers are all either undergrad or graduate students at UCLA and UC Irvine. “All our teachers have at least one year experience in the subject they teach,” said David. “They all have an interest in education and it gives them an opportunity to work in education in a small class setting.”

Students begin with an assessment exam to determine what level they’re at, from remedial to beyond grade level. From there, they will be placed in the appropriate class and begin working with Best in Class’s curriculum, said David. “We always want to work with students at their level,” he said.

In addition to the emphasis on active instruction, the center also focuses on teaching critical thinking to its students. “We go beyond repetition,” said Caroline. Math education at Best in Class includes word problems and the English curriculum includes not only grammar and vocabulary but writing practice, including an essay every month. “Some other programs don’t have as strong of an English curriculum (as we do),” she said.

Education is extremely important to the Kryzwickis, said David. Both have two master’s degrees each and David taught math and economics for several years at an international school in Switzerland, while Caroline has previously worked in the health care and financial fields. Though David left teaching for several years to work in the financial sector, Caroline said she always knew he’d return to education.

“Caroline said I’d be back in education in five years. I quit (working in finance) after four and half years,” David said.

David grew up in San Diego while Caroline was born and raised in Switzerland. The two met while studying abroad in England and lived in Switzerland for seven years. They moved back to San Diego four years ago so David could continue his education, he said.

Lessons are purchased monthly, with four lessons a month. Currently, Best in Class Education Center is waiving registration and assessment fees as well as offering the first month half-price if you sign up. These deals will run through September.

Classes are held Wednesday, Thursday and Saturday afternoons and evenings. To find out more or to sign your child up for an assessment, call 858-866-6446, email sdpoway@bestinclasseducation.com or visit bestinclasseducation.com/sd-poway.