Farmington Small Business Spotlight: Ivy Bound Test Prep

Every local business has a story worth sharing with the community. And that’s the belief behind this exciting series — to shine the spotlight on all our favorite local businesses, and to learn a little about the ones we may not know that well.

Business: Ivy Bound Test Prep
Owner: Mark Greenstein
Website: www.ivybound.net

How did you come up with the name?

I do not recall.

Why start a business in this town?

This town has a lot of ambitious students who deserve more choices for getting where they want to go. Ivy Bound’s flexibility is what parents welcome and what kids need.

What business are you in?

Ivy Bound offers test prep and academic tutoring and classes. Tutors come to the home and can help online on the students’ schedule. Classes are offered face to face, as well as online.

What’s the most difficult challenge you’ve faced as a business owner?

The changes to the SAT has dramatically created a more anxious time for our students and a more challenging time for our teachers and developers to apply strategies that are in flux. Also many parents do not which test is better for their kids.

What’s been your proudest achievement since opening?

My proudest achievement is that no staffer has left for another job in 14 years. My favorite moments are when students report back score increases of 200 points or more.

How does your business give back to the community?

Ivy Bound offers free parent seminars and we offer practice tests for students to assess where they stand even as early as 7th grade.

Would you like to see your small business showcased in this series? Email tim.jensen@patch.com.