With seasoned teachers and highly individualized programs, Huntington Learning Center of Broken Arrow has been working with students to improve academic performance, build confidence, and create successful outcomes for more than 10 years. The center just changed hands, and new owners Chris and Lee Appel say they are eager to serve the community’s students – especially as they regain ground after the pandemic. We talked with Chris to find out more.
Tell us about your background. What led you to local business and education?
My background is in engineering – I’ve been running a consulting business in oil and gas for about nine years. I came to education through my wife, who’s a 3rd-grade teacher at Victory Christian School. I’ve had the desire to buy a business for several years, and this one was a great fit for us, especially because we have three school-aged children, so we’re right in the middle of teaching our own kids, too.
Why should parents choose Huntington?
Huntington does things very, very well. The results they get are extraordinary – the grade-level learning increases they see with elementary through high school students, the improvements in ACT/SAT scores, and the scholarships they’re able to help students obtain. You just can’t beat the Huntington method. We hold high respect for the former owner, Cindy Snodgrass, and all that she has invested to make the Broken Arrow Huntington Learning Center what it is today. We are excited and ready to continue the legacy of learning for students in the Tulsa Metro Area.
What do you hope to help students achieve?
There’s a real need right now coming out of the pandemic. Students need more support, whether they didn’t connect with online learning or are just struggling in the classroom. Children are our future, and we want to help build not only their ability to learn, but also their self-confidence to become successful adults.