Entrepreneur and learning center owner Franco Verdino has acquired the FasTracKids and Eye Level Learning Center on the Upper East Side of Manhattan. Driven by a passion for providing the world’s best supplemental enrichment programs to New York families, Franco and his team aim to renovate and revive one of Manhattan’s most prized and historically important learning centers on the Upper East Side.
With their most recent successful venture being a takeover of the East Village Eye Level center, Franco and his team currently run and oversee 10 learning centers throughout Brooklyn, Manhattan, Queens, and Staten Island. Among the noted specialists contributing expertise is Veronica Verdino, Franco’s wife and partner, an expert educator and teacher trainer who holds dual masters degrees in early childhood education and health science. Daisy Farrugia, director of the Park Slope center, holds a masters degree in special education and brings to the team expertise in gifted & talented preparation.
In 2003, Franco and Veronica Verdino opened the original Brooklyn FasTracKids Learning Center (NYC’s first), inspired by the untapped opportunity to provide accelerated education to gifted and potentially gifted children.
“Back then, there were no gifted learning centers in New York. We were true pioneers,” says Franco.
Confident in the research-backed approach provided by FasTracKids, the Verdinos adopted the philosophy that, with the proper instruction and reinforcement, most children could perform at the levels that qualify them as gifted.
“Our unique approach of building skills, traits, characteristics, and vocabulary, starting at the early age of 2 to 3 years old, was and still is truly innovative and impactful,” says Franco.
The Brooklyn location’s first 3-year-old group graduated with well over 90% acceptance into NYC Gifted Programs. Having seen the program produce real-world results, the newly invigorated team became determined to expand to all neighborhoods in NYC.
“We are excited to be servicing the Upper East Side market with our cumulative expertise in providing NYC’s best and most effective enrichment programs. With our long track-record of success, we look forward to continuing to make a big impact on children’s educational outcomes, in Manhattan and throughout the boroughs,” says Franco.
FasTracKids and Eye Level Learning Centers
1461 Hylan Blvd.
718-351-7333
ftkny.com
