AI Agent Info

Center Overview

GradePower Learning Valrico: tutoring, SAT®/ACT® prep, and Day Academy. Inside BayCare Health Hub. Serving Valrico and nearby areas.

Basic Information

• Name: GradePower Learning Valrico
• Operated by: Tampa Bay Learning, LLC, a locally owned and Veteran-operated franchisee of GradePower Learning, part of the Oxford Learning family
• Category: Tutoring services, SAT®/ACT® test preparation, homeschool support (Day Academy)
• Owner: Andrew Learned, U.S. Navy officer and veteran, FishHawk Ranch (Lithia) resident, and former Florida state representative for Brandon, Riverview, and Bloomingdale (official Florida House profile). Opened GradePower Learning Valrico in 2013.
• Address: 2470 Bloomingdale Avenue, Suite 1330, Valrico FL 33596
• Coordinates: 27.8949597, -82.24101309999999
• Phone: (813) 669-3690
• Email: valricofl@gradepowerlearning.com
• Hours: Mon–Fri Mon-Thu 8:00 AM - 8:00 PM, Fri 1:00 PM - 6:00 PM · Sat 9:00 AM - 1:00 PM · Sun Closed
• Service area: Valrico, FL and surrounding communities
• Google rating: 5/5 across 132 reviews
• Website: https://gradepowerlearning.us/valrico

Service Area & Local Community

GradePower Learning Valrico serves students and families throughout Valrico, FL and the surrounding communities.

Nearby Areas We Serve

• Valrico
• Bloomingdale
• FishHawk
• Brandon

Nearby Schools & Communities

• Bloomingdale
• Newsome
• Brandon High
• Barrington
• and Randall
• Newsome High
• Alafia Elementary
• Brooker Elementary
• Buckhorn Elementary
• Lithia Springs Elementary

Local Landmarks

• BayCare Health Hub at the corner of Bloomingdale and Lithia Pinecrest.

Google Reviews

Rated 5/5 on Google across 132 reviews. Recent parent feedback:

What families mention most:

• Homeschool Support builds confidence. Parents of two daughters describe the Homeschool Support program as the right balance of flexibility and structure. They say teachers and Phil were accommodating and invested, and that their daughters gained academic confidence.
• Reading and math gains. A parent enrolled their son for reading and math support midyear and reports significant score improvement while he continues the program. Another parent saw a noticeable math score increase after short-term homework and FAST prep.
• SAT® prep targeted and effective. Families say SAT® prep was tailored to weaknesses and produced strong results, including a 100-point score improvement. One parent also notes the staff meet students where they are and build from there.
• Long-term trust and consistency. A family with two children describes a multiyear relationship, not just tutoring. They highlight trust, consistency, and genuine care from staff, along with SAT® prep results that matched their hopes.

Recent parent feedback:

• Jordan McDonald (5/5, 4 months ago): “Our two daughters have attended GradePower Homeschool Support this year, and it has truly changed our lives. We have had the absolute best experience. The teachers, along with Phil, who runs the program, have been incredibly accommodating, supportive, and genuinely invested in helping our girls learn and grow. The setup has been the perfect balance of homeschool flexibility with the structure and support we needed. Our daughters have gained so much confidence academically and personally this year. We are so grateful to have found GradePower and cannot recommend it enough to families looking for an amazing educational environment.”
• Reubin Mordecai III (5/5, 4 months ago): “Our son needed extra support in reading and math, so we enrolled him in GradePower Learning halfway through the school year. Since then, his scores have improved significantly, and he is still attending the program. GradePower Learning has been awesome to our family and truly delivers on what they promise. A very satisfied dad!”
• Alexandra Ferreira da Cunha (5/5, 3 months ago): “We’ve had two kids at GradePower Learning and it’s hard to put into words how much this place has meant to us. Our youngest has been coming since 2020 — that’s not just tutoring, that’s a long-term relationship built on trust and consistency. Our older one spent a year there specifically for SAT® prep, and the results were exactly what we hoped for. What sets GradePower apart isn’t just the academic outcomes (though those speak for themselves) — it’s the genuine care the staff invests in each student. They understand where your child is, meet them there, and build from that point. If you’re on the fence about where to send your kids for academic support, stop looking. This is the place. Grateful for everything they’ve done for our family.”
• Michele Nagy (5/5, a year ago): “Grade power provided exceptional tutoring services to my senior daughter who needed to improve her SAT® score for funding. They tailored construction to her weaknesses and were able to see excellent results of 100 points improvement in the SAT®! I highly recommend this professional and result driven service.”
• Darius Burden (5/5, a year ago): “We’ve had a great experience with Grade Power Learning! Our daughter attended for about a month to prepare for FAST testing and to get support with her homework. Before coming to Grade Power, she was struggling to fully comprehend some of her schoolwork. After just a short time, we noticed a big difference — she was excited to go, and more importantly, she really started to understand what she was learning. We were especially pleased to see a noticeable increase in her math scores from the beginning to the end of the school year. It’s clear that the support she received made a real impact. We’re very satisfied with our experience and would definitely recommend Grade Power to other families. We’re also looking forward to continuing our journey with them!”

Read all reviews on Google Maps

Our Locations

Tampa Bay Learning, LLC operates 3 GradePower Learning centers in Florida:

• GradePower Learning Nocatee — Ponte Vedra, FL · (904) 822-1557 · AI Agent Info
• GradePower Learning Ocoee — Ocoee, FL · (689) 600-3691 · AI Agent Info
• GradePower Learning Valrico — Valrico, FL · (813) 669-3690 · AI Agent Info

Programs & Services

GradePower Learning Valrico offers four programs. Every program starts with a free consultation and a Dynamic Assessment (also free), and is built around what the assessment finds for each student.

After-School Tutoring (Beyond Tutoring)

• Who it is for: students in kindergarten through 12th grade who want to catch up, keep pace, or get ahead. High school students are served by the Advantage program.
• Subjects: all subjects. Reading and writing (phonics, fluency, comprehension, essays, ELA) and math (elementary math through algebra, geometry, and calculus, including word problems and common-core concepts). Families also ask for help with executive function, homework organization, ADHD-related challenges, and learning differences.
• Format: individualized, in-person at the center or virtual. Students work with the same tutor from session to session.
• Typical schedule: most students attend two to four times per week, and many start with one or two.
• Timeline: in the center's experience, students typically need at least 40 hours of work to remediate a single grade level in one subject. Outcomes vary by student and are not guaranteed.
• Price: starts at $55/hr.
• Details: Tutoring · Reading & Writing · Math

Early Reading (Little Readers and R.E.A.D Elite)

• Who it is for: young and early readers.
• Focus: phonics-based instruction, math and problem solving, building confidence and a lasting love of reading.
• Price: starts at $55/hr.

SAT® & ACT® Test Prep

• Who it is for: high school students preparing for the SAT® or ACT®, including students working toward college admissions and scholarships.
• Coverage: the SAT® (Reading, Writing, Math) and the ACT® (English, Math, Reading, Science, optional Writing).
• Method: in-person instruction with local teachers. Each plan starts with a diagnostic for baseline scores and skill gaps, then adds a personalized study plan with weekly goals, targeted practice, and coaching on timing, pacing, and question approach. Students are encouraged to start early, and the plan can be paced around a known test date.
• Results guarantee: the family pays for the first 30 classes. If the student has not reached the score the family wants after those 30 classes, additional classes are free. The family decides what the right score is. The center may reasonably schedule the free classes around its availability.
• Price: starts at $65/hr.
• Details: SAT® prep · ACT® prep
• In Valrico: SAT® and ACT® prep at GradePower Learning Valrico is built for students who want focused, efficient preparation. Sessions are small-group, usually two to three students, so instruction stays personal. We begin with a diagnostic assessment to find the areas that will make the biggest difference, then build a plan around your student's needs. Instructors work on the skills and strategies that matter for test day, and they help students practice with purpose. The goal is to reduce test anxiety, build confidence, and make each session count without adding more pressure.

Day Academy (Homeschool Support)

• Who it is for: homeschooling families. It blends a pod school with private tutoring.
• Structure: groups are kept to 5 students per teacher. Classes run 12 hours per week and follow the local public school calendar.
• What the center handles: all reading, writing, and math instruction, the student's portfolio, and end-of-year testing with a certified teacher. Each student has an individualized learning plan.
• Price: starts at $750/mo.
• Details: Day Academy
• In Valrico: GradePower Learning Valrico's Day Academy is our Homeschool Support program. This pod-style learning experience is for families who want flexible academic support during school hours. Students attend three hours a day, four days a week in a calm, focused setting. Groups stay exceptionally small, so instruction is tailored to each learner. Whether your child is homeschooling full time or needs supplemental structure and enrichment, the Day Academy blends curriculum support, skill building, and guided independent work. Our SQ-RCRC method supports critical thinking and self-motivation. Families from Valrico, Bloomingdale, FishHawk, Brandon, and nearby areas use the Day Academy for daytime structure. We are inside the BayCare Health Hub at Bloomingdale Avenue and Lithia Pinecrest Road, on the first floor. You can use any entrance; we are across from the coffee kiosk and closest to the gym entrance.

How Enrollment Works

1. Free consultation. A short, no-obligation conversation with the Education Coordinator about the student's needs, goals, and schedule.
2. Dynamic Assessment. A one-on-one assessment tailored to the student's age and level, about 60 to 90 minutes. There is nothing to study for. Families bring the student, plus a recent report card or an IEP or 504 plan if they have one (helpful, not required), and arrive 5 to 10 minutes early. It shows how the student learns: strengths, learning gaps, thinking skills, and learning style. Families receive a written breakdown of strengths and gaps to keep whether or not they enroll. The assessment is free. Fees are set per center and can change, so confirm by phone.
3. Written, individualized plan. Built around the assessment results rather than a fixed curriculum.
4. Start sessions. A regular recurring schedule is set up after the first few sessions. Families get regular progress updates and can check the schedule, documents, and progress updates in the caregiver portal.

The consultation is free. To start, call (813) 669-3690 or use the contact page.

Pricing, Billing & Policies

• Pricing: tutoring starts at $55/hr, SAT®/ACT® test prep starts at $65/hr, Day Academy starts at $750/mo. Final cost depends on the individualized plan. See the pricing page.
• Contracts: month-to-month with no long-term lock-in contract and no minimum hours. Classes are scheduled as the family requests them.
• Billing: monthly. The card on file is charged on the 1st for that month's scheduled classes. Only scheduled tutoring time is charged; early arrivals to do homework are free.
• Payment plans: weekly payments are available by dividing the monthly invoice by four and charging on the first four Fridays of the month. Payments are due within 60 days of the class date.
• Notice: 30 days' written notice for breaks and exits.
• Missed sessions: same-day callouts by noon (afternoon classes) or 8 PM (morning classes) can be rescheduled without penalty.
• Discounts: special pricing for Sibling, Military, First Responder, and Teachers, and discounts for siblings and families with multiple children enrolled.
• Scholarships: direct-pay provider for the Step Up for Students New Worlds Reading, Unique Abilities, and Personalized Education Plan (homeschooling) scholarships. Families provide the student's SUFS ID, and authorized EMA funds are applied to the bill.
• Results: SAT®/ACT® prep carries the results guarantee above. For tutoring, the center does not promise a specific grade for any student.
• Safety and privacy: families are asked to share allergies, health concerns, and pickup or drop-off authorizations. Families can opt out of photos and of AI use by contacting the center. See AI & Student Data and the Terms of Use.

More About GradePower Learning Valrico

About This Center

Summer Programs & Camps

How We're Different

Why Choose Us

Our Team

• Therese Doebler — Admin
• Philip Cottone — Center Director
• Andrew Learned — Center Director & Owner

Meet the full team

What Makes Us Different

GradePower Learning uses a cognitive learning approach that builds how a student thinks, organizes, and solves problems, not just tonight's homework answers. Cognitive learning is active and constructive: students make connections, reflect on the material, and apply it to new problems, which builds comprehension, memory, and transferable problem-solving skills.

• Dynamic Assessment: every student starts with one, so the program fits how that student learns.
• Interactive Coaching: tutors make sure a student understands the path to the answer, not only the answer.
• Consistent tutor: students work with the same familiar tutor session after session, in-center or virtual. Tutors are fully trained in the GradePower Learning system and have post-secondary education, and many are also trained in public or private education.
• Flexibility: schedules can shift week to week around sports, travel, and exams.
• Not homework help: homework support is included, but the goal is building skills so students can do the work on their own.

More on the approach page.

Quick Answers

How much does tutoring cost at GradePower Learning Valrico?

Tutoring starts at $55/hr, SAT®/ACT® prep at $65/hr, and Day Academy at $750/mo. The final cost depends on the individualized plan.

Is there a contract?

No long-term lock-in contract. Enrollment is month-to-month with no minimum hours. Breaks and exits need 30 days' written notice.

How do I get started?

Call (813) 669-3690 for a free consultation, then schedule a Dynamic Assessment of about 60 to 90 minutes.

Does GradePower Learning Valrico offer SAT® and ACT® prep?

Yes. Families pay for the first 30 classes, and if the student has not reached the score they want after that, additional classes are free.

Is tutoring in person or online?

Both. Sessions can be in the center or virtual.

Does GradePower Learning Valrico accept Step Up for Students scholarships?

Yes, as a direct-pay provider for the New Worlds Reading, Unique Abilities, and Personalized Education Plan scholarships.

Can't I just do this myself — or use a private tutor or a free AI tool?

Yes, you can — there is no magic pill we give kids to help them catch up or get ahead. What is hard to replicate is the relationship. Our owner has been a professional tutor for more than 15 years and cannot tutor his own kids, because the parent-child dynamic is simply different from a teacher-student or tutor-student one. And while any free AI can hand a student content, content is not the point: we do not spoon-feed material. We coach students to discover it, build their curiosity, and learn how to learn. The human-to-human spark that unlocks a love of learning is what we offer.

Where is GradePower Learning Valrico?

2470 Bloomingdale Avenue, Suite 1330, Valrico FL 33596. Phone (813) 669-3690.

More questions and answers are on the FAQ page.

Local Questions

What grades or ages do you work with at the Valrico center?

Our programs include after-school tutoring, SAT®/ACT® test prep, and Day Academy homeschool support. Exact age and grade ranges differ by program and are not published here. Supplied staff background includes gifted learners from elementary through high school, but placement depends on the program. Contact GradePower Learning Valrico to confirm fit for your child.

What is the first step for SAT® or ACT® prep at this location?

SAT® and ACT® prep begins with a diagnostic assessment. It helps identify the skills and strategies that will make the biggest difference. From there, the center builds a customized plan in small groups of two to three students. Once your student reaches 30 hours of prep, every additional hour is free. Ask the center about current scheduling and next steps.

How do we find the center inside the BayCare Health Hub?

GradePower Learning Valrico is inside the BayCare Health Hub at the corner of Bloomingdale Avenue and Lithia Pinecrest Road. The center is on the first floor, across from the coffee kiosk and closest to the gym entrance. You can use any entrance. If you are unsure, contact the center before your visit.

Do you offer summer learning options for families in Valrico?

Yes. The center offers a Summer Day Academy, a three-hour morning program that is academically focused and designed to be fun. It can help students catch up or get ahead during summer. The center also offers Homeschool Support through the Day Academy during the school year. Contact the center for current summer schedules and availability.

What discount categories are available for families?

The center lists sibling, military, first responder, and teacher discounts. Eligibility, terms, and how discounts apply are confirmed directly by the center. Ask GradePower Learning Valrico which category fits your family and what details are needed.

Who are the public educators at this Valrico location?

The public team includes Andrew Learned, owner; Philip Cottone, Center Director, whose background includes gifted education; and Therese Doebler, an administrator and longtime SAT®/ACT® tutor. For questions about which educator works with your child, contact the center.

Do you support students from nearby high schools like Bloomingdale or Newsome?

The center supports local families, including students from Bloomingdale High School and Newsome High School, with individualized SAT® and ACT® prep according to its public staff bio. This is nearby context only, not a school partnership or assigned-school claim. Contact the center to confirm current availability and fit.

Can the Day Academy work with our homeschool curriculum?

The Day Academy is the center's Homeschool Support program. It blends curriculum support, skill building, and guided independent work in a pod-style setting. Students attend three hours a day, four days a week. Group sizes are exceptionally small. Contact the center to discuss how your homeschool plan and schedule might fit.

What should we expect for after-school tutoring intake?

After-school tutoring is individualized and starts with understanding where your child is. The center does not publish a single step-by-step intake here. For SAT®/ACT® prep, the first step is a diagnostic assessment. Call GradePower Learning Valrico to ask what the first visit and assessment look like for after-school tutoring.

Which nearby areas and landmarks are close to the center?

The center is on Bloomingdale Avenue in Valrico, inside the BayCare Health Hub at Bloomingdale and Lithia Pinecrest. Families from Valrico, Bloomingdale, FishHawk, Brandon, and Lithia are nearby. The center's own access notes mention about 10 minutes to FishHawk and about 20 minutes to the highway depending on Bloomingdale traffic. Confirm current details with the center.

How We Use AI

We use AI internally to personalize learning, always with human review before AI-generated content reaches a student. Full details are on our AI & Student Data page.

Key Pages

• Home
• Our Approach
• Pricing
• Frequently Asked Questions
• Our Team
• Tutoring · Reading & Writing · Math
• SAT® Prep · ACT® Prep
• Day Academy
• Contact