Education has never been one-size-fits-all. Today, families are searching for something more personal, more flexible, and more effective. That search has led many to Rising Minds Learning, a tutoring and academic support program that has quietly become a lifeline for local students and parents alike.
What started as simple tutoring has grown into something much bigger: a place where students are supported, families feel relief, and learning is approached with intention.
MORE THAN TUTORING, A FULL SUPPORT SYSTEM
Rising Minds Learning is a K–12 academic support program that goes far beyond traditional tutoring. At its core, it is designed to meet students where they are and help them move forward with confidence.
The program has evolved into what many families describe as a “one-stop shop” for education support. From one-on-one tutoring to full homeschooling guidance, Rising Minds helps families navigate everything from curriculum planning to required testing and evaluations.
What makes it different is the approach. Instead of focusing only on grades or test scores, the team works to understand how each student learns best. The goal is not just improvement in the classroom, but long-term confidence and independence.
Step Up For Students is a Florida-based scholarship program that helps families access a wider range of educational options outside of the traditional classroom. Through scholarships like FES-UA, eligible students receive funding that can be used for services such as tutoring, curriculum, and specialized learning support. Rising Minds Learning is a direct pay provider for these scholarships, making its programs more accessible and allowing families to use their funding seamlessly for the support their students need.
FROM STRUGGLING STUDENTS TO OVERWHELMED PARENTS
Rising Minds serves a wide range of students, from kindergarten through high school, including those in public school, private school, and homeschool environments. Some students need help catching up. Others are trying to stay ahead. Many simply need structure, guidance, or a different way of learning that better fits how their brain works.
Families also turn to Rising Minds when school becomes overwhelming. Whether it is managing multiple classes, struggling with organization, or navigating the growing demands of middle and high school, the program steps in to provide clarity and support. In many cases, they are not just helping students. They are helping entire families find balance again.
REAL SKILLS THAT LAST
The range of services that Rising Minds provides is broad, but all of it is centered around one goal: helping students succeed in a way that actually works for them.
Rising Minds offers:
- One-on-one tutoring across all grade levels
- Microclasses, small-group, focused sessions designed to target specific subjects
- Homeschool planning, curriculum building, and support
- Required testing and end-of-year evaluations
- Test preparation for ACT, SAT, and AP exams
- Homework help programs focused on organization and time management
- STEM-based learning programs and language classes
One standout offering is their “homework help” program, which teaches executive functioning skills. Students learn how to organize assignments, manage deadlines, and communicate effectively with teachers. These are the kinds of skills that often go untaught but make a lasting difference.
BUILT FROM A CLASSROOM REALITY, NOT A BUSINESS PLAN
Rising Minds began in a simple, organic way. Founder Karyn Scarbrough was working as a public school teacher when parents started approaching her for help outside the classroom. What began as tutoring quickly grew as more families reached out, each with their own unique challenges.
Around 2020, she decided to step away from the traditional system and focus fully on helping students in a more personalized setting.
From there, the business expanded naturally. Every new service, program, and offering came from listening to what families actually needed. Today, Rising Minds is in its sixth year, serving over 100 students with a team of 25, including independent contractors. It continues to grow, not by following trends, but by responding directly to the community.
SMALL CLASSES, BIG IMPACT
One of the defining features of Rising Minds Learning is its intentionally small class sizes. Classes are typically capped at around 10 to 12 students, allowing instructors to give each student the attention they need without the environment feeling overwhelming.
For more focused programs, such as intensive summer sessions, groups can be even smaller, sometimes as few as four students. This smaller setting creates space for real interaction, better understanding, and a learning experience that feels personal instead of rushed.
SUMMER PROGRAM
Summer at Rising Minds is not about falling behind. It is about staying engaged while still enjoying the break. The program is designed to combat what educators call the “summer slide,” where students can lose a significant portion of what they learned during the school year.
They offer two main options:
Extended School Year (Intensive Program): A highly focused, small-group setting capped at just four students. This program is built for students who need to make meaningful academic gains in a short period of time.
Expeditions Program: A full-day experience that blends learning with creativity. Students work on reading and math while also participating in activities like art, science, and hands-on projects.
Both options are designed to keep learning engaging, structured, and productive without feeling like a traditional classroom.
WHEN DEMAND OUTGROWS THE BUILDING
Growth has been steady, and at times, faster than expected. With over 100 active students and a growing demand for classes, Rising Minds has reached a point where its current space can no longer support everything it offers.
At the moment, classes are held across multiple locations, including a nearby church and other spaces in the area. While this has allowed them to keep up with demand, it is not a long-term solution. The next step is securing a larger, centralized space where all programs can operate under one roof. A dedicated facility would allow for more classes, expanded programs, and a stronger sense of community for both students and staff.
AT THE HEART OF IT ALL
At the heart of Rising Minds Learning is Karyn Scarbrough, whose passion for education extends far beyond the classroom. What began as a desire to help a few students has grown into a mission to support entire families. She understands that behind every struggling student is often a frustrated parent, a loss of confidence, or a system that simply is not the right fit. That perspective shapes everything Rising Minds does.
Karyn is equally intentional in how she leads her team, making sure every staff member feels valued, supported, and seen. From fair pay to thoughtful, personal gestures, she creates a workplace culture where people genuinely enjoy showing up, and that care naturally carries over to the students and families they serve.
Whether it is helping a student find their footing, guiding a parent through homeschooling, or simply bringing peace back to the dinner table, the goal is the same: to make learning feel possible again. And for many families, that is exactly what Rising Minds Learning delivers. Something that finally works.
