An Afterschool/Weekend Learning Center

Hello,
After researching and considering many factors, I've narrowed it down to either Belize or the Dominican Republic as the country I want to immigrate to within the next 12-18 months. For the past 15 years, I have been a full-time teacher of middle and high school science, math, and computer courses (Microsoft Office Suite, Adobe Dreamweaver, Flash & Photoshop) here in the U.S. Recently, I've scaled back my classroom instruction to only part-time hours while developing my own after school tutoring and academic enrichment service. I prefer the flexibility and targeted instruction of a supplemental education provider (SEP) over spending all day in the classroom. Consequentially, I've decided to focus on developing a SEP business that would generate a modest income while offering 4th-12th grade students and their parents the following services:

• specialized after school and weekend tutoring (reading, math & science)
• PSAT/SAT preparation courses
• Robotics classes
• computer graphics, animation & web design
• Internet radio/tv broadcasting training

In a best case scenario, I'd either lease a building or office space (or rent space within a school, community center or church facility) located in a secure area that has high speed internet access, and is easily accessible to the families that I would be serving,

Another possibility would be to contract my services to schools (public or private) as a vendor.

• What is the viability of an enterprise as I'm proposing in the DR?
• What are its limitations and/or liabilities?
• Are there funding sources (government or private) that subsidize families who can't afford to pay vendors for tutoring services?

Any tips, advice, or constructive criticism is most appreciated.

Thank you so much Mainegirl for your wonderful feedback. You've raised some relevant points. I agree that a feasibility study is needed. Networking with people on boards such as this is only part of the process. I'm blessed to receive feedback from a fellow educator who has actually worked in the DR----as such, I certainly appreciate your perspective.
- I'm currently taking Spanish language courses.
- Yes, one of the objectives of the robotics program would be to enter competitions.
- Thanks to the No Child Left Behind Act, every state across the US has mandated standardized skills assessment exams for students. There are SEP firms (some are even franchised, i.e. Sylvan,Huntington,Mathnessia,Kumon) that offer tutoring and test prep services for these exams as well as SAT/ACT despite the fact these families can pick up a Barrons or Princeton test prep manual at any major bookstore. Is the typical DR student who has aspirations for college more resourceful, independent and self-motivated than their peers in the US? After 15 years of teaching here in the US, I'd have to admit that It's quite possible!

You wrote:
<Kids here who are smart can get a fine education in math and science at PUCMM.>

My "niche" has always been the under-performing & under-served. For any number of reasons there exists a group of kids who lack skills that would otherwise showcase their innate genius and capacity to learn & succeed. For the "smart kids" there is academic enrichment. I don't believe in limiting a child's exposure to academic knowledge by traditional grade level standards. My concept has always been to "pour as much water on the sponge as it can absorb."

Thanks again for your feedback. I will heed your advice and start making contact with area schools.

Sorry MaineGirl, I forgot to paste your quote before responding to it:
You wrote:
Kids here who are smart can get a fine education in math and science at PUCMM.