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Elevation Learning, a local tutoring program, has found a new base of operations within downtown LaGrange’s new and used bookstore, Pretty Good Books.

Elevation Learning will now occupy the upstairs office of the bookstore and offer tutoring services to the area’s students and much more. It’ll also offer English as a second language classes and group classes for homeschooled individuals.

The two businesses decided to collaborate due to a shared desire to improve literacy and learning comprehension in the area while offering other learning services to the community, said Chase Davis, executive director of marketing for Elevation Learning.

“One of the biggest problems, especially with COVID, the rise of COVID and kids going virtual, we noticed that the GMAS scores that measure reading were really down this year,” Davis said. “While there are freelance tutors in LaGrange, there isn’t really a location for people to go to. We wanted a place where students could meet one-on-one, and we can connect them with tutors.”

Elevation Learning will have as many has five tutors available for students in each session. Walk-ins are welcome but participants are advised to sign up and pre-pay for services on its website.

Elevation Learning’s current hours of operation match that of Pretty Good Books, which are currently 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Saturday.

On top of its paid services, Elevation Learning will be offering a free book club beginning Sept. 21.

The club will include books on three different learning levels: new, middle grade and adult readers. New readers will be discussing the first Magic Treehouse book, older readers will be investigating the Mysterious Benedict Society, and adult readers will explore the desert planet of Arrakis in DUNE.

“All we ask is that [participants] purchase the book,” Davis said.

For the bookstore’s owner, Joshua Rigsby, the partnership encases what he was hoping to accomplish when he moved downtown earlier this year and what he hopes to continue to do in the community for years to come.

“We’re thrilled about it because it really matches what we want to do, and it brings people into the store too,” Rigsby said. “It also utilizes the space we have here and helps build a better relationship with the community.”

Individuals who want to sign up for tutoring services or explore the service’s prices can visit https://www.elevationlearningservices.com.