Like a prodigal son almost 40 years of age, The Learning Center (TLC) found its permanent home in Clifton six years ago, and it now anticipates making a larger, permanent contribution to elementary school children primarily from both Clifton and Passaic. Head of School Theodore Tasoulas, during an interview in his office last month, described plans for TLC to debut this September as a public charter school, musing, “It feels good to have a home.” He should know. “I went to the school as a kid,” he said. “The founding director, Linda Buonauro, was there when I was a kid. My experience was memorable, and
the school really helped me. I was one of those kids who was hyperactive, and needed a little extra support.” Tasoulas also began teaching at TLC in 2005, before becoming Head of School (principal) in 2015, and readying the grounds for its upcoming metamorphosis. He’s followed the school as it moved from place to place, most recently at Felician University in neighboring Rutherford, before it moved into its current address at 199 Scoles Ave. The school’s facilities are already primed for an influx of students. Tasoulas cited the school’s auditorium, library, indoor pool, dance studios, and gymnasium, along with more traditional classroom spaces, as evidence of the school’s “Whole Child” approach, promoting “physical, social, emotional, and cognitive growth,” according to a school brochure. He hopes the The Classical Academy Charter School of Clifton, headed by Dr. Vincent De Rosa, stands stately guard on Valley Road. But come this autumn, two new elementary schools will debut in Clifton to serve the city, including The Learning Center, a second public charter school.
56 March 2017 • Cliftonmagazine.com