"You think education is expensive? Try ignorance." This is one of the inspirational messages on the whiteboards at San Leandro's coolest place to learn, TeachBar, a "learning cafe." It's turning kids and parents on to community-based education.

Entrepreneur Ben Wanzo founded TeachBar at Bayfair Center in January, 2010, so the center's one-year anniversary is coming up.

Wanzo is a former math teacher who realized schools cannot get the job done alone. (He also has an MBA from Stanford University.) He wanted to provide more, and different, access to educational resources. 

"This space is a fresh environment, a fresh perspective on learning," Wanzo said of TeachBar.

"Learning makes you vulnerable, because you have to fight for attention and it may not be cool to learn. Here it's acceptable. Everyone here wants to be here. Even students who do not have that initially, pick it up."

Teachbar's location in a shopping mall trumpets its difference. Many students and parents learn about it through word of mouth or notice it while doing their shopping.

For young people, it is a youth-friendly space where you can order a cold drink and snacks, meet up with friends for homework help, or get on the free wifi. For adults, its a safe space where their children can get personalized attention from professional tutors. So far, the innovative approach is working, say TeachBar regulars.

"Here I can focus," said Diego Quintero, a freshmen at Arroyo High School who was getting help with Algebra I. 

"We can ask as many questions as we want without being humiliated. It's irritating being ignored by a teacher." 

As California's education budget tightens, schools are feeling the pinch, and kids notice the difference.

"School is loud and crowded," said Quintero, whose freshman algebra class has 36 students.

His friend and fellow Teachbar student Michael Mandeville Oyarzo agreed. His biology class has 41 students.

"We have so many kids in class and one teacher," said Mandeville Oyarzo. "It's hard to get an adult's attention."

More frustrated parents and kids, especially those with the financial resources to pay tutoring costs, are looking outside the school system for help.

Currently, 50 to 75 students a month participate in TeachBar tutoring sessions, according to Wanzo. Students come from all over the East Bay, including San Leandro, Oakland, Castro Valley and San Lorenzo. They are helped by professional tutors and Wanzo himself.

The price for a basic one-hour tutoring session ranges from $20 to $35, depending on whether it's a private or small-group session and on how many sessions a student signs up for. However, TeachBar is willing to work out deals with students who can't afford the standard rate. 

There are weekly small-group math sessions, a writing class, SAT prep, and a CSET Math class for educators. One-on-one or small-group tutoring can be arranged for any subject.

"The best thing about it is the price structure," said Lawrence Quinterro, the father of a happy customer.

"The more kids you get to sign up for a tutoring course, the cheaper it becomes," he explained. "It's the best of both worlds — it's here and it's affordable." 

Wanzo is also developing a training program to bring tutors into the schools. Teachbar currently runs programs at Redwood Heights Elementary School in Oakland and at San Leandro High School. Wanzo would like to expand.

For more information about TeachBar's tutoring services, call (510) 278-5980; stop by the cafe, 15555 East 14th St., Suite 213, at Bayfair Center; or visit tchbr.com.