-----BEGIN PRIVACY-ENHANCED MESSAGE-----
Proc-Type: 2001,MIC-CLEAR
Originator-Name: webmaster@www.sec.gov
Originator-Key-Asymmetric:
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 TWSM7vrzLADbmYQaionwg5sDW3P6oaM5D3tdezXMm7z1T+B+twIDAQAB
MIC-Info: RSA-MD5,RSA,
 LhRKP3oV3w3avtFSdC6I3Ja//3DCAOLyEmIoghh0IoEcZWnVEnj4VcrRX68f9K8Q
 v0P/00ypJgW7u9/mmSGK+A==

<SEC-DOCUMENT>0000950172-03-002191.txt : 20030703
<SEC-HEADER>0000950172-03-002191.hdr.sgml : 20030703
<ACCEPTANCE-DATETIME>20030702204155
ACCESSION NUMBER:		0000950172-03-002191
CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE:	4
PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT:		1
CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT:	20030630
FILED AS OF DATE:		20030703

REPORTING-OWNER:	

	OWNER DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			APOLLO MANAGEMENT IV LP
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0001206224
		STATE OF INCORPORATION:			DE
		FISCAL YEAR END:			1231

	FILING VALUES:
		FORM TYPE:		4
		SEC ACT:		1934 Act
		SEC FILE NUMBER:	000-22844
		FILM NUMBER:		03773552

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		TWO MANHATTANVILLE RD
		CITY:			PURCHASE
		STATE:			NY
		ZIP:			10577

REPORTING-OWNER:	

	OWNER DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			APOLLO OVERSEAS PARTNERS IV LP
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0001206225
		STATE OF INCORPORATION:			DE
		FISCAL YEAR END:			1231

	FILING VALUES:
		FORM TYPE:		4
		SEC ACT:		1934 Act
		SEC FILE NUMBER:	000-22844
		FILM NUMBER:		03773551

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		TWO MANHATTANVILLE RD
		CITY:			PURCHASE
		STATE:			NY
		ZIP:			10577

REPORTING-OWNER:	

	OWNER DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			APOLLO ADVISORS IV LP
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0001203940
		STATE OF INCORPORATION:			DE
		FISCAL YEAR END:			1231

	FILING VALUES:
		FORM TYPE:		4
		SEC ACT:		1934 Act
		SEC FILE NUMBER:	000-22844
		FILM NUMBER:		03773550

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		TWO MANHATTANVILLE ROAD
		STREET 2:		2SND FL
		CITY:			PURCHASE
		STATE:			NY
		ZIP:			10577

ISSUER:		

	COMPANY DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			SYLVAN LEARNING SYSTEMS INC
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0000912766
		STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION:	SERVICES-EDUCATIONAL SERVICES [8200]
		IRS NUMBER:				521492296
		STATE OF INCORPORATION:			MD
		FISCAL YEAR END:			1231

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		1001 FLEET STREET
		CITY:			BALTIMORE
		STATE:			MD
		ZIP:			21202
		BUSINESS PHONE:		4108438000

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		1001 FLEET STREET
		CITY:			BALTIMORE
		STATE:			MD
		ZIP:			21202

REPORTING-OWNER:	

	OWNER DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			APOLLO INVESTMENT FUND IV LP
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0001068331

	FILING VALUES:
		FORM TYPE:		4
		SEC ACT:		1934 Act
		SEC FILE NUMBER:	000-22844
		FILM NUMBER:		03773553

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		TWO MANHATTANVILLE ROAD
		CITY:			PURCHASE
		STATE:			NY
		ZIP:			10577
		BUSINESS PHONE:		3102014100

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		TWO MANHATTANVILLE ROAD
		CITY:			PURCHASE
		STATE:			NY
		ZIP:			10577
</SEC-HEADER>
<DOCUMENT>
<TYPE>4
<SEQUENCE>1
<FILENAME>primary_doc.xml
<DESCRIPTION>PRIMARY DOCUMENT
<TEXT>
<XML>
<?xml version="1.0"?>

<ownershipDocument>

    <documentType>4</documentType>

    <periodOfReport>2003-06-30</periodOfReport>


    <notSubjectToSection16>0</notSubjectToSection16>

    <issuer>
        <issuerCik>0000912766</issuerCik>
        <issuerName>SYLVAN LEARNING SYSTEMS INC</issuerName>
        <issuerTradingSymbol>SLVN</issuerTradingSymbol>
    </issuer>

    <reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0001068331</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>APOLLO INVESTMENT FUND IV LP</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>  </rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2>  </rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>  </rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>  </rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>  </rptOwnerZipCode>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
        <reportingOwnerRelationship>
            <isDirector>0</isDirector>
            <isOfficer>0</isOfficer>
            <isTenPercentOwner>1</isTenPercentOwner>
            <isOther>0</isOther>
        </reportingOwnerRelationship>
    </reportingOwner>
    <reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0001206224</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>APOLLO MANAGEMENT IV LP</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>  </rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2>  </rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>  </rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>  </rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>  </rptOwnerZipCode>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
        <reportingOwnerRelationship>
            <isDirector>0</isDirector>
            <isOfficer>0</isOfficer>
            <isTenPercentOwner>1</isTenPercentOwner>
            <isOther>0</isOther>
        </reportingOwnerRelationship>
    </reportingOwner>
    <reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0001206225</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>APOLLO OVERSEAS PARTNERS IV LP</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>  </rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2>  </rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>  </rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>  </rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>  </rptOwnerZipCode>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
        <reportingOwnerRelationship>
            <isDirector>0</isDirector>
            <isOfficer>0</isOfficer>
            <isTenPercentOwner>1</isTenPercentOwner>
            <isOther>0</isOther>
        </reportingOwnerRelationship>
    </reportingOwner>
    <reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0001203940</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>APOLLO ADVISORS IV LP</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>  </rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2>  </rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>  </rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>  </rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>  </rptOwnerZipCode>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
        <reportingOwnerRelationship>
            <isDirector>0</isDirector>
            <isOfficer>0</isOfficer>
            <isTenPercentOwner>1</isTenPercentOwner>
            <isOther>0</isOther>
        </reportingOwnerRelationship>
    </reportingOwner>

    <derivativeSecurity>
        <securityTitle>
            <value>5% Convertible Subordinated Debentures due 2010</value>
        </securityTitle>
        <conversionOrExercisePrice>
            <value>15.735</value>
        </conversionOrExercisePrice>
        <transactionDate>
            <value>2003-06-30</value>
        </transactionDate>
        <transactionCoding>
            <transactionFormType>4</transactionFormType>
            <transactionCode>S</transactionCode>
            <equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved>
        </transactionCoding>
        <transactionTimeliness>
            <value></value>
        </transactionTimeliness>
        <transactionAmounts>
            <transactionShares>
                <value>50569307</value>
            </transactionShares>
            <transactionValue>
                <value>72450000</value>
            </transactionValue>
            <transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
                <value>D</value>
            </transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
        </transactionAmounts>
        <exerciseDate>
            <value>2000-06-30</value>
        </exerciseDate>
        <expirationDate>
            <value>2010-06-30</value>
        </expirationDate>
        <underlyingSecurity>
            <underlyingSecurityTitle>
                <value>Common Stock</value>
            </underlyingSecurityTitle>
            <underlyingSecurityShares>
                <value>5084207</value>
            </underlyingSecurityShares>
        </underlyingSecurity>
        <postTransactionAmounts>
            <valueOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                <value>29430000</value>
                <footnoteId id="F1"/>
            </valueOwnedFollowingTransaction>
        </postTransactionAmounts>
        <ownershipNature>
            <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                <value>I</value>
            </directOrIndirectOwnership>
            <natureOfOwnership>
                <value>See Footnote #2</value>
                <footnoteId id="F2"/>
            </natureOfOwnership>
        </ownershipNature>
    </derivativeSecurity>

    <footnotes>
        <footnote id="F1">After giving effect to the sale of $50,569,307 of aggregate principal amount of 5% Convertible Subordinated Debentures due 2010 (the &quot;Debentures&quot;), the reporting persons will hold $29,430,693 of aggregate principal amount of Debentures. At a conversion price of $15.735 per share of Common Stock, the Debentures are convertible into 1,870,396 shares of Common Stock after giving effect to the sale described herein.</footnote>
        <footnote id="F2">The Debentures are held directly by Apollo Investment Fund IV, L.P. and Apollo Overseas Partners IV, L.P. Apollo Advisors IV, L.P. holds the Debentures indirectly as the general partner of Apollo Investment Fund IV, L.P. and the managing general partner of Apollo Overseas Partners IV, L.P. Apollo Management IV, L.P. holds the Debentures indirectly as manager of Apollo Investment Fund IV, L.P. and Apollo Overseas Partners IV, L.P.</footnote>
    </footnotes>

    <ownerSignature>
        <signatureName>Micheal D. Weiner, Authorized Signatory for Apollo Investment Fund IV, L.P., Apollo Advisors IV, L.P., Apollo Overseas Partners IV, L.P. and Apollo Management IV, L.P.</signatureName>
        <signatureDate>2003-07-02</signatureDate>
    </ownerSignature>

</ownershipDocument>

</XML>
</TEXT>
</DOCUMENT>
</SEC-DOCUMENT>
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