About Us

We began with a basic mission: to address those serious gaps in a student's curriculum that prevent that student from being fully successful both on the test and in the classroom.

The idea for Academic Approach was born 13 years ago at Columbia University in New York City. While earning a PhD in English and teaching college freshmen in Columbia's core curriculum, I was at the same time tutoring New York City high school students for the standardized tests. I noticed an evident gap between the level of readiness my high school students exhibited and the academic standards they would be expected to live up to on the college level.

It occurred to me that the most meaningful way to offer test preparation was to create a model of "skills-based test preparation"™, that is, a unique curriculum of instruction in vital college readiness skills that would bridge these two levels of education: high school curriculum and college curriculum. Such a curriculum would allow me to use standardized tests in an innovative way: as a means to produce both better high school test takers and better college freshmen. Instead of merely teaching tips and tricks or strategies, we would help students cultivate lasting college readiness skills that would significantly improve their academic performance on and beyond the test. We refer to this essential academic mission as "Teaching Beyond the Test"™.

We are part of a serious solution.

It is our goal to work closely with parents, teachers, and entire school systems in the effort to address gaps in the educational sequence that prevent both high scores on standardized tests and successful performance in the classroom. We believe that the number one correlating factor to test performance is grade point average; in other words, effective test preparation simply means teaching the concepts, content, and skills necessary for success in the classroom. Therefore, we see ourselves as allies to all teachers engaged in the serious academic enrichment of young minds.

What to expect from us.

As a serious education company we are rethinking the role of test preparation within education. In order for any model of test preparation to be considered a credible form of education, it must accomplish three objectives:

• Provide in-depth, sound academic enrichment
• Support and enhance the good work teachers perform everyday in the classroom
• Reach out to all students, not merely the most advantaged

On all these levels, Academic Approach is making a valuable difference.