ACT
AVERAGE
GROWTH
Our students’ ACT scores grow an average of 6 points with some of our hardest workers growing more than 10 points
SAT
AVERAGE
GROWTH
Our students’ SAT scores grow an average of 150 points with some of our hardest workers growing more than 300 points
We personalize tutoring.
Our directors design in-person and online programs customized to our students’ specific needs and goals, and our tutors mentor and motivate their students to reach their full potential.
We view test preparation as a valuable opportunity to teach students the skills that not only increase test scores but also promote higher academic achievement in their high school and college curriculum, a teaching mission we refer to as Teaching Beyond the Test™.
Whether your student requires a few lessons or a more extended program, we design your program to:
Identify high-impact gaps in skills & strategies through diagnostic testing & expert analysis
Match your student to a tutor who provides a personalized one-on-one teaching experience
Leverage our superior curriculum to help your student master the most high-impact skills
Accommodate your busy schedule flexibly
Every Student is Different
We know our students; each one is unique, and each one requires a different approach, especially during these unprecedented times. That is why our ACT, SAT, and Middle School test prep is customized to each student and school partner.
We improve your students’ standardized testing by tailoring our research-based, expert instruction and curriculum to your needs, and we can get started with you right away.
Community Engagement
How we support local communities through school sponsorships, free parent information sessions, and more.
One-on-One Tutoring Team
Matthew Pietrafetta
Founder & CEO
Matthew Pietrafetta founded Academic Approach in 2001 and currently serves as the Chief Executive Officer. Since 2001, Matthew has supervised the organization’s instructiona ...
Matthew Pietrafetta
Founder & CEO
Matthew Pietrafetta founded Academic Approach in 2001 and currently serves as the Chief Executive Officer. Since 2001, Matthew has supervised the organization’s instructional services, curriculum, and technology development. Whether working with lead trainers to provide high-quality support to Academic Approach’s tutors or collaborating with educators to deliver instructional support that drives higher student achievement, Matthew is committed to improving the quality of Academic Approach’s instructional practices and services.
Matthew earned his M.A., M.Phil., and Ph.D. degrees in English Language and Literature at Columbia University in New York City. After teaching in Columbia’s Core Curriculum and preparing New York City high school students for college entrance exams, Matthew worked to define a model of test preparation based less on strategy and more on skills-development. Academic Approach views test preparation as a means to an academic end: teaching vital college readiness skills that not only raise scores but also prepare students for academic success both on and beyond the test.
Andrew Ferguson
Director of Client Services
Andrew Ferguson currently serves as the Director of Client Services as well as an ACT and SAT instructor. In this role, Andrew leads customer service efforts and supports mark ...
Andrew Ferguson
Director of Client Services
Team: One-On-One Tutoring
Andrew Ferguson currently serves as the Director of Client Services as well as an ACT and SAT instructor. In this role, Andrew leads customer service efforts and supports marketing initiatives for the 1-on-1 tutoring team.
Andrew earned a Bachelor of Science in Chemistry from The University of Kansas and a Master of Science in Chemistry from Wichita State University. Andrew is a veteran ACT and SAT instructor. He also teaches Chemistry, Physics, and Mathematics aimed at supporting students’ academic and Subject Test needs.
Carla Pedersen
Regional Director of One-On-One
Carla Pedersen currently serves as the Regional Director of One-on-One Tutoring. In this role, she collaborates with the instructional staff and works with families to design ...
Carla Pedersen
Regional Director of One-On-One
Team: One-On-One Tutoring
Carla Pedersen currently serves as the Regional Director of One-on-One Tutoring. In this role, she collaborates with the instructional staff and works with families to design and implement the best individualized program for their student. Carla started with Academic Approach as an ACT and SAT tutor with a specialization in the Math II, Biology, and Chemistry subject tests. Prior to joining Academic Approach, Carla worked for the Johns Hopkins University Center for Talented Youth as part of their summer enrichment programs.
Carla graduated from Cornell University in Ithaca, NY with a Bachelor of Arts in Government and a minor in Biology. Carla spent five years of her childhood in Kuwait and a semester abroad in China during her junior year of high school, homeschooling and studying Chinese. During her undergraduate studies, she was a Teaching Assistant in Evolutionary Biology. After graduation, she tutored for the MCAT, teaching topics such as Physics, Chemistry, Biology, and Verbal Reasoning.