Our School Programs team understands the challenges of raising student achievement. It is hard work to deliver high-quality, engaging instruction that both grows skills and raises scores. It is our mission to help school leaders and faculty balance these goals through our unique approach to student assessment, data analysis, and instructional action.
Through our customized and integrated test-preparation solutions, we:
Align with your educational mission and growth goals
Adapt to the unique instructional needs of both your students and your faculty
Deliver high-quality educational services and products that raise skills and scores
In designing our solutions, we apply over 18 years as a Company of successful teaching experience in building skills and raising scores for thousands of students.
Highlights of Services
Assessments & Reporting
In-depth assessment reports that provide faculty key insights into student performance, quickly identify gaps in skills and curriculum, and target key skills for instruction.
Formative Assessment Builder
Our Formative Assessment Builder (FAB) allows teachers to use our research-based content to create their own formative assessments.
Test Prep Courses
Engaging in-school or after-school ACT or SAT test preparation courses taught by Academic Approach instructors. Students walk away with increased confidence, mastery of high-impact skills, and personalized strategies to use on test day.
Teacher Preparation
Customized professional development that deepens understanding of standards and assessment, builds a data-driven culture, infuses rigor throughout your school, and supports your teachers in delivering the most targeted skills-based instruction efficiently.
Every Student is Different
We know our students; each one is unique. 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.
School Programs Team
Anna Brandes
Director of Professional Development
Anna Brandes is currently the Director of Professional Development on the School Programs team at Academic Approach. She has worked at Academic Approach since 2013 when she mo ...
Anna Brandes
Director of Professional Development
Team: School Programs
Anna Brandes is currently the Director of Professional Development on the School Programs team at Academic Approach. She has worked at Academic Approach since 2013 when she moved from her home state of Michigan to be a part of the city of Chicago and to make a broader impact in education. Prior to joining Academic Approach, Anna was a middle school math teacher for at-risk students in Michigan while earning her Masters of Education.
Anna attended Hope College, a small, liberal arts school in West Michigan. She played volleyball and ran track for four years while earning a Bachelor of Arts in Mathematics and Education. Outside of work, Anna loves to hang out with her husband and dog, watch a balanced mix of reality TV and sports, and try as many restaurants Chicago has to offer (leading favorites are Parachute and Ema).
Jewan Garner
Director of School Partnerships
Jewan Garner serves as the Director of School Partnerships at Academic Approach. Jewan collaborates with the School Programs team to develop customized and effective test prep ...
Jewan Garner
Director of School Partnerships
Jewan Garner serves as the Director of School Partnerships at Academic Approach. Jewan collaborates with the School Programs team to develop customized and effective test preparation solutions to school partners across the country. Prior to joining Academic Approach, Jewan spent 15 years serving in various roles in the non-profit sector. He has worked with school districts in major cities such as New York, Orlando, and Chicago to bring support services to high-need urban education settings.
Jewan earned a Bachelor of Arts in Business Administration from Baruch College in New York City. Jewan enjoys playing basketball and hanging out with his children in his free time.
Sadaf Javaid
Director of School Engagement
Sadaf Javaid is Director of School Engagement at Academic Approach. Sadaf joined the team in 2017 and has since worked to ensure educators receive highly personalized support ...
Sadaf Javaid
Director of School Engagement
Team: School Programs
Sadaf Javaid is Director of School Engagement at Academic Approach. Sadaf joined the team in 2017 and has since worked to ensure educators receive highly personalized support for rigorous academic instruction. In her role as a Director, Sadaf draws on her eight years of classroom teaching experience and time spent as an Instructional Coach heading advocacy initiatives for education partners in and out of Chicago.
Sadaf earned a Bachelors in Molecular & Cellular Biology and a Master’s of Education from the University of Illinois in Instructional Leadership with a focus in Curriculum Design. She has also received the AACC’s Notable Person’s Award, CMSDL Golden Gavel Award, and currently maintains herself as a National Science Foundation NOYCE Scholar. As both a scientist and educator, her passions lay at the intersection of education reform and the forefront of data.
Our Partnerships
We are proud to work with partners from 133 schools, districts, and organizations across 14 states.
