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Academic Approach
Academic Approach is an organization of educators
Founded in 2001 by Matthew Pietrafetta, Ph.D., Academic Approach differentiates its instruction through a unique brand of skills-based test preparation™. While teaching college freshmen at Columbia University in New York City and tutoring high school students preparing for the SAT and ACT, Pietrafetta developed a rigorous instructional commitment not only to raising his students’ test scores but also to developing their vital college-readiness skills.
What Makes Academic Approach Different?
Teaching Beyond the Test™
We take a skills-based approach to test preparation, focusing on our teaching as a means to raise test scores, to grow vital college and career readiness skills, and to provide in-depth academic enrichment.
Tests are Standardized. Students are Not.™
We are flexible, committed educators, dedicated to supporting growth for all students at any level of achievement.
Founded in 2001 by Matthew Pietrafetta, Ph.D., Academic Approach differentiates its instruction through a unique brand of skills-based test preparation™. While teaching college freshmen at Columbia University in New York City and tutoring high school students preparing for the SAT and ACT, Pietrafetta developed a rigorous instructional commitment not only to raising his students’ test scores but also to developing their vital college-readiness skills.
What Makes Academic Approach Different?
Teaching Beyond the Test™
We take a skills-based approach to test preparation, focusing on our teaching as a means to raise test scores, to grow vital college and career readiness skills, and to provide in-depth academic enrichment.
Tests are Standardized. Students are Not.™
We are flexible, committed educators, dedicated to supporting growth for all students at any level of achievement.
Purpose
Since 2001, Academic Approach has focused on two goals:
Becoming the very best at raising test scores by providing high-impact, customized, academically rigorous test preparation that “teaches beyond the test.”
Reaching and teaching a wide range of students through our One-on-One tutoring and school-based programs by providing high-impact, customized, innovative services, products, and partnerships.
Some might see tension in this work: test prep vs. rigorous academic enrichment; one-on-one instruction vs. school-based programming; customization vs. standardization; personalized instruction vs. designing towards an average student; rapid innovation vs. long-term research & development.
Academic Approach team members, however, have a different mindset: we see that our mission presents opportunities to grow, learn, think critically, problem-solve, and create high-impact solutions.
Becoming the very best at raising test scores by providing high-impact, customized, academically rigorous test preparation that “teaches beyond the test.”
Reaching and teaching a wide range of students through our One-on-One tutoring and school-based programs by providing high-impact, customized, innovative services, products, and partnerships.
Some might see tension in this work: test prep vs. rigorous academic enrichment; one-on-one instruction vs. school-based programming; customization vs. standardization; personalized instruction vs. designing towards an average student; rapid innovation vs. long-term research & development.
Academic Approach team members, however, have a different mindset: we see that our mission presents opportunities to grow, learn, think critically, problem-solve, and create high-impact solutions.
Mission
Academic Approach began with a focused mission: to mentor students while building their skills and confidence as they fill in essential gaps in curriculum that prevent them from being fully successful both on the test and in the classroom. Over the years, Academic Approach has developed instructional content, services, and staff to reach thousands of students in the Chicagoland, New York City, and Boston areas, raising scores, growing skills, and opening doors to higher education.
With our growing staff of dedicated, high-quality educators, Academic Approach continues to deliver both highly customized one-on-one tutoring programs for students that provide teachers with assessments and instructional services that raise student achievement.
With our growing staff of dedicated, high-quality educators, Academic Approach continues to deliver both highly customized one-on-one tutoring programs for students that provide teachers with assessments and instructional services that raise student achievement.
Additional Culture Details
We are:
Solutions-oriented
-We seek balanced solutions and embrace a “both/and” rather than an “either/or” dichotomy
-We seek to resolve potential tensions with smart thinking, planning, and processes
-We work collectively to design effective solutions
Collaborative
-We bridge divides, unify perspectives, and connect constituents
-We empathize with our clients’ & colleagues’ needs and experiences
-We are kind and positive in interactions with our clients & colleagues
Respectful
-We respect our individual contributions to our collective success
-We respect others’ time and opinions through active listening, clear communications, and efficient meetings
-We are respectful of others’ needs by offering timely support
Solutions-oriented
-We seek balanced solutions and embrace a “both/and” rather than an “either/or” dichotomy
-We seek to resolve potential tensions with smart thinking, planning, and processes
-We work collectively to design effective solutions
Collaborative
-We bridge divides, unify perspectives, and connect constituents
-We empathize with our clients’ & colleagues’ needs and experiences
-We are kind and positive in interactions with our clients & colleagues
Respectful
-We respect our individual contributions to our collective success
-We respect others’ time and opinions through active listening, clear communications, and efficient meetings
-We are respectful of others’ needs by offering timely support
Values
- Innovation
- We understand that all great things start with a groundbreaking idea/strategy and are followed with diligent and collaborative execution and insight.
Headquarters
Chicago, IL
Employees
143 US Employees
Industry
Education - Other