Why should we enroll our student in an MCA writing class?
Our students write weekly, working on the core skills needed for effective written communication. Our courses are composition based, which means that we design our lessons to improve and enhance writing technique. In weekly writing assignments and subsequent revision, our instructors focus on the crucial elements of successful writing: sentence variety, grammar and usage, word choice, and organization and development.
How often are the papers corrected and in what manner?
Papers are corrected weekly during the school year sessions and every other day during the Summer Session. Students respond to the instructor’s corrections in a revision. It is our philosophy that the best way to improve writing is through revision.
How many students are in each class?
Nine students participate around the table for our Writing courses, ten to twelve students for our Math, Science, and SAT courses.
How do you select your instructors?
The Directors, Cheri Sabraw and Joyce Wong, select the instructors. In an effort to bring the most talented, dedicated, and focused instruction to the MCA, they look for people who know their subject matter, have zest for working with talented students, enjoy teaching in a small group setting, and view the world in an optimistic way.
Why should my son/daughter take Public Speaking?
Many assignments given by both public and private school teachers call for classroom presentations. Often these assignments are group projects, in which each member of the group is responsible for part of the presentation. Usually, the grade value is significant. Most of us are uncomfortable standing up in front of a group of our peers. To disperse information, to be relaxed, to use humor — most of these tasks are difficult under the watchful eyes of a group. Our public speaking classes are small, no more than 9 students, and are taught by warm, confident teachers. Since these teachers are currently teaching in local school, they know exactly how to coach the students to a winning presentation.
What is the focus of the summer math classes?
Our summer math classes are terrific! Taught in small groups of 10, the classes focus on the math content that students will be faced with in September and October. The stress of beginning the school year, with 6 different subjects, is lessened when a student starts already knowing much of the material. We use current math textbooks, assign relevant drill and homework, and teach students how to think mathematically.
There are many other SAT preparation companies. How are the programs at the MCA different from other programs?
For the past 14 years, students have been choosing Mill Creek Academy for its intimate, focused SAT preparation.
Our instructors, most of whom teach at high schools in Pleasanton and Fremont, are well aware of the tremendous effort needed to prepare for such important tests. We use a number of published SAT preparation materials, as well as supplementary books and materials designed by our instructors.
In the past three years, more tutorial companies have moved into the area and are marketing heavily. Many of these companies are national and international franchises that hire college students and others to instruct. In most cases, the would-be client has no idea who will be teaching the class. We believe who is teaching the class is critical to what a student learns. If corporate headquarters are in Los Angeles, Hong Kong, or Boston, the reach for personal attention is long. Our corporate headquarters is here in Fremont and the owner is still teaching!
At MCA, the teachers are highly regarded and you get what you pay for. You can select the teacher for your son or daughter and read that teacher’s experience.
Finally, students enroll in our program because of our results: we consistently have over 100 or more of our students accepted to the University of California each year. All of our students who complete their homework and attend all classes improve their scores.
Each year, we have a number of students who are National Merit Finalists, all whom attended Mill Creek Academy, many taking our courses, including SAT preparation.
In short, we pride ourselves in not being the Wal-Mart or Target of SAT Preparation. We see ourselves as a boutique institution. Think of this in university terms. If big SAT franchises are the University of Texas, we are Rice University. In Oregon, if the big SAT franchises are the University of Oregon, we are Reed College. In Massachusetts, if the big SAT franchises are the University of Massachusetts, we are Tufts.
We like being small and personal.
We offer a 5% discount for students taking three classes.
