Our core values as educators and advisors drive us to identify each of our students’ specific academic needs, shape a unique learning program tailored to those needs, and help our students reach their academic potential.
Purpose
Each of our students comes to us with a specific need, regardless of previous grades, ability level, or academic background. We see our students as co-equals in a mutual journey and take the time to understand each of our students’ needs and how to best address them. We ask questions with a genuine interest in the answers and focus on defining and resolving the problems at hand. Furthermore, we welcome the opportunity to tackle these problems and help our students develop their own solutions, overcome adversity, take pride in their successes, and grow as individuals. We realize that none of this happens by ourselves, so we work with our students and their families to identify and commit to a purpose both for the entire duration of our work together and for each milestone along the way.
Prep
No two students are identical. As such, trying to approach the preparation for even a standardized test like the SAT or ACT with any one book’s finite set of resources and predetermined set of tips and tricks often leaves much to be desired. While we can address any content area or approach to the test with a wide variety of strategies, we view any particular technique for a standardized test as a means to an end for the student we are working with at the time: its utility is measured solely by its effectiveness for that student. To that end, we are constantly looking for ways to help our students improve. If our students need additional resources, we find them. If those resources don’t exist, we create them. Let us tailor a plan for your student to specifically assess areas of strength and weakness, then pinpoint those weak spots and continually reassess to ensure that our work together is as effective as possible.
Planning
We are excited to offer the rare trifecta of academic coaching and tutoring, college entrance exam prep, and college planning assistance to our students and their families. As a result of the other services we offer, we have a head start on the college planning process, seamlessly incorporate those steps into our test preparation timeline, and provide academic support as issues arise in order to help our students become the best college applicants they can be. We guide families through every step of the college admissions process and develop a timeline for each of our clients that eliminates stress and allows for each decision to be an informed and confident one.
Potential
Our students’ successes are our successes. We pride ourselves on seeking outcomes that are best for our students, so their growth and accomplishments are among the greatest rewards of our work together. We have celebrated our students’ improvement of multiple letter grades over the course of a semester, their average improvement on the SAT and/or ACT of more than 19 points in percentile rank, and their admission to colleges at which they will thrive. We are eager to help our current and future students excel in academics and find the perfect college to set up their subsequent careers. We also hope that the relationships we build with our clients allow us to keep in touch over the years that follow and work with younger siblings and family friends. We welcome the opportunity to help your child reach the next level!
Matt has helped students with diverse backgrounds and abilities for more than a decade. Working with elementary school students to post-baccalaureates, Matt specializes in tailoring learning programs to each of his students and can address virtually any student's needs. This supportive, personalized, in-depth approach goes above and beyond to help students better understand themselves and the barriers to their learning goals, translating to less stress, higher productivity, and better educational outcomes.
Matt received a BS from the University of Oregon in Human Physiology and General Science with a minor in Organic Chemistry. He attended CU Boulder, where he earned a MS in Integrative Physiology. Matt has also completed the program in College Admissions Counseling at the University of California, Riverside.
In his spare time, he can be found outdoors: golfing, mountain biking, trail running, snowshoeing, and camping.