At TSE Academy, we believe that students who learn to read seriously, and continue to do so outside of class, can experience huge SAT verbal gains. For math, we curate a serious problem-solving culture in our Mastery Math program.
A case study: 11th grader Michaelah Glenn last year had uneven SAT verbal scores. But this year, she scored a 700 – with a year over year gain of a whopping 160 points!
She credits her dramatic improvement with TSE Academy’s focus on intellectually rigorous texts.
For Michaelah, homeschooled since the second grade, TSE Academy has offered a purposeful environment giving her the autonomy and ability to harness her personal passions and build real-world skills.
The Socratic method, known for its encouragement of critical thinking and deep understanding, found a place in Michaelah’s quest for a more structured and mature learning experience from that she was receiving as a homeschooler.
Michaelah’s story is a testament to the adaptive nature of TSE Academy. The flexibility that allowed her to skip grades was not compromised for rigidity but channeled into a purposeful, tailored experience that she willingly embraced.
In our recent Socratic Spotlight with Michaelah, she outlines 4 ways TSE Academy has allowed her creative and intellectual inclinations to flourish into academic excellence:
1. Nurturing Personal Growth Through Mentorship:
Michaelah’s transition to TSE was a leap into a world where self-paced learning did not mean learning alone.
The presence of mentors like Lea was instrumental in guiding Michaelah through the expansive freedom offered by TSE’s curriculum. Michaelah could freely approach Lea for advice on focusing her efforts amidst the myriad of ideas she wanted to explore in her essays. This mentorship was pivotal in helping her navigate the writing process, ensuring her creative freedom was harnessed effectively, not overwhelming her but rather contributing to the focus of her work.
At TSE Academy, Michaelah found the external motivation essential to complement her self-drive.
“(The mentorship program) helps you keep on track when it comes to your ideas, hopes and dreams. I appreciated having that outside of my parents,” Michaelah reflects.
Michaelah’s journey through essay writing and tackling standardized tests like the SATs showcases the program’s ability to nurture students’ intellectual growth and build their academic confidence.
2. Encouraging Academic Development in Challenging Areas:
Mastery Math at TSE Academy transformed Michaelah’s outlook on a subject that had previously been a challenge. Through personalized tutoring and an engaging classroom environment fostered by her guide, Wandile, she moved from a place of uncertainty to one of confidence.
Michaelah’s mentors supported her journey to improved SAT math scores, guiding her from guessing answers to understanding and solving problems methodically—an evolution that speaks volumes about the program’s personalized and accountable academic support.
3. Cultivating a Respectful Environment of Intellectual Diversity
Diversity in thought and background characterizes the student body at TSE Academy, fostering a culture of respect and intellectual curiosity. Michaelah relishes the opportunity to engage in mature discussions across a range of topics, all the while learning to articulate her thoughts in a community that values respectful disagreement. The Socratic method here is not just a pedagogical tool; it’s the heartbeat of a learning environment that champions egalitarian intellectual discourse.
4. Supporting the Individuality of Each Student
What makes TSE Academy especially compelling is its acknowledgment of the individuality of each learner. Michaelah’s educational experience is peppered with her creative endeavors, such as writing and art. Even when she faced challenges in areas like math, the support structure at TSE Academy has enabled her to contemplate graduating early. Her growth is a clear indication of the efficacy of TSE Academy’s Math Mastery program, which is complemented by the opportunity to engage in collective problem-solving and group work.
Michaelah’s narrative is a powerful endorsement of TSE Academy’s philosophy that education should be a student-centric experience. The program allows students like her to progress at their own pace, acknowledging their ability to advance without being held back by conventional schedules.
TSE Academy offers more than just an education; it provides a transformative personalized journey. It respects the student’s voice, and delivers an education that isn’t just about consuming information but about engaging with it actively and thoughtfully. Michaelah’s experience at TSE Academy highlights the school’s commitment to creating an environment where students don’t just learn—they thrive.
For those looking for an educational experience that mirrors Michaelah’s—a place where you can grow academically, develop confidence, and where your ideas are valued and challenged—TSE Academy might just be the next step on your educational journey.
📞 To learn more about how our programs can help your child discover and develop their unique genius, click here to schedule a call with our admissions team! We’re looking forward to learning more about your child.
