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of the Month
This month we're revisiting a former Success Partner,
Westside Neighborhood School. We were thrilled last summer to partner with WNS in teaching an ISEE prep course.
WNS is the epitome of an academic institution serving its community: A high-quality private school embracing socio-economic diversity. From 64 students at its opening on a small property in 1980 to 450 on a larger campus in the heart of Silicon Beach, WNS is a Los Angeles academic success story. WNS will be expanding to include a preschool in fall 2017 and grow to 520 students PS-8. WNS embraces a child-centered (PS-8) approach that engages kids in a highly differentiated, project-based, active curriculum that challenges students to collaborate, innovate and grow. The school encourages a growth and maker mindset for all students, and integrates the arts throughout a vibrant and rigorous academic program. WNS creates an environment through its commitment to social learning where each child is able to take intellectual risks and experience success while also learning to value the difference between themselves and others. For more info,
visit the website or call
310-574-8650.
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Looking For A Student
Community Service Opportunity?
Meet Rickey Smith, social entrepreneur and owner of the sustainable food business Urban Green. He's started a community education venture called the Urban Green Kids Row program, creating opportunities for kids from diverse backgrounds to participate in many activities related to food sustainability, from planting seeds to learning about how organic food is grown and harvested. For more info on a terrific
community service and volunteering opportunity for kids,
email
Rickey,
or call (800) 200 3320.
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Check out Our YouTube Video!
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How Academic Success Can Support You
At
Academic Success
we take great pride in finding the right coach to support the unique needs of each student we help. Please check out the areas where we work on our
web site
and let us know how we can support you.
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Looking for a College Counselor or Ed Therapist?
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We work and partner with excellent Educational Therapists and College Counselors throughout the L.A. area. Give us a call and we can recommend the right fit for your child.
310-823-4398
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WELCOME TO OUR 2016 FINALE!
Holiday cheer is upon us, and no matter how you may  feel about the election result, the holiday season is a welcome respite from a chaotic 2016 for our country.
While arguments have already started over the
new nominee for Secretary of Education, this time of year can be a period for positive reflection. Luckily for our kids, 2016 featured many positive developments on the academic landscape, especially in our home state of California.
In this month's issue, we'll demonstrate that, for all the problems yet to be solved in our schools, there is an abundance of good people, doing good things that create good news for parents and students. We'll focus on examples of teachers, administrators and politicians taking action that is producing tangible results in the classroom.
It's time for some Christmas education cheer- and there is much to look forward to on the education front in 2017!
At
Academic Success, we not only thrive on solving problems; we also practice the transformative power of focusing on the positive.
Please call with any questions at (310) 823 4398 or
All the best,
The Academic Success Team
"Everyone has inside of him a piece of good news. The good news is that you don't know how great you can be! How much you can love! What you can accomplish! And what your potential is!"
- Anne Frank
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Graduation Rates Something To
No matter how we judge the quality of our education  system, one thing is certain: achieving a high graduation rate is something to celebrate. This NPR article details the success of our nation's students, who are now graduating at the highest rate in the history of the US education system.
 Not only are more kids graduating than ever before- more of them are reaching a high standard of academic performance. This recent New York Times feature, showing the improved academic performance of middle and lower-income students from kindergarten on, should make us all optimistic about the future of education in our country.
Reasons To Cheer Our Teachers
While there may still be a achievement gap between rich  and poor students (one that is closing), new research shows that the problem doesn't fall on teachers' shoulders. Results from a recent study make the case that in fact, teachers of low-income students are absolutely holding their own when it comes to providing quailty education to their students.
 Whatever happens to our education system on a national level, Californian parents can take solace in the fact that the Golden State's education administrators are responding to a changing world. NBC News reports that Governor Jerry Brown recently announced legislation to develop the most comprehensive ethnic studies curriculum in the country, giving California's kids an even richer experience in the classroom.
A Pulitzer Prize
Winner of the Future
And it's easier for politicians to take meaningful action  when their constituents show widespread support for education initiatives. Last month, California voters approved three new propositions that will not only maintain current funding levels for education overall but also provide a massive boost in specific areas that need it the most, giving our schools an early Christmas present.
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Transforming Your Study Area For
It's always pleasing to hear our kids make plans and
 resolutions for more frequent and better studying in the coming year. One way to give those commitments a boost is to make the place where they study a cool area for them to return to.
Speaking of seats, one way to make kids feel that they're doing grown-up, adult work is to give them a desk chair they'll love to work in.
This selection features a blend of executive-style chairs with ones made a little more fun.
Finally, when it comes to arranging your desk and study area using the materials you have,
this article will be tremendously helpful.
Happy holidays and here's to great studying in 2017!
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2017 Coach Profile Finale:
Interview With Cassandra Chase!
 To celebrate another outstanding year for our
Academic Success team, we thought we'd go beyond a profile and go further in depth with one of our top coaches, Cassandra Chase. In this interview, Cassie goes into greater detail on how she approaches her work here at Academic Success.
How has your tutoring evolved over time?
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In several ways. Being with the company for a couple of years has allowed me to build beautiful and lasting relationships with students and their families. I have a few long term students that are completely comfortable with me. We know each others style and they are aware of my (high) expectations. However, the comfort and ease allows them to share if they're having a challenging week/day. I've been able to work with these kids through the summer as well, to keep them prepped and alert for the school year ahead. It's an honor to be considered a prominent part of these students lives. Watching their arcs is something special."
Are requirements increasing for students?
"Absolutely, every year. This really shows during the fall, when everyone is getting back into their routines. It also shows up in ISEE/standardized test prep. I like to approach this anxiety head on. Academic Success has a holistic philosophy that I identify with. I always focus on detrimental thoughts the student may have about himself/herself in the beginning of our prep. I want them to know this test is important, but it does not define their worth in any way. This typically translates into regular coaching as well. I (of course) expect high grades and hard work, but I want them to know it doesn't define who they are. A way to combat these ever increasing requirements is also to stay on top of executive functioning. All of my kids have planners, highlighters, the works! I let them choose their preference, and we stick to it so nothing is overlooked."
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We consider it a privilege and an honor to support students and their families throughout the Los Angeles area. Please call us at any time; we welcome your thoughts and input. We are available at 310-823-4398.
Sincerely,
Jamie Altshule
Academic Success, Inc.
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