Mount Lebanon Academy
Academy Programs

Click on the instructional level below to view Academy Programs

SPECIAL PROGRAMS      

PSSA PREPARATION
The PA System of School Assessment evaluates the degree that academic standards are being met. The PSSA tests are administered to public school students in reading, writing, and math as follows.

Reading - Grades 5, 8, and 11
Math - Grades 5, 8, and 11
Writing - Grades 6, 9, and 11
Science -

Performance levels are:
Advanced - superior
Proficient - satisfactory
Basic - marginal
Below Basic - inadequate

Begin preparing now and test smart on future PSSA tests. Schedule a tutorial class around your child's learning needs and watch those scores go up!

COMPUTER KINDERGARTEN
New Academic Focus to Meet Readiness Standards
Parents can address their child's readiness concerns by enrolling in the Academy's Computer Kindergarten Program. Since the Federal No Child Left Behind program and the Pennsylvania System of School Assessment, children are expected to meet specific academic standards on kindergarten assessment tests. Learning activities including reading and math skills along with introductory writing experiences and supervised on-line educational experiences all serve to build self-confidence and strengthen academic skills for future success in elementary school. During the academic year, children enrolled in full time AM kindergarten programs attend twice weekly the afternoon session; whereas students enrolled in full time afternoon programs attend the morning session. Enroll NOW for fall session beginning in October.

COMPREHENSIVE TESTING PROGRAMS
Our comprehensive testing program focuses on both formal and informal assessments and tests. Tests include standardized, nationally normed tests as well as reading inventories and classroom specific measures of student achievement.  Now parents can benefit from multiple indicators to determine their child's progress in reading and math and use the information to determine progress, learning, and to plan instruction that specifically meets the individual learning needs of their child.  Conferences are necessary to share results and are a part of the testing program.  Conferences will be scheduled for all students and are designed to review testing results and make recommendations.

• Kindergarten Readiness Evaluation

• Reading Diagnostic Assessment

• Math Diagnostic Assessment

• Standardized Achievement Assessment

• Conferences

• Written Report

Testing Fees:  $100/per hour

So often parents recognize their child's reading deficiencies, but delay addressing them in hopes that they will independently be able to play "catch up". Studies show, however, that early intervention and recognition of learning difficulties makes a significant difference not only in a child's self-esteem, but in terms of his or her overall progress and success.

Call the Academy at 412-563-1413 and invest in your child's future success today!

SAT PREP PROGRAM
Classes and Tutorials

The Academy’s comprehensive course reflects the updated structure and content facing students with the revised SAT.

Critical Reading The critical reading section, formerly known as the verbal section, continues to include short and long reading passages. Sentence completion questions remain, but analogies have been eliminated

Math Algebra II concepts are now included such as exponential growth, absolute value, functional notation, and negative and fractional exponents. Greater emphasis has been placed on other topics such as linear functions and scatter plots. Quantitative comparisons have been eliminated.

Writing The writing component includes multiple choice questions that test the student's ability to identify sentence error, and improve sentences and paragraphs. A 25 minute essay replaces the former English SAT II. Students respond to a prompt by writing an essay that requires them to take a position on an issue and use supporting details.

The Academy's SAT Prep class offers explicit skill development, test taking strategies, guided practice, and immediate feedback to students' questions and concerns. Our students consistently tell us the testing strategies and detailed explanations have proven to be beneficial tools that help them to build confidence and improve their overall performance. Call today as class size is limited.

Return to Top

PRIMARY CLASSES (Grades K to 3)    

100 COMPUTER KINDERGARTEN
Get a head start on computer skills and build a foundation for future success in elementary school. Your child will discover the joy of learning as he explores the world of computers in a framework of traditional readiness activities.
Summer: 6 classes per session
Academic Year: 8 classes per session

101 1st GRADE ROUND-UP
In an effort to provide a smooth transition to first grade, specifically designed learning experiences encourage each child to proceed through a range of reading and beginning math concepts, listening experiences, and auditory and visual perceptual tasks.

102 HEADING FOR SECOND
Review the basics in reading and math and begin the year with a grand slam performance! Maintenance and enrichment activities will build confidence for second grade.

103 ADDITION ADVENTURES AND SUBTRACTION SECRETS
This course will delight young math students and help them learn, remember, and use the basic addition and subtraction facts. Classroom activities, games, worksheets, and computer assisted drill exercises help students master the fundamentals in an exciting, enjoyable format.

104 READORAMA
The goal of this course is to provide instruction and practice in basic comprehension, phonic elements, context clues and fluency while using a wide variety of literature.
Grade 2 & 3 Also see Course #200

105 SPEEDWAY MATH
A challenging course designed for the gifted math student -Children will work above their grade level exploring concepts involving numbers, geometry, and problem solving. *Standardized test scores must indicate student is functioning at or above the 6th stanine.

106 DOODLELOOPS™
Creative idea starters entice young writers to begin with simple drawings and expand their ideas using descriptive words, phrases, sentences, and stories. This class is designed to help students become confident expressive writers.

107 LISTEN UP!
Here’s help for the student who needs to develop skills in paying attention, following directions, answering questions, and recognizing key words and phrases. The focus is on listening for academic success.

108 PROBLEM SOLVE THE WRITE WAY
Increase understanding of mathematical concepts through direct visual involvement.
Now students can become confident in their reasoning abilities with story problems by creating illustrations, recognizing key words, distinguishing number operations, and then going on to provide solutions. A
variety of problem solving strategies will be presented.

109 JUST A MINUTE & MONEY COUNTS
Explore the concepts of telling time and counting money by using fun-filled simulations and programs that develop problem solving, arithmetic, organizational, and decision-making skills. Experience real world applications of math and become more proficient with these concepts.
 
Return to Top

INTERMEDIATE CLASSES (Grades 4 and 5)     

200 AMERICAN GIRL BOOK SERIES™
Get excited about reading and writing while exploring the exciting world of the American Girl Doll. Students will get practical experience with reading comprehension and writing skills while creating their own i-Movie which portrays their doll's journey to a specific destination. All American dolls are welcome. Students who do not have an American Doll may borrow from the Academy's collection.

Recommended for Grade 3, 4, & 5

201 READING AND WRITING CAMP
Boost your reading comprehension and writing skills and gain an edge on test-taking. Practice long and short paragraphs with strategy based selected response questions and writing prompts.

202 READING WORKOUT
The focus of this reading comprehension course is on literal and inferential skills. A wide variety of reading materials help students develop basic comprehension, vocabulary, word attack skills, and fluency.

203 ROCKET MATH
Build on your strengths and gain control of your math skills by practicing basic addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division facts. A variety of fun-filled math activities will help students build mastery of the basic math facts.

204 FAST TRACK MATH
A challenging course designed for the gifted math student. Children will work above their level exploring concepts involving numbers, geometry, and problem-solving. ( *Standardized test scores must indicate student is functioning at or above the 6th stanine.)

205 PROBLEM SOLVING THE WRITE WAY
Learn several strategies to problem solving. We guarantee your skills and confidence will increase as you learn to strategize when solving word problems.

206 STUDY SKILLS
Begin the school year by improving your scholarship. Plan an attack on homework that fits your learning style. Become a master student by developing good study habits, test taking strategies, listening, notetaking, and organizational skills. (Highly recommended for beginning middle school students)

207 KEYBOARDING HOPSCOTCH
Take advantage of this opportunity to learn the letters, numbers, and symbols using the proper finger reach. Build keyboarding skills through exercises and games.

208 LISTEN UP!
Here’s help for the student who needs to develop skills in paying attention, following directions, answering questions, and recognizing key words and phrases. The focus is on listening for academic success.

209 SPELLING SMART
Approach spelling as a cognitive task by integrating concepts from the whole language philosophy and strategies from the phonics approach. Discover patterns and consistencies and apply good logical thinking skills to the task of spelling.

210 RAZZLE, DAZZLE WRITING
This course is designed to reach all kinds of learners. Using a series of lessons that guide students through short focused writing tasks, the elements of good writing become crystal clear.

Return to Top

JUNIOR HIGH CLASSES (Grades 6, 7, and 8)     

300 STUDY SKILLS WORKSHOP
Increase your learning power through an intensive course designed for the student who wants to improve his/her organizational skills and study strategies. Notetaking and memory skills, test taking skills, organizational skills, listening and reading rate are emphasized. (Highly recommended for middle school students.)

301 PRE-ALGEBRA/ALGEBRA
This course is designed for the beginning algebra student or the student who may need time to master the content of first year pre-algebra or algebra concepts.

303 BASIC MATH WORKSHOP
Gain a solid foothold in basic arithmetic. Modules cover the following areas: basic computational skills, fractions, decimals, percents, ratios, and equations. This course is highly individualized, and students may concentrate on their specific area of interest or weakness.

304 MIDDLE SCHOOL TESTING SKILLS
All students need good test-taking skills. Now you can address specific test-taking skills, learn to control stress, and improve your scores. Test simulations will help students prepare for successful results.

305 G.U.M.
This course will focus on Grammar, Usage, and Mechanics. Students will integrate their skills by creating well constructed sentences and move on to arranging them into well developed paragraphs.

306 READING FOR SUCCESS
Improve your grades by sharpening your reading skills. Selections and activities focus on some of the top rated reading practices in adolescent literacy designed to improve comprehension and decoding skills in all content areas.

307 SPEED READING
Master the important reading techniques of skimming and scanning and become a more efficient and flexible reader.

308 VOCABULARY POWER
Develop and improve your vocabulary comprehension through enjoyable vocabulary enrichment activities. Incorporate visual memory activities and watch your vocabulary grow!

309 KEYBOARDING
Take advantage of this opportunity to learn the letters, numbers, and symbols using the proper finger reach. Build keyboarding skills through exercises and games.

310 WRITE TIME
Now you can target specific writing skills through lessons that introduce a variety of writing genres. Enjoy the process while learning how to write, revise, and edit. Then watch those PSSA writing scores and school test scores go up!

Return to Top

SENIOR HIGH CLASSES (Grades 9, 10, 11, and 12)    

GET A HEAD START ON YOUR COURSE WORK AND WATCH THOSE GRADES GO UP!

New tutorials scheduled weekly in all academic areas

SAT PREPARATION
SAT classes and tuition do not correspond to the regular session calendar or tuition fees.
*Summer classes are scheduled as tutorials unless there are several requests whereby we can offer small group instruction.
*Academic Year classes correspond to the College Board test dates and meet 8 weeks prior to the time students sit for the test.
Call for a separate SAT brochure listing the full schedule of classes, or review the information below and use the General Registration Form or the Tutorial Registration Form to register.
Tutorial classes can be scheduled throughout the summer and academic year upon request and at your convenience.

401 SAT CRITICAL READING
The main purpose of this course is to increase basic understanding of the subcategories tested on the SAT test. Critical reading items including passage comprehension, sentence completion, analysis of test questions, extra practice materials, and test taking strategies will be presented.

402 SAT Math
Complete review including all formulas needed for the SAT, analysis of test questions, extra practice material, and test taking strategies will be presented.

402 SAT ENRICHMENT
(Either Math, Critical Reading or Essay)
Designed for the student who has taken our SAT course and the SAT test but desires additional direction with specific subcategories on the SAT.

404 STUDY SKILLS
In an effort to provide a smooth transition to high school, this intensive course is designed for the student who wants to improve his/her organizational skills and study strategies. Notetaking skills, organizational skills, listening, and reading rate are emphasized.

405 SPEED READING
Master the important reading techniques of skimming and scanning and become a more efficient and flexible reader.

406 ESSAY WRITING
Students learn the process of writing by composing expository, narrative, and persuasive essays. The basics of composition (sentence and paragraph construction) are emphasized.

407 ALGEBRA II  (Preview)
This class is ideal for Algebra I skills review and extra reinforcement prior to Algebra II. Students will become strong confident learners and begin the school year with success as they review and master equations, word problems, proportions, exponents, factoring polynomials, simplifying radicals, and graphing linear equations. Use this opportunity to jump start your success in Algebra II prior to September.

408 CALCULUS (Preview)
Now students can become more proficient with Honors Calculus by reviewing functions, and previewing limits, derivatives, and application of derivatives. Watch your confidence soar as you review and master challenging concepts needed to be successful in Honors Calculus.

Return to Top

Tutorials (k-12)     
college tutorials and Adult Instruction

GET A HEAD START ON YOUR COURSE WORK
Scheduled Upon Request

Private and semi-private tutorials are available in most academic areas. Call 412-563-1413 for additional information.

Return to Top

©2011-2012 Mount Lebanon Academy