Levels
- Beginner (G4–G8): paragraph to structured essay; section A stresses sentences and grammar, section B academic writing.
- Intermediate (G5–G7): evidence gathering and logic in expository and persuasive essays.
- Advanced (G6–G8): thesis, evidence, rebuttal, and academic tone.
35-week year; placement by assessment.
How to start
Start with a placement assessment. We use it to set the level and class, then confirm the year plan with the family. For schedules, tuition, and bundle offers, request the 2026-27 program guide through the form below.
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Contact a course advisorFrequently Asked Questions
Is Academic Writing the same as the essays Irvine students write at school?
School essays are where the skill gets used; this course builds the skill itself. Teachers usually supply a topic and a deadline, but class time for teaching structure, evidence, and revision is limited. Academic Writing separates those steps by level and drills them repeatedly, so students carry the ability straight into schoolwork once they reach an Irvine high school.
How do we choose between Beginner section A and section B?
Both sections sit at the Beginner level and differ only in emphasis. Section A concentrates on sentence patterns, grammar, and paragraph structure, which suits students whose sentences are still unsteady. Section B concentrates on academic writing itself, for students whose sentences are sound and who are ready to work on complete essays. The placement assessment decides.
My child can write, but teachers say the work lacks evidence. What is going wrong?
In most cases the student is repeating an opinion rather than proving it. The Intermediate level trains this step directly: separating fact from opinion, selecting quotable evidence from a text, and explaining how that evidence supports the claim. The work depends on reading volume, so we suggest taking it alongside Leveled Reading L1–L5 Plus.
What foundation do Irvine students need for writing competitions?
We generally suggest finishing Academic Writing Intermediate and being able to produce a complete essay with a claim and supporting evidence independently. The Writing Competition Class then builds on that foundation, working on topic selection, length control, and revision, helping Irvine students build a humanities record before high school.
