What our students and parents say about us

Testimonials

Kathleen O'Connell-Sundaram
http://noontimeatthewell.blogspot.com/

My four children had the experience of attending the School of Choice. There they were able to complete AP courses, and one of my daughters received credit for four classes with an academic scholarship at Santa Clara University, thus freeing her up to pursue journalism experience on the school paper, along with other internship opportunities. She achieved membership in three honor societies. My son graduated from Thomas Aquinas College with double distinction awarded for his thesis and defense. I credit Mr. Arne, most especially, with making my children, who were very good writers, excellent writers. They have been told by those who have reviewed their applications that their writing samples have stood out. My second daughter has done very well her first year at West Valley. All my children were shown respect for who they were –whether they showed artistic, literary or philosophical talents and the School of Choice was serious about helping them to pursue a university degree. The math, science and language teachers took special interest in the students and helped to support an idea that we were there to help them pursue their chosen future and not to pick one for them. Such an approach requires patience and a regard for each student's dignity. That is found at School of Choice. Our fourth child has been accepted at Cogswell Polytechnic College for Digital Arts and Animation. Again, her entrance essay along with her art portfolio was complimented with a special letter from the Dean aside from the normal acceptance.

Because of the School of Choice experience, I am convinced my kids are well prepared for the future. The school was ripe with multicultural experiences, and my children formed good friendships there. Mr. Arne has fostored a true learning environment realizing that not all experiences were in a classroom and he has helped make it possible for our children to make a yearly trip to India. As a result, they have visited National Museums, attended weddings and experienced many festivals and holidays that many Indian children attending school are now deprived of in the curriculum year. Attending such events have only brought more depth to what my children will contribute to the world.

I join my children in always making a special note of Mr. Arne, his teaching staff and the School of Choice in their future successes. This school should be a model for other schools.

Sincerely,

Kathleen O'Connell-Sundaram
July 2009

My new Career

The School of Choice is not only a place for book knowledge, but also a place where integrity, independence, and industriousness are forged. Inspirational works such as Profiles in Courage provide shining examples of integrity for me to emulate. Numerous philosophic works such as Voltaire, Hobbes, and Locke devoured during my stay at The School of Choice have helped me develop my independent worldview and judgment. The study of the Austrian vs. Keynesian school of economics renewed my belief in industriousness and intrinsic motivation. The skills and knowledge gleaned from my time at The School of Choice not only enriched me academically, but also helped me develop as an individual with a critical mind and curious nature.

I am proud to say that I will be working for Northrop Grumman on the first flight of the X-47B. I'm being employed as a flight test engineering working with the airplane as she progresses through the flight test stages, culminating in an actual carrier landing in 2011. For the first part of the program, I'll be in Edwards AFB. This is proof that the time and effort you spent on me has not gone to waste. Thanks for making this possible.

Cheers,

Alton Chiu, Cal Tech Graduate
June 07, 2009

Hi Harumi,

I really appreciate your all help toward Kwang and me. Kwang is trying his best to improve his work everyday. Kwang is really lucky to study with you and Mr. Arne. You always took care of Kwang with a passion to help him. I know not every teacher is doing same as you do. I am so proud to know you as a great, warm-hearted, teacher concerned with her students.

Sungmi Kim (April, 2009)

Hi, My name is Vikram Singh Bhullar and I am a former student of The School of Choice. I graduated in 2007 and am well on my way on the road of success. At first, I went to Europe to study medicine, but then changed my mind to become an engineer and am transferring to San Jose State University. The School of Choice helped me find myself and showed me who I really was and what I am capable of. The staff is so wonderful and committed to one-on-one attention. I am glad that I came here because I wouldn't be who I am if I hadn't.

Vik (February, 2009)

Dear prospective School of Choice students,

I am Bo Zheng, a former School of Choice student. I have been accepted to Stanford University and UC Berkeley on a Regent’s Scholarship. One part of the reason for my acceptance into these prestigious universities is The School of Choice, which exists as one of the best institutions to help prepare you for an academically successful future.

When I first joined the School of Choice, I possessed minimal writing skills and struggled to even enter an honors English class in ninth grade. However, through detailed instruction and hard work, Mr. Arne helped me develop the skills that I needed to not only excel in my Honors English class, but also AP World History, AP Language and Composition, and the SAT II Writing test. Without his support and the help of The School of Choice, I would not have received the highest possible scores on these two AP examinations and an excellent score on the SAT II Writing exam. I strongly recommend The School of Choice to any and all interested in developing further their academic and intellectual potential.

Sincerely,

Bo Zheng
4/18/2004

I am writing to congratulate you on providing Heather with an excellent year of academic learning skills. The experience is quite rare given the contemporary schooling system.

She studied and took two AP classes by ninth grade, three years before the public schools.

She studied grammar with a book for seniors and completed it with an A.

She had a leading role in the Drama production both as an actor and as a leader of students who helped direct the production.

As an independent study student, she enjoyed the flexible schedules she needed to pursue dance instruction.

The year allowed Heather to adjust to her potential circumstance while growing healthily. Heather and the family will have on going rewards from her year at School of Choice.

My very best to you and the school.

-- Michael Shaw, Santa Cruz

Other Testimonials

The School of Choice has helped me to improve in my S.A.T course by 100 points in the past three months. I was struggling to get a higher score and with her help, I was able to get a better score.
-- Kevin Ho

With the help of the instructors at The School of Choice, I was able to get into the John Hopkins Program. I needed a higher PSAT score which helped me to improve in my vocabulary abilities.
-- Tina Yu

Paul has been attending English classes at School of Choice for two years. After more than one year of training in their writing program, we found him gaining confidence in the English language which includes vocabulary, and reading comprehension. As a result, he was able to improve academically in his regular schoolwork and pass the Star Test in the 5th grade with a 20% increase.
-- Yan Lin

While preparing for private high school entrance tests, the instructors here have reinforced my vocabulary, grammar and English writing skills. Although I'm an 8th grade honors student, it helps to review key concepts for an important exam. I recommend taking English classes at the School of Choice because you learn a lot about many areas of literature, current events, and history. I enjoy coming to the classes and learning about a variety of topics.
-- Thomas Pang

Since I've come to class at the School of Choice, I've learned a lot about English grammar and vocabulary. I've gained more knowledge and confidence in both my reading of many books in literature and studying intensive grammar and vocabulary. I recently won a debate tournament thanks the efforts of the staff. Their dedication to helping students is invaluable to me as a student. I also greatly benefitted from their College Planning program.
-- Ina Chang

Instructors from School of Choice have mentored our son, George, and three to five other students for the last two years....Thanks to them, George and the others write letters, fiction, and argumentative essays that are remarkable for boys that age....Their instructors are fine scholars who understand a broad range of subjects, yet they care enough about our son to give him the individual attention he needs. We have hired them on a continuous basis because they makes us proud of our son's developing maturity and ability. We recommend the services of the School of Choice, to parents who want to give their children the ability to succeed in college and become leaders in our society.
-- Chaoying Chen and Mende Wu, San Jose

Hyunje has been going to the ESL program at the School of Choice for a year, which has helped her to master more English. I've seen a big improvement in her English pronunciation, reading comprehension in all areas of study as well as grammar and writing. She has learned to overcome her shyness when reciting in public. The teachers often work on oral public speech with their students. Hyunje has improved a lot.
-- Mrs. Cho

The School of Choice has helped my daughter, Amy Chen to improve her vocabulary and English grammar in the 6th grade. The staff has helped her also to improve her writing skills and gain better command of the English language.
-- Mrs. Chen

While studying for TOEFL and SAT classes at The School of Choice we have gained more understanding of the use of complex vocabulary and ways to use them in our everyday literature classes in the 10th and 12th grades respectively. The instructors make the class fun and interesting, while giving us repeated practice in test taking strategies. We recommend the School of Choice to anyone.
-- Andrew and Stacey Kim

The School of Choice has been helping me to improve my writing in the 3rd and 4th grades. I had a lot of trouble with my spelling and grammar. The teachers helped me to correct my mistakes and get better scores in all of my language arts skills. I still have a long way to go, but I'm getting better all the time.
-- Christine Dey