Our Classes
AFTERSCHOOL SEMINARS
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Grades: 11 - 12
Class Size: small seminars, semi-private or individual
Schedule: Ongoing
The college admissions landscape has changed rapidly in the past few years. Many colleges no longer require the SAT or ACT test and the recent Supreme Court case ending race-conscious admissions has led some elite colleges to drop legacy admissions. Additionally, AI programs like Chat-GPT3 are now freely available to produce a grammatically correct essay.
Against this background the college application essays may play an even stronger role in how admission officers select and shape their incoming classes. High grades and outstanding activities may no longer suffice; application essays may allow students to stand out by reflecting their personalities and unique voices
Enrollment Fees:
Small seminar (size: 4-8 students) - $75/hour each, minimum of 1.5 hour sessions.
Semi private (2 students): $90/hour each
Individual: $175/hour
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Grades: 3 - 8
Class Size: 4 - 10
Time: Sundays 9:30 AM - 10:45 AM
Schedule: Ongoing
The Sunday Creative Writing Class will use engage students' imagination through reading and listening to stories. Students will then write their own stories inspired by the one they just heard or read and in the process, learn vocabulary, grammar and writing techniques. Topics will be the student's choice such as ghost stories and fantasy. Depending on student level and interest, nonfiction and persuasive writing may also be offered. Younger students may enroll at the instructor's discretion. If your student is below 5th grade, please contact us prior to enrollment.
Enrollment: $35 per class or $350 per 10 classes.
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Grades: 6 - 9
Class Size: 4 - 8
Times: Fri. 5 PM - 6:15 PM
Schedule: Ongoing
Class focuses on analytical writing using short stories, poems and prompts. Students will review basic essay writing including TAGS, 3ws, thesis statement and TBEAR. High frequency Greek and Latin roots will also be taught.
Students are encouraged to share class essays for discussion and review. Regular attendance is encouraged as the class may discuss the same author and literary work over several sessions. Please make a note when enrolling if regular attendance is a concern.
Enrollment: $350 for 10 sessions.
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Grades: 5 - 8
Class Size: 4 - 10
Times: Wed. 2:45 PM - 3:45 PM or Thur 2:45 PM - 3:45 PM
Location: 950 Arbor Rd, #D Menlo Park, 10 minute walk from Hillview
Schedule: 10-13 lessons, Fall, Winter, Spring trimesters.
The Hillview Afterschool Writing Workout features short, in-class exercises designed to complement Hillview’s class work and improve a student’s writing. Lessons are highly interactive and with an emphasis on fun to enhance student interest. Students will participate and practice the common criteria needed to write well in any genre: Voice, Audience, Structure and Editing (VASE). Students will have the opportunity to review, discuss and present their writing, including school assignments. No homework.
Enrollment: $35 per class
SPRING 2024: Wed Apr 17 - Jun 12; Thur Apr 18 - Jun 13. (9 classes).
No classes during Parent-Teacher Conferences or school holidays.
1x1 Tutoring
I am now using Acuity to schedule and track private tutoring sessions. Please use this link to book all future private sessions.
Private tutoring available in all subjects, middle and high school including AP subjects. Private test prep tutoring available: ISEE, HSPT, SSAT, SAT, and ACT. Tutoring also available for private high school applications.
Whether you are a new or returning student, it’s easy to book, reschedule, or cancel an appointment. Please keep in mind whether you are booking an in-person session at Omega’s office or a Zoom session.
2024 SUMMER SEMINARS
2023 summer seminars are now over! Please fill out the form if you are interested in taking a summer seminar next year (2024).
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Grades: 8 - 12
Class Size: 4 - 8
Time: M-F, 2:00 PM - 4:00 PM every week in June and August (2024)
Schedule: Starting dates for Summer 2024 TBD
This class will be offered either in person or via Zoom depending on demand.
For students planning to apply to college, the personal essay statement is dreaded, but unavoidable. Never fear! Use summertime wisely by enrolling in Omega Teaching’s College Application Workshop. Brainstorm compelling topics and learn how the five senses, dialogue and the ‘Hero's Journey’ can transform the mundane into a meaningful and memorable essay. The 5-day afternoon workshops are aimed at high school students applying to college. This class is highly recommended for all high school grades, not just rising seniors. Entering 9th, 10th and 11th graders will better understand what colleges consider in a successful applicant by answering personal essay questions and critiquing responses.
Please visit our Tutoring page to learn more about help with private school applications (HSPT, LSEE, SSAT, or essay). This is currently only offered in one-on-one tutoring sessions.
Enrollment: $450
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Grades: 5 - 8
Class Size: 4 - 8
Times: M-F, 9:30 AM - 11 AM every week. Afternoon classes 2:00-3:30 may be available.
Schedule: Starting dates for Summer 2024 TBD
This class will be offered either in person or via Zoom depending on demand.
Each week, students will choose what topic they want to use for that week's creative writing class. Topic choices are described below.
Of Myths and Monsters: What is a monster? What does the monster tell us about being human? In Of Myths and Monsters Creative Writing class, students will read about monsters, gods and heroes from a variety of different cultures. Through various writing exercises students will explore the archetype of monster that haunts all societies. Anthropology reveals that the basis of many supernatural monsters arises from a society's current environment. Drawing and improvisational exercises will enhance creative writing techniques for younger students, while persuasive writing exercises will be emphasized for older students.
Going to the Dogs: Empathy is the ability to imagine the emotions and feelings of another being. This “right-brained” ability also improves creativity and emotional intelligence. In Omega's Going to the Dogs Creative Writing class, students will imagine their life as a dog. Students will improve their empathy by creating a dog character and various canine narratives in both graphic (cartoon) and written form. The dog as character and metaphor in literature, arts and film will also be discussed, including written and audio excerpts. Instructor may invite special doggie guests.
The Power of Story: The Power of Story Creative Writing class introduces techniques and structure common to good stories: concrete details, emotional resonance and the ‘Hero’s Journey’. Students will analyze and rewrite iconic stories from mythology, the Bible or fairy tales. This course will also integrate the elements of visual and verbal storytelling as students develop a PowerPoint presentation based on the story they have chosen. No homework will be assigned. For this seminar, students are asked to bring their own laptop with Microsoft PowerPoint installed. Omega does have a limited number of laptops for use. Please contact Omega for more information.
Enrollment: $225
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Grades: 8 - 12
Class Size: 4 - 8
Time: M-F, 11:00 AM - 1:30 PM
Schedule: Starting dates for Summer 2024 TBD
This class will be offered either in person or via Zoom depending on demand.
Texts from required summer reading can be used. The Critical Thinking Through Literature Class is specifically designed for high school students, although students entering 6th and 7th grades may be allowed at instructor’s discretion. Reading comprehension must be at least 9th grade level. Students will learn the importance of context and subtext when interpreting and annotating a literary text and how to structure a literary analysis using a graphic outline. Class time will include reading short excerpts, discussing major themes, character motivations and motifs, outlining and drafting essay responses and critiquing students' work.
Enrollment: $275
Not sure which class is right for you?
We can help! Email or call us right away for a free consultation
info@omegateaching.com • 650-799-4553
FAQs
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For in person classes, a fan and air purifier will be used. The studio does have several doors to allow a cross draft but no windows can be opened. No eating or drinking will be allowed in the classroom and students should bring their own notebook and pencil to use during class. To further minimize contact, I highly recommend students have their bathroom break at home. Parents are also asked to not wait in the studio during class time. Hand sanitizer will be available.
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Yes! Minimum of 4 students needed to hold a class at a more convenient time.
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Yes! Please see the Tutoring section of the site for more information.
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Students can join Afterschool Seminars anytime and pro-rated per class fee is $35. Prorated, daily drop in fees, and scholarships are available for regular and summer classes.
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Yes! Non-Hillview students are welcome; however, please contact the instructor for approval.
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Early Enrollment Discount: Enroll by 04/20 for Summer Seminars and receive a $20 discount per family.
Multiple Course/Sibling Discount: Enroll student in multiple courses in the same (trimester or summer) session or enroll sibling(s) in the same session and receive a $20 discount per additional course.
Referral Discount: Refer a new student, when s/he enrolls, both you and the new student will receive a $20 discount per family.
Total maximum discount per class is $40. Class fees are subject to change. Students can join Afterschool Seminars anytime and pro-rated per class fee is $35. Prorated, daily drop in fees and scholarships available for regular and summer classes.
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Omega Teaching reserves the right to cancel a seminar due to insufficient enrollment. If the seminar is cancelled by Omega Teaching, a full refund is issued.
Clients may cancel student’s enrollment up to 2 weeks before a seminar begins and receive a refund less $50 administration fee.
If enrollment is cancelled less than 2 weeks before seminar begins, there is no refund, but clients may apply 100% of the seminar payment as credit towards other OmegaTeaching services, seminars or tutoring. This credit is good for one year and may be transferred to another family member.