Teaching

We take a mentoring approach when teaching, working closely with students to understand their personalities and ways of learning. Academic plans can range from advanced topics to coursework support.

Subjects We Teach:

  • English: composition, literature, essay

  • Mathematics: algebra through calculus

  • Natural Sciences: chemistry, biology, physics

  • Humanities/Social Sciences: philosophy, psychology, political science

  • History: European, World, United States

  • Enrichment/Gifted Students: elementary through high school

  • Advanced Placement: AP coursework including but not limited to:

    • AP Calculus (AB & BC)

    • AP Language & Composition

    • AP Literature & Composition

    • AP Psychology

    • AP Biology

    • AP Physics (1, 2 and C)

    • AP Chemistry

    • AP US History

    • AP European History

    • AP World History

    • AP United States Government and Politics

Our Approach

Effective teaching starts from understanding the student— their perspective, mindset, personality, and what matters to them. By putting the student front and center, they are allowed a hand in their own learning, co-directing their development. Teachers operate as mentors; curriculum is used as a way of understanding more about the world (read more here); and teaching plans are continually adjusted with student insight.

We teach over tutor. Our students study instead of survive.

FAQ

  • Chestnut does not enroll based on grade or age. We instead assess a student’s willingness, capability, and fit. While most of our students are in middle school and high school, we do not have grade or age limitations.

  • We instruct in a straightforward yet adaptable and comprehensive yet efficient manner. We aim to present material in the truest way possible. This means we do not dilute content. Instead, we provide enriching cultural and historical context; guide students in a way that allows them to meaningfully connect with the material; and lead students to see a subject matter's historical and current relevance. We consistently strive for depth and meaning in our pedagogy.

  • We believe that teaching is the most effective way to learn, and thus always strive to teach material ourselves in order to allow a student to look ahead rather than chase. It is sometimes the case that students need tutoring in a course they’re in. In these cases, we will tutor the student until they feel comfortable with the course material and then begin/resume teaching. The primary difference between the two is that teaching takes a comprehensive, first-look at material in it’s rawest form, whereas tutoring is reviewing material a student has attempted to learn but is having difficulty. Rather than tutor in perpetuity, we analyze and identity why the difficulty is happening to correct the behavior (it is usually study habits/approach rather than learning difficulties that is to blame for academic struggles).