Peninsula Academy - Rolling Hills Estates, California

Cecilia

Would definitely recommend this place if you are looking for tutors and College Counseling! Luke is very knowledgeable in helping me prepare for the SAT for its English section and did a phenomenal job helping me correct and improve my college essays! Mrs. Ji did a wonderful job in helping me to plan out my colleges and guided me throughout the college application process!

Kimy Zhang

I first heard about Peninsula Academy from my mom’s close friend. I was applying for boarding high schools. The teachers here are very supportive but in the same time, very serious about each part of my application. I remember really clearly that one of the teachers drove for hours in a raining day to help me with my interviews. The English tutors also helped me a lot with my essays, and my writing. They replied to all of my questions with patience, even late at night. With their help, I was able to get amazing offers with my application and I am so grateful for their support. Highly recommended to all students in all ages.

Rod Lin

The consulting service and academic tutoring I received at Peninsula Academy made my dream a reality. When I met my transfer consultant TJ for the first time, he helped me to make a detailed plan for my study in the next two years in community college. Thanks to his guidance, I have the confidence to pursue my dream school, UCLA. He taught me how to enrich my academic and extracurricular activities, so as to stand out in the transfer application. I would also like to thank my teacher Luke, whose writing guidance helped me structure my essays better and improve my writing skills. In late April this year, I received an offer from UCLA. I am very grateful for their help and expertise!

alina chen

Peninsula Academy offers a wide variety of different classes, and the teachers are very knowledgeable. I definitely recommend this to anyone looking for a tutor- be it for math, writing, science, etc. The teachers are always very cordial and thorough with their explanations, and it is a very smooth learning experience. Just today, I've had a class with Mr. Rickford, and he was extremely helpful with an important writing piece, and inspired many ideas! I look forward to more classes at Peninsula Academy. I can confidently say that Peninsula Academy has helped me considerably, and it is truly a great experience both virtually and in-person.

Marg Taji

I was a student here from middle school and up to college. TJ and the other tutors helped me through various AP classes, Spanish, and ACT prep. I had a 28 ACT score originally, but with the 8 week prep course I jumped to a 33! I could not be more grateful to have such an amazing tutor program close to home. They guided me through so much of my education and even helped me choose the best undergrad college for my career choice (Pre-Dental). I was admitted to UC Berkeley and University of Michigan among many other schools with the help of Pen Acad and TJ!! Thank you!!! Highly recommend to students of all ages.

Forrest Zeng

I have learned from Peninsula Academy for the almost past two years, since the pandemic started. Since school was canceled, its a bit more difficult to find opportunities that would regularly come to expand my knowledge on what I want to pursue. Luckily, I found Peninsula Academy. During my independent school applications, I had the amazing advice of TJ to guide me along the way. Under the guidance of Luke, I managed to write many, many amazing pieces, including publishing my first novella, which is available to the public, and receiving the runner-up award for the New York Times Reading Contest. And of course, the mathematics class that I took with Julian had the most impact on my life. Julian has become a close family friend, and his engaging classes exposed the real underlying beauty behind pure mathematics. If you wish for an engaging and empowering experience in education, Peninsula Academy is definitely a prime spot.

Guimei Yao

During quarantine, I discovered Peninsula Academy. After just a few classes, my child was telling me all about her experience. She loved to talk about it, and always told me what she learned in class. She always looked so happy after a lesson, and she enjoyed talking to me about the information she learned in class. This helped her learn and remember the information, and told me her teacher taught her that. This shocked me, as I learned that the teachers were teaching children not only the information, but ways to keep it with you. This second layer of learning involved played a huge role in my satisfaction with Peninsula Academy. As a parent, I can definitely say that finding the right place to educate your child is often very difficult. You may feel unsatisfied, worried, etc. I felt very relieved, knowing my child was learning a lot, and having some fun along with it. If you are looking for a place to educate your child, I highly recommend Peninsula Academy.

M C

My child had a horrible experience with a tutor there. Ulysses took 1 hour to complete only 8 math problems with him! ( my child is not a bad math student). When I tried to talk to him about it you could tell he was not happy that I was questioning why it would take so long.

That same day I left my child there to do his 1 hour
session. While my child wanted me to sit in and watch I decided to not to. I gave them space to work. ( I've only sat in one time to try to figure out why work wasn't getting done).

As I was in the office talking to the office manager Ulysses came storming in talking almost screaming at my child to come in and explain the problem right now in front of me to your mom. My child had tears start to well up in his eyes and was terribly uncomfortable as was I. I could not believe how he was talking to my child! When I finally got my child to speak openly I could not believe what he called my child. Ulysses admitted to calling my child lazy ( because my child was saying there has to be a short cut in the math problem they were working on). My older child sometimes tells him not to do all the works he's doing that he over does it!!! Hence a short cut!!! Then Ulysses calls him arrogant and last but not least boastful. Mind you they worked together over the summer and for the first part of this year. My son started to want me to sit in on the session and now I see why. He spoke to me in a very aggressive manner right in front of the lady that works in the front office. She walked out after the first few minutes. I was shocked that they would allow an employee to speak to a customer the way he was speaking to me but most importantly how aggressive and intimidating he was speaking to my child.

I believe that he did not like me questioning why the homework wasn't getting done and decided to take it out on my child!!! The lady at the front desk didn't condone his actions and did apologized however she did not stop his terrible behavior while it was taking place.

I can't imagine if I wasn't there how my child would have felt.

I asked for the owners information and she told me that they are not involved. They are random investors and I could email her but she couldn't give me their info she didn't have it! I said I would find it on my own!

I would never let my child go back to this tutor I would not feel like he's in a safe healthy environment.
There's absolutely no reason you should talk to a small child like this!!! Walk out of the room if your frustrated be a grown up! My child said it was much worse in the room and I found it strange that he usually left the door open but it was closed when I came that session. I wish I had walked in.

They have cameras but no sound so when I asked her to play back the video she said it wouldn't help since there's no sound!!!!!!

We shall see how they handle this inappropriate situation!