As a former ACI student i would have to disagree with the last two pessimists here. Seems like you guys have had to endure ACI as long as i have. haha. However, it seems like you got the short end... More

As a former ACI student i would have to disagree with the last two pessimists here. Seems like you guys have had to endure ACI as long as i have. haha. However, it seems like you got the short end of the stick. So, in retaliation, you have turned around and bashed one of the after schools who actually care about your improvement during the time you are a student there. To clarify the review from Mr. Anonymous here, they do give you refunds. dude your binder has the registration and refund policy right in there! But i get where you are coming from. you both probably don't want to be in a place like this because you said it felt like a day care center with strict rules and their INFAMOUS cameras. Believe me, i was one of you guys. I started coming to ACI when i was in the 6th grade. Detention was a regular thing for me. it SUCKED! However, quitting ACI was non-negotiable with my Asian parents. But, I'm glad they made me stay. You see, i came in with the same sour attitude. But, as i got used to the routine of coming into ACI everyday to take a test, turn in my blue sheet, and sit through lectures, I decided to open myself up to the teachers and staff instead of just thinking how much i wanted to go home and play games. But all I'm saying is, once i got passed that, i just learned that i should help myself as much as they want to help me. I really started to see some light in this place. It is true what YoYo says, the math is way harder than the real SATs..and the grammar is confusing as hell..but just think about it. Would you want to take an EASIER test and then go into the SATs and be overwhelmed? or would you want to prep harder questions and go into the real test knowing that it will be a breeze. I have been to ACI, Elite, and some other after schools that aren't even worth mentioning. If you want to do your own thing, basically manage your own scores, Elite is for
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I have to agree with the review below. I definitely do not recommend going to ACI, if you want to improve your SAT score. The reason for this is because, the diagnostic tests that ACI gives are... More

I have to agree with the review below. I definitely do not recommend going to ACI, if you want to improve your SAT score. The reason for this is because, the diagnostic tests that ACI gives are often extremely inaccurate and not at all like the actual SAT. The math is the MOST inaccurate portion of their tests, because it is not only harder, but most of the problems won't even appear on the actual SAT. The grammar portion of the test is also awkward and has some awkward questions that are not tested on the actual SAT. I would think that your score would improve only minimally by going to ACI. Your score would maybe improve by perhaps 100 or so points. If you really want to improve your score, you can do so VERY easily and score a 2000 at the least, by just accumulating REAL collegeboard issued SAT practice tests and prepping with those. Go to ACI if you'd like to improve your score by a 100 points or so and spend 1000+ dollars for that minimal improvement, depending on what your current SAT score is..., but study on your own with actual SAT tests that are accurate, if you really want to improve. NO I am not a freaking promoter/employee of a rival SAT prep center. I'm just a student like you guys who is currently regretting taking the ACI course. The people who have posted positive reviews of ACI on here are 99% likely to be ACI employees as the reviews are a little too flattering lol!
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Generally, the SATs tests your basic learning of the required courses you have taken from Freshman to Sophomore year, which consists of verbal, grammar, and math (Algebra to Algebra 2). What some... More

Generally, the SATs tests your basic learning of the required courses you have taken from Freshman to Sophomore year, which consists of verbal, grammar, and math (Algebra to Algebra 2). What some parents fail to acknowledge is the fact that all these things can be studied from a textbook checked out at the school library or SAT prep books. I agree with Bob B. that many use ACI as a day care. The fee for enrollment is cheaper than some SAT Prep courses, but the fact that you have to pay in full without refunds is not that enticing. Also, dealing with the director for the ACI in Arcadia is like dealing with a low businessman. Pay attention, and don't let her do all the talking or you'll end up convincing yourself of everything she guarantees. If you back out of this institution, you won't be getting your money back, and if your child is not doing well, it's easy for the staff to say that they're not trying hard. Education is very, very mediocre. You're basically paying a large amount of money weekly for your kids to take a diagnostic test. Their scores won't necessarily get better, but usually retain the same amount they have gotten when they first took their model test. Also, there are many students who already have the ability to achieve more than 2000 on the SAT, yet their parents keep them at ACI. When those students finally take the SAT and show this institute what they got, the director would flaunt these scores on the wall to prove how good ACI may be.
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ACI is a place where they teach you things, that you can already learn from a text book, but the reason that they can successfully make you learn that information, is by putting you in a green and... More

ACI is a place where they teach you things, that you can already learn from a text book, but the reason that they can successfully make you learn that information, is by putting you in a green and white room for 2.5 hrs and giving you only one break for 10 min. They make you learn, by something that is between boredom and torture. If parents would come to their senses and just monitor their child instead of sending them to this s*** hole, then they would save money, and actually look like they're caring for their child. Parents may say that oh you're getting bad grades you should go to ACI. well f*** no its just a poor excuse to send you away to learn their material. Just to make one point clear, they DO NOT TUTOR YOU ON ANYTHING RELATED TO SCHOOL! Next up is their goals, aiming ever higher, BS, all they do is make you take a test everyday and if you fail (failing is 69 and below, not 59 and below) you have to stay in detention and either write sentences, or redo the whole test. Also the Prices are outrageous, $90 a week OMG MY RIP-OFF SENSES ARE TINGLING! Snacks are also a rip-off everything in the vending machine is a rip off such as a Kitkat bar, and get this $0.75 for four sticks! and the 25 cent bags of Cheetos are, u guessed it! $0.75 a gay big rip off. Next on the hit list is the staff, which is composed of high school students who want to make an honest living by working, and then there's the biggest gay of them all, the person that treats everyone like a child, the person that gives you an out on only one strike: it's Jennifer, the head of the Temple city branch, and get this: on Halloween, she sprayed silly string on some 5th grader kids outside, and told them that they had to clean them up. WTF IS UP WITH THAT! So to summarize this up, ACI is WORSE than hell itself. It is full of Asian people, that don't care about their child, and thinks that ACI is jus
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The staffs at ACI are excellent, not only are they helpful but are also brilliant. Brenda, Jessica and Anna in particular. The director Miss Jennifer is extremely passionate and warm hearted when... More

The staffs at ACI are excellent, not only are they helpful but are also brilliant. Brenda, Jessica and Anna in particular. The director Miss Jennifer is extremely passionate and warm hearted when trying to help students improve. Danny and Jeffrey are cool too!
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Greatly recommend ACI! My experience there was like none other. Only insightful teachers, professional counselors, and caring staff exist in ACI. Mark is the most knowledgeable math teacher... More

Greatly recommend ACI! My experience there was like none other. Only insightful teachers, professional counselors, and caring staff exist in ACI. Mark is the most knowledgeable math teacher I??????ve known. He knows exactly what he is talking about and knows the SAT math like the back of his hand. He taught me efficient and effective techniques for approaching any math questions on the SAT.
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ACI specializes in afterschool and weekend programs preparing students to further their educations either by intensive English and Math classes or test prep for things like the SAT. As the other... More

ACI specializes in afterschool and weekend programs preparing students to further their educations either by intensive English and Math classes or test prep for things like the SAT. As the other reviewer stated, nothing fancy. BUT-- if you want your children to truly be held accountable and work hard to excel, you can't go wrong here. If they are truly disciplined enough to go it on their own, lucky you. If not, try ACI.
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ACI institute is a relatively well known education center that prepares high school students for the SAT. They have a very rigorous program, and force you to do your homework, or they will put you... More

ACI institute is a relatively well known education center that prepares high school students for the SAT. They have a very rigorous program, and force you to do your homework, or they will put you in detention!! They definitely have issues with their management (Cathy in particular). They treat the students there like little children and are way too strict on them. The classes are just OK. I believe that you could do just as well if you were disciplined and studied for the SAT on your own. Nothing special about this establishment.
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EXPENSIVE! The place is ran in a communist fashion. this place isn't a friendly place for kids. While they do offer SAT tutoring and lessons, it is not a bargain for the parents or the students. ... More

EXPENSIVE! The place is ran in a communist fashion. this place isn't a friendly place for kids. While they do offer SAT tutoring and lessons, it is not a bargain for the parents or the students. They could easily study on their own independently. In addition, this place has 4 or 5 security cameras on the premises that monitor what the students do. There is always someone on duty monitoring the sessions even.
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