**The address is wrong! MIT is now in the plaza with Marina. I went to MIT learning center for 5 years and during that time, I was tutored by Don in all levels of math, SAT I, and SAT II. I was also tutored by Cin-Yee for SAT I Reading and Writing, as well as college essay prep. To the reviews that said MIT classes are filled with already smart students, this is definitely NOT true. Going to Don's math classes trained me to be better at math--I wouldn't be good at math if it weren't for Don! His style of teaching is different and unique and it's extremely effective. He doesn't give you the answer until you've genuinely tried to solve the problem on your own. Then he teaches you how to do the problem and WHY it works, as well as different shortcuts that will help you and why these shortcuts work. He then gives practice problems that are actually helpful, unlike a lot of the ones that high school math teachers assign. With math, most people just memorize how to do problems and they don't know the concept behind it, but Don makes sure that you understand what you're doing and why. This has trained me to be a better learner in all my classes! In addition, Don is very aware of the test and quiz dates of high school math classes, so he will make sure you're ready before your test! Cin-Yee's SAT classes were probably the best way to prep for the SAT. My first score was TERRIBLE, but it ended up jumping about 400 points thanks to Cin-Yee's help. She taught all the tricks to different types of questions and how to best use your time. Basically how to OWN the SAT haha. I was terrified of reading long passages and trick questions, but Cin-Yee's training made me more confident. As for MIT being "money sucking," it's honestly worth the price. You're not only paying for good quality tutoring, but for training in improving your study habits and work ethic. Which will help you throughout high school and college and when you have a real job. (Also all materials like SAT books/homework problems are included in the tuition). I honestly wouldn't have gotten into college if it weren't for Don and Cin-Yee. They not only taught me academic related things, but encouraged me and taught me life lessons as well. They both genuinely care for their students. I could say so much more about MIT Learning Center but IT'S WORTH IT. Send your kids here!!!!!! read more

I've been a student at a couple of tutoring places around the Bay Area, and I can safely recommend MIT Learning Center. It's not only filled with friendly, communicative staff, but it's also a learning center with a healthy, accurate philosophy. MIT encourages practice, but doesn't put down any students for making mistakes. They are more concerned with a student's individual improvement and needs than beating out another center or grooming every student to fit a specific schema. I first went to MIT in my freshman year of high school for Geometry Honors. Under Don's guidance, my class would learn how to solve problems, practice in class, and take practice quizzes. After about one to two months of the class, I saw a strong improvement in my school test grades and my overall grade jumped up one entire letter grade. As a result, I continued Algebra 2/Trig Honors math classes with Don in my sophomore year and received A's in both semesters at school as well. Math isn't my strong suit--I was definitely pretty average at it before I attended MIT--but I'm glad Don helped reinforce my arithmetic skills! He gets to know students and makes sure each one is actually learning how a problem or concept works, not just memorizing a specific problem type. Through his math classes, Don did much more than just help me excel in my math classes; he was able to instill some strong study habits into my academic lifestyle and even boosted my confidence in math. Thanks to him, I actually dared to enroll in higher level math classes throughout my high school years like AP Statistics and Calculus and performed well. Although my first impression of Don was "talkative," I truly appreciated it in the long run. He grows very close to his students, gets to know them, and actually treats his students as people. He often makes jokes to lighten the mood (he's fun, but math sometimes gets tiring) and has very memorable life stories that somehow applies to the math lesson we're learning about. Even as a high school senior about to graduate, Don still remembers who I am and has conversations with me! This learning center is worth it; not only do you truly understand a subject, but you also walk away with strong study habits and a healthier outlook on this cutthroat, competitive academic world. While I would recommend MIT Learning Center to prospective students and worried parents, I would also keep in mind that a learning center is not magical: it is a two way effort. MIT Learning Center provides the tools to success, but a student also needs to put in the effort to willingly learn, practice, and improve in order to reach his or her full potential. read more

I took MT Learning Center's summer SAT prep class and it definitely helped me in familiarizing and preparing myself with the SAT. Don, the math teacher, really cares about each student and tries to ensure that everyone understands the concepts. The way he explains the solutions is very easy to understand, and his jokes always make the class more enjoyable. The math problems that he gives for homework are usually more challenging than the math problems on the actual SAT, so by taking this class I was definitely prepared for the real test. The English teacher, Cin-Yee, also helped me immensely improve my SAT reading and writing score. She provided us with many useful strategies and advice for doing well on the reading and writing portions, and she will thoroughly explain any problem that students are struggling with. MT also offers weekly mock SAT tests for free, which I highly recommend attending if you want to simulate the testing environment and get familiar with the test format. Overall, I would definitely recommend MT's SAT class to students who want to significantly improve their test scores and get guidance from qualified and friendly teachers. read more

Only send your child here if you know they are willing to WORK hard for their SAT scores. This place is a real boot camp. If they're not, they're better off studying on their own. Coming from me who went to this place a couple years ago for SAT prep. I'm not sure if they still have the same teachers/rules, but the two main things I remember is that the math teacher awkwardly hits on the girls in his class (yes you heard me correctly) and the English teacher makes you rewrite corrections corresponding to the number test you're taking that week. (For example if you're taking your third SAT practice test that week, you have to rewrite corrections 3 times for each question you got wrong in the English/reading category; that my friends, is how you get a writing cramp. Not a very good teaching method). I wasn't comfortable in their learning environment so I ended up stop going to class, and the no refund policy didn't make it any better. I ended up switching to the ACT, which I prefer much more. I know they have good intentions and their methods do work on some people, but please know and consider your son/daughter and what they could be getting into. This actually applies to ANY SAT prep class. They ain't fun or cheap. So spend your money wisely. read more

Honestly, after attending classes at MT Learning Center for over 5 years, I can say with 100% confidence that MT Learning Center is the best tutoring center I have ever been to, and they will always hold a special place in my heart. Of course, the first time my mom signed me up for math classes over the summer at MT Learning Center, I was super unwilling to go. Who wants to spend their summer break taking more classes?? However, after attending the first class with Don (the main math teacher), I quickly realized that this place was not only going to be fun but also incredibly beneficial. Don really cares about his students, and he puts a lot of effort into making sure that everyone in the class understands the concepts before moving forward to another one. He's very considerate and is always willing to talk (and not just for help with math but with anything!!!) Furthermore, he teaches each concept in fun and memorable way, such as incorporating jokes or fun anecdotes to help us students learn better. Sometimes he felt more like a friend or even a 2nd dad than a teacher! Make no mistake, though. Just because the environment is friendly and easy-going doesn't mean you don't have to put in the work! But I personally never found the packets of material difficult to work through because Don was always willing to help explain if I ever needed help. Also, because the class sizes are smaller than classes at school, it's much easier to get help tailored to your personal needs. I've taken geometry, algebra 2, precalculus, AP calculus, and SAT II math prep with Don, and I've never regretted going to MT Learning Center for the help. With Don's excellent teaching skills, I was always able to maintain good grades in math at school, and I was even able to score a full 800 on SAT II math! Aside from Don, I've also had a chance to work with Cin-Yee, the English teacher there who also is in charge of college application services. I'm pretty sure that without her help in editing my college application essays, I wouldn't have gotten into all the schools I did. Cin-Yee listens intently to all you have to say, and as a result, she is very skilled in editing your essays so that your message is conveyed in a stronger, more fluent manner without sacrificing your own voice. She also gave me extremely helpful advice on which colleges might be better to apply for based on the major I chose, and she had a lot of knowledge to share about how to not only apply to college but also how to pick a college after acceptance letters came out. I really enjoyed working with Cin-Yee; she's super talented and has a wonderful sense of humor, and she definitely helped make applying for college less stressful. Basically, the success you get from being a student at MT Learning Center and attending their classes depends a lot on the work and effort you yourself put in (as is true for most things in life!). However, I can say that the reason why I was able to do so well with the help of MT Learning Center is that the staff there truly believe in you and your abilities. They never fail to encourage you and are always there to support you, just like a family. Unlike other tutoring centers, MT Learning Center doesn't want your child to succeed just for the money; the staff there truly care for you and want the best for you. read more

I can say with 100% confidence that MT Learning Center is the best tutoring center. It will always hold a special place in my heart. It is the best place to help students boost math, English, and science grades and gain higher score on SAT I and SAT Subject tests. Don cares about each and every one of his students. He walks around in the classroom to explain anything for which the students had questions. MT Learning Center is a safe and friendly environment for all students. read more

From math to SAT prep to college, MT Learning Center has never disappointed, providing excellent learning experiences no matter the subject. The teachers strike the right balance between challenging and manageable course materials, while also maintaining a friendly, helpful attitude with the students. It's a great experience which I cannot recommend enough! read more

I've been taking classes at MIT Learning Center since my first year of Junior High. I took different levels of math classes with Don, the main math instructor, including Precalculus, Geometry, Calculus, SAT math prep, SAT II math prep, and more. Don is very knowledgeable and helps his students learn in a positive environment. He also put in extra time to help me with problems after class, and goes out of his way to make sure his students learn the best they can. I always had a great time in class and he made learning fun! I highly recommend any students who need tutoring/help to come to MIT Learning Center and learn math with Don! read more

I have only attended MIT for Math and SAT (English and math) Math: Don is the most caring, genuine, and helpful individual and tutor one could find throughout the bay area. In my high school, teachers believe that we already know all our math and do not need to teach us (teaching is very minimal, and not very explanatory) which works out really badly for some as they may have hard teachers.... Don may tell some jokes, but he really keeps my math skills in line. By going to him, I have had the chance to discover my true potential in and love for math. If there's ever a problem with math, you can honestly ask the PhD, Don, for help and he'll know how to solve it. His packets are comprehensive and I'd be lost without his and his packets' help. English: Cin-Yee definitely knows her English. At first, I wasn't exactly performing my best on SAT but with her help, I was able to get an optimal score. Even though I was lacking in skills in English, she was willing to help and spend time during her lunch break helping me... Her practices are solid and is definitely the best. She really has her morals, English, and attitude straight on life and test taking. I will take the SAT in a few days and I really want to thank Cin-Yee for all the effort she has put in to make sure that I can reach my best score. read more

Without Don and Cin-Yee, I don't know if I could have gotten through high school and kept my sanity at the same time. Through MIT Learning Center I was able to not only learn and get ahead in my classes so that I wouldn't have to struggle through the subjects of Pre-Calculus and more, but also meet and make friends through my classmates. Don's patience makes high school mathematics feel effortless and when he's not in teaching mode, he's a fantastic friend. He gives advice that shows his true understanding of his students; I have yet to meet another teacher who can act as pseudo-father, instructor, confidante, and advisor at the same time. He pushes his students to believe that the only boundaries they feel are the ones they have set for themselves and that it is wholly possible for anyone to get perfect scores as long as they have a willing attitude to do practice and to learn from mistakes. He gives individual attention to each of his students and is always willing to give a little more to those who are struggling with the material. In Cin-Yee's classes, she exhibits a relatable nature that is contagious to all who come in contact. Her expressions and wry, witty jokes never failed to make me laugh whether it was during SAT prep or during our counseling sessions. She trains her students meticulously: as long as you follow her tips, you are sure to improve your score, if not perfect it. She really knows what she's talking about when it comes to vocabulary, grammar, and writing. You can trust her to prepare you for the SAT I Reading and Writing sections as she has the test's formula whittled down to a handful of rules and types of questions. Through practice and the application of those rules, I was able to achieve a composite score of 2400 on the SAT. Cin-Yee encourages her students to do practice tests and problems with fervor, but if you staunchly refuse, you will only get so far. The atmosphere at MIT Learning Center is this: if you put in the work, you will get the results multifold. Don and Cin-Yee work to encourage their students to do the practice and do the work, but (as I know from personal experience) in the end it's up to your willingness as well. All the staff at MIT do their absolute best to get to know their students individually, which is something you won't find at other learning centers. This is the strongest quality of MIT Learning Center and what I attribute their success to--when you join MIT as a student, you become a part of their massive family and like a proper family, they fight to make sure you succeed. This characteristic is something that money cannot buy but that MIT provides freely. Whether it is advice on how to talk to your parents about college choices or where to go for dinner in Berkeley or how to calculate indefinite integrals, Don and Cin-Yee give their all and more to their students. read more

At first MIT staff and instructors seemed very attentive and genuinely happy to have my son as their student, and after his assessment they believed he was a good fit. However, as the lessons went on, we felt his frustration level increasing rather than decreasing. Our son is bright, and we brought him in specifically for 7th grade AP pre-algebra tutoring to help him through some stuff he was having trouble with in school. The instructor (Jeff) admitted later that he is not very familiar with the Pre Algebra curriculum, and that he's an Algebra teacher at High School, which is why the work didn't match what our son was learning in school. Furthermore, we kept hearing about behavioral problems in class that lead us to believe that his skills in handling youth aren't that great. My son isn't perfect, which is why he needs tutoring, so we require a learning center that will help kids through problems rather than putting it back on them. I recall when we first signed up the emphasis was placed on their no-refund policy, now I start to see why. After 2 weeks of missing class because we could not force our son to go, they still have not called to inquire about him or why he's not attending. I can't recommend MIT very highly, but perhaps they have better luck with perfect kids. read more

This is the worse place you can ever go for tutoring. I went for Alg and Pre Alg back in the day and my tutor was Don. All you do is work on work sheets. Everyone says that he cares about each student, but that's not true, because what happens if all his students get bad scores? No one's going to come to MIT Learning Center. It's all about the money for him. He constantly picked on me during class and also when my parent came to pick me up he told her i was lazy and i had a bad attitude in class even though I work my ass off and don't even go off topic to talk with other kids. His "report" ended up me getting in a lot of trouble at home and the rest of the 6 weeks in that class during the summer were just plain hell. Save your money instead of paying $900 for this worthless place and find another tutor. read more

I first heard about MIT Learning Center through a family member and started taking classes here since I was in the seventh grade. I have been taking classes here for about 6 years and I believe I have gained so much from taking classes here. To start off, MIT Learning Center offers a variety of classes. They offer English Classes, Math Classes (Algebra 1, Algebra 2, Pre-Calculus, AP Calculus AB), SAT I Classes, SAT II Classes, Science Classes (Honors Biology, AP Biology), etc. They also have many class openings for each subject, which makes it easier to sign up for the classes I want. The staff and teachers there are extremely friendly and caring. The teachers, especially, care about the students individually and as a whole. When I took English classes here with Cin-Yee, I was always looking forward to coming to class because not only does she make the class a challenge for us, but she also makes it really fun. When I took math classes here with Don, I noticed he walks around the room to help the students individually and as a whole. I felt like I was in a private tutoring session, which was completely worth my money. The office management is very organized as well. Although I graduated high school two years ago, I still like to come back to visit the staff and teachers. read more

I have taken classes before at MIT and I need to say I quite like the learning environment. I made a few new friends in class, several who weren't my age or didn't go to the same school as me! Since we were all struggling with the same material, it helped us all sort of bond. The teachers here want to help us succeed and learn. I remember that even though my math classes had already ended, Don still offered to help me if I had any questions. If I did, all I needed to do was come in and ask. This was a big help to me, since I didn't have any one else to turn to, as my Dad was in Taiwan and my teacher at school was too busy to provide any help. The SAT II classes were also really helpful. All the practice tests helped me to not only get a grasp of what the SAT II was like, but it also helped me remember and review material. (Unfortunately for me, the practice tests in Barron's was not enough, so the extra tests and explanations from the teacher helped a lot. I ended up getting an 800!) All in all, I think MIT is a fun and helpful place, though as an individual you need to unlock it. Like any learning/educational experience, you need to interact in class, asking questions if you need help. Sitting in silence won't do anything. MIT is fun and helpful, and it honestly made me feel like they wanted me to succeed and improve myself from an educational standpoint. This bolstered my self esteem and encouraged me to try harder in school. Thanks MIT :) read more

i gave MT Learning Center 5 stars, because i confidently believe that there is no better place to help your child boost their math/english grade and achieve higher SAT scores than here. without a doubt, the best part about MT Learning Center is Don (math teacher) and Cin-yee (english teacher). in fact, the majority of my peers at Irvington High School and from the fremont area are familiar with MT Learning Center or Don -- and for good reason. Don is an extraordinary teacher who teaches math concepts in a way that is difficult to forget. not only does he make class interesting by explaining math concepts in quirky, unconventional ways, but he also offers a helping hand to anyone who has questions. i have gotten to know Don very well throughout the years, and he is hands down the best math teacher i have ever met. not only is he a great teacher, but he is a great mentor. selflessly, he helped me construct my college application, and helped my sister and I with math questions at any time. undoubtably, Don's dedication toward his job and students is hard to find in tutoring centers elsewhere. Cin-yee is easily one of the most talented writers I've ever met; so naturally, my writing improved while i was in her english class. if you ever get to talk to her after class, she is extremely down to earth, easy to talk to, and super funny. all in all, you will never regret sending your children to tutor here! it's been a great experience for me, as it was for many others. read more

I've been a student at MIT through all four years of high school and so have many of my friends. I primarily took math classes starting from Geometry and ending with Calculus, but I would also take classes here to help me prepare for the SAT I and SAT II tests. They offer classes for school subjects such Common Core math, Geometry, Algebra, Pre-Calculus, Calculus, and four levels of English. They also have classes for most of the standardized tests such as the SAT I, ACT, and most of the math and science SAT II subject tests. They use all their own materials and packets which are designed by the teachers their to supplement their own classes. The teachers there are experienced, incredibly friendly and approachable. I cannot emphasize the "friendly and approachable" part enough. All of the teachers there are, without fail, easy to get along with. The teachers make it so class is never boring. They try to make the atmosphere of the class friendly and make students feel comfortable enough with both them and their fellow students to ask questions. The teachers will use both a lecture teaching style as well as a more interactive and student-focused style of teaching. The teachers will lecture on a certain topic for a while, then encourage the students to ask any and all questions they have to ensure that no one falls behind. Then, we would work on questions while the teacher would move around the room and make sure everyone is able to solve the questions, proving additional instruction where needed. The location of MIT is also very convenient. It is inside a shopping center and during breaks students can choose between a variety of nearby milk tea shops as well as a Jamba Juice and Starbucks(Provided you fast-walked for the last two). In short, the teachers are nice, the classes are fun and educational, and the location is convenient. Without MIT and the additional instruction it provided my high school years would not have gone nearly as smooth. read more

To be hundred percent honest, I started going here because I was getting low scores in Geometry, almost failing, even though, usually I was doing really well in math. It's been only more than 1 semester since I joined. The people here are amazing!! The first week of class, I couldn't understand anything that was going on, because, my teacher at MSJHS, doesn't know anything, at least compared to Don. She would skip steps when going over the problems. The reason why we go to any educational institute, such as our schools, is to get the best possible education we can, and this class is an ideal model of that. There have been several instances where I was able to show my teacher an easier way to solve a problem, only due to Don's teaching. He really knows his stuff! Sometimes, he makes jokes, but he really applies all the math to real world problems. Don's teachings really goes above and beyond! If he sees a student not learning their stuff, and completing their math problems at optimal level, he will sit with them, and re-explain the problem until he/she gets it. Don's teaching will get anybody ahead of the game, allowing them to have insight on how to do the previous problems in multiple ways. The concepts in geometry are hard, but Don really knows how to explain them, so that we remember it. I have only been here for math, but I'm sure the other teachers teach as well as Don does. The original intent for going to MIT was to learn, and I feel, going to this place really prepares me for taking any tests. Now, during 2nd semester, I have never gotten a quiz or a test back with a score lower than an A. Although this place costs lot, comparing it to the amount I learned here, I would definitely say this is a cost effective class. read more