• Online Courses

    In the coming years, we will be developing a comprehensive online academy for the humanities and to a lesser extent, the social sciences.

  • Interdisciplinary English Tutoring

    As a reflection of life, literature overlaps with other disciplines, such as philosophy, psychology, linguistics, and sociology. We are interested in finding solutions to meaningful problems, not in maintaining disciplinary boundaries—something that impedes progress and the search for truth.

  • Resources

    WIP will offer free and paid curriculum for both students and teachers interested in the humanities and social sciences.

  • Language Arts

    Reading, writing, grammar, vocabulary, & comprehension with an emphasis on preparing students for high school and college-level literary analysis.

  • Test Preparation

    Comprehension, grammar and writing for the SAT, ACT, PSAT, SSAT, AP Language, and AP Literature tests.

  • College & Career

    Major and college selection, goal setting, resume building, and admissions essays.

  • Mentoring

    Academic and group mentoring, focusing on all things related to education and life. You do not need to be a current or former student to sign up for this free service. See the third link at the top ("life") for more details under the appropriate section.

  • Extracurricular Programs

    Beginning in 2020, I will be running a number of free programs for current and former students. These courses offer freedom for students to discover their interests and structure to pursue them outside of class. See the course catalog under each heading (literature, life, learning) for more details.

  • GPA Improvement

    High school and AP transition, timed writing, take home essays, test preparation, and help with other LA assignments.

  • What are your qualifications?

    I'm a certified secondary school teacher (8th to 12th grade) with years of experience preparing students for both high school and college. After being accepted into every graduate program I applied for (Yale, Emory, Duke, and Princeton seminary), I graduated from the latter with two master's degrees. During my academic career, I distinguished myself by earning multiple writing awards such as the Jr. Fellows Honors Thesis and the A.A. Hodge Award (given to the top student in the program). After graduation, I became the high school director for the Princeton Writing Academy, subsequently helping the program to rapidly expand. Looking for additional challenge, I founded The Writing Institute of Princeton, which aims to become a comprehensive online academy for the humanities and social sciences.

  • What grades do you teach?

    I currently teach 9 to 12th grade and advanced 8th graders. For 2nd to 7th grade students, I highly recommend the Princeton Writing Academy (see: https://princetonwritingacademy.com/index.html).

  • What are your rates?

    For the 2019-2020 school year, the rates are as follows: private (65); semi-private (40); group (32). Private lessons are subject to availability; non-private lessons, to finding a suitable partner. There is a registration fee (15) for the first semester.

  • Do I need to commit to a year?

    No, regular enrollment is by semester (fall, spring, & summer), though the overwhelming majority of my students enroll for both fall and spring. Please contact me ([email protected]) if you're interested in a shorter duration.

  • Can I schedule a trial lesson?

    Yes, please see the inquiry form at the top of the page. Please note that there is a fee (45) for this service.

  • How do I pay for classes?

    After enrollment, you will receive an invoice for the semester. You may pay any of the following ways, so long as no more than 1 month of unpaid classes has accrued: Cash: any frequency; Quickbooks: any frequency; Venmo: any frequency (my venmo is david-mack-26); check: by semester only.

  • What is your cancellation policy?

    (1) Please provide at least 24 hours notice; 48 hours is preferrable. (2) I understand that students are busy and I will attempt to be as accommodating as possible. However, if other students are asking about your slot, I reserve the right to drop anyone who has cancelled too many classes. (3) Makeup classes are subject to availability.

  • How are lessons structured?

    Private lessons are structured according to student needs; semi-private and group lessons follow a more structured approach. In most cases, I use the following principle: prioritize what is most difficult for students to teach themselves at home.

  • How often are classes?

    Usually once a week for an hour. Higher frequency is subject to availability; lower frequency, to finding someone else willing to alternate.