The MEK Learning Circles is a Common Core-aligned program for middle school students who are interested in taking their classroom skills to the next level through small group instruction, teacher feedback, and rigorous course material.

 

Expert instructors and dedicated counselors give your child a customized plan based on the results of their MEK Learning Circles Evaluation Test. Our goal is to build confidence in your child’s communication, study, and academic skills and instill a love of education through engaging lessons and one-on-one support that will make your child a lifelong learner.

 

Our MLC classes are offered at three different levels:

 

  • MEK Learning Circles Standard is designed for students who are doing well in the classroom but want to learn to excel and become top of their class by mastering grade-level topics. 
  • MEK Learning Circles Enriched is an on-site program designed for students who are keeping up with class material, but would like additional guidance to achieve top grades. The course focuses on teaching students communication, study, and classroom skills that will help them build confidence and excel in their studies. 
  • MEK Learning Circles Advanced is designed for high performing students who have finished our MLC Problem Solving Math and Critical Reading curricula and want to apply the skills they’ve learned. This course also sets the foundation for future challenging test prep. 

 

Our expert counselors will recommend which program is best for your child based on their Student Evaluation score, individual needs, and specific goals.

 

MEK’s MLC Program gives your child individual attention and care by treating their needs and goals as the top priority. All MEK instructors are trained education professionals, so you can rest assured your child is receiving quality resources, a strategic curriculum that meets them at their current level, and lessons that build skill mastery and confidence. Plus, our small group classes make for a fun, dynamic, learning experience.

MEK Learning Circles - Standard

The Critical Reading Circles are designed to teach students critical reading and writing skills. In groups of 4 to 8, students discuss and analyze content-rich articles and brainstorm literary essays.

 

Students practice critical thinking and independent writing alongside their peers, with the guidance of expert teachers who provide immediate feedback on student work in a virtual class session.

 

Through Critical Reading Circles, students build confidence in their reading and writing skills that they can use both in school and for future admissions exams.

 

These courses build upon the foundational skills students develop in our Writing Circles program, which students are recommended to take first.

 

 

 

The structure of our Critical Reading Circles is as follows:

 

  • 45 minutes: Group discussion and analysis of text; brainstorming for literary essay
  • 30 minutes: Write literary essay
  • 15 minutes: Revision and editing practice using student essays
  • HW: Revise essay; complete next reading text and questions

 

Summer 2024 Schedule: 14 sessions

Season: All Year

Format: Virtual or In-Person at Palisades Park and Closter

 

Specific schedule is determined by grade level and class. Available classes for Summer 2024 are:

 

  • Grade 5 Critical Reading Circles
  • Grade 6 Critical Reading Circles
  • Grade 7 Critical Reading Circles
  • Grade 8 Critical Reading Circles

The Math PSM Circles are designed to teach students to interpret and solve word problems. In groups of 4 to 8, students master problem solving techniques based on the math concepts taught during each session.

 

Students engage in short virtual lectures and timed assessments, as well as immediate interactive reviews of completed work with the guidance of expert teachers.

 

Through the Math PSM Circles, students build the necessary skills and strategies for high school and college test prep. These courses build upon the number sense and calculation skills students develop in our Math ONS Circles.

 

The Math Circles use the following class structure:

 

  • 30 minutes: Group review of homework and topic lecture
  • 10 minutes: Timed Practice Set 1
  • 20 minutes: Interactive review of Practice Set 1
  • 10 minutes: Timed assessment
  • 20 minutes: Assessment Review
  • HW: 1 cumulative exercise packet and 1 targeted practice packet on daily topic

 

Summer 2024 Schedule: 14 Sessions

Season: All Year

Format: Virtual or In-Person at Palisades Park and Closter

 

Specific schedule is determined by grade level and class. Available classes for Summer 2024 are:

 

  • Grade 5 PSM Circles
  • Grade 6 PSM Circles
  • Pre-Algebra I PSM Circles
  • Pre-Algebra II PSM Circles
  • Algebra I PSM Circles

MEK Learning Circles - Advanced

The Verbal Reasoning Circles – Advanced are courses designed for high-performing 6th and 7th graders to learn how to utilize critical reading, writing, and vocabulary skills toward difficult standardized-test level questions.

 

Through this course students gain exposure to a variety of reading prompts and reinforce reading comprehension through annotation. They also develop strong vocabularies for challenging verbal reasoning questions and practice challenging question types.

 

This course is perfect for helping students prepare for future difficult high school admission tests.

 

Summer 2024 Schedule: 14 Sessions

Season: All Year

Format: In-Person at Palisades Park

 

Specific schedule is determined by grade level and class. Available classes for Summer 2024 are:

 

  • Advanced Verbal Reasoning 6
  • Advanced Verbal Reasoning 7

The Math Application Circles – Advanced are courses designed for advanced 6th – 7th graders to become skilled in applying learned material toward complex and challenging math questions. This program is for high-performing students who have finished MLC Problem Solving Math and want to apply the skills they’ve learned. This course also sets the foundation for future challenging test prep. 

 

Students learn to utilize concepts learned in MLC Problem Solving Math classes toward new question types and lengthy word problems, and they learn to set up word problems to simplify the most challenging of questions.

 

Season: All Year

Summer 2024 Schedule: 14 Sessions

Format: Virtual 

 

Specific schedule is determined by grade level and class. Available classes for Summer 2024 are:

  • Advanced Math Applications 6
  • Advanced Math Applications 7

MEK Learning Circles - Enriched

The Critical Reading Circles – Enriched are designed to advance reading, writing, and critical thinking skills. Through in-person group classes of 4 to 8 students, each student learns techniques to discuss and analyze fiction and non-fiction works. They practice critical thinking and independent writing, receive engaging lessons from an expert teacher, complete critical essays and receive feedback, and learn classroom, study, and communication skills to reinforce knowledge and enhance retention of learned material.

 

This course is specifically designed for students who may be struggling in the classroom and need additional help. Classes follow a specific pace and method to help students boost their study skills, build good habits, and create a strong foundation.

 

Season: All Year

Format: In-Person at Palisades Park and Closter

 

Specific schedule is determined by grade level and class. 

The Math PSM Circles – Enriched are designed to improve grade-level or above grade-level problem-solving techniques. Through in-person group classes of 4 to 8 students, each student learn techniques for approaching difficult word problems. They receive engaging lessons from an expert teacher, complete timed drills, tests, and practice to master skills, and learn classroom, study, and communication skills to reinforce knowledge and enhance retention of learned material.

 

This course is specifically designed for students who may be struggling in the classroom and need additional help. Classes follow a specific pace and method to help students boost their study skills, build good habits, and create a strong foundation.

 

Each course is 90 minutes at our Closter or Palisades Park Campus.

 

Season: All Year

Format: In-Person at Palisades Park and Closter

 

Specific schedule is determined by grade level and class.

Mr. Ahn’s Perfect Circle is a course designed by and named after our founder Gunn Ahn. It is a course for 6th-7th grade math-lovers who are academically advanced for their age and are looking to compete in math competitions. During this course students develop a deep understanding of math concepts through 90-minute seminar-style classes where they complete mini-competition work and master new, effective problem-solving methods. 

 

Summer 2024 Schedule: 14 Sessions

Season: All Year

Format: Virtual or In-Person at Palisades Park and Closter 

 

Specific schedule is determined by grade level and class. Available classes for Summer 2024 are:

  • Mr. Ahn’s Perfect Circle (MAPC) Rookie
  • Mr. Ahn’s Perfect Circle (MAPC): Junior

This summer only group course for 4th-7th graders helps students analyze texts, practice critical thinking and gain confidence in public speaking.

 

The course structure is divided into 2 parts:

 

First Session

 

  • Students are given 3 content-rich articles on a grade-appropriate topic.
  • Students observe multiple perspectives on the topic and are assigned a single perspective to support during creative presentation.

 

Second Session

 

  • Students present on the topic without using presentation notes.
  • Teachers give students expert feedback to improve their critical thinking abilities and increase their public speaking skills.

 

This course is also aligned with Common Core State Standards for English and Language Arts: Comprehension & Collaboration and Presentation of Knowledge and Ideas.

 

Non-Fiction Reading teaches students key skills such as clear communication with an audience and developing ideas and opinions based on current events. This course is helpful in preparing students for debate competitions and other enriching extracurricular activities.

 

Season: Summer only

Summer 2024 Schedule: 14 Sessions

Format: Virtual or In-Person at Palisades Park and Closter 

 

We offer courses based on grade level and current skill level. Available classes for Summer 2024 are:

  • Non-Fiction Reading 6
  • Non-Fiction Reading 7

The MEK Learning Circles is a Common Core-aligned program for middle school students who are interested in taking their classroom skills to the next level through small group instruction, teacher feedback, and rigorous course material.

 

Expert instructors and dedicated counselors give your child a customized plan based on the results of their MEK Learning Circles Evaluation Test. Our goal is to build confidence in your child’s communication, study, and academic skills and instill a love of education through engaging lessons and one-on-one support that will make your child a lifelong learner.

 

Our MLC classes are offered at three different levels:

 

  • MEK Learning Circles Standard is designed for students who are doing well in the classroom but want to learn to excel and become top of their class by mastering grade-level topics. 
  • MEK Learning Circles Enriched is an on-site program designed for students who are keeping up with class material, but would like additional guidance to achieve top grades. The course focuses on teaching students communication, study, and classroom skills that will help them build confidence and excel in their studies. 
  • MEK Learning Circles Advanced is designed for high performing students who have finished our MLC Problem Solving Math and Critical Reading curricula and want to apply the skills they’ve learned. This course also sets the foundation for future challenging test prep. 

 

Our expert counselors will recommend which program is best for your child based on their Student Evaluation score, individual needs, and specific goals.

 

MEK’s MLC Program gives your child individual attention and care by treating their needs and goals as the top priority. All MEK instructors are trained education professionals, so you can rest assured your child is receiving quality resources, a strategic curriculum that meets them at their current level, and lessons that build skill mastery and confidence. Plus, our small group classes make for a fun, dynamic, learning experience.

MEK Learning Circles - Standard

The Critical Reading Circles are designed to teach students critical reading and writing skills. In groups of 4 to 8, students discuss and analyze content-rich articles and brainstorm literary essays.

 

Students practice critical thinking and independent writing alongside their peers, with the guidance of expert teachers who provide immediate feedback on student work in a virtual class session.

 

Through Critical Reading Circles, students build confidence in their reading and writing skills that they can use both in school and for future admissions exams.

 

These courses build upon the foundational skills students develop in our Writing Circles program, which students are recommended to take first.

 

 

 

The structure of our Critical Reading Circles is as follows:

 

  • 45 minutes: Group discussion and analysis of text; brainstorming for literary essay
  • 30 minutes: Write literary essay
  • 15 minutes: Revision and editing practice using student essays
  • HW: Revise essay; complete next reading text and questions

 

Summer 2024 Schedule: 14 sessions

Season: All Year

Format: Virtual or In-Person at Palisades Park and Closter

 

Specific schedule is determined by grade level and class. Available classes for Summer 2024 are:

 

  • Grade 5 Critical Reading Circles
  • Grade 6 Critical Reading Circles
  • Grade 7 Critical Reading Circles
  • Grade 8 Critical Reading Circles

The Math PSM Circles are designed to teach students to interpret and solve word problems. In groups of 4 to 8, students master problem solving techniques based on the math concepts taught during each session.

 

Students engage in short virtual lectures and timed assessments, as well as immediate interactive reviews of completed work with the guidance of expert teachers.

 

Through the Math PSM Circles, students build the necessary skills and strategies for high school and college test prep. These courses build upon the number sense and calculation skills students develop in our Math ONS Circles.

 

The Math Circles use the following class structure:

 

  • 30 minutes: Group review of homework and topic lecture
  • 10 minutes: Timed Practice Set 1
  • 20 minutes: Interactive review of Practice Set 1
  • 10 minutes: Timed assessment
  • 20 minutes: Assessment Review
  • HW: 1 cumulative exercise packet and 1 targeted practice packet on daily topic

 

Summer 2024 Schedule: 14 Sessions

Season: All Year

Format: Virtual or In-Person at Palisades Park and Closter

 

Specific schedule is determined by grade level and class. Available classes for Summer 2024 are:

 

  • Grade 5 PSM Circles
  • Grade 6 PSM Circles
  • Pre-Algebra I PSM Circles
  • Pre-Algebra II PSM Circles
  • Algebra I PSM Circles

MEK Learning Circles - Advanced

The Verbal Reasoning Circles – Advanced are courses designed for high-performing 6th and 7th graders to learn how to utilize critical reading, writing, and vocabulary skills toward difficult standardized-test level questions.

 

Through this course students gain exposure to a variety of reading prompts and reinforce reading comprehension through annotation. They also develop strong vocabularies for challenging verbal reasoning questions and practice challenging question types.

 

This course is perfect for helping students prepare for future difficult high school admission tests.

 

Summer 2024 Schedule: 14 Sessions

Season: All Year

Format: In-Person at Palisades Park

 

Specific schedule is determined by grade level and class. Available classes for Summer 2024 are:

 

  • Advanced Verbal Reasoning 6
  • Advanced Verbal Reasoning 7

The Math Application Circles – Advanced are courses designed for advanced 6th – 7th graders to become skilled in applying learned material toward complex and challenging math questions. This program is for high-performing students who have finished MLC Problem Solving Math and want to apply the skills they’ve learned. This course also sets the foundation for future challenging test prep. 

 

Students learn to utilize concepts learned in MLC Problem Solving Math classes toward new question types and lengthy word problems, and they learn to set up word problems to simplify the most challenging of questions.

 

Season: All Year

Summer 2024 Schedule: 14 Sessions

Format: Virtual 

 

Specific schedule is determined by grade level and class. Available classes for Summer 2024 are:

  • Advanced Math Applications 6
  • Advanced Math Applications 7

MEK Learning Circles - Enriched

The Critical Reading Circles – Enriched are designed to advance reading, writing, and critical thinking skills. Through in-person group classes of 4 to 8 students, each student learns techniques to discuss and analyze fiction and non-fiction works. They practice critical thinking and independent writing, receive engaging lessons from an expert teacher, complete critical essays and receive feedback, and learn classroom, study, and communication skills to reinforce knowledge and enhance retention of learned material.

 

This course is specifically designed for students who may be struggling in the classroom and need additional help. Classes follow a specific pace and method to help students boost their study skills, build good habits, and create a strong foundation.

 

Season: All Year

Format: In-Person at Palisades Park and Closter

 

Specific schedule is determined by grade level and class. 

The Math PSM Circles – Enriched are designed to improve grade-level or above grade-level problem-solving techniques. Through in-person group classes of 4 to 8 students, each student learn techniques for approaching difficult word problems. They receive engaging lessons from an expert teacher, complete timed drills, tests, and practice to master skills, and learn classroom, study, and communication skills to reinforce knowledge and enhance retention of learned material.

 

This course is specifically designed for students who may be struggling in the classroom and need additional help. Classes follow a specific pace and method to help students boost their study skills, build good habits, and create a strong foundation.

 

Each course is 90 minutes at our Closter or Palisades Park Campus.

 

Season: All Year

Format: In-Person at Palisades Park and Closter

 

Specific schedule is determined by grade level and class.

Mr. Ahn’s Perfect Circle is a course designed by and named after our founder Gunn Ahn. It is a course for 6th-7th grade math-lovers who are academically advanced for their age and are looking to compete in math competitions. During this course students develop a deep understanding of math concepts through 90-minute seminar-style classes where they complete mini-competition work and master new, effective problem-solving methods. 

 

Summer 2024 Schedule: 14 Sessions

Season: All Year

Format: Virtual or In-Person at Palisades Park and Closter 

 

Specific schedule is determined by grade level and class. Available classes for Summer 2024 are:

  • Mr. Ahn’s Perfect Circle (MAPC) Rookie
  • Mr. Ahn’s Perfect Circle (MAPC): Junior

This summer only group course for 4th-7th graders helps students analyze texts, practice critical thinking and gain confidence in public speaking.

 

The course structure is divided into 2 parts:

 

First Session

 

  • Students are given 3 content-rich articles on a grade-appropriate topic.
  • Students observe multiple perspectives on the topic and are assigned a single perspective to support during creative presentation.

 

Second Session

 

  • Students present on the topic without using presentation notes.
  • Teachers give students expert feedback to improve their critical thinking abilities and increase their public speaking skills.

 

This course is also aligned with Common Core State Standards for English and Language Arts: Comprehension & Collaboration and Presentation of Knowledge and Ideas.

 

Non-Fiction Reading teaches students key skills such as clear communication with an audience and developing ideas and opinions based on current events. This course is helpful in preparing students for debate competitions and other enriching extracurricular activities.

 

Season: Summer only

Summer 2024 Schedule: 14 Sessions

Format: Virtual or In-Person at Palisades Park and Closter 

 

We offer courses based on grade level and current skill level. Available classes for Summer 2024 are:

  • Non-Fiction Reading 6
  • Non-Fiction Reading 7

OUR OTHER PROGRAMS

COLLEGE TEST PREP SAT
COLLEGE TEST PREP SAT
AP (ADVANCED PLACEMENT)
AP (ADVANCED PLACEMENT)
ADMISSIONS + ACADEMIC COUNSELING
ADMISSIONS + ACADEMIC COUNSELING
HIGH SCHOOL ADMISSIONS
HIGH SCHOOL ADMISSIONS
HIGH SCHOOL HONORS
HIGH SCHOOL HONORS
COLLEGE TEST PREP ACT
COLLEGE TEST PREP ACT
MEK'S TUTORING PROGRAMS
MEK'S TUTORING PROGRAMS

GETTING STARTED

Every student interested in entering our MEK Learning Circles program must complete the following steps:

1

Sign up for an Evaluation Test.

2

Receive our detailed score report and meet with one of our
Academic Counselors to discuss recommendations for next steps.

3

Enroll in the MLC program that best fits your child’s needs and
academic goals.

Check out our Events Page to register your child for a Student Evaluation. Or contact us for more information.

TESTIMONIALS

SET YOUR CHILD
UP FOR SUCCESS

RESOURCES

Find more media resources for the test preparation division of MEK Review

 

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