Critical Skills
Academy
Promoting excellence, empowering students.
We provide rigorous, tutorial style courses for grades 7 through
12 that teach students to think critically and communicate effectively.
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How we are different
In an environment where students are tempted into shortcuts and encouraged to rely on external tools, we return the focus to the development of intrinsic skills. Our courses are tutorial-oriented, and employ live discussions and written feedback to instill crucial academic competencies. Each course leads to the completion of a final assignment broken down into sequential steps. Our classes are capped at 12 students, offered on the user-friendly CANVAS learning platform, and taught by instructors who work closely with each student. The co-founders of the academy are professors with decades of experience at various levels high school through doctoral programs and know, first hand, the value of a process-oriented, flexible and individual approach.
Our Approach
Students will engage with peers and the instructor for up to 3 hours each week in live discussions. In addition, instructors will provide feedback in writing on each step leading to the final assignment. At the end of the course, the instructor will provide each student an overall assessment of strengths and gaps to be addressed in the future.
Tutorial Model
Experienced Faculty
Our faculty are highly credentialed and experienced in the subject areas and grade levels relevant to the courses they are teaching. They are dedicated professionals who share the core principles and values of the academy.
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Flexible Offerings
Each course runs for a period of 6 weeks and can be taken individually. We also offer a sequence of courses—introductory to advanced—in specific competencies and subject areas that can be taken consecutively.
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Documentation
By the end of the course, a student who has completed assignments will receive a completion certificate. The student would also have a portfolio of work and a written assessment that could be included in any documentation required by the state.
Courses Offered
Critical Skills Academy (CSA) provides a high-quality, student-centered model for its courses . This model is built upon decades of experience in teaching at all levels from middle and high school (6-12) through university undergraduate and graduate levels.
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CW 201: Introduction to Creative Writing
In this course students will have the opportunity to express themselves in poetry and fiction under the supervision of a skilled instructor and a practicing artist. Students will share their work with peers in a workshop format and receive feedback that can then be used to revise and improve. Weekly prompts and suggestions will help the student get started and to build a portfolio of work to be proud of. Readings will focus on particular elements and techniques the student can learn from.
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CW 202: Introduction to Writing Fiction
This course will be conducted in a workshop format under the guidance of an experienced instructor and practicing writer. Weekly prompts and exercises will focus on specific elements (characterization, dialog, tone, etc.) and the work produced will be responded to by the class in a supportive environment geared towards helping the student learn and grow. Short stories that illustrate the use of specific elements will be discussed in class to provide the student with techniques and inspiring examples.
FTW 101: Foundations of Thinking & Writing I (Levels 6-9, Middle School)
This engaging and interactive course, taught by a highly qualified, experienced instructor, will provide students the tools for developing structured writing with emphasis on critical thinking and analytical skills. Through reading and discussing high-quality texts, students will learn to craft effective claim statements and topic sentences, support their ideas with strong supporting evidence, and develop compelling conclusions. As with all CSA courses, collaborative discussions are designed to deepen understanding, refine ideas, and enhance individual projects through meaningful dialogue.
FTW 102: Foundations of Thinking & Writing II – Exploring Writing Genres (Levels 6-9, Middle School)
Expanding on the fundamentals of structured writing, this course will introduce students to key writing genres, including descriptive, narrative, comparison & contrast, and argumentative writing. Students will learn to adapt their writing style and structure to suit different purposes and audiences, and craft original pieces in multiple genres. Through the analysis of high-quality texts, they will explore how effective writers use language, organization, and evidence to engage readers and convey meaning. As with all CSA courses, peer discussions will provide opportunities for collaboration, feedback, and deeper engagement with the writing process.
FTW 103: Foundations of Thinking & Writing III – Planning & Writing the Research Paper
Building on previous coursework, this advanced middle school writing course will introduce students to the fundamentals of academic research and structured argumentation. Students will learn how to develop strong research questions, locate and evaluate credible sources, and synthesize information to construct a well-organized, effective research paper. With extensive feedback by a highly-qualified, experienced teacher, they will practice outlining, drafting, and revising their work while integrating proper citation methods, including AI-generated content when appropriate.. As with all CSA courses, collaborative discussions enhance learning by fostering deeper engagement with both individual research and group analysis.
FTW 201: Foundations of Thinking & Writing I (Levels 9-10, High School)
This rigorous and dynamic course challenges students to engage deeply with structured writing with emphasis on critical thinking, textual analysis, and academic argumentation. By reading and critically evaluating high-quality texts, students will refine their ability to develop nuanced claim statements, construct sophisticated arguments, and integrate compelling evidence with clarity and precision. As with all CSA courses, collaborative discussions and extensive feedback will allow students to refine their perspectives, strengthen their rhetorical skills, and engage in meaningful dialogue that enhances both individual and group learning.
FTW 202: Foundations of Thinking & Writing II: Employing Writing Genres through Critical Thinking (Levels 9-11, High School)
This course challenges high school students to refine their writing by engaging with a variety of genres, including descriptive, narrative, comparison & contrast, and argumentative writing. Through critical analysis of high-quality texts, students will examine how structure, tone, and rhetorical strategies shape meaning and impact. They will develop well-crafted, purpose-driven essays that demonstrate clarity, coherence, and depth of thought in multiple genres. Through peer collaboration and instructor feedback, students will strengthen their ability to think critically, express ideas persuasively, and engage in meaningful discourse.
FTW 203: Foundations of Thinking & Writing III – Planning & Writing the Research Paper (Levels 9-10, High School)
Designed for high school students ready to engage in advanced critical thinking and academic writing, this course will provide a structured approach to researching, organizing, and writing a polished research paper. Students will hone essential research skills, including conducting independent inquiries, assessing and synthesizing sources, and establishing clear thematic arguments. Emphasis is placed on constructing logically sound and well-supported analyses while mastering proper citation methods. As with all CSA courses, meaningful discussion, peer and instructor feedback and collaboration will foster critical engagement and enrich the writing process.
Middle School
High School
Our courses are designed to teach skills that will be critical to academic and professional success. An expert and experienced instructor will engage with students intensively and continuously throughout the duration of the course. Classes will meet online in real time, up to 3 hours a week, in discussions where the instructor will pose questions for students to explore collectively, provide information and hands-on guidance on the assignment for each week. The weekly activities will build on each other in sequential steps towards a final project (such as a research paper on a topic of your choice). Students will receive written and prompt feedback on each assignment, so that you can make necessary revisions, and in the process, hone your skills and maximize your potential.
Each course will have clearly stated learning objectives, a syllabus and instructions on how to complete assignments. We design our courses according to best practices to achieve learning goals. For example, an advanced course in Critical Thinking and Writing will culminate in the composition of a research paper, approached in a series of weekly steps that will teach you to conduct research, evaluate and cite sources, engage with diverse perspectives and shape a consistent argument with an effective introduction and conclusion.
Most courses run 6 weeks and are designed to be intensive and focused on specific objectives. A student’s attentiveness and desire to learn and improve will be key. While our instructors are dedicated and highly motivated, students will be expected to bring a similar ethic to learning!
Instructors will post a question or prompt for students to respond to in the discussion thread for the week. A real-time conversation where students get to clarify, expand and rethink responses, will ensue. The discussions will also give students an opportunity to pose questions on assignments, seek clarifications and obtain guidance. For example, if a student is having difficulty, say, finding relevant sources to incorporate into a paper, the instructor will walk the student through the steps that will help the student find these.
Students will receive prompt (within 3 days of submission), written feedback on weekly assignments and a detailed evaluation of the final paper. All feedback will be focused on the incremental development of the student as a thinker and writer. The focus will be on helping students improve skills and to deepen an understanding of what makes for clear thinking and effective communication. Instructors will meet students where they are, and guide them on how to rather than what to think.
Our courses are designed by experts in the subject matter, under the supervision of the co-founders. CSA is a response to the need for rigorous, high-quality courses that build invaluable skills, be it the capacity to evaluate arguments or to engage productively with a diversity of views. We are not at all interested in telling students what to think. Our goal is to help a student become a strong and confident thinker and an effective communicator of the ideas and arguments the student deems important.
Our methods are informed by the experience and understanding of the co-founders, who have decades of experience teaching at all levels—from middle school to doctoral. A tutorial approach, where a dedicated instructor works closely with students on honing critical skills, is at the core of all our offerings.
After submitting a brief, 3-question form, you will be automatically directed to a payment page. Once your payment is received, we will enroll you in the class and email you instructions on how to access the course on our Learning Management System.
If a student decides to withdraw from a course no later than midnight, Wednesday, of the first week of a course (that is, within 72 hours) the student will receive a full refund. We will be unable to provide any refund beyond that deadline.
A student may wish to sign up for a specific course that aligns with the student’s academic level and learning objectives. A student may also choose to proceed to the next course in a sequence that builds incrementally to advanced levels. For example, a student may decide, after completing an introductory course in persuasive writing to move on to an intermediate, and then an advanced course in the area. A student, however, is not obligated in any way to take multiple courses in a sequence. Our goal is to provide students with the courses they see as beneficial.
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