Institute for Excellence in Writing (IEW) Curriculum

Writing effectively requires laying sturdy groundwork. Students who lack experience or struggle with writing may find it helpful to review and re-build foundational skills and concepts. The Institute for Excellence in Writing (IEW) curriculum helps students practice core skills in order to build toward confidence and competency in writing.

All IEW classes are appropriate for homeschool, public, and private school students. IEW is a sequential curriculum, meaning that each level builds upon the previous level, gradually adding skills while practicing skills previously learned. Students progress through levels from their current point as follows: 1A, 2A, 1B, 2B, 3B, 1C. Please read on to find more information about our IEW classes. 

Is IEW right for my child? 

IEW is for students who are interested in becoming better essay writers. Students must be willing to participate in the lessons, and they must be motivated to practice skills by completing writing assignments and using feedback to make revisions. IEW is for students who learn well through structure, modeling, and repetition for mastery. 

For students who need very focused instruction applied at a student's own pace, or who need help with specific school assignments, we recommend private tutoring instead. Please see our tutor referrals on the "Tutoring" link at the top of the screen. For students who are looking to grow a creative writing practice and try new kinds of writing, we recommend our enrichment workshops and writers' circle. 

IEW classes meet in person only. No virtual option is available. 

This class is for seventh and eighth graders who are just beginning their writing careers or who need reinforcement of core skills and concepts.  Using the Level A course from the Institute for Excellence in Writing, the instructor will guide students through the basic structure of the core types of writing and get students on a path of confidence and proficiency.  The course starts with the foundations of writing and builds gradually towards more independence, creativity, and sophistication. Through extensive modeling and guided practice, students learn to organize and express their ideas clearly and effectively, setting them on a course for lifelong competency.  

In this course, students learn the following structural models: 

- note taking 

- paragraph writing 

- story writing 

- simple report writing 

- writing from pictures 

- research reports 

- creative writing

In this course, students will also learn grammar, mechanics, and vocabulary through the Fix-It

Grammar program. Weekly, students will have a short grammar homework assignment.

**Students in Level 2A will be assigned homework regularly. Please note that each IEW level is a complete year-long writing curriculum. Each level requires weekly attendance in class and weekly homework. It can be easy to fall behind or become overwhelmed if a student misses class often or is not motivated to do the required work.

Class sizes are limited to six students, so register early.

Tuition is $750.

32 classes, 75 minutes each

Participation requires the IEW Level SSS 2A binder ($35) and Fix-It Grammar ($19). We will order these for students. All other materials are provided. 

IEW-SSS 2A will meet Mondays 3:00-4:15 OR Tuesdays 6:45-8:00

THE TUESDAY 6:45 CLASS IS FULL! PLEASE JOIN WAITLIST.

This class is for ninth and tenth graders who are starting their writing careers or who need reinforcement of core writing skills and concepts. Younger students who have successfully completed Level 1B may also transition to 2B. This class will build on the skills learned in 1B as outlined above. Students will also learn grammar, mechanics, and vocabulary through the Fix-It Grammar program. Weekly, students will have a short grammar homework assignment.

**Students in Level 2B will be assigned homework regularly. Please note that each IEW level is a complete year-long writing curriculum. Each level requires weekly attendance in class and weekly homework. It can be easy to fall behind or become overwhelmed if a student misses class often or is not motivated to do the required work.

Class sizes are limited to six students, so register early.

Tuition is $750.

32 classes, 75 minutes each

Participation requires the IEW Level SSS 2A binder ($35) and Fix-It Grammar ($19). We will order these for students. All other materials are provided. 

IEW-SSS 2B will meet Tuesdays 3:00-4:15 OR Tuesdays 4:15-5:30.

THE TUESDAY 4:15 CLASS IS FULL! PLEASE JOIN WAITLIST. 

SSS 1C is a course for tenth, eleventh, and twelfth grade students who have never taken IEW classes and for those who would benefit from a very structured and modeled writing curriculum. Ninth and tenth graders who have completed SSS 2B or 3B may also transition into SSS 1C with teacher approval. 

In this course, students will learn to do the following:

-note taking, outlining, writing summaries

-use a variety of advanced stylistic techniques including sophisticated vocabulary, complex

sentence structure, and grammar

- retell narrative stories, write from pictures, and creative writing

- write research reports from multiple sources

- learn MLA format

- write formal essays

- write story, poetry, book, and movie critiques

- write response to literature essays

- edit their work for grammar, syntax, and usage

In this course, students will also learn grammar, mechanics, and vocabulary through the Fix-It

Grammar program. Weekly, students will have a short grammar homework assignment.

****Level 1C is a rigorous course requiring much writing and homework. Students must be prepared to commit to the course load.  Please note that each IEW level is a complete year-long writing curriculum. Each level requires weekly attendance in class and weekly homework. It can be easy to fall behind or become overwhelmed if a student misses class often or is not motivated to do the required work.

Class sizes are limited to six students, so register early.

Tuition is $750.

32 classes, 75 minutes each

Participation requires the IEW Level SSS 2A binder ($35) and Fix-It Grammar ($19). We will order these for students. All other materials are provided. 

The Level 1C class is canceled as of 8/18/23 due to underenrollment. Please consider enrolling next school year!