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Frequently Asked Questions
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Questions & Answers related to:

FULL-TIME PROGRAM
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Q.How do I begin the application/admissions process?
A. You can begin the application process by filling out our inquiry form.
Once you submit your information, our office will contact you to continue the admissions process.

Q. Do you accept international students?
A. Advantage Tennis Academy welcomes students from around the world!
Please see our International page for more information.

Q. What is the experience and ability level needed for the ATA Full-Time Program?
A. In most cases, a player will need some "open" level tournament experience, however there are some exceptions. If you are not sure if ATA is the right training environment for your player, we will provide an evaluation to determine their level and compatibility with our program.

Q. Do you provide housing for full-time students?
A. Yes. Boarding and non-boarding options are available for our Full-Time Program as well as all of our weekly and seasonal camps. Please see our Residential page for more information about our accommodations.

Q. What are the 2013/2014 Full-Time Program dates?
A. September 3, 2013 - June 13, 2014

Q. What is the daily schedule for the Full-Time Program?
A. Our daily schedule is currently on a rotating cycle, alternating between the two models below:

  • 7:30am - 10:15am Academics
  • 10:15-11am Break/Snack
  • 11am-2pm Tennis
  • 2-3pm Lunch
  • 3-4:30pm Fitness

-and-

  • 7:30-9am Tennis
  • 9-10:30am Fitness
  • 10:30am-1pm Academics
  • 1-2pm Lunch
  • 2-4pm Tennis
  • 4-4:30 Footwork/Stretching

Q. What makes your coaching staff unique?
A. Advantage Tennis Academy is staffed with an elite team of coaches who are all top level ITF, USPTA, and USTA certified professionals. We pride ourselves on selecting only highly trained, experienced coaches with the leadership and mentoring skills necessary to coach students on a detailed, individual level. To read more about our coaches, visit our Coaches & Staff page.

Q. Will players have an opportunity to compete in tournaments during their time at Advantage?
A. Yes! Southern California offers a rigorous schedule of tournaments for students to participate in during their training at Advantage. On average, we travel to a total 20 local tournaments and 12 national tournaments per year. Our generous, year-round tournament schedule helps students gain the experience they need to become tournament-tough. Please see our Tournament page for more details and our schedule of tournaments.

Q. What other outside tennis activities are available for students?
A. At Advantage Tennis Academy we understand that player development doesn't only happen on-court, and we know that having fun while training in a high performance environment is an important part of the camp experience. We facilitate exceptional social activities for students in our program, including trips to the beach, shopping, and dining, as well as visits to local amusement parks, professional sporting events, and much more. Please see our Social Activities page or more information.

 

SEASONAL & WEEKLY CAMPS
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Q. How do I apply?
A. You can begin the application process by clicking here.
Once you submit your information, our office will contact you to continue the admissions process.

Q. What are the dates for upcoming camps?
A. Weekly camps are available year-round, Monday through Friday of each week. Our 2014 Summer Camps run June 2 - August 22, 2014.

Q. Is there a deadline for registering for Summer or year-round camps?
A. Students can register for seasonal and weekly camps throughout the year.
Click here to inquire about availability.

Q. What is the daily schedule for camps?
A. Our schedule is subject to change, but below is a sample daily schedule: Summer Camp

  • Morning Activity: 9:15 - 10:30am
  • Morning Check-In: 10:45am
  • Tennis (Session 1): 11:00am - 1:00pm
  • Lunch: 1:00 - 1:45pm
  • Afternoon Check-In: 1:45pm
  • Tennis (Session 2): 2:00 - 4:00pm
  • On-Court Fitness: 4:00 - 4:30pm
  • Dinner*: 5:30 - 6:30pm
  • Activity*: 7:00 - 9:00pm

*Inclusive for boarding students only.

Q. Are there other activities for students to do in their free time?
A. At Advantage Tennis Academy we understand that player development doesn't only happen on-court, and we know that having fun while training in a high performance environment is an important part of the camp experience. We facilitate exceptional social activities for students in our program, including trips to the beach, shopping, and dining, as well as visits to local amusement parks, professional sporting events, and much more. Please see our Social Activities page for more information.

Q. What is the experience and ability level needed for ATA camps?
A. All of our programs, including our camps, incorporate high performance training. Contact us to see if Advantage Tennis Academy is a good fit for your player.

Q. What is the coach-to-student ratio for group training?
A. On average, our coach-to-student is 3-5:1.

Q. What ages do you accept for your camps?
A. We accept a wide variety of ages into our programs, from junior players to tour players.

 

ACADEMICS - ADVANTAGE LEARNING ACADEMY
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Q. When are the students in "school"?
A. Advantage Learning Academy operates on a block schedule, with Academics being a 3-3.5 hour block of time during the day.  ALA offers a structured classroom setting where students work in a "blended learning" environment, which combines interactive online lessons taught by credentialed teachers with the benefits of face-to-face instruction. Students will direct the pace of their learning as demonstrated by subject matter mastery. The on-site teachers (we refer to them as learning coaches) are present to re-teach difficult concepts, assist with assignments, motivate students, and monitor student progress. The learning coaches will work with each student individually to push them to their highest potential.  Students are assigned a head Learning Coach that will meet regularly in a one on one setting with each student.  

Q. How much homework will be required during evenings/weekends?
A. The amount of school work outside of the learning center varies with each student. Students who maximize the learning time each morning and are highly organized will find they only need minimal time outside of the classroom to complete assignments. The amount of time will vary depending on each student's study habits, foundational knowledge, and level of classes taken. Students taking Honors/AP level courses can expect to complete work outside of the classroom in order to excel in these classes. Students traveling for tournaments can minimize make-up work by planning ahead and bringing computer with them while traveling.  Students are encouraged to work closely with parents and coaches to plan out upcoming travel schedules so they can work ahead prior to travel. 

Q. How does ALA prepare students for college?
A. The blended learning environment at Advantage Learning Academy does an excellent job of preparing students for the independent environment of college. Many students from a traditional high school environment struggle with the transition to college. However, students who learn how to manage their time wisely and learn independently have a much easier time adjusting to college. The mastery-based instruction model teaches students how to learn the material and not just sit in the classroom. In addition, Colleges were the first to adopt online learning style classes over a decade ago.  Students who have a command of online learning will succeed in college.

Q. What colleges/universities have students from ATA/ALA been accepted to?
A. Students have been accepted to top colleges and universities around the world, including UCLA, Dartmouth, UCI, Rice, Gonzaga, LMU, SDSU, BYU, Arizona State, University of Florida, and University of Texas. Student-athlete acceptance is based upon Grade Point Average (GPA), SAT/ACT scores, extracurricular activities, and tennis ability.

Click here to see a list of Colleges/Universities that have accepted students from the Connections Academy program ALA uses.

Q. What if my player is already enrolled in an independent study/online program?
A. You are welcome to continue enrollment in this program. However, we highly recommend speaking with our Academic Director to ensure that you have looked at all the options for your student's current and future needs.

Q. Is ATA's academic program accredited?
A. Yes, Capistrano Connections Academy is fully accredited (grades K–12) by the Schools Commission of the Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC). WASC accreditation is for six years for all grades. In addition, Connections Academy is a division of Connections Education, which is accredited by AdvancED.

Q. What are some other independent Study/Online Programs?
A. Some of the other independent or online school programs that our students have enrolled in are:

  • San Joaquin Home School (Irvine School District)
  • Laurel Springs (Private Online School)
  • BYU Independent Study (Private Online School)
  • Saddleback and Irvine Valley College (for dual enrollment)

Q. How can I as a parent best support my student(s)?
A. The best way you can support your student or students is to set high expectations with them. Monitor the progress of your student and communicate regularly with the learning coaches. Keep in mind that your student will have to work hard on and off the court to see real growth. Parental support of our efforts helps the students achieve their potential much faster.

Q. How are grades determined?
A. Grades are based on the standard A-F scale with 90-100% constituting an A, 80-89% constituting a B, etc. Grades are issued by the individual subject matter teachers. This is usually a combination of test scores, assignment scores, participation, and timeliness.

Q. What if my student gets behind in school?
A. If your student gets behind, the learning coaches will request that students are pulled off the courts until they get caught up. The coaches (tennis and learning) will work with student and parents to mutually agree upon the best path to get caught up.

Q. Is private tutoring available?
A. Yes, if it is identified that your student might benefit from private tutoring we will mutually arrange (parent, student, coaches) time for the student to receive private tutoring. Pricing varies depending on subject matter and the needs of the student.

 

HOUSING
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Q. What should boarding students bring?*
A. Below is a general list of items that we recommend for our boarding students:

  • Tennis Bag Gear: 3-4 racquets, jump rope, towels, grips, reusable water jugs, strings, extra shirt and socks, shoelaces, sunscreen, hat/visor, sweatbands, athletic tape, bandages, and snacks.
  • Attire: Tennis attire - hat, t-shirts, shorts, socks, tennis shoes, sweatshirt, and underwear. Other - casual clothing for outings, swimsuit (you should also bring a beach towel, as ATA will not provide one for you).
  • Toiletries: Shampoo, soap, deodorant, toothbrush, toothpaste, and sunscreen.
  • Bed Linens & Towels: All bed linens are provided. You may bring your own twin sheet set and pillow from home if desired. Bath towels are provided.
  • Spending Money: Approximately $100-$150 per week. Players are responsible for paying for any evening and weekend outings and weekend meals and snacks.

*Please note that ATA is not responsible for lost items. Any valuables your child brings can be stored in the ATA lockers.

Q. How does my player get to ATA in time for school?
A. Housing staff provides transportation in ATA vans. Players arrive 15 minutes before the start of ATA programs. Ex: 7:15am arrival when school starts at 7:30am.

Q. When does my player have time for homework in the evenings?
A. All students are required to study between the hours of 7-9pm each evening unless they have completed everything. Our housing coordinator is in direct communication with the Academic Director.

Q. What action is taken when dealing with difficult behavior from a player?
A. All housing staff strives to resolve conflict within the housing communities by first talking with students one-on-one. When corrective action is needed the student will receive a verbal warning. After the second occurrence of problematic behavior they will receive a written warning shared with parent with possible suspension. Upon the third occurrence, the player may receive suspension/expulsion as determined by ATA.

Q. What kind of food is provided for players in the boarding?
A. Lunch is provided for students during their training hours at Advantage. In the evenings, our housing staff provides healthy, home-cooked dinners. Boarding students are taken out to eat once a week to various restaurants.

Q. What activities are planned on the weekends?
At Advantage Tennis Academy we understand that player development doesn't only happen on-court, and we know that having fun while training in a high performance environment is an important part of the camp experience. While many tournaments are scheduled on the weekends, those who do not attend the tournaments will be able to participate in various outings. We facilitate exceptional social activities for students in our program, including trips to the beach, shopping, and dining, as well as visits to local amusement parks, professional sporting events, and much more. Please see our Social Activities page for more information.

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