FAQs:

What are the instructor’s qualifications?

Our instructors typically possess or are currently pursuing math and engineering degrees in college programs and have demonstrated a passion for teaching and competency in mathematic subject matter. All instructors for Thinking Tree have completed Live Scan fingerprinting and have been cleared through the Department of Justice.

Is there a restriction on which camp my child can go to based on their current grade level?

Our courses are not meant to replace the school's teaching. They are an excellent source to supplement what the kids have learned at school and so, ideally, if your kid was in 9th grade, then he/she would benefit most from the camp that teaches advanced material for that grade. However, you know your child's ability best and are best positioned to gauge their competency level. If you wish to speak to our academic counselor, please let the office know and the counselor will call you back to discuss the appropriate grade for your child.

Can my middle-schooler attend your high-school camps?

We are seeing more and more middle-schoolers enroll in our summer programs. In our experience, we see three types of middle-schoolers attending our summer programs:
If your child has prepared all through the year and has challenged the upcoming school year’s math curriculum, this is an excellent time for your child to re-take the course and get lots of practice in their target lessons. For example, an eighth grader who challenged the Integrated Math-1 course and passed the challenge test can re-enroll in the Summer IM-1 camp and get additional practice.
If your child has passed the challenge test and wishes to get a sneak-peek into the upcoming school year’s math, our camp is an excellent avenue to get this additional training. For example, if your child has challenged the IM-1 test and passed it, then enrolling into Summer IM-2 camp will be a good way to get introduced to IM-2 concepts during summer.
If your child wishes to challenge a test after summer, then please do note that our summer camps are NOT a substitute for the actual school year, they can be a source for your child’s preparation but should not be the only source. Student’s practice and comprehension of the actual topic, amongst other factors, play a vital role too.

What is early-bird registration?

Early bird catches the worm. Early-bird pricing is a steep discount offered only if you can enroll before the discount expires. Once the early bird discount expires, the system will not allow us to offer it once again - No exceptions please.

Where are the camps conducted?

Our camps are all online through Zoom. As an added bonus, all our classes are recorded in the cloud too. If you have to leave on a vacation and need to catch up, please ask us for a recording and your child will be able to catch up on the missed material.

Camp size?

Inspite of being an online class, our teacher-student ratio is very small (1:12). Compare this with 1:15+ in most local online schools.

My child missed a class - will there be a make-up session? (or) Can my child have 1:1 mentoring with the teacher?

If you miss a class, please ask us for a recording. Due to the way our classes are scheduled in summer, we may not have an alternate class available for your child to attend as make-up. We also realize that some kids may benefit from a 1:1 mentoring. Unfortunately, our instructors will not have the bandwidth to support 1:1 mentoring.

Do you offer sibling discounts?

Yes. If 2 or more siblings register for the camp, we offer an automatic 5% discount to all the siblings there after the first enrollment.

Policies:

Medical Liability

I do hereby release Thinking Tree Inc, the facility owners and operators, the program coordinators, and any and all associated employees from any liability in the event of accident or injury. I agree to have my child given emergency treatment by a physician or hospital in the event that I cannot be reached and agree to release all personnel for any liability in connection with this activity. I grant permission to transport my child in case of an emergency. I understand that I will be contacted as soon as possible, in the rare case that an emergency situation arises. I assume financial responsibility for all expenses of such care.

Buyer's Remorse

I understand and accept that I may alter my purchase of this program in any way within 24 hours of the original registration. This includes, but is not limited to, modifying, adding, or canceling the program for any reason.

Refunds

I understand and accept that once the 24-hour deadline has passed, all fees are non-refundable. If you are aware of your student’s upcoming absences ahead of time, please call our office and get an upfront prorated fee discount for absences. All Prorated registrations must be applied at the time of registration.

I understand and accept that I may still withdraw from this program. However, in this scenario, I may only receive a sliding percentage of the program fee as gift credit for Thinking Tree, dependent upon the number of days that the withdrawal occurs before the start date of the program. Gift credit may be used on any future Thinking Tree products or services and have no expiration date.

· 30+ days, 75% gift credit
· 7-29 days, 50% gift credit
· 1-6 days, 25% gift credit
· 0 days, 0% gift credit

Transfer Policy

I understand and accept that there are no transfer fees when transferring to another Thinking Tree program with open space. Discounts will also be transferred as a courtesy on any transfer. If there is a difference in price between the two programs, I understand that I must pay any cost difference between the program prices. If the new program is less expensive, a Thinking Tree gift credit will be issued.

Absence Policy

As our student to teacher ratio is very small, it is vital to keep our classes as full as possible to be able to staff the classes appropriately. I understand and accept that in the event of my child’s inability to attend classes during camp, I choose to receive a video recording of the classes, and that there will be no refunds.

Minimum Enrollment

I understand and accept that Thinking Tree requires a minimum number of participants to hold a class. In the rare event of insufficient enrollment, a full refund will be processed, and no cancellation fees will be imposed.

Returned Checks

I understand and accept that if Thinking Tree receives a returned check from their bank for a payment I made, I will be invoiced for the original amount of the check plus a $25 returned check fee. The payment of the invoiced amount will be due immediately upon receipt. Thinking Tree will not re-submit the original check, nor will they accept another check for the re-payment; a different form of payment must be submitted.

Discipline

I understand and accept that Thinking Tree must be able to conduct their programs in a respectful environment.If my child becomes so disruptive that other participants or instructors can no longer participate in the program effectively, Thinking Tree will invoke a 5-strike system:
1. verbal warning
2. 2nd verbal warning
3. private verbal warning from instructor/coordinator
4. phone call to parent
5. dismissal from the program without refund of any fees.

Summer-only course

I understand that this is a summer-only course and so, any learning, or clarification of concepts must happen while the course is in session. There may be no support from the instructors after the end of the session.

Academic credit

I understand that my child may not get any academic credit by simply participating in this course, unless my child's school counsellor approves it in advance. Thinking Tree Academy and its management do not recommend that your child skip grades on the basis of enrolling and completing in their summer courses alone, and your school counsellor is the best resource to guide you in this regard.