For over 21 years, the Center for Academic Excellence (CAE) has been a trusted partner to public schools and communities across Minnesota and beyond, delivering exceptional educational opportunities for motivated and gifted students. We understand the dreams you have for your child—dreams of academic success, personal growth, and a bright future. At CAE, we turn those dreams into reality with high-quality, tailored programs that spark curiosity, build confidence, and foster a supportive, welcoming environment.
Year-Long MathWiz and ReadingWiz Programs
Our year-long enrichment programs are designed to meet and exceed the national common-core syllabus, offering students the chance to tailor their learning to their unique goals.
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MathWiz Program: Spans arithmetic to differential equations, covering pre-algebra, algebra, geometry, pre-calculus, calculus, linear algebra, and more (elementary through high school/college levels).
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ReadingWiz Program: Encompasses the K-12 language arts curriculum, focusing on comprehension, vocabulary, grammar, critical thinking, and writing, with customization to align with specific learning outcomes.
Acceleration and Advancement
We empower students to accelerate their education and earn high school and college credits through pathways provided by their school districts. This head start opens doors to research opportunities during high school and undergraduate years, giving students a competitive edge for college applications and beyond.
Geographical Breadth of Our Minnesota On-Campus Students
Our classes, hosted at convenient school and community campuses, attract students from the Twin Cities to Duluth, Mankato, Rochester, and beyond. At CAE, we unite like-minded families and talented students from diverse districts, creating a dynamic learning community.
Advanced Placement Programs
For students seeking a challenge, our Advanced Placement courses—Physics, Chemistry, Biology, Statistics, Calculus, and Computer Science—are taught by experienced college lecturers and professionals. These rigorous courses lay a solid foundation for college success and future achievements.
Competitive Math and Science: Proven Excellence
Our students shine in state and national competitions like MATHCOUNTS, AMC, F=ma, AIME, USA Mathematical Olympiad, USA Physics Olympiad, USA Computing Olympiad, and Science Olympiad. Their top rankings showcase their dedication and our effective teaching methods. Select students can also join small-group competition classes nationwide.
Standardized Testing
Our track record speaks volumes: over 373 alumni have been named National Merit Semi-Finalists, at least 126 have earned perfect ACT or SAT scores, and countless others have secured spots at Ivy League schools and other top universities. Additionally, more than 600 students have advanced to the University of Minnesota Talented Youth Mathematics Program (UMTYMP) through our programs, highlighting our role as a springboard for academic success.
College Admissions
What sets CAE apart is our exceptional team. Your child will learn from award-winning teachers, curriculum developers, and administrators with decades of experience and a passion for guiding high-ability learners, including those in our Vision 21 program for the gifted and talented. Our instructors, many of whom have presented at national and international symposiums, design lessons honed by years of proven success. They’re supported by teaching assistants—top undergraduates and AP students—who inspire as role models and mentors. Together, they deliver a personalized, interactive experience that helps every student thrive.
Our Inspiration
We know finding the right education for your child can be challenging, and we’re here to help. Thanks to generous grants, most of our programs are subsidized, keeping costs affordable for families. Scholarships are always available on a merit- and need-based basis, ensuring every deserving student can succeed, no matter their financial situation.
At CAE, we’re more than an institute—we’re a community of educators, students, and parents bound by a shared commitment to the power of learning. Inspired by the best in gifted education, we prioritize small class sizes for individualized attention, emphasize critical thinking and problem-solving, and cultivate a culture that celebrates both achievement and creativity.
Parents often tell us how CAE has boosted their child’s confidence and unlocked opportunities they never imagined. We invite you to see how our programs can ignite your child’s potential and pave the way to a rewarding future.
Join us at CAE, where we nurture the next generation of thinkers, innovators, and leaders. Contact us at info@caeedu.org to learn more or explore need-based scholarship options—we’re excited to welcome your family into ours!
CAE Instructors:
Instructors at CAE are high achievers from Ivy League and other top math and science schools. These instructors are passionate about math and have mentored teams for ARML, AIME, USAMO, and other prestigious math competitions, apart from coaching the high school-aligned Precalculus, Calculus, and AP and IB level courses. They are trained in critical thinking and problem-solving areas and love to motivate and challenge students.
Profiles
Roy Zhao is attending Princeton University. He always had a natural affinity for mathematics, which led him to become the captain of the Minnesota All-State Math Team as well as the team top scorer at the American Regional Math League (ARML) competition the past three years. He achieved a perfect ACT score and got 5s on all AP Science Tests.
Abram Sanderson is studying mathematics and computer science at Harvey Mudd College and graduated from Wayzata High School. In high school, he was recognized with many awards, including those from the MN State High School Math League, Moody’s national Mega Math Challenge, and the American Regions Mathematics League competition. He also attended the Mathematical Association of America’s 2011 Mathematical Olympiad Summer Program, as well as Canada/USA Mathcamp 2011 and 2012. In his free time, he enjoys playing the trumpet, trying new foods, and creating origami.
Lynn Zhang attends the University of Chicago and is likely to major in economics. While at Wayzata High School, she was captain of the speech team and was the Sections champion. She also participated in numerous other activities, including the National Honor Society, Future Problem Solving, and Math Team, and was in the national winning team for Moody's Mega Math Challenge. She had taken many AP classes and tests throughout her high school years and also received a perfect score of 2400 on the SAT reasoning test and a perfect 36 in the ACT. She also did research in neuroengineering at Medtronic Corporation. She is experienced in teaching and tutoring, especially English and math, to middle and high school students.
Gabrielle Sanderson currently attends St. Olaf College, studying math and physics with an education concentration. She has received A's in all the math courses she has taken, including AP Calculus, linear algebra, differential equations, and real analysis. Additionally, she obtained perfect scores on the math portions of the ACT, SAT, and SAT II Math Level 2. She tutored high school students in grades K–9 for four years at CONECT Homework Clubs and has worked for three summers as a counselor at Camp CONECT. Gabrielle is passionate about math and loves teaching students different ways to approach challenging problems.
Katie Talerico is a senior at Wayzata High School, where she competes in the school's math team. She is captain of the school's quiz bowl team, worked as the Editor in Chief of the school's newspaper, and sails on a team during the fall! Katie will be joining Brown University in the Fall.
Andrea Polis is a senior at Wayzata High School and will be joining the University of Wisconsin. She is captain of the Ultimate Frisbee team, President of the Equestrian Club, member of the National Honor Society, and founding member of the Ultimate Mentor Leadership Council. She enjoys working with elementary-age children to keep their interest in STEM subjects.
Charlene Lue is a senior at Wayzata High School and will be at Cornell University. She is a programming specialist. AP Computer Sciences is her favorite subject and nurtured her interest in programming. Charlene loves working with young students to get them acquainted with computer programming as a part of the STEM program.
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Elizabeth Hannigan is a senior at Wayzata High School. She plays varsity sports and studies anthropology. She loves ancient civilizations and enjoys a good argument. As a part of the Brainstorm Labs, Elizabeth works with young children in robotics.
Julie-Anne Rodriguez will be working with young students on storytelling this summer. She plans to attend Normandale in the fall and earn an English degree in the following years. Last year, she took a creative writing class that further sparked her passion for writing. Since then, she has written much more poetry and many more songs. She also enjoyed classes like The Literature and History of Film, American Literature, and art classes that allow creative minds to express themselves.
Zoe Tu is a rising sophomore at Princeton University. She attended Wayzata High School, where she was a part of the Varsity Swim & Dive, Speech, and Science Olympiad teams. Her past academic accomplishments include National Merit Scholar, Class Top Ten, and Presidential Scholar. Outside of school, she teaches swim lessons and is a part of an a cappella group. Her other hobbies include baking, binge-reading, and making clay figurines. Zoe plans to major in chemistry at Princeton and pursue a career in pharmaceutics.
