About Us

A sensible strategy to successful college placement.

Breakaway Prep is a collective of the very best tutors and counselors who have spent thousands of hours with SATs, ACTs, subject tests, college essays, college lists: You name it, we have worked with it extensively.

We assess each student's individual needs and then we apply our experience and skills to ensure that students have every resource we can provide to help them succeed.

“I just want to say THANK YOU for making it all possible! What a relief for her — and by extension, for us! We really appreciate all of your help and guidance.”
Mom of Kent Place Student

Our Approach

If it is possible to be both laid back and incredibly serious — that's us. We know what we are doing, and we have the success stories to back it up.
Our human approach to the college preparation and academic support processes is a breath of fresh air compared to traditional tutoring and SAT/ACT prep services.
Accessibility is what sets us apart. Here, besides their primary instruction, students can have access to small group workshops and other support systems whenever it fits their schedules.
Our staff and owners are hyperlocal. We know the schools, classes, teachers, and curriculum backwards and forwards. We are in this together with your student.

A different philosophy built on the whole student

At Breakaway Prep, a sensible strategy to successful college placement begins before college is even in sight.
Breakaway Prep gives students the knowledge bank they need to take ownership of their high school years and their college search. Mitigating parental stress is a bonus.
We are not interested in feeding the college admissions beast that drives so many families to pay for whatever service someone is willing to offer. Our mission is to help families see their options clearly and make the best possible decisions about the entire college admissions process, for each individual student.

A Superior Approach to Test Preparation

One-on-one instruction is the best way to prep a student

Regular assessments help students work through exams and build endurance in real test conditions

Real test materials are at the heart of any serious prep experience

Adaptable prep plans allow regular feedback and the opportunity to adjust plans accordingly

Students acquire the knowledge they need to take ownership of their high school and college years

Individual counseling and academic enrichment helps students advance with less stress and more direction

Meet Our Teachers

The staff at Breakaway Prep are not side hustling. We do this as our living. Our team members average 7.5 years with the company.

Unlike college prep companies or tutoring franchises, our instructors know and assist each other. Having worked together for years, we are aligned in that everyone is on the same page and that our students come first.

Karen Blount

College Counseling; NJACAC Member; HECA Member

Richard Braden

SAT/ACT, Math; Science

Anthony Danese

SAT/ACT, Math; Science

Justin Emanuel

SAT/ACT, Language Arts

Chao Huang

Leadership

From our administrators to our teachers, Breakaway Prep is deeply embedded in our communities. We know our local high schools inside and out, as well as many of the administrators and teachers who work with our client-students daily.

Our legacy is the many families we work with whose children come through our doors one after the other, year after year. We love giving each sibling room to pursue their own sense of identity, and we are committed to helping them succeed.

Rick Michalak

Breakaway Prep Founder, SAT/ACT, Math

Rick is a graduate of Northwestern University where he later returned to earn an MBA. Rick spent years rising up the ranks at The Princeton Review, from Instructor to VP of Operations for North America. Over the past several years, he has watched his own three children navigate high school and graduate from college.

Amanda Robertson

College Counseling; IECA Professional Member

Amanda attended Middlebury College where she captained the women's swim team. She served as Director of College Placement for an independent school and as Asst Director of Enrollment Management with the University of Maryland system. She is a Professional Member of IECA.

Want to Work with Us?

We are continually looking to expand where our team can help students and parents. If you think you might be a good fit at Breakaway Prep, email your resume and a note to Rick Michalak.

Apply Now

“Max just loved you and you were such a huge help. He is my big worrier and you truly made him feel all is good!”
Madison High School mom

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