Elite Prep is a college preparation company founded in 1987 in Rowland Heights, California, that helps students in grades 6–12 with tutoring, test preparation and college counseling.
At Elite Prep, we believe education is about more than achieving high grades, earning strong test scores, or gaining admission to a great college. It is about developing the knowledge, skills, confidence, and curiosity that help students discover their strengths, pursue their interests, and realize their potential.
Since 1987, Elite Prep has helped students navigate their educational journeys through academic instruction, test preparation, college counseling, and innovative learning opportunities. What began as a small tutoring center in Southern California has grown into an educational organization serving students and families across multiple communities.
Throughout our history, our commitment has remained the same: to provide students with the guidance, resources, and opportunities they need to succeed academically and grow as individuals.
Our Mission
Our mission is to help students realize their academic and personal potential by providing challenging educational experiences, excellent instruction, and individualized guidance.
We believe that meaningful education develops more than academic knowledge. It fosters intellectual curiosity, critical thinking, self-discipline, confidence, and a lifelong commitment to learning.
We strive to help students recognize their strengths, develop their talents and interests, and pursue their goals with purpose and determination.
Learning for Life is more than a motto. It reflects our belief that the value of education extends beyond the classroom and continues throughout a person's life.
A Tradition of Excellence Since 1987
Our History
Elite Prep began in 1987 when founder Jonghwan Patrick Park opened a small tutoring center in Rowland Heights, California, establishing Elite Educational Institute.
From those beginnings, Elite Prep expanded its educational programs, developed its own curriculum and instructional resources, and established learning centers across the United States. Its curriculum and instructional approach also became the foundation for educational organizations established in other countries.
Over the decades, Elite Prep has evolved alongside the changing educational landscape. What began with tutoring and test preparation has grown to include comprehensive college planning, academic enrichment, and other educational initiatives designed to meet students' changing needs. Through our affiliation with Elite Open School, participating Elite Prep offices also support students enrolled in accredited courses offered by EOS.
Our history reflects a continuing commitment to educational excellence, innovation, and the belief that every student deserves the opportunity to realize their potential.
Great Teaching. Meaningful Connections. Individual Growth.
Our Approach
We believe that successful learning requires more than access to information. Students benefit from thoughtful instruction, meaningful guidance, consistent support, and educators who are invested in their progress. Four principles have long guided our educational approach:
Curriculum
We develop and continually refine instructional materials and educational programs that build fundamental academic knowledge, strengthen critical thinking, and prepare students for new challenges.
Connection
We value the relationships between students and educators. Through personal guidance, encouragement, and accountability, our teachers and counselors help students navigate challenges and develop confidence in their abilities.
Consistency
Meaningful academic growth requires sustained effort, clear expectations, and dependable support. We emphasize disciplined study habits, ongoing assessment, and consistent instruction to help students make progress toward their goals.
Care
Every student brings a unique combination of strengths, interests, aspirations, and challenges. We seek to understand each student's individual needs and provide the encouragement and support necessary for personal and academic growth.
★★★★★
Elite didn’t just give me the answers and the methods – it gave me the mindset to prepare for any challenge.
Creating Opportunities Through Education
Our Impact
For nearly four decades, Elite Prep has worked to make a meaningful difference in the lives of students and in the communities we serve.
We measure our impact not only through academic improvement and college admissions, but also through the opportunities students discover, the paths they pursue, and the contributions they make beyond the classroom.
Helping Students Realize Their Potential
Elite Prep students have pursued a wide range of academic, professional, and personal goals. Over the years, former students have gone on to careers in medicine, law, engineering, scientific research, technology, entrepreneurship, education, the arts, and many other fields.
Their diverse journeys reflect our belief that education is not simply preparation for the next examination or academic milestone, but a foundation for lifelong learning and achievement.
Expanding Access to Educational Opportunities
Our commitment to education extends beyond the students enrolled in our programs.
Through initiatives such as Elite Community Scholars and educational support for refugee youth in Indonesia, Elite Prep and organizations within its broader educational network have worked to make educational resources and opportunities available to students who might otherwise have limited access to them.
Encouraging Learning, Leadership, and Service
Elite Prep also supports opportunities for students to challenge themselves, explore their interests, and contribute to their communities.
Through academic competitions, educational challenges, and student leadership and service initiatives—including CFGL competitions, Future Scholars Challenges, and IMPACT ChangeMakers—we seek to encourage intellectual curiosity, creativity, initiative, and personal growth.
Building Educational Partnerships
We recognize that supporting students is a shared endeavor. Our collaborations with schools, educational organizations, and community partners help extend educational opportunities and provide students with additional resources and support.
These relationships reflect our commitment to working with the broader educational community to help students learn, grow, and succeed.
★★★★★
Every time I take a class here, I get better. I’ve learned a lot about my academic strengths and challenges. Plus, I’ve made lifelong friends at Elite!
Accreditation & Professional Affiliations
Select Elite Prep centers are accredited by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC) as a Supplemental Education Program (SEP), reflecting our commitment to educational quality and continuous improvement.
We are affiliated with Elite Open School (EOS), a separate accredited educational institution. Participating Elite Prep offices serve as Learning Resources Centers, supporting students enrolled in EOS courses through structured academic guidance.
Elite Prep also collaborates with the Center for Future Global Leaders (CFGL) to co-sponsor IMPACT ChangeMakers and CFGL Competitions, creating opportunities for students to develop leadership skills, express their creativity, and engage in community service.
We also support students pursuing nationally and internationally recognized youth development awards. Elite Prep directors serve as advisors to students participating in The Congressional Award, helping them set goals and document their achievements in community service, personal development, physical fitness, and exploration. Through our affiliation with Elite Open School, an official partner of The Duke of Edinburgh's International Award USA, students can also pursue opportunities for personal growth, service, and leadership.
In addition, Elite Prep is a member of the National Association for College Admission Counseling (NACAC) and the National Test Prep Association (NTPA), professional organizations supporting quality and professional standards in college admission counseling and test preparation.
Many Elite Prep directors maintain individual memberships in professional organizations such as the Western Association for College Admission Counseling (WACAC) and the Independent Educational Consultants Association (IECA), reflecting their commitment to professional development and ethical college counseling practices.
Learning for Life
From our founding in 1987 to the students and communities we serve today, Elite Prep has been guided by a simple belief: education creates opportunities.
We are proud of our history, committed to our students, and inspired by the possibilities that learning can open throughout their lives.
