How Top Juniors can get discounted (and later free) lessons
The aim of my "Top Junior" coaching program is to provide a discount for promising juniors so that they can take ongoing lessons at a reasonable rate. While I do offer a 20% discount for players under age 19 with an established rating on the USCF "Top-100" lists for their age, for these same players I offer the following conditions for a program:
1) Take 20 hours of individual lessons within one calendar year (Jan through Dec only) at the special "top junior" rate of 20% ($100 instead of the $125) off per hour and your next 5 hours of lessons in that same calendar year are FREE! Any individual lesson after 25 hours in the calendar year will also be offered at $25 off the regular rate (again, if $125 then $100) until December 31. Note: A multiple hour lesson discount does not apply since a "top junior" discount is better.
If you are NOT on the program and take 25 one-hour lessons in a year this would cost $3.125 at $125/hr (this is an example; check here for current rates), but on the program the same 25 would only cost 20 x $100 + 5x0 = $2000, almost a 40% discount!
2) A student must have played at least 36 USCF slow-rated games during the previous 12 months, preferably more. This should be an easy requirement for most serious players, who more likely play closer to 100 rated games per year or more.
3) The player must be on his/her qualified age list at the start of that year's program, but not necessarily on Jan 1. For example if you first contact me when you are 12 years old and the 100th rated 12-year-old is currently rated 1479, then any 12 year old with an established rating of 1479 or over would qualify. If after starting the program the student rating falls below the limit, I will still honor my commitment for the remainder of that calendar year, but to qualify for future years they must again make the stated limit for their age based on any following year's official USCF rating. If a player achieves the limit in the middle of the calendar year, they now qualify, but any previous lessons that year do not qualify for the program.
4) As with any other student, the lessons must fit within my normal schedule and scheduling priority, with anyone's weekly lessons at the same day and time taking priority, etc. Players on this program have normal priority based on the scheduling vis other students. Lessons can be in-person or on the Internet via the Internet Chess Club (ICC). See my Lesson page on how I will buy a non-ICC member an ICC membership to take internet lessons.
5) A parent should state that they are entering the program, at least the first time, so we can start keeping track. If they qualify I will try to ask at least once. There is no obligation to for anyone to enter. Important: You don't have to "sign up" to complete the entire program in order to qualify. You can pay "Youth Program" rates for 2-3 lessons and see if you wish to continue. There is no obligation in starting!
6) Rates for program members will vary based upon my regular base rate for the current year, but the same rough percentage discount will apply and be posted (see my Fees Pages).
7) Bonus: For anyone who has been on my top Junior program for at least one year, then achieves the following, and continues as part of my program for contiguous lessons at least one year afterward (i.e., you must be a continuous student for at least 25 lessons before and after the achievement), receives:
The aim of my "Top Junior" coaching program is to provide a discount for promising juniors so that they can take ongoing lessons at a reasonable rate. While I do offer a 20% discount for players under age 19 with an established rating on the USCF "Top-100" lists for their age, for these same players I offer the following conditions for a program:
1) Take 20 hours of individual lessons within one calendar year (Jan through Dec only) at the special "top junior" rate of 20% ($100 instead of the $125) off per hour and your next 5 hours of lessons in that same calendar year are FREE! Any individual lesson after 25 hours in the calendar year will also be offered at $25 off the regular rate (again, if $125 then $100) until December 31. Note: A multiple hour lesson discount does not apply since a "top junior" discount is better.
If you are NOT on the program and take 25 one-hour lessons in a year this would cost $3.125 at $125/hr (this is an example; check here for current rates), but on the program the same 25 would only cost 20 x $100 + 5x0 = $2000, almost a 40% discount!
2) A student must have played at least 36 USCF slow-rated games during the previous 12 months, preferably more. This should be an easy requirement for most serious players, who more likely play closer to 100 rated games per year or more.
3) The player must be on his/her qualified age list at the start of that year's program, but not necessarily on Jan 1. For example if you first contact me when you are 12 years old and the 100th rated 12-year-old is currently rated 1479, then any 12 year old with an established rating of 1479 or over would qualify. If after starting the program the student rating falls below the limit, I will still honor my commitment for the remainder of that calendar year, but to qualify for future years they must again make the stated limit for their age based on any following year's official USCF rating. If a player achieves the limit in the middle of the calendar year, they now qualify, but any previous lessons that year do not qualify for the program.
4) As with any other student, the lessons must fit within my normal schedule and scheduling priority, with anyone's weekly lessons at the same day and time taking priority, etc. Players on this program have normal priority based on the scheduling vis other students. Lessons can be in-person or on the Internet via the Internet Chess Club (ICC). See my Lesson page on how I will buy a non-ICC member an ICC membership to take internet lessons.
5) A parent should state that they are entering the program, at least the first time, so we can start keeping track. If they qualify I will try to ask at least once. There is no obligation to for anyone to enter. Important: You don't have to "sign up" to complete the entire program in order to qualify. You can pay "Youth Program" rates for 2-3 lessons and see if you wish to continue. There is no obligation in starting!
6) Rates for program members will vary based upon my regular base rate for the current year, but the same rough percentage discount will apply and be posted (see my Fees Pages).
7) Bonus: For anyone who has been on my top Junior program for at least one year, then achieves the following, and continues as part of my program for contiguous lessons at least one year afterward (i.e., you must be a continuous student for at least 25 lessons before and after the achievement), receives:
- A USCF Expert Title: 5 free lessons
- A USCF Master Title: 10 free lessons
- Any FIDE OTB title (FM, IM, GM): A wood chess set from the House of Staunton