Reviews

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From Current Option 1 (Fast-Paced Course) Students:

"Mr. Ilyes's teaching in AP Physics C has been a highlight of my semester. Having spent hours in his classes, I can say with full confidence that Mr. Ilyes genuinely loves what he teaches -- the enthusiasm with which he relates physics concepts is inspiring, and makes what could be a grueling class into something exciting. I've never had a teacher bring a bicycle wheel to a Zoom meeting! Now, don't get me wrong -- AP Physics C is a tough course. I spend about two and a half hours each week in class, two hours on labs, and 5-6 on homework. Succeeding in this class takes work, but Mr. Ilyes does everything he can to make sure we are prepared for tests and the AP Exam. He holds weekly office hour sessions that are very useful when I'm stuck on homework problems, and he is always available over email. He also provides ample practice problems taken directly from AP exams (something I've found lacking in prior courses), so we can focus on learning, rather than tracking down questions. The highlight of physics for me comes in relating the world in front of you to the equations you study, and in our labs we use video analysis to do exactly that, to a level of depth I haven't experienced before. Zoom classes for this course are exceptionally engaging -- Mr. Ilyes uses a polling app to periodically make sure we understand what he's covering, and is very responsive to class needs. He is always willing to go back over something if we don't understand. I haven't taken physics in five years, but because of Mr. Ilyes's teaching, I've been able to keep up in this fast-paced course. AP Physics C is not an easy class -- you will need to put in work, and not every minute will be thrilling. That said, Mr. Ilyes does everything he can to make things engaging and ensure that you are successful in this course. All possible cursory fives out of five for this class!"

"If there's something I appreciate the most about Mr. Ilyes, it's how reliably organized he is. Every class has a clear structure, every assignment is simple and meaningful, and the feedback he gives is genuinely helpful. It's not just a "partial credit markdown", but instead real guidance that makes you better at the material or be more careful with your calculations.  In class, he doesn't just teach formulas. In fact, we're expected to come to class having read the material already, so that the in-class time can be used to teach us how to think like a real physicist. After a few weeks, you can start to see that you start to break down problems in your head more logically, and understand more of why the physics works, not just how to plug numbers into a few equations.  On top of being incredibly clear in his explanations, he brings a warm energy and a splash of humor that somehow makes even tougher topics feel approachable. It's rare to find someone who can be genuinely fun to learn from, clear, and rigorous all at the same time.  I assure you that if you want a Physics C teacher who takes your learning seriously, makes the experience enjoyable, and poses an intellectually stimulating challenge, you won't find a single teacher better."

"From the very first day of class, I could tell Mr. Ilyes had lots of teaching experience. His explanations for each topic were crystal clear; they greatly boosted my understanding. His willingness to listen to every question and ability to quickly answer and even follow up after class showed that he truly cared about each student’s understanding.” 

"AP Physics C Mechanics has been a challenging course. The pace of the class is fast and the material is complex. I have been spending a lot of time outside of the class working on labs and homework problems. Mr. Ilyes explains concepts clearly in class and is available to answer questions during study hours as well as responding quickly to emails with questions. I also think that the choice of the homework problems, while there are many of them, helps practice applying the concepts we learn to many situations. After every homework set I feel more confident in the material. The labs also help with the understanding of the material and the directions are very clear."

From Current One-On-One Student:

I’ve had an outstanding experience with Mr. Ilyes as my AP Physics C: E&M instructor. He has been incredibly supportive and adaptable to my faster learning pace, always making sure I stay challenged while still fully understanding the material. His explanations are clear, thorough, and easy to follow, which has made even the tough concepts feel very manageable. He’s extremely knowledgeable about the content and is always willing to answer any question I have, no matter how detailed. On top of that, he’s genuinely a super nice and friendly person, which makes every session truly enjoyable. Mr. Ilyes quickly became one of my favorite instructors! I’m really grateful to have found such an excellent course with such an amazing instructor!   

From Past Students:

"Mr. Ilyes is *ridiculously* good at teaching physics. As a first-year physics major at the University of Notre Dame, I can strongly attest that his classes have provided me a rock-solid, crystal-clear intuition in mechanics and E&M—something my friends from other states wish they could have gotten from their teachers. He doesn't simply push a "plug-and-chug" methodology. He actively entertains questions, and teaches in a way that naturally inspires us to strive for a true mastery in physics."