Theory and Practice
prakses is a space
for exploration,
education, and
transformation.
Redefining the experience of learning through self-discovery, mentorship, and real-world impact.
Who they are, what they love, and what the world needs — converging on one Theory and Practice.
Top 30 acceptance
61%
of prakses students were accepted to a top 30 school.
U.S. News & World Report · Cohort of 2025
Scholarships & grants
$30M+
earned in scholarships and grants.
Cohort of 2025
Colleges
274
have admitted a prakses or Global Prep Academy student.
Seven graduating classes on record
About us
Our Philosophy: Learning, Reimagined
Learning starts with the student, not the system.
Today’s education system is facing unprecedented challenges. We’re watching curiosity fade and passion dim in young minds because students aren’t given the space to explore who they are. We seek to redefine the experience of learning.
Learning starts with the student
We believe learning starts with the student–not the system. At prakses, we guide each student through a process that honors their identity, experiences, and vision. When education feels personal, students fall in love with learning again.
Theory and Practice
We bridge who students are with what they learn. By connecting lived experience, current global issues, and personal passion, students develop their own authentic Theory and Practice. A model rooted in relevance and purpose.
Knowledge, applied
Knowledge is only powerful when applied. Through Theory and Practice, students gain the tools for critical thinking skills, ethical action, and meaningful collaboration that empower them to create impactful change in their communities and beyond.
prakses was founded as Global Prep Academy. Students who came through before the change — and the college results going back to 2016 — use the earlier name. Same studio, same people.
Services
What we do
Four ways in. Each one starts with a conversation.
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College Curation
Our dedicated team will help students craft a path rooted in who they are—not just what’s expected. Together, we will co-create a personalized school list aligned with the student’s strengths, passions, and vision for the future.
From building a narrative that reflects their lived experience to making intentional choices around deadlines and applications, every element is shaped to tell a cohesive, authentic story and empower students to show their fullest selves.
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Pathway Mentorship
Theories & Practices
Work directly with our mentors to take ownership of your story, activate your passions, and design a purpose-driven journey that culminates in a Project with measurable, real-world impact.
Helping find your voice and story.
- Academic Tutors
- Career Networking
The record
Our Results
Where students went, and what they and their families said about getting there.
From parents
Mr. & Mrs. Kim parents of Young Kim
“Through Young, we have learned a lot about the college learning experience. Our generation has been taught to believe that a top-brand school is a necessary step for future success. We have realized that the brand name of the school holds very little to no importance when it comes to landing a job in the real world. Major corporations and companies aren’t looking for just a printed diploma with a useless major. Rather, they are thirsty for a competitive student with a wide variety of experiences and specified skillsets. The working world that we have come to know 20 years ago has been turned on its head and is hiring based on a completely different set of criteria.
For the last year and a half, we have reflected as parents and have come to the conclusion that older generations have become too caught up in a baseless myth: the myth that our students must attend a school with a great name in order to get a good job post-graduation, leading to much confusion, conflict, and misdirection in our children. As such, we believe that the decision Young made a year ago was not only the right one but also a necessary one. We, now, are, without a doubt, fully confident in and proud of the decision that Young has made and have not looked back since.”
마지막으로, Young을 보면서 깨닫는 것은 학교의 Name Brand가 미래 사회에는 우리 세대가 느꼈던 것
만큼 중요하지 않다는 사실입니다. 기업 혹은 사회가 원하는 인재들은 그들의 Diploma 한장만 보는게
아니라 보다 경쟁력있는 다양한 경험과 실질적인 기술(Tools)들을 얼마만큼 학교로 부터 배우고 갖춰
졸업하는가에 달려 있다는 것을 새삼 느끼게 됩니다.
지난 1년 반동안 저희 부부가 느꼈고 또 반성하는 점은, 부모들의 유명한 대학교에 대한 근거없는
믿음들이 오히려 자녀들의 고민에 혼란만 줄 수도 있다는 것이었습니다. 결론적으로 당시 Young의
결정이 옳았다고 확신하고 있으며, 지금은 대견한 마음을 갖게 됩니다.
Young was named a Future 100 interior design undergraduate winner by Metropolis Magazine while at Parsons School of Design — see the feature (opens in a new tab). He has written about his own time here too, under testimonials.
Hilda mother of Eva Blakley
“The program allowed Eva to learn more about herself and interests that I think us parents couldn’t have provided. The team and students were essential for Eva’s growth and confidence. Eva loves you all. Prakses has been her safe space, and we are forever grateful.”
From students
Written after they left. Most were collected while the studio was called Global Prep Academy, which is the name they use.
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Rojie Malki-Hajjar Stanford University, Class of 2022
“Their education is practical and daring. The whole team is dedicated to bring your creative ideas to life.”
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Bridget Yang Caltech, Class of 2020
“I left GPA as a published scientific researcher, author, and app designer.”
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Emilio Gutierrez Lopez DePaul University, Class of 2022
“Thanks to GPA and its programs, I got accepted into 12 of the 15 schools I applied to.”
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Rachel DeGuzman University of Puget Sound, Class of 2021
“They believed in my writing.”
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Jane Lewis Smith College
“It’s a safe haven in the middle of Santa Clarita.”
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Jaden Nguyen Gonzaga University, Class of 2022
“GPA helped me find a school that I am happy and proud to be attending.”
Contact
Let’s talk
One conversation is enough to start.
Studio
23310 Cinema Drive, Ste 105 & 106
Valencia, CA