The team at MICAA Kindergarten Prep and Tutoring Services is made up of passionate, collegiate educators who work collaboratively to strengthen each student’s academic skills and confidence. Honolulu’s education environment is highly competitive, especially when it comes to private school admissions, which is why our approach goes beyond tutoring. We stay current with effective educational tools and resources to create personalized lesson plans that address individual learning differences, while balancing encouragement with structure to support consistent, long-term academic growth.
We believe students learn best when they understand how academic concepts apply to their daily lives. When learning feels meaningful, children begin to enjoy thinking through problems, recognizing patterns, and reasoning logically to find solutions.
Our approach focuses on building both academic skills and learning confidence, helping students grow into independent, motivated learners.
We partner closely with families who value progress, preparation, and strong academic foundations.
A Thoughtful, Student-Centered Tutoring Approach
Applying concepts to real-life situations
Building problem-solving and reasoning skills
Encouraging independence and confidence
Creating positive learning experiences
Applying concepts to real-life situations
Building problem-solving and reasoning skills
Encouraging independence and confidence
Creating positive learning experiences
Applying concepts to real-life situations
Building problem-solving and reasoning skills
Encouraging independence and confidence
Creating positive learning experiences
Applying concepts to real-life situations
Building problem-solving and reasoning skills
Encouraging independence and confidence
Creating positive learning experiences
Our students benefit from a completely personalized educational program that increases engagement, fosters academic improvement, and develops critical thinkers.
Working individually with each learner, our tutors guide students through challenges step by step, helping them build habits of success and a genuine love of learning.
We focus on:
How We Help Children Learn and Thrive
Personalized Learning,
Not One-Size-Fits-All Tutoring
Miss Cari, RBT
Tutor
Miss Gina,
Tutor
Miss Kylie,
Tutor
Miss Denise, RBT
Tutor
Miss Gina, RBT
Tutor
Early education support families can trust
Founded by Alissa Katada, MICAA Kindergarten Prep and Tutoring Services was built from a deep passion for education and whole child development. Alissa is a Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA), Licensed Behavior Analyst (LBA) in the State of Hawaiʻi, and a dual-certified General and Special Education teacher with over 20 years of experience supporting diverse learning needs. She holds degrees from the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa, Chaminade University, and the Florida Institute of Technology, with specialized training in Applied Behavior Analysis.
Through MICAA and its sister company, AK Applied Behavior Analysis, Alissa blends academic instruction with behavioral science to provide individualized, evidence-based support rooted in ethical, data-driven practice. MICAA’s team includes Registered Behavior Technicians (RBTs), trained professionals who work directly with students under BCBA supervision. This ensures consistent, structured support that strengthens learning, behavior, and classroom readiness while building confidence and independence.
Our team
Miss Toni, RBT
Tutor
Miss Celeste,
Tutor
Miss Tia, RBT
Tutor
Miss Lynn, Administrative Assistant
Miss Brianna, SLP/BCBA
Tutor
Miss Crystal,
Tutor
Miss Liann,
Tutor
Miss Veronica, BCBA/Tutor
Miss Almie
Tutor
Our team in the news
We love, MICAA! Our son is a fifth grader and has been working with their tutors for six months now. They are all kind, compassionate and caring. They have incredible patience, and a wealth of knowledge to help their students.
"We are lucky to have found them!"
We have seen significant improvement overall with her confidence and ability to work on her own without getting frustrated or struggling everyday with homework. She is willing to learn, motivated, and hasn’t given up.
"She enjoys going to tutoring every week "
We always talk about our day at the end of the night before bed. And I just have to share with you what Tytus said. He said “ mom, I feel good when I go to aunty Cari. I feel like I’m really learning stuff. Like I feel it in my brain. Not like Kumon that I already know and not like school.” Thanks guys for making my lil guy feel good!
"I feel like I’m really learning stuff."
When schools closed at the beginning of the pandemic, I ambitiously bought a bunch of homeschooling material for my 4 year old but after a couple of months, everything went down hill! That is when I found MICAA who took over throughout the pandemic and he enjoyed his tutoring sessions. Now I want MICAA to assist my son with executive function skills.”
"We are so grateful for the approach!"
At what age can my child start enrichment programs?
Children can begin enrichment programs as early as 2 years old.
Toddlers (ages 1–3) are primarily kinesthetic learners who process information best through movement, touch, and hands-on experiences. Our toddler enrichment program introduces a positive “school environment” using a structured play-based learning approach to build early readiness skills.
Does my child need an evaluation?
Yes. We require a consultation and informal assessment with one of our specialized tutors before enrollment.
This allows us to make ethical, personalized recommendations based on your child’s learning style, developmental level, and academic needs.
We assess:
• Visual, auditory, and kinesthetic learning styles
• Interests and personality
• Learning preferences
• Developmental and academic readiness
This ensures your child receives an individualized tutoring plan that supports real progress.
How does the enrollment process work?
Once you contact us, we begin with an intake process and informal assessment to create a personalized educational plan.
We may also ask you to share any relevant medical reports, school evaluations, or schoolwork to better understand your child’s learning needs and academic goals.
What types of curriculum do you use?
All of our curriculum is evidence-based and research-driven.
Some of the programs we use include:
• Reading Mastery
• Reading Milestones
• Expressive Writing Programs
• Touch Math
These are structured, direct-instruction programs that break learning into small, teachable parts.
Our professional tutors also create personalized academic materials using proven strategies that develop essential learning skills.
Will tutoring affect my child’s learning in school?
Yes, in a positive way.
Through individualized instruction, students learn how academic concepts apply to daily life. They develop problem-solving skills, pattern recognition, and logical thinking.
Our personalized tutoring programs:
• Increase student engagement
• Improve academic confidence
• Foster independent learning
• Support long-term academic growth
How does MICAA work with me as a parent?
We provide regular updates on your child’s progress, including insights into strengths, challenges, and academic improvements.
This helps parents communicate more effectively with their child’s school and support learning at home.
Do you work with my child’s school?
Yes, with parental consent.
We offer school consultation services for an additional fee. This may include:
• Guiding parents through the Department of Education (DOE) special education process
• Attending school or IEP meetings
• Consulting with teachers and school staff
Can my child receive 1:1 tutoring?
Yes. We often recommend 1:1 tutoring for young learners, students with minimal independent skills, or students with ADHD/ADD.
As students build independence and attention skills, we may gradually introduce small-group learning to prepare them for classroom environments.
A key goal of our tutoring program is helping students work successfully alongside peers in school settings.
What qualifications do your tutors have?
Our tutors hold Master’s degrees in Education and are dual-certified in Regular Education and Special Education.
Our team has over 20 years of experience working with learners with:
• Dyslexia
• Dysgraphia
• ADHD
• Autism
• Specific learning disabilities
• Emotional and behavioral needs
Our tutors include:
• BCBAs (Board Certified Behavior Analysts)
• RBTs (Registered Behavior Technicians)
• CDAs (Certified Development Associates)
What forms of payment do you accept?
We accept:
• Cash
• Check
• Venmo (1.9% processing fee)
• Credit Cards (3% processing fee)
• Square
• Apple Pay
All invoices include applicable taxes and third-party processing fees.
Can I purchase tutoring sessions online?
Tutoring sessions cannot be purchased online before enrollment.
All families must first complete a consultation and informal assessment to ensure we create the right personalized learning plan for your child.
You can schedule your child’s assessment online.
After the assessment is completed and your child’s tutoring plan is finalized, you will be able to book and pay for tutoring sessions online.
Comprehensive Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) Programs
AK ABA Services offers comprehensive, evidence-based Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) therapy for children across all developmental levels, from early intervention, to intensive day programs, individual therapy, and social skills groups.
Every program is individualized, BCBA-supervised, and grounded in data-driven strategies that build real-world skills in communication, emotional regulation, social interaction, and functional independence.
We proudly accept HMSA, Kaiser, UHA, HMAA, and QUEST (Medicaid), making quality care accessible to Hawaii families.
What sets us apart is our whole-child, whole-family approach. Parents receive hands-on training and coaching, and as the sister company to MICAA Independent Educational Tutors, we bridge behavioral and academic support to reinforce growth across every environment. Whether services are delivered in-center, at home, or in the community, our mission is the same: early, proactive intervention and the long-term confidence and independence every child deserves.