Leadership

Ascension Academics was built to serve students in some of the most academically competitive communities in the country, and today works privately with families across the country. Every program we offer has been developed through years of working directly with students and families. Nothing is taken from a generic curriculum or purchased from a publisher. Every lesson, assessment, and teaching standard has been built and refined by our team.

Matt Murillo

Founder & Director of Mathematics

Matt founded Ascension Academics with one goal: create an academic program where every student receives the same level of instruction, preparation, and support that families usually only find from the very best individual tutors.

As Director of Mathematics, Matt oversees SAT and ACT Math, Algebra, Geometry, Precalculus, AP Statistics, and the mathematics curriculum used throughout Ascension Academics. Every math instructor is trained using the teaching methods, lesson structures, and academic standards he has developed over the past fourteen years.

Matt studied at Binghamton University before beginning his career in finance and accounting on Wall Street. He later left finance to pursue education full time and has spent the last fourteen years helping students improve their confidence, raise their scores, and reach ambitious academic goals.

Over the course of his career, Matt has designed mathematics curricula for multiple tutoring organizations, led mathematics departments, and worked with students across every ability level. He earned perfect scores on both the SAT and the ACT, but believes great teaching is never about showing students how much the instructor knows. It is about helping students think independently and giving them the confidence to solve difficult problems on their own.

Today, Matt continues to work directly with students while leading the academic standards that every mathematics instructor at Ascension Academics follows.

Pauline Bordonaro

Director of Reading & Writing and College Advising

Pauline leads Ascension Academics’ Reading & Writing department and serves as Director of College Advising. She oversees SAT Reading and Writing, ACT English and Reading, Academic Writing, College Essays, and the college advising program.

For the past eight years, Pauline has helped students strengthen reading comprehension, analytical writing, and communication skills. She designs the department’s curriculum, creates instructional materials, and trains instructors so every student receives the same structured, thoughtful approach.

As both a teacher and certified school counselor, Pauline has guided students through every stage of the college admissions process. From building balanced college lists to refining application essays, she helps students present themselves with clarity, confidence, and authenticity while developing the writing skills they will continue to use long after high school.

Families often appreciate Pauline’s ability to make students feel comfortable while still holding them to high expectations. Whether a student is preparing for standardized tests or navigating the college admissions process, her focus is always the same: build confidence, improve skills, and help each student produce work they are genuinely proud of.