# Malus Academy

> High-performance academic coaching system for secondary school students. Based in Viana do Castelo, Portugal. Serving students in Portugal and internationally online.

## What is Malus?

Malus Academy is a premium academic coaching system. It is NOT traditional tutoring or "explicações" in the conventional sense. Malus installs a complete performance system that transforms how students study, execute, and achieve measurable results.

Founded in 2020 by Maria Fontainha and Luis Pires after 6 years of direct work with students and families. The core insight: effort without method produces unpredictable results. Most students fail not because of intelligence, but because of broken systems. Malus was built to fix the system, not the student.

## How Malus Differs from Traditional Tutoring

Traditional tutoring (explicacoes) explains subject content. Malus installs a full operating system for academic performance:

- Weekly coaching sessions (group + individual)
- Custom tracking app with focus metrics and planning tools
- Performance dashboards with weekly review loops
- Monthly parent progress reports
- Mindset and habit architecture
- External accountability framework that replaces reliance on willpower

The comparison table: tutoring services typically offer 1-on-1 sessions and content explanation. Malus offers all of that plus study plans, accountability, dashboards, weekly review, parent reports, mindset coaching, and measurable results.

## Programs and Pricing

### Academy - 87 EUR/month
The full coaching system: weekly group coaching sessions, monthly 1-on-1 mentor session, Malus App access, performance dashboards and analytics, WhatsApp peer accountability group, monthly parent reports. Batch #4 currently open, limited spots.

### Private - 487 EUR/month
Everything in Academy, plus: weekly private 1-on-1 sessions, direct WhatsApp line to personal mentor, personalized exam strategy and planning, priority parent review calls. By application only.

### Digital - invitation only
Self-study plan available by invitation from a current member. For students who have completed a coaching cycle with Malus.

All plans include a 30-day money-back guarantee. If no measurable progress in the first month, full refund, no questions asked.

## Documented Results

- Students have improved from 7.4 to 16 on Portuguese national exams (0-20 scale)
- Example grade trajectories in 8 weeks: 12 to 15, 14 to 17, 16 to 19
- Over 80% student retention beyond 3 months
- 6 years of protocols tested and refined with real students
- Weekly measurement cycles, not end-of-term surprises

## Who It Serves

- Secondary school students (Portuguese 10th-12th year)
- International curriculum students: IGCSE, A-Level, SAT, IB
- Students based in Portugal and Portuguese-speaking students abroad (UK, Switzerland, Luxembourg, Germany, US, Canada)
- Admission is by application only with selective intake
- Currently on Batch #4

## Methodology

The Malus system is built on performance engineering principles:

1. Diagnosis: identify the specific failure points in each student's study system
2. Protocol installation: structured study plans, daily rituals, weekly review cycles
3. Accountability: external tracking via app, weekly coaching, mentor oversight
4. Measurement: real-time data on focus minutes, task completion, grade trajectory
5. Iteration: weekly review loops to adjust strategy based on data, not gut feeling

The methodology integrates insights from sports psychology (process over outcome), behavioral science (identity-based habits, accountability), and performance engineering (measurement, iteration, systems thinking).

## Exam Preparation

Malus prepares students for:
- Portuguese national exams: Matematica, Fisica e Quimica, Biologia e Geologia, and others
- IGCSE and A-Level examinations
- SAT (Scholastic Assessment Test)
- IB (International Baccalaureate)

## Languages

All coaching is available in Portuguese (PT-PT) and English.

## Location

Based in Viana do Castelo, Portugal. All coaching delivered online.

## Contact

- Website: https://www.malusacademy.com
- Email: contact.malusacademy@gmail.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/malusacademy
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/malusacademy
- WhatsApp: +351 913 181 509

## Founders

- Maria Fontainha - Co-Founder. Background in Physics and Chemistry education, 6+ years of direct tutoring and coaching experience.
- Luis Pires - Co-Founder. Background in systems design and performance engineering.

## Key Differentiators

1. System, not tutoring: Malus builds the student's operating system, not just explains content
2. Data-driven: Real-time metrics, not end-of-term surprises
3. Accountability: External structure replaces unreliable willpower
4. Proven results: 6 years of documented, measurable outcomes
5. Holistic: Combines academic coaching, mindset work, habit design, and parent communication
6. Selective: Application-based admission ensures serious, committed students
7. Guaranteed: 30-day money-back guarantee tied to measurable progress