There is ground school for the CFI portion of the training.
However, aside from that it's expected that you do your own studying for the writtens and checkrides. That's not to mean the instructor(s) aren't available to answer any questions you may have, or to help you should you need it. I've seen them stretch pretty far to try to help students out, but there's no 'classroom groundschool' (Again, the CFI portion is different.)
And belive it or not, the majority of people who start this program do come out of it in aprox. 90 days, with all their ratings, and dare I say, as pretty good pilots, at that. /ubbthreads/images/icons/smile.gif
You do so much flying, you eat, sleep and talk flying for 3 months, and there's a lot to be said for that.
Socal and I on this board have gone through it, he did it in.. 68 days? I did it in 76 or something. We both passed our v-rides the first time around, and Socal is one of the better pilots I've met. /ubbthreads/images/icons/smile.gif
As I've said previously though (There is a lot of info to be found on this board, as the others have pointed out. /ubbthreads/images/icons/wink.gif) this program isn't for everybody, you have to be motivated and you have to be able to absorb information at a normal rate or above. If you have those two qualities you'll do well.
Cheers,
Helge
PS: Socal; It's too hot out here. They sold all their canoes, the lakes have dried up. Bummer.