Blog
Executive Functioning

September 1, 2023
School Information Test Dates
August 7, 2023
High school admissions get more competitive every year, and we see that take a toll on both parents and children. It’s important to recognize and validate […]
June 30, 2023
High School Placement Test CPS High School Admissions Test ISEE SSAT
Learning & Mindset

March 7, 2022
Our tutors have met with their students online for many years (well before the pandemic!), and over time these virtual sessions have become as dynamic, personal, […]
February 16, 2022
The stretch between winter and spring breaks can feel years long. It’s not unusual at all for students’ motivation to dip during this time. We see […]
October 21, 2020
Good grades don’t necessarily indicate that a student is actually learning the material. We need to look a little more closely to understand whether or not […]
Test Prep

September 2, 2022
Join us on September 13! Our college planning webinar will answer frequently asked questions about a variety of topics. Along with our friends at College Inside Track, […]
July 20, 2022
Several CPS high schools offer International Baccalaureate (IB) programs. Although the admissions process is competitive, it is less so than for Selective Enrollment High Schools. IB […]
March 16, 2022
Which test should my child take? We recommend that students take the test they’ll get a better score on. For most students, the ACT is the […]
Math

January 19, 2015
We work with many students who’ve struggled in math, sometimes for years. During a first session, many say they’re fuzzy on a certain concept, that they […]
July 29, 2011
In previous posts, Sara introduced the concept of surface structure & deep structure when it comes to problem solving. She then went on to describe the ways the surface […]
July 15, 2011
In her previous post, Sara described the difference between surface and deep structure in math word problems. Here, she talks about how students transfer prior knowledge […]
Summer Learning

June 30, 2023
There’s a lot to know about the high school entrance tests and admissions process! To help you understand the ins and outs, we’ll share timely info and practical […]
May 19, 2021
The bad news (aka the most unsurprising news ever): a global pandemic will cause school-related shortfalls. The good news: there’s enough time this summer to take […]
May 19, 2021
In some ways, sophomore year can be a breather. Students have settled into the rhythms of high school, and have some time before the work of […]
Applying to College

January 29, 2021
While some colleges adopted test optional or test blind policies well before we’d ever heard of COVID-19, many more made the move after the pandemic’s onset. […]
June 17, 2020
The pandemic continues to impact the college admissions process, so it’s important to think about your applications from a holistic perspective. Don’t let that scare you! […]
October 9, 2013
Did you know that there are eight different ways for students to apply to college? No wonder the application process seems complicated for so many high school […]
Reading and Writing

July 16, 2012
A common concern we hear from parents is that their child doesn’t read enough. Some children dislike reading because they find it tough; others find it […]