Blog
Executive Functioning
March 22, 2023
Self-advocacy is an easily forgotten key to academic success. In our experience, students who meet regularly with their teachers understand material better, study smarter not harder, […]
September 17, 2020
Now that we’re well into this school year unlike any other, we’re getting a feel for the obstacles students are running into with remote learning. What’s […]
January 25, 2018
With planning and effort now and during the coming months, your eighth grader can set themselves up for a smooth transition to high school! Why Now? […]
Learning & Mindset
February 10, 2025
If your child needs extra support at school, you may have heard of 504 Plans and IEPs (Individualized Education Programs). Understanding how they work—and which one […]
November 6, 2024
Show us a parent, and we’ll show you someone who’s said, “What does this all mean?” about their child’s standardized test score report. Whether it’s the […]
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, […]
Test Prep
July 18, 2024
The ACT has introduced an updated test! Here’s what we know so far. Check back for additional details as they’re released! Rollout of the New ACT […]
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? Colleges do not have a preference for one test over the other, so we recommend that students take the test […]
Math
January 31, 2024
The high school math placement test tends to fly under the radar. But for students who want to take advanced math classes throughout high school (not […]
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 […]
Summer Learning
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 […]
July 28, 2020
Over the past sixteen years, we’ve learned through our one-to-one work with students that setting up a solid foundation in seventh grade leads to big gains […]
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 […]
