Introducing Our New Rewards Program

September 3rd, 2010

We are excited to announce the launch of our new rewards program this school year. Families will accrue Private Prep Points as they invest in tutoring and refer new students. These points can then either be redeemed for future sessions or donated toward free tutoring for students who are less fortunate and lack access to the premium services that we provide.

The students receiving the donated tutoring sessions will be chosen through a new collaboration with The Children’s Storefront (more information below). Private Prep is  already committed to providing one-on-one tutoring sessions for several students each week at The Children’s Storefront, but we will be able to reach more students through these donations.

We have designed and developed the rewards program as a reflection of our strong belief in giving back to the community and offering our academic expertise to support students of all socio-economic backgrounds. As such, we are offering our families the chance to support others who are of lesser means with access to the same educational support they are receiving from Private Prep.

The Children’s Storefront is an independent, tuition-free school in Harlem committed to providing a comprehensive education to children with varied academic strengths from preschool through 8th grade. The school raises approximately $4 million each year from private donors to fund their operations.

The school serves a Harlem community that is problem-ridden on a number of fronts. The median income is $16,600 and 23 percent of the population is on public assistance. District 11 has the highest concentration of shelters and facilities for drug and alcohol treatment in any community in the Borough of Manhattan. Students from the surrounding neighborhood are admitted to The Children’s Storefront based on a lottery system and receive access to educational opportunities that otherwise would be difficult to obtain.

Visit www.thechildrensstorefront.org to learn more about The Children’s Storefront.

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The Cost-Benefit of Private Tutoring

August 27th, 2010

Last week the New York Times ran an article discussing the tutoring industry and analyzed the cost-benefit of investing in a private tutor.

If we consider the cost-benefit analysis of tutoring, can and should the results be quantified?  What’s reasonable for a parent to expect?  There is one thing that this New York Times article makes very clear: in today’s academic climate, private tutoring continues to become an increasingly central aspect of the best education available, particularly in Manhattan and its surrounding areas.

So what value do these parents see in the tutoring relationships they’ve invested in?  To begin with, there is no more personal learning experience than one-on-one tutoring.  These sessions naturally enhance and reiterate the work that starts in the classroom.  As a tutor and student become better acquainted with each other, they also begin to anticipate which aspects of an assignment or prep plan will need greater emphasis.  A quality tutor will have academic performance headed north within a few sessions.

But there is also great value in the least quantifiable elements of tutoring: the relationship itself between the tutor and student.  Students who have consistent tutoring develop close bonds with their tutors, and learn to lean on them as mentors — guides through the potentially treacherous waters of school.  While it may seem counterintuitive, the most effective tutors actually help students become academically independent by equipping them with valuable study and time management skills.

Strong tutors also have an astute hand at “tutor therapy.” This requires a fine appreciation for the delicate line between academics and other concerns: understanding that planning time to do an assignment requires accounting not only for other schoolwork, but also soccer practice and the dance that a student is nervous/excited about; knowing that when a particular student gets utterly frustrated, five quiet minutes and a glass of water have him good as new; having the ability to interpret “parentspeak” to students and “kidspeak” to parents.

Finally, another benefit of a long-term tutoring relationship is the mutual understanding that there is one extra person in a student’s corner, championing his best interests at all times, and always working to resolve conflicts that arise along the way.  A tutor’s day may begin with improving a test grade, but before the day is over, that tutor may also have imparted knowledge about coping skills under pressure, been consulted about a sensitive issue that a student didn’t feel comfortable bringing to a parent, and aided communication in a household where a student complained “Mom never actually listens to me”.

An effective tutor is an educational concierge.  It may be hard to put an exact price on that, but for those who make the choice to go for it, it’s well worth it.

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The Decision: ACT or SAT

August 19th, 2010

This week we discuss the process Private Prep uses to help students decide whether the ACT or SAT is a more appropriate test. But first, a little background on the two tests…..

Historically, students on the East and West coasts predominately took the SAT, while students in the South and Midwest took the ACT. The ACT was founded in Chicago nearly 60 years after the College Board began administering the SAT. This divergence was a reflection of the admissions requirements of most universities and state school systems in the various regions of the United States. Today, while there remains a regional bias amongst test takers toward the SAT or ACT, every U.S. university accepts either test for admission. As a result, high school juniors are faced with an important decision: prepare for the SAT or ACT?

We recommend that students begin to address this question at the start of the prep process. While there is overlap in preparation for the ACT and SAT, there are also strategies specific to each test that students need to hone during the prep process. Although it is always possible to change course, it’s best to avoid scrambling in preparation for a different test during the last few weeks before the test date.

The first step in choosing the SAT or ACT is to understand the key differences between the two tests. While there is a variation in the formatting on the ACT and SAT, it’s more important to focus on what skills each test emphasizes. In general, the ACT tends to be more content driven, while the SAT is more logic-based. Click here to view a section-by-section breakdown of the differences between the SAT and ACT.

With a firm grasp on the differences between the ACT and SAT, students can begin to form an educated decision about which test best suits their strengths and weaknesses. It’s important for students to be honest about their academic skills. Additionally, our tutors play a significant role in helping students to appreciate the nuances of each test and assess their fundamental math, reading, and writing skills.

A theoretical understanding of the distinctions between the ACT and SAT is a good starting point, but leaves the door wide open to subjective interpretation. As such, we strongly encourage our students to take a practice ACT and SAT at the start of the prep process. In doing so, we use actual tests published by the College Board and ACT. Not only do we take into account the practice test results, but also evaluate how the students felt about each test.

Some students score significantly better or have a strong affinity for either the SAT or ACT after completing the initial practice tests. Other students will not have a strong preference toward either test, making the decision less black and white. In this case, a little more exposure to the style and content differences in the questions on the SAT and ACT can be helpful. That said, it’s important to be decisive and focus attention on either the SAT or ACT with confidence. Of course, some students will elect to take both the SAT and ACT, but that’s a conversation for another day (or post).

At the end of the day, deciding between the ACT and SAT is an imperfect process. Yet students should feel good about their decision, knowing that they took the requisite steps to explore the differences between the two tests. This way, students can work hard during the prep process knowing that their efforts are focused in the right place.

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Summer Plans: Building Reading Skills

July 22nd, 2010

This summer the Private Prep Blog has been focused on how students can keep their minds sharp while school is out of session. In our last post we shared ideas to help students stave off a regression of their math skills over the summer. This week, we discuss fun ways students can enhance their reading skills during the summer.

There is no substitute to reading books and articles over the summer. Reading is at the core of building vocabulary and improving reading comprehension. While many students view reading as tedious during the school year, the summer is an opportunity for students to explore topics of interest. In fact, summer is a perfect time to catch up on leisure reading while at the beach or in the park. See our post for a list of summer reading recommendations from our tutors.

There are a number of other fun ways for students to expand their vocabulary and strengthen their reading skills. For example, board games such as Boggle or Scrabble are terrific for building vocabulary. Crossword puzzles and word searches are also good ways to work on not only vocabulary and spelling, but problem solving skills as well.

Many of these games and activities are available for free online or as apps on smartphones. Below is a list of links to a few online verbal games.

Enjoy the summer and keep those reading skills finely tuned!

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Summer Plans: Building Math Skills

July 16th, 2010

It’s no secret that a structured curriculum with lessons on new math concepts reinforced by homework practice problems and tests is critical for the development of math skills. For most students, summer represents a highly anticipated opportunity to get a break from textbooks, quizzes and structured school day. While it’s important for students to use the summer as chance to relax and recharge their batteries, it’s equally as important for students to maintain the skills they worked hard to develop during the school year.

As we have previously discussed in the Private Prep Blog, research has found that students typically regress 2-3 months over the summer without the structure provided by a math class. Fortunately, there are a number of fun math games that can help students stay sharp during the summer.

Logic games such as solitaire, chess, Rush Hour, Uno, Connect Four, and Sudoku help to improve problem solving skills. Games like 24, KenKen, buzz and skip counting, and card games like 21 help to reinforce more basic math skills.

Many of these games and activities are available online or as applications on smartphones like the iPhone or Droid. Having these games on a mobile device allows a student to work on their math skills anywhere, whether that be in the car on a long trip, inside on a rainy day, or outside in the park on a sunny day. Below is a list of links to a few online math based games.

Enjoy the rest of the summer and stay on top of those math skills!

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Summer Brain Drain on CBS News

July 14th, 2010

Throughout the summer we have been discussing ways for students to keep their academic skills sharp and avoid a summer regression often referred to as ” Summer Brain Drain.” The Early Show on CBS recently featured creative ways for students to keep their minds active during summer break. Check it out below:

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Summer Plans: ACT and SAT Prep

June 25th, 2010

Summer is a great time for students to try out new experiences and recharge their batteries. For students planning to take the ACT or SAT over the course of the next year, summer can also be a useful time with fewer school related commitments.

Summer is an important time for students entering their senior year and who plan to take the SAT or ACT in the fall. Most students in this situation have taken the test at least once prior to the fall administration. Students without much prior prep can make up a lot of ground and ultimately improve their score with hard work over the summer. That being said, it can also be difficult for students to remain focused on test prep while in “summer mode” as opposed to “school mode” during the school year. That means it is critical for students to dedicate a relatively consistent time during their day to test prep homework.

Students that have prepared for (and taken) prior SAT or ACT administrations, but would like to bump up their score in the fall are in a different situation. Students should already be familiar with the test and comfortable employing the strategies that will help them navigate the ACT or SAT. In this case, we recommend students spend the first half of the summer recharging their batteries and finding some time to relax. They can continue to stay fresh by reviewing vocabulary and a few practice questions. Then focus on getting back into the swing during August with formal prep picking back up as the school year begins. Plan on a solid 4-6 weeks of formal preparation before the test date arrives.

Summer is also an opportunity for students entering 11th grade to get a jump on the SAT or ACT prep process. Students should look ahead to the coming school year and plan for times that might be especially busy with school work and extracurricular commitments. Students that know the school year will be filled with such commitments can use the summer to get part of the test prep process under their belts. Additionally, rising juniors interested in taking a winter SAT (January) or ACT (February) often benefit from beginning the test prep process during the summer.

The general situations discussed in this blog post offer guidance for when students may benefit from test prep over the summer. However, when it comes to test prep tutoring, each student has unique circumstances and should craft a plan that makes sense for his or her specific needs.

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Stefanie Lob Announced as Westchester Director

June 17th, 2010

We are excited to announce the addition of Stefanie Lob to the Private Prep management team as Westchester Director. In this role Stefanie will be a dedicated resource focused on improving our service in the Westchester community.

“Stefanie is the perfect fit as the Westchester Director. She is not only an accomplished educator, but also a true professional. She understands the qualities that make for a great tutor and is a valuable resource to our students in Westchester,” says Steve Feldman, Founder and Educational Director at Private Prep.

Originally from Larchmont, NY, and a graduate of Northwestern University, Stefanie elected to forgo medical school and dedicated her career to helping students realize their potential. As part of the NYC Teaching Fellows program, Stefanie taught math and built curriculum as a department head at the Bronx Center for Science and Mathematics over the course of four years. In her time as a tutor at Private Prep she has helped students strengthen fundamental math skills and increase scores on the math portion of the SAT and ACT.

“I am thrilled to be a part of such a dynamic and talented team, doing what I love in a community that has provided me with so much support and opportunity throughout my life,” says Stefanie.

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The Private Prep Summer Reading List

June 4th, 2010

Summer break is nearly here and reading is an important activity for students who want to stay sharp.  Check out a few of the books our tutors recommend below.

Adam Mazer recommends: The Things They Carried by Tim O’Brien — A postmodern, hallucinatory romp through the Vietnam war, Tim O’Brien’s 1990 book is an incredibly unique mix of memoir, short story collection, and novel.  Loosely revolving around semi-fictional soldier Tim O’Brien, The Things They Carried paints a vivid picture of war from a wide range of viewpoints.  With an easy to read style and immensely entertaining stories, the book presents a deceptively complex meditation on the nature of truth and existence.

Arielle Chavkin recommends: Forever by Pete Hamill — Follow Cormac O’Connor on his journey from Ireland hundreds of years ago to America, where he remains today, immortal as long as he stays within the boundaries of Manhattan. Enjoy not only beautiful writing, but also a unique perspective on New York history from somebody that lived through it all.

Caley Bulinski recommends: The Eyre Affair by Jasper Fforde — A suspenseful who-dunnit mystery that reminds one of a Harry Potter for young adults! Thursday Next, literary detective, takes readers behind the scenes of some of our literary works and helps to return one of our other favorite heroines back to the classic in which she belongs. The entire series is a riveting collection.

Donny Dietz recommends: The Floating Opera by John Barth — The work that established Barth as a major post-modern American author, The Floating Opera is a hilarious and ribald account of the day that Tod Andrews decides to commit suicide. Recommended for students who like something a little off the beaten path.

Esther Greer recommends: The Book Thief by Markus Zusak — This is the story of Liesel Meminger, whose little brother dies just before her mother leaves her with foster parents in a little town in Southern Germany.  Liesel becomes a “book thief,” stealing her first book at her brother’s funeral.  The book is written from the point of view of the Angel of Death and is also the story of Max, a 24-year old fighter the family hides in their basement. This very powerful and moving novel is intensely captivating with an incredible contrast of brutality and compassion.

James DelGenio recommends: All The Pretty Horses by Cormac McCarthy — A coming of age story, this novel follows sixteen year old John Grady Cole, a cowboy who grew up on his grandfather’s ranch in San Angelo West Texas.  When his grandfather dies and the ranch must be sold, John Grady Cole and his best friend Lacey Rawlins ride off to seek their fortunes in the expanse of the west.

Jennifer Cohen recommends: Girl with a Pearl Earring by Tracy Chevalier — Chevalier’s historical fiction explores the story behind Dutch painter Johannes Vermeer famous painting. With little known facts about Vermeer’s life, Chevalier fills in the gaps through the eyes of a 16-year old domestic servant. This beautifully crafted story is particularly interesting for young women.

Melanie Curtin recommends: From the Mixed-Up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler by E. L. Konigsburg — A page-turner for younger students (5th grade and above), this book follows the adventure Claudia and Jamie go on when they run away from home and wind up living at the Metropolitan Museum of Art. There, they are privy to the introduction of a new statue, and are immediately suspicious of its authenticity.

Sabrina Mashburn recommends: The Annotated Alice by Lewis Carroll — The Annotated Alice will take readers on an imaginative and historic journey through Carrol’s classic tale, renewing the “Alice” experience for those who grew up with the story and igniting new passions for readers encountering “Alice” for the first time.  Alongside the original texts of “Adventures in Wonderland” and “Through the Looking Glass” are notes detailing the significance of much of the imagery to Carrol’s own life, as well as to the life of Alice Liddell and her siblings, on whom the characters in the both stories are based.  Original illustrations, spelling and grammar enhance the text, as does the handsome presentation.

Sam Kressler recommends: The Omnivore’s Dilemma by Michael Pollan — Chronicling four meals and their path from the ground to the plate, Pollan’s eye-popping examination of where our food comes from will change the way you think about food. The topics range from seamlessly connecting a corn field in Iowa to a chicken McNugget in California, to hunting and curing wild boar. Pollan asks important, complex questions about how Americans eat and answers them in a clear and highly entertaining and engaging manner.

Scott Levenson recommends: The Amazing Adventures of Kavalier & Clay by Michael Chabon — Come on a 1940s journey in New York City through the lives of two up and coming comic book artists. Magic, love, suspense, friendship and masked super heroes are hallmark themes of Michael Chabon’s appropriately titled novel. Fast paced dialogue, thrilling action and vivid prose make Kavalier & Clay a great summer read.

Stefanie Lob recommends: Into the Wild by Jon Krakauer — Into the Wild is the true story of the mysterious life and death of Christopher Johnson McCandless, a recent graduate from Emory University from a well-to-do family who inexplicably donates his $25,000 of savings to charity, abandons his car and most of his possessions, burns all the cash in his wallet, and hitchhikes his way across the country to Alaska.  Four months later, his decomposed body was found by a moose hunter. How McCandless came to die is the unforgettable story of Into the Wild.

Steve Feldman recommends: The Tipping Point by Malcolm Gladwell — Gladwell’s insightful sociological study reveals how small behaviors can have a big impact. As someone who loves numbers and people, the research in this book made me think twice about how we operate Private Prep and how I live my life.

Zack Gilman recommends: Middlesex by Jeffrey Eugenides — An epic and engrossing story spanning eighty years that tracks three generations of a Greek family who emigrates from Smyrna to Detroit.  The characters are wonderful, the writing is accessible, and the book seamlessly weaves historical events into the plot in a fascinating manner.  I was sad when it ended.

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Summer Plans: ISEE, SSAT and SHSAT Prep

May 28th, 2010

Memorial Day weekend is here and with it the unofficial start of summer! Pools are opening and school is wrapping up. Summer is an opportunity for students to relax, have some fun and try out new experiences.

For rising 8th graders in New York City, critical high school admissions exams such as the ISEE, SSAT and SHSAT loom in the fall shadows of summer. With that in mind, summer is an opportunity for students taking these tests to set themselves up for success come the fall.

A majority of the math material on high school admissions exams require students to use skills acquired in 6th and 7th grades. These skills include multiplying, dividing, adding and subtracting integers, fractions, decimals and basic geometry formulas. Remember, these skills need to be rock solid come test day because calculators are not permitted on high school admissions exams.

As we discussed in our July 2009 Newsletter, math skills typically regress 2.5 months over the summer when not practiced. For students taking high school admissions tests, it’s critical to avoid this regression. To be successful, start with a review plan. Tests and quizzes from the past two years are a great source of practice questions on these skills. Students should review and even retake these tests, paying particular attention to topics that have been troublesome in the past. Additionally, there are a number of outstanding workbooks available on the market that can help students hone a variety of the math skills tested on the ISEE, SSAT and SHSAT.

The reading sections on high school admissions exams test students’ vocabulary and critical reading skills. While it seems obvious, reading quality articles and literature are the best ways to hone these skills. Summer presents a great opportunity to do just that. Although it may not feel directly like practice, reading builds vocabulary and helps to develop an understanding of grammatical structure. Summarize the main purpose of each chapter for a sibling or parent. The first and last questions on many reading comprehension questions are about the overall meaning of a passage.

In addition to a concerted effort to read, students should begin some of the more direct preparation for the ISEE, SSAT and SHSAT as the summer unfolds. Create and review vocabulary flashcards in an organized manner. Practice questions from reading comprehension, analogies, scrambled paragraphs and other specific features of the various high school admissions exams.

We recognize that summer is a time for students to have fun, but we also strongly recommend keeping an eye toward the upcoming fall. This is particularly true for students planning to take high school admissions exams.

Time well spent over the summer will help ease the test preparation burden as the school workload begins to pick back up with the start of the new school year. In order to get ahead of the curve on high school admissions exam prep, students should follow a well-designed summer study and review plan.

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