Flexible schedule, personalized curricula.
Kathleen and Ev offer one-on-one and small group tutoring for standardized tests and various academic subjects to students in Northern Virginia. We work with our clients to develop a personalized study plan for every student. Although each pupil presents a unique case, there are certain basic practices we follow for all. Below are brief descriptions of the various kinds of tutoring we offer.
Most of our students opt for individual tutoring, but we also work with small groups of two students. Although most of our small groups consist of friends or siblings, any students whose skill sets are compatible and who are preparing for the same test can benefit from group tutoring. Small groups are limited to two students because we have found that larger groups prevent us from offering sufficient attention to each student's individual needs.
SAT and ACT tutoring. (Ev and Kathleen)
The SAT/ACT tutoring process begins with a free phone consultation with Everitt. We'll discuss your student's academic situation and goals, and I'll suggest a time frame for the tutoring. After our call, I will send you links that you can use to schedule an initial Zoom or Skype planning session and tutoring sessions.
At the initial online planning session, which typically lasts about 30 minutes (billed at Ev's normal hourly rate), we will review the student's previous test scores -- PSAT, SAT, and ACT. When there are no test scores available or the test scores are out-of-date, we generally ask that the student take a complete official practice test (SAT or ACT, depending on the student) before our meeting. The results from this test are important because they show students' strengths and weaknesses and allow us to make an informed decision about whether the SAT or the ACT is the better test for your student.
After the initial planning session comes the actual tutoring. It typically takes 10-12 sessions of 90 minutes each (15-18 hours instructional time total) to review all sections of the SAT or ACT. This means that most students should begin the tutoring about three months before the test date. Students who are already performing at a very high level or who are focusing only on one particular subject area (e.g. Math or Reading) can usually make do with fewer meetings. Students who require more extensive help, however, should plan to begin 4-5 months in advance of the test date.
We will use several coursebooks, which you can purchase on your own by following the appropriate links on the my Useful Links page. 3 hours of homework per session is typical. I also strongly encourage all of my students to take at least three complete practice tests (slightly under 4 hours each) before the actual test. Those full practice tests are the only way to confirm that a student can apply the techniques and strategies we've discussed in a realistic setting.
Academic tutoring. (Ev only)
Everitt offers academic tutoring in most subjects, including math up through Calculus BC. He also assists students in areas such as study habits and organizational skills. The following high school subjects are ones that Ev DOES NOT tutor:
- Foreign languages
- Chemistry
- Physics
- Biology
Academic tutoring can consist either of regular meetings (when a student has been struggling with a subject for a while) or a small number of meetings in close succession (when a student is preparing for a big test, project, or essay). Ev will work with you to determine the most effective approach.
AP Tests (Ev only)
Ev provides tutoring for the following AP Tests:
For AP Test tutoring, between three and five 60-minute sessions (accompanied by 2-3 hours of homework each) usually suffice.
- Art History
- Calculus AB/BC
- Music Theory
For AP Test tutoring, between three and five 60-minute sessions (accompanied by 2-3 hours of homework each) usually suffice.