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When Should I Prepare For and Take the SAT or ACT? Part I
One common question that I talk with students and parents about is regarding the schedule of tests and test prep for the ACT or SAT. There are many factors to consider and it can vary based on the student’s starting scores and goal score. Below are some things to...
read moreThe Best Books Aren’t Hard to Find
Books are a part of the learning experience, whether you like it or not. The high school years are prime time for reading some of the most mind-bending and life-changing literature you will ever read. With that in mind, we found this list from Modern Library of the...
read moreMy SAT or ACT Scores Came Back–Now What?
One of the most common questions that we receive is regarding what to do after SAT or ACT scores come back. Most juniors have already taken or will soon be taking their first SAT and/or ACT. Once they see their scores, what is the next step? Scenario 1: You received...
read more10 Best Apps for Students
As students are becoming more and more dependent on technology, it makes sense to seek out the best apps that can help them in their studies. Many schools are turning to technology for textbooks, turning in papers, sharing notes and homework assignments,...
read moreBack to School—Avoiding the Homework Battle
It’s that time of year again—the weather is starting to cool down, the first leaves are beginning to change colors, and our news feeds are filled with smiling children toting backpacks for the first time. While this seems like a beautiful scene, it often quickly...
read moreSAT II: Subject Tests—What Are They and Do You Need to Take Them?
Another question that we are frequently asked is “What are the SAT II’s and do I need to take them?”. The SAT II’s are content based tests. They are each one hour long and are multiple choice. Students can choose from a variety of subjects including literature,...
read moreShould I Take the ACT or SAT?
One of the questions we are asked most frequently is “should I take the ACT”? I always tell juniors that they should try both the SAT and the ACT. Even if you do not take an official test, you should at least take a practice test of each to get an idea of the...
read moreComparing the Costs: Public vs. Private
I find all too often parents tend to focus on the sticker price of college tuition instead of the actual true total out of pocket cost of college. A simple but critical formula to know before you apply to any school is COA-EFC=Need. The acronym means Cost of...
read moreDon’t Let Mid-Terms Get You Down
It’s that dreaded time of year: mid-term season. Parents and students alike dread mid-term exams, but with a few tips, there is no reason to be afraid. The key— as in all things — is to be prepared. The first step is to be organized. Don’t study in a slapdash manner....
read moreThe College Application Essay: How To Write One That Works.
College Applications. There are few things that cause more anxiety for high school seniors and their parents. Navigating this process can be daunting between gathering transcripts, getting letters of recommendation, taking last minute SAT tests, and trying to recall...
read moreThe Need for Extra-Curricular Activities
In school, teachers and parents put a lot of stress on academic success, and with good reason. Understanding school subjects is a sure way to raise your base of knowledge and do well in school and beyond. However, grades are not the only important thing to consider...
read moreBack to School
It's getting to be back to school time, and that means some preparation is in order. Going back to school isn't a simple matter of packing a kid's lunch and sending him or her off. Some additional thought is required. This website has some interesting advice for these...
read moreLearning about Autism
Many people have had their awareness of autism raised by the media, a family member, or a member in their community. As more and more people become familiar with autism, it is important that we all be educated. On this blog post we are going to take a look at some new...
read moreTechnology in the Classroom
A lot has changed in the classroom over the many years the United States has offered public education. Perhaps no change is as obvious as that occurring in technology. Typing on a computer has replaced the emphasis on writing by hand. The Internet has added a new...
read moreMaking Up for Summer Learning Loss
Nothing is quite like summer vacation. As young students, we counted down the dwindling days of the school year in anticipation of our big breaks. Now, as parents, we contemplate what exactly to do with our children now that they are out of school. It is looking more...
read moreTexas Kills Common Standards
We have talked on these pages about the push for so-called “common-core standards.” This is basically an attempt to establish universal standards for English and math so that, from state to state, school systems would be in agreement about what students should be...
read moreEducation or Incarceration?
In the last 20 years, state spending on prisons has grown six times faster than spending on higher education. In the 20 years from 1987 to 2007, the nation’s prisons grew by one million people. And the harshest statistic of all? The United States imprisons almost 25...
read moreA Foreign Example to Follow?
The United States has moved towards an even greater emphasis on standardized testing in our school systems during the last decade. This has been controversial and caused an outcry from parents, students, and teachers who think too much testing can be a bad thing. Now...
read moreFairfax County Leads in Graduation Rates
Looks like the Northern Virginia area is a great place to go to high school. Fairfax County and Prince William County are nation leaders in graduation rates. This is according to Education Week's recent "Diplomas Count 2011: Beyond High School, Before Baccalaureate"...
read moreTri-Ed Contributed: New Book Arms College-Bound Women with “Strategic Success Plan”
It’s that time of year. This month roughly 4.3 million students in the United States are donning caps and gowns and walking down the aisle to receive their high school diplomas. Of those graduates, just over 3 million of them will head off to college in the fall. ...
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