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ARCHBISHOP RYAN HIGH SCHOOL SAT & ACT PREPARATION
Dates and Times:| RYAN HS SPRING 2012 | March 7, 14, 21, 28, April 11, 18, 25, May 2 | 4:15-7:25 |
| RYAN HS FALL 2012 | Dates TBA, but will begin in September 2012 | 4:15-7:25 |
| RYAN HS WINTER 2012 | Dates TBA, but will begin in November 2012 | 4:15-7:25 |
| RYAN HS SPRING 2013 | Dates TBA, but will begin in March 2013 | 4:15-7:25 |
Click here for more information about 2012-2013 DISCOUNTS!
Click here to register for ANY Rutledge Learning Academy course!
Location:These classes will be held in room N112 at Archbishop Ryan High School, in Philadelphia, PA. The address for Archbishop Ryan is 11201 Academy Road, Philadelphia, PA 19154.
Instructors:
Mr. Brian Rutledge, National Board Certified Mathematics Teacher,
and Archbishop Ryan, Class of 1990 - Mathematics
and
Mr. Bruce DuBoff - Verbal
Total cost for the comprehensive (mathematics AND verbal) program:
$799, including all materials.
Total cost for a partial (mathematics OR verbal) program:
$499, including all materials.
Course description and the Rutledge Learning Academy SAT/ACT Preparation Philosophy:
Some standardized test preparation programs are geared towards teaching the skills that are necessary for success on the test. Others are solely based in teaching kids the strategies that can be used on the test. This program will provide the best of both of these approaches to test preparation to give students the best possible advantage to maximize their score on the exams. This program is designed to help build students' test-taking skills and provide insight that will help solve the mystery behind these high-stakes assessments. With the recent changes in formats to the tests, being prepared is now more important than ever. Notably, the new format of the SAT incorporates grammar skills, concepts of algebra two, and essay writing. Since standardized testing is a vital part of a student’s college application, making sure that your child has all the tools needed to succeed before taking this test is a great investment. I stress to kids and parents frequently that my SAT score was the key factor in earning a full academic scholarship. I am most proud of the success stories of the students who have taken one of my courses, and then gone on to raise their scores to win scholarship money of their own!
Over the course of my seventeen years in the field of education, I have seen numerous students who have excellent grade point averages struggle to score well on their standardized testing due to a lack of appropriate preparation specific to these tests. Enrolling your child in one of my courses will allow them to take the test prepared to succeed.
My philosophy for test preparation is that kids should ideally complete any preparatory class work that they wish to pursue prior to the start of their junior year, or at the latest, at least a month before they intend to take their high stakes testing for the first time. With that in place, they will be in position to take the PSAT in October of their junior year, and then they can gear up to take either or both of the SAT twice as an 11th grader. Given that planning, if there is still a portion of the test that the student would want to strengthen, they can work on that area alone in the summer between 11th and 12th grade, and take the test in October and/or November of 12th grade. The ultimate hope here is that the student would get a good enough score to not need to take any of the tests again in their senior year. I do, however, have several seniors improve their score on the fall test dates by taking the course in the summer or fall of their senior year.
The biggest part of any standardized test preparation program is the practice that the student does with the skills and strategies that are taught. I really recommend completing the test prep in a timely manner that will allow the student to complete several practice tests after the course is completed, but before taking the actual test. I have had students increase their scores, or have a good showing on the first time taking the test by sitting for one of my courses that ends within days of taking the test administration, but the best results of those who have prepared are usually by the students who leave some time to take the practice tests independently prior to taking the formal test. This is why I recommend at least a month after the conclusion of the course before the student takes the SAT or ACT for the first time.
Students are encouraged to bring the calculator to class with them that they plan to use on the day of the SAT or ACT. Please note that in the event that a class needs to be cancelled due to inclement weather, or instructor illness, it will be rescheduled in a timely manner as the classroom availability and weather permits. If I can provide any additional information, please call me at 215-343-9642, or e-mail me at info@rutledgelearningacademy.com, and I will be sure to answer any of your questions personally. Registration information is available on the site, but please call ahead if you will be registering your student onsite on the first day of class so I can bring appropriate materials and determine if space is still available.
