WHO IS THIS PROGRAM FOR?

4th/5th GRADERS - Who have never taken a SEES test since kindergarten or who those may need more time to prep for SEES Regional Gifted Exam 

6TH /7th GRADERS - Who want build confidence and get test prep for Chicago’s Selective Enrollment 7th/8th grade Academic Center Exam.

Academic Centers are highly competitive Selective Enrollment schools that provide accelerated programs for 7th and 8th graders. Based within a high school setting the schools are listed below: 

Whitney Young Academic Center

Lane Tech Academic Center 

Lindblom Academic Center  

Brooks Academic Center 

Kenwood Academic Center   

Taft Academic Center 

IMPORTANT - CPS has moved the testing period to 2025 - Parents we recommend you DO NOT WAIT  to start test prep.  Learning these skills take time. 

This program is ideal for high-achieving students seeking an academic boost, to prepare for a high-stakes test (such as regional gifted center admission exam or selective enrollment academic center entrance exam.  

PROGRAM DETAILS 

Small group tutoring sessions to prepare for CPS Selective Enrollment Academic Center Exam.

Our Course includes: diagnostic and post test, individualized results, online homework to reinforce strategies and topics covered in class.

Correspondence with parents that includes access to homework checklists and student progress.

LIVE instruction in a virtual classroom

• LIVE instruction in a virtual classroom
• Online learning platform flexible for private chats and interactive group discussion
• Small Class size - Student - Teacher ratio ~ (10:1) 
• Assessments + written report on results 
• Over 500 practice questions with quizzes and at-home assignments 
• 24/7 access to course for unlimited retakes during course enrollment
• The testing period has moved to 2025  - so we are adding a Bonus: Portal access extended for 2 additional weeks for a total of 8 weeks instead of 6. 

SCHEDULE 

*SESSON BLOCKS  - Below are the options for your child to attend sessions. Please pick one as additional fees apply for students who alternate between session days.  

Course Schedule Options:

Ideal for all students including those who are somewhat familar with SEES testing, new to our teaching methodologies and/or want to sharpen test taking skills.   Don't wait until the new year to give your student a chance to practice.  These skills are typically not taught in the classroom and based on our experience students need serveral weeks of tutoring/test prep to do their best.   Portal access is extended for 2 additional weeks -

WINTER CLASSES ARE NOW AVAILABLE for students taking the exam Jan/Feb 2025. 

Sunday @ 1pm to 3pm  - Dec 8, Dec 15, Dec 22, Dec 29, Jan 5, Jan 12, 

Sunday @ 3pm to 5pm  - Dec 8, Dec 15, Dec 22, Dec 29, Jan 5, Jan 12, 

Sunday @ 1pm to 3pm  -  Dec 22, Dec 29, Jan 5, Jan 12, Jan 19, Jan 26 

Sunday @ 3pm to 5pm  -  Dec 22, Dec 29, Jan 5, Jan 12, Jan 19, Jan 26 

Monday @ 5:30pm to 7:30pm  - Dec 9, Dec 16, Dec 23, Dec 30, Jan 6, Jan 13,

Monday @ 5:30pm to 7:30pm  - Dec 23, Dec 30, Jan 6, Jan 13, Jan 20, Jan 27

Thursday @4pm to 6pm - Dec 26, Jan 2, Jan 9, Jan 16, Jan 23, Jan 30 

Note: If you are a partner school you will be able to select your in-person/in-school schedule after regisration. 

*Parents - after payment you will be redirected to a google form so you can select your session block.

COURSE TOPICS 

The program provides effective questioning techniques and thinking clues designed specifically to promote the development of critical thinking and creative thinking skills. With small class sizes  and flexible lesson plans, our expert and certified instructors will help all students catch up, keep up, or move ahead on a personalized basis.

Topic areas for this program includes, but are limited to, the following: 

• Mathematical reasoning - ability to problem solve and use logic to solve math problems and explain their thinking.
• Cognitive processing speed - the rate at which a student takes in and analyzes information.
• Visual motor speed - the rate at which a student can see and physically respond.
• Flexible thinking - the ability to shift gears or change direction to adjust to unexpected changes (a key problem solving skill). 
• Verbal reasoning - ability to make connections, identify relationships, predict potential events, read between the lines, and make inferences when concepts are presented in words.
• Abstract reasoning  the use of critical thinking to solve problems that offer information in visual (figural) form.
• Spatial (non verbal) reasoning  -  includes an understanding of direction, orientation, scale, and relationship between objects in space.
• Verbal memory is the ability to acquire information through words. 

For students to get the most out of this program, we ask them to work through the curriculum at a steady pace. We provide both synchronous (live) and asynchronous learning opportunities with their content area coaches, which make it easy for students with low technical training  to complete assignments and attend live virtual sessions. Accelerated learners and fast finishers can work through their virtual curriculums, adding fun and engaging activities like brain teasers or puzzles during down times.

Online software

Students will log in to the software component of the program after group instruction to complete various activities that reinforce the skills taught in the virtual session or focus on their personalized learning plan. Academic coaches keep track of students’ development and ensure that they are motivated and engaged in the curriculum.

Zoom 

Sessions are held via Zoom, so you must have the ability to stream audio and video. Parent or caregiver proximity is required to assist with any technical issues. 

A Zoom access link and instructions will be emailed to you 30 minutes before class starts.

Please read before purchase:

Cancellation and Refund Policy: 

Cancellations submitted in writing 24 hours before the start of the program’s first session will be refunded 100%. No refunds after the first lesson has begun. We reserve the right to cancel any scheduled programs as a result of insufficient enrollment. If this does occur, every effort will be made to notify you prior to the start of the program. If the program is canceled due to low enrollment you will receive a full refund. Late arrival, non-attendance or notifying the instructor that you will not be attending does not constitute a refund or free make-up lesson. Make-up lessons are offered as a courtesy and are not guaranteed. Registration program fees are non-refundable once the first lesson has begun.