The Benefits of Handwriting for Education

The Re-emergence of Writing in Education

The ability to write and form a sentence is an art that will always be authentic to an individual. According to the Merriam- Webster dictionary, writing is defined as the act or process of forming visible letters or characters and the act or process of literary or musical composition. For students today, the act of writing is essential, as its mastery is needed to think critically and communicate effectively. Writing promotes independent thinking and gives us the confidence to express our ideas and organize our thoughts, as well as to enhance our conceptual understanding.

As early as Pre-K, students learn the foundations of writing when they learn letter recognition and the formation of letters. As students advance in grades these print concepts are taught in conjunction with reading, and reading comprehension becomes evident through constructed responses. Over the past few years, advancements in technology have shifted the learning process and requirements have moved from handwriting to typing with computer-based learning and testing. Some even argue that the emergence of AI will replace writing skills that are necessary to achieve success not only in academics but in career advancement. However, many studies still assert that handwriting is a critical skill that is needed for academia and beyond.

The Benefits of Handwriting

Recent studies have shown that when compared to typing, handwriting enhances cognitive development by engaging more areas of the brain that promote memory retention, comprehension, critical thinking and creativity. Typing, on the other hand, may be swift and seem more effective, but it doesn’t trigger the neural connections that are needed for cognition and advanced memory retention. Writing is multisensory. It involves moving the pen to form the shape of the letter, applying pressure when needed, and navigating through the space of the lines and page while coordinating thought, vision and action.

Handwriting Lights up our Brain

Neuroimaging studies have shown more parts of the brain are active during handwriting and only smaller parts of the brain are active during typing. The alpha and theta oscillations in the parietal and central regions of the brain that are responsible for learning and memory exhibit activation during handwriting. When learning letters and sounds, students who practiced handwriting had better reading comprehension and fluency compared to those who practiced typing. This is due to the attention to detail needed to memorize the movement of the shape of the letter which ultimately improves reading.

Another study found that students were able to take better notes when typing, but were lacking conceptual understanding when tested on the content compared to students who took notes by hand. Van de Meer suggests, “They were typing without thinking.” Students who wrote by hand outperformed those students who used a typewriter when tested, further confirming the cognitive benefits of handwriting on learning.

Cursive Writing Makes a Comeback

A 2020 study examined the importance of cursive writing over typewriting in the classroom. The results were similar as neuropsychologist, Dr. Audrey van de Meer states,“The whole area of the brain is involved when you write or draw, but it is not the case when you use a typewriter.”

Research has shown the positive impact that cursive handwriting has had on learning. Fine motor skills from the “fluid motion and smooth transition” required in cursive writing stimulates the motor cortex and cerebellum which heightens memory retention and conceptual understanding. The cognitive benefits of handwriting on learning as well as the vast history of cursive writing have played a major role in the resurgence of cursive writing. Its origins date back to ancient Greece and Rome. Historical documents, including those of our founding fathers are written in cursive. The ability to read and write cursive will enable our students to preserve history as well as be successful in the future.

As of March 2026, twenty seven US States have officially mandated and passed into law, that cursive writing return to the classroom. Pennsylvania recently passed the Watro’s Cursive Bill into Law and recognizes the benefits of cursive writing. The bill noted studies that have shown how cursive writing activates certain regions of the brain that enhance memory, language and critical thinking while improving coordination and dexterity. NY Senator Jessica Scarletta Spanton introduced Senate Bill 77S43A which “Clarifies that the writing requirement that is part of compulsory education includes cursive writing.” This bill is currently being reviewed by the Senate Education Committee.

Prep Academy Tutors knows the positive benefits that handwriting has on learning. Our tutors are here to help your child practice the art of handwriting using both print and cursive styles.

Written by our staff author and teacher, Maryann Moriarty. Maryann has 18 years of teaching experience in New York City and was a contributing author at the Educator’s Room.

Prep Academy Tutors of North & West Cook County Terms

Description

Many middle school students struggle not because they can’t do the work – but because they don’t yet have the systems to manage it. This hands-on, small-group workshop teaches the how, not just the what. Guided and coached by an experienced middle school educator, students will learn how to:

Stay organized across classes and assignments
Break down big projects into manageable steps
Use planners and calendars effectively
Start tasks and follow through independently
Improve study habits and test-taking strategies
Build confidence and reduce school-related stress

Required Background

Prior to arriving, students should:

Know, or be able to provide, their course schedule and/or classes for the current academic school year.
Know, or be able to provide, any details about out of school commitments / extra-curricular activities.

All necessary materials will be provided by Prep Academy. It is strongly recommended that, if a student already has an academic planner that they use, want to use, or start using, they bring it with them to each session.

Materials Provided by Prep Academy

Planner + calendar tools
Goal-setting worksheets
Study systems & templates
Notebook
Pens / Pencils

*Students are encouraged to take these resources home to use in between sessions and will be responsible for bringing them back for sessions.

Registration and Payment

Skill-building works best with repetition and when we have regular opportunities for supportive practice, feedback, and trying again. Registration and payment are for the full series of 3 workshops. The cost of the series is $250 per student and registration will be capped at 6 students to ensure everyone gets the individualized instruction and coaching they need. If you or your student would feel more comfortable with or are interested in a 1:1 Executive Function Coaching session, we’d be happy to work with you. Please contact Nicole at 312-999-0449 or nwcookcounty@prepacademytutors.com.

We require a minimum of 2 registered students to hold the workshop series – if the series is cancelled due to low registration, we will notify you by Friday, April 10th.

Midyear Tips for Academic Success

We are halfway through the school year. The start of the New Year and the new semester is an opportune time for students to reflect on academic success and revise academic goals. Research shows that people are more likely to pursue goals and try harder right after meaningful time markers, such as the New Year. This process is known as, “The fresh start effect.” These markers create a mental line between the “old me” and the “new me,” and help us lean into growth with renewed effort.

Reflect and Reassess

Review the first half of the year and compile a list of successes and challenges across both academic and extracurricular activities.

Ask why things worked or didn’t work, and dig deep.
Identify patterns and pinpoint specific problems.
Remember to audit your extracurricular activities and commitments as well.
Be sure to take a moment to reflect positively and recognize your areas of growth and resilience. Then take action!

Renew Goals & Plans

Renew and revise the goals you set in September. Small, realistic goals, paired with a plan of manageable steps, will help build momentum and confidence for the second semester. Prioritize skills and subjects that require extra attention. Use the cozy winter months to build skills, such as reading, writing, vocabulary, and grammar. Remove activities and commitments that have become a burden.

Supports for Success

Consult your teacher to identify areas of weakness in your subjects, and consistently attend extra-help sessions to hone your skills. Consider adding services and supports available to you through your school. Work with a tutor for customized, one-on-one remediation and to build confidence. Form study groups with peers.

Clean Up & Clean Out

Environmental changes can reinforce the boundary between “old” and “new.” Clean up, clean out, and rearrange your study space for a fresh start. Clean out backpacks, binders, and desks. Reorganize your notes and at-home filing system. Do a digital declutter: organize your Google Drive, create and update your digital filing system, archive and delete old emails, and clean up your Home Screen.

At Prep Academy Tutors, we work with students and families to support academic goal-setting, academic planning, college planning, executive functioning, and remediation of academic skills. Learn more at www.prepacademytutors.com/nyct or call Vanessa and Sarah at (914) 303-7661.

A Parent’s Role in Their Child’s Academic Journey

Education is a vital aspect of every child’s development, and parents play a crucial role in their children’s learning journey. Parent involvement in their child’s education leads to better academic achievement, school attendance, and improved social-emotional skills. It can help students feel motivated and confident, and provides them with a supportive network to navigate academic challenges. Education is not limited to the classroom; it encompasses all aspects of a child’s life and has a significant impact on their future success.

One of the most important things parents can do to support their child’s education is to be actively involved in their daily schoolwork. This includes not only helping with homework and projects but also showing an interest in what they are learning in school and encouraging them to explore their interests. Parents need to communicate regularly with teachers and stay informed about their child’s progress in school. This cultivates a comprehensive support network for each student and helps parents identify areas where their child may be struggling. Parents can then seek additional support with academic tutoring, reading remediation, educational testing, or executive functioning coaching. Instilling a high value for education and setting expectations for academic performance will encourage children to strive for excellence in all they do. Encourage your children to work hard and stay focused on their educational goals.

Parents can also help their children develop a love of learning by providing opportunities to learn and grow outside of school. Spend an hour in a museum, check out a book together at the library, listen to music at the local farmers’ market, watch a documentary, and participate in activities aligned with their interests. Encouraging reading and discussing school activities at home can boost cognitive skills and help children regulate emotions and manage challenges. Ask questions and learn to listen to what your children want to share.

As parents, our role in our children’s education is crucial. By actively supporting and engaging with our children in their learning journeys, we can help them develop a love for learning and set them up for success in school and beyond. Education is the key to unlocking our children’s full potential. Work together with your child’s school and teachers to help ensure they receive the best education possible.

At Prep Academy Tutors, we work with students, parents, and teachers to provide a comprehensive support network for each student, helping ensure their academic success. Learn more at www.prepacademytutors.com/nyct or call (914) 303-7661.

Improving Scientific Learning and Performance using the CER (Claim, Evidence, and Reasoning) Model

In June 2025, New York State released data from the 2025 New York State Science Test, showing an increase in proficiency to 44%, compared to 35% in 2024. The test is designed to show mastery of the NYS P-12 Science Learning Standards, based on the Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS). This includes questions designed to assess students’ mastery of scientific knowledge and their exploration of real-world phenomena. The questions are composed of 60% multiple choice and 40% constructed responses. Technology Enhanced Items, such as drop & drag, graphing, grid and multi-select items may be coupled with the constructed response questions to further test Performance Expectations (PE) and higher Performance Level Descriptions (PLD). Students will be required to interpret data, create models and provide a deeper understanding through constructed responses. Writing meaningful constructed responses in science education is a skill that requires explicit instruction and practice over time. Responses must be clear and concise, based on scientific evidence that demonstrates mastery of a scientific concept or phenomenon.

Teachers are preparing students for the 2026 NYS Science Test by incorporating the CER framework in their daily lessons. The CER model (Claim, Evidence, and Reasoning) helps students develop critical thinking, scientific argument, and scientific writing skills. “Claim, evidence, and reasoning is an innovative instructional approach to writing scientific explanations and arguments, which are essential aspects of scientific inquiry and science education. Though constructing scientific explanations and arguments can be challenging for students of all ages, explicit implementation of the claim, evidence, and reasoning strategy can improve students’ conceptual understanding and scientific writing skills.”

The CER framework is a scaffolded approach that allows teachers to support students as they develop insight into scientific reasoning. Students present a claim based on a question or scientific phenomenon, provide evidence to support their claim, and justify their claim by stating the reasons. The CER framework is further aligned with the NGSS (Three Dimensional Learning) framework. Students can connect their claim to Disciplinary Core Ideas; provide evidence from data collected using the Scientific Engineering and Practices, and apply the Crosscutting Concepts where they logically connect their claim and evidence as they show their reasoning.

Using this scaffolded approach through a CER graphic organizer encourages critical thinking and prepares students to write well-written, constructed responses. For example, a teacher may pose the following question to a 4th grade class: Is water a liquid? A student answers the question by making a claim: Water is a liquid, it is free flowing and takes the shape of its container. The student can provide further evidence by referencing the classroom investigation: We poured water into various containers and noticed it took the shape of each container. During our experiment, we boiled water, and it turned into a gas. We also froze water, and it turned into ice. We learned that water is a liquid when it has a temperature between 32°F and 212°F. They can then explain their reasoning. The three states of matter (liquid, solid & gas) support my claim. In the liquid state, water is free-flowing and takes the shape of the container. When water is boiled to 212⁰F, it will turn into a gas. Water will freeze if the temperature is lower than 32⁰ F. It will solidify into ice. Therefore, water is neither a solid nor a gas. Water is a liquid when the temperature is between 32°F and 212°F. This example shows how a CER graphic organizer helps students organize their thoughts, construct ideas, and clarify complex information. The CER framework can be used in elementary, high school, and college settings. It provides an opportunity to promote high quality student work and offers a lasting conceptual understanding of science content.

Using the CER framework can also foster meaningful dialogue where students share their claim and defend it with confidence. Engaging in scientific discourse promotes a deeper understanding of scientific concepts and phenomena. Scientific argumentation skills are a key component of science learning practices essential for students in the 21st century. Through inquiry and debate, students can justify their claims and respectfully engage in scientific arguments. A scientific argument, “Uses evidence to make a case for whether a scientific idea is accurate or inaccurate.” When it is based on evidence, a scientific argument enables students to share their thoughts on science concepts and further explain why they think a certain way.

Prep Academy science and writing tutors will prepare your child for the 2026 NYS Science Assessments. We will explicitly teach your child the skills necessary to write meaningful constructed responses and participate in scientific arguments grounded in scientific concepts and phenomena.

Written by our staff author and teacher, Maryann Moriarty. Maryann has 17 years of teaching experience in New York City and was a contributing author at the Educator’s Room.

AI In Education

School is back in session, and the emergence of AI in education is on the rise and rapidly advancing! AI powered resources in K-12 and higher education are already making an impact on teacher practice and student learning. AI is changing the landscape of education and AI Literacy is on the forefront of that change. “Advancing Artificial Intelligence Education for American Youth,” is an executive order that was signed by the President on April 23, 2025. The goal, “To ensure the United States remains a global leader in this technological revolution, providing our Nation’s youth with opportunities to cultivate the skills and understanding necessary to use and create the next generation of AI technology.” This executive order fosters the integration of AI Literacy in K-12 and higher education institutions across America. The US Department of Education further issued guidelines that outline, “How AI may be used across key educational functions, articulates principles for the responsible use of AI, and affirms that such uses are allowable under existing federal education programs, provided they align with applicable statutory and regulatory requirements.”

Professional development and training will ensure that AI is used and taught with fidelity. The AFT, along with the United Federation of Teachers, recently partnered with Microsoft, OpenAI, and Anthropic to create the National Academy for AI in Education. Brad Smith, vice chair and president of Microsoft, called the project, “A model for responsible AI integration” in schools. “This partnership will not only help teachers learn to use AI—it gives them a voice in shaping how we build it.” This initiative will envelop “AI literacy, ethics, classroom enhancements and workflow applications.”

Although some teachers remain uncertain, many are starting to embrace AI, while encouraging responsible use of generative AI. ‘We Need to Reimagine What We Can Do’ – How Teachers Are Adapting to AI. Teachers are concerned AI use in the classroom will promote cheating and curb student creativity. Incorporating ethical values in daily AI lessons will foster individual creativity and student ownership of their learning. National, state and local AI frameworks are currently being developed that will include guidelines for the ethical uses of AI in education.

Classrooms across the nation are filled with diverse learners and personalized learning can be achieved seamlessly through AI. Using AI tools in the classroom will enable teachers to spend more time connecting with their students and less time on administrative tasks. AI tools are data driven and track student progress to provide instant feedback. Teachers can quickly identify at-risk and high performing students, allowing them to customize their lessons according to personal learning goals.

The goal of AI in education is not to replace teachers but to enhance the curriculum and focus on student centered learning, where both teachers and students use AI as a tool to promote deeper learning. According to a recent article in Edtech, “Teachers shift from being information providers to facilitator guides—helping students navigate and critically engage with learning, appropriately using AI tools, and providing the emotional and human connection that often helps students thrive.” Soft skills, such as critical thinking, problem-solving, effective communication, emotional intelligence, creativity and ethical reasoning are skills that AI can not teach. In this new age of AI, teachers play a critical role in student learning and social-emotional development.

As Artificial Intelligence is emerging in classrooms across America, Prep Academy Tutors is working on strategies to help your child assimilate to the AI framework. As schools navigate this new initiative, we remain steadfast in our core teaching values. We will continue to provide personalized lessons, guidance and foster the human connection that all students need to thrive and have a successful academic year!

Written by our staff author and teacher, Maryann Moriarty. Maryann has 17 years of teaching experience in New York City and was a contributing author at the Educator’s Room.

Back to School Tips: Start the School Year Right!

At Prep Academy Tutors, we are excited for the start of a new school year! Here are some tips to help students get back into an academic mindset and start off the school year right. Returning to school means replacing a relaxed, no-schedule summer routine with structured school-year routines that will mentally and physically support you for a productive year.

Prioritize Organization and Time Management:

Planning: Commit to keeping track of homework and commitments using a paper or digital planner. Ensure you include games, practices, rehearsals, and club meetings. A realistic view of what your day-to-day looks like is critical and will help students quickly determine if they have over-committed. Share your schedule with family or friends who can assist you in completing your tasks.

Study Zone: Set up a well-stocked, distraction-free workspace at home. Remember, you don’t always have to work in the same spot; sometimes variety is key! Homework at the kitchen table or in the teen room at the local library can invigorate your study routine.

Homework: Set a consistent time each day to start homework. This will make it easier to get down to work. Create your daily “homework launch” routine: Enter your study zone with a snack and drink, turn your phone to “do not disturb,” check your backpack, binders, Google Classroom, homework roster, and missing homework doc, and make your to-do list. Practice gauging how long it will take to complete the tasks on your list. Accurately estimating how long assignments take is a crucial executive functioning skill that students at all grade levels can practice. Break down large and long-term tasks into smaller, manageable steps and allocate time to each one daily.

Focus on Mental and Physical Health:

Healthy Habits: Students should establish a school-year routine that includes sufficient sleep, consistent morning routines, regular physical exercise, and a balanced diet. Healthy habits also involve prioritizing reading and limiting screen time. All students can cultivate a positive and hard-working mindset. Preparing to work hard this school year includes writing down your school-year SMART goals (Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Relevant, Time-Bound) and establishing a study and homework routine. Students should incorporate healthy ways to relieve stress that don’t involve screen time.

Enhance Communication:

Talk to Your Teachers: This is key. Early in the school year, take the opportunity to get acquainted with your teachers and help them understand your learning style and needs. Take advantage of extra help time at least twice per week. Practice drafting emails to teachers that include a formal greeting, a polite request, a sign-off, and a detailed subject line. Establishing a relationship with your teachers becomes especially important for high school students who need letters of recommendation for college admissions.

Build your network: Connect with friends, join clubs or extracurricular activities, and build a strong support network to help you navigate the school year.

Extra Tips for High School Students:

Get to know your school guidance counselors: They will help you make an academic plan for high school, navigate your road to college admissions, and write you a recommendation letter. Work with your guidance counselor to plan for the years ahead. Plan when you will take Advanced Placement (AP) or Honors level courses to ensure a well-balanced course schedule.
Make an early standardized test preparation plan: SAT and ACT preparation is rigorous and requires committed practice and long-term planning to fit into your busy schedule. Even before starting formal test prep, you can work to improve vocabulary, grammar, reading comprehension, and math skills.
Meet with your college admissions counselor: Touring college campuses and researching summer programs and majors can be fun and engaging, and can start early in high school to help you motivate and hone in on your interests. The role of your school guidance counselor and college admissions counselor becomes increasingly important as you near senior year and need support managing application deadlines and college essays.

Setting up productive school year routines has a big payoff in the coming months. Once the school year gets started, students can take time to revise their SMART goals. The start of each quarter is an ideal time to refine goals and recommit to productive habits. Prep Academy Tutors is an in-home academic tutoring company whose team of skilled, certified teachers provides customized academic support to students in Kindergarten through 12th grade in all subjects, plus executive functioning coaching, standardized test preparation, college essay writing, college admissions counseling, and foreign language tutoring.

Back-to-School Q&A with Prep Academy Tutors

On August 12, 2025, Vanessa O’Friel, Director of Prep Academy Tutors of Westchester, Fairfield, and the Hamptons, joined Robin Pastore on her award-winning radio show Happy and Healthy at Any Age, on 1490 WGCH. Vanessa guest-hosted the show and answered questions from listeners about important academic and back-to-school topics.

Good morning to our listeners in Fairfield and Westchester. My name is Vanessa O’Friel, and along with my partner, Sarah Loader, we operate Prep Academy Tutors, a local academic tutoring company that provides customized support for students in kindergarten through 12th grade. Our certified teachers work in your home on your schedule to support your student in math, reading, executive functioning, foreign languages, standardized test preparation, and college admissions counseling.

One of the first questions I received from a parent was, “What if my student is struggling and getting low grades, but resists getting support from a tutor?”

This question comes up all the time. Kids can be embarrassed and feel like they’re the only one who doesn’t ‘get it’. We often recommend that these students work in a small group with a friend and a tutor. We also invest time in matching students like this with private tutoring from a great teacher who is both academically and personally suited. This teacher will establish a trusting and consistent working relationship. Once students see that they can complete the work with the extra support, they enjoy working with their tutors and look forward to meeting with them every week. A good relationship can lead to better grades and increased confidence.

Moving over to high school students, parents say the pressure of the college admissions process is the most stressful period of their lives, for students and parents. What tips can you offer for decreasing the anxiety that accompanies this process?

This is a topic that comes up all the time. To manage the admissions process effectively, students should have a clear action plan. Ideally, students and families work with a college admissions counselor throughout high school to create a long-term strategic plan that includes a cohesive list of extracurricular activities, internships, leadership positions, and summer programs. A great college counselor can help compile a balanced list of schools that combines reach, target, and likely schools, and effectively manage expectations. Parents should be involved in the process, and it’s essential to be open about geographic decisions, school size, financial considerations, and areas of study. The best way to reduce anxiety is to be prepared for what’s to come.

“Where is the best place for my child to study? Is it their bedroom, the library with other students, or by themselves with a tutor?”

The best place is where your student feels comfortable, has all the supplies they need, a good comfy chair, good lighting, and where they can work without being interrupted. A busy den or family room isn’t the best place. Plus, cell phones and devices should be silenced or turned off. Checking in on your student at regular intervals allows them to complete their work while letting them know that you are there to help. Our tutors can work with students in your home or meet at the library, an office space, or our study center in Bronxville.

Another parent asked, “How can I help my student be more organized? My kid’s backpack is a disaster!”

This is a great back-to-school question. Organization can be challenging since students need to toggle between computer work and written work, organize both physical and digital materials, and balance sports and activities. We have tutors who support students in one subject while also reviewing material and making a study schedule for the other subjects. These executive functioning teachers help create study guides, practice quizzes, and notes that make studying more efficient. They teach students to backwards plan for long-term projects and tests, and set up a system of binders, folders, and files to store work for review during exams later in the year. Additionally, they can teach students to record assignments and tasks in an online or paper calendar.

“Can you please share some tips on how rising seniors should approach writing their college essays?”

Yes. Prep Academy Tutors has numerous college essay writing coaches who can help students avoid common pitfalls and offer guidance on crafting a successful college essay. The essay is now more significant than ever, and it’s essential for students to seize this opportunity to make themselves stand out. You want to avoid common pitfalls, such as highly personal matters, overly controversial topics, or accounts of your academic and extracurricular activities. Additionally, some essays fall into categories that are often considered clichés, such as the confessional, the hero justification, or the lookback. With the assistance of a college essay writing coach, students will end up with a carefully revised essay that speaks to who they are and showcases their strengths.

Contact Vanessa O’Friel and Sarah Loader of Prep Academy Tutors with your back-to-school questions! (914) 303-7661 or visit www.prepacademytutors.com

The Benefits of Summer Learning 2025

Summer is here! These lazy days bring a sense of calm and a much-needed respite from the busy school year. For some, the break also brings a certain level of learning loss, referred to as the dreaded “summer slide.” Research varies on summer learning loss and whether the summer slide affects all students and to what degree. However, research consistently finds that summer days away from school are a golden opportunity for struggling students who need to catch up.

The National Summer Learning Association (NSLA), in partnership with the US Department of Education, works to combat summer learning loss and promote continuous learning. The NSLA promotes an annual celebration called National Summer Learning Week. This year, National Summer Learning Week is July 14th to 18th, 2025. This celebration raises awareness and elevates the importance of summer learning. Each year, the NSLA highlights five summer learning themes with great activities and educational recommendations for each theme. The NSLA further provides many excellent community resources for authentic summer learning experiences. Learn more at summerlearning.org

Prep Academy Tutors is proud to celebrate National Summer Learning Week and promote authentic summer learning experiences for all our students. We encourage our students to use summer downtime to polish academic skills and prepare for next year, with a good balance of summer fun, too! Summer is an opportune time for low-pressure learning as these months fall outside the constraints of the school day and the jam-packed extracurricular schedule.

Here are the top benefits of summer learning for all ages:

Close learning gaps by practicing and reinforcing content from the previous year.
Get a head start for September through enrichment and previewing key topics for next year.
Practice and fine-tune essential executive functioning skills such as backward planning, note-taking, and organization.
Explore subject areas of interest and engage in project-based and outdoor learning.
Create some structure and add a routine to your summer plans.
Get one-on-one attention to boost individual skills, fill in learning gaps, and regain academic motivation and confidence.

Summer Learning for Elementary & Middle School Students:

Summer literacy:
- Specialized reading remediation with an Orton-Gillingham reading method teacher.
- One-on-one tutoring with a certified teacher or reading specialist to remediate, maintain, or enrich literacy skills.
- Small groups to promote summer reading and writing
Kindergarten readiness with a certified early childhood educator.
Summer language enrichment in French, Spanish, Latin, and Italian.
ISEE, SSAT and TACHS private school admissions exam preparation.
Algebra 1 preview for rising 8th and 9th grade students.
Math enrichment to remediate and prepare for next year’s math course.
Executive functioning: Hands-on practice and improvement of essential executive functioning skills to support a transition to the next grade or from elementary to middle to high school.

Summer Learning for High School Students:

Rising 10th, 11th, and 12th grade students can complete summer assignments and preview topics for AP and other advanced classes, including high school math.
Rising juniors can (should!) prepare for and take the SAT or ACT. This is important for students preparing for the intensity of junior year. Summer SAT and ACT preparation is a game-changer!
Rising seniors must write their college essays.

Prep Academy Tutors can support all of these summer learning endeavors. For more information about summer learning, contact Vanessa O’Friel and Sarah Loader at (914) 303-7661.

TACHS Exam Preparation -Get Ahead This Summer!

Attention Rising 8th Grade Families:
If your child plans to apply to Catholic high schools in NYC, now is the time to prepare for the TACHS (Test for Admission into Catholic High Schools).

What is the TACHS Exam?

The TACHS is a standardized entrance exam required by Catholic high schools. It includes 200 multiple-choice questions across four areas:

Reading: Vocabulary and comprehension
Language: Grammar and punctuation
Math: Algebra, data, and problem-solving
Abilities: Logic, pattern recognition, and spatial reasoning

The TACHS exam has been administered fully online since 2020 and takes approximately 2 hours to complete. Students who require extra time can receive accommodations, provided the appropriate documentation is submitted in advance. When taking the exam, students must list up to three high schools they are applying to, and the order in which they list these schools matters—each school will see how it was ranked. Because TACHS exams are never released to the public, it’s important to prepare using a variety of high-quality materials to ensure students are exposed to a wide range of question types and formats. These practice materials are typically created by educators and test prep companies who analyze the exam’s structure and content guidelines to develop questions that mirror the skills and topics assessed. As such, selecting reputable resources is key to effective preparation.

Important Dates

Aug 1, 2025 – TACHS Handbook available
Aug 25, 2025 – Registration opens
Oct 29, 2025 – Registration closes
Nov 7, 2025 – Exam for NYC Archdiocese
Nov 8, 2025 – School selection deadline
Jan 23, 2026 – Scores released online

Why Prep Over the Summer?

Summer is the ideal time to begin TACHS prep — and it can make all the difference. Without the distractions of school, homework, and extracurricular activities, students can focus more deeply, build a strong foundation, and start the school year ahead of the game.

Starting early allows time to:

Strengthen core reading, writing, and math skills
Build test-taking confidence in a low-stress setting
Develop consistent study habits before the fall rush
Identify and address learning gaps gradually

We recommend 2 hours per week (1 hour English, 1 hour Math) throughout the summer. Students who wait until the fall often need to double that time to catch up and face much more pressure.

Getting ahead now means less stress and better results later.

Study Tips

Start with a diagnostic test
Set a weekly routine
Use flashcards, drills, and practice tests
Get expert support from Prep Academy Tutors

Contact us to learn more about comprehensive TACHS preparation!

Written by Prep Academy’s TACHS test preparation specialist and teacher, Kristina Boyer.