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

Register at tachsreg.com | Info at tachsinfo.com

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.

Writing the College Essay

The college application process can be a daunting one for high school students. Towards the end of junior year and continuing throughout the beginning of senior year, students must tackle their college essays. The essay is now more significant than ever and, as a result, can often be a source of anxiety. Students are faced with several important questions: Which Common Application prompt should I select? What should I write about that will instantly capture the selection committee’s attention? How do I find ways to be creative and formal at the same time? How can I be innovative without sounding like I’m trying too hard? How do I steer clear of falling into essay traps? In addition to SAT scores, transcripts, and impressive resumes, the essay is an opportunity for students to really make themselves memorable. The college essay writing process does not need to be a stressful one. If students enter into it with the proper set of tools, it can actually be an enjoyable part of the application experience.

How to Approach the Essay

First, it is important to know which essay topics should be avoided. The list includes subjects such as highly personal matters, anything too controversial, or an account of academics and extracurricular activities. Additionally, essays can fall into categories that are thought of as cliches, such as the “confessional”, “the hero justification,” or “the look-back.” And, most importantly, an essay should never ever be a fabrication. Students should not feel that they have to invent a story to captivate their readers. Every student has a story to tell that is authentic, compelling, and insightful. The trick is to find what story that is. Doing that requires time, patience, and drafting. This is precisely why the college essay should not be put off to the last minute.

Before putting pen to paper, students might want to consider The Five Rs:

1) Is the topic an honest REFLECTION of myself?

2) Is it RELEVANT to my life?

3) What would the READABILITY experience be like?

4) Would I want to commit to a thorough REVISION process with this particular essay topic?

5) How would it sound if READ ALOUD?

Taking notes while working on a college essay is essential. Even if those notes are just phrases or keywords, keeping a record of ideas will become extremely important. You never want to forget something! One fragment might evolve into the final essay.

Students should also reach out to people who know them well. Those who know them best can be a great source of knowledge when it comes to selecting a topic. Those people can offer suggestions by reminding students of how interesting their lives have been.  Students should not be afraid to ask questions about themselves.  Confidence, courage, and conviction are necessary for writing a solid college essay. Trusted people in a student’s life can help them cultivate those skills.

Students should also remember to trust themselves. If they land on an essay topic that they might want to run with, they should listen to their own voices first before sharing too much of their work with others. While it is a must that college essays be read by various individuals already in a student’s life, hearing too many opinions too early on can be confusing. Once a student has a draft, even if it is not “fully cooked,” an essay coach can be an excellent resource. Why? An essay coach reads the work as a neutral  outsider with the experience of reading and helping to write many college essays. The coach’s job is to help students navigate through the process and find the best version of the essay while ensuring that the student’s voice maintains its integrity.

How We Can Help 

Prep Academy Tutors has experienced college essay writing coaches on hand for students who are seeking guidance with this part of the application process. They can expect individual attention, support, and encouragement. Students can anticipate focused brainstorming and drafting. With the assistance of a coach, they will wind up with a carefully revised essay that speaks to who they are and makes them shine. In-person and online sessions are now available. Prep Academy’s college essay writing coaches work alongside our college admissions advisor, Karen Rozanes.  Contact us to learn more about comprehensive college essay writing and college admissions advising with Prep Academy Tutors.

Written by Prep Academy’s college essay writing instructor and teacher, Lydie K.

Benefits of Reading – Every Day!

Reading has been shown to have far reaching effects that can last a lifetime. Reading every day cultivates a rich vocabulary, enhances comprehension skills, and helps develop critical thinking skills. A recent article published in Healthline, further demonstrates the multitude of benefits that reading books has on both physical and mental health. These benefits include strengthening your brain, reducing stress and improving sleep.

As the school year winds down and after school activities are in full swing, at home reading proves to be difficult. The dreaded summer slide is beginning and school hasn’t even ended yet. The skills that are learned in school need to be practiced daily to achieve reading fluency and comprehension. So how can parents help students continue the learning while navigating a busy after school schedule in the last few weeks of school?

Reading doesn’t have to be done all at once. Read a few pages of a book together with your child as you wait for the bath to fill up, or while you wait for the carpool to arrive. You can also choose lots of different types of readings to keep things interesting. Reading can include comics, novels, science fiction and even newspapers. The New York Times for Kids is a monthly section that helps kids understand the world with exciting features on elections, dinosaurs, money and gaming.

Word games are a great way to build vocabulary. The NY Times offers a multitude of games that are not only fun to play but also promote critical thinking and vocabulary development. Word games like Wordle, Spelling Bee, and the famous NY Times crossword puzzle (mini version) have proven to be valuable teaching tools for vocabulary and cognitive development.  Encouraging your child to play a quick word game each morning is a great way to boost vocabulary and promote critical thinking.  Once they get hooked, they will probably even play it with their friends on the bus to their sporting events.

A person with a rich vocabulary is said to be one who is well-read and well-spoken.  A well-developed vocabulary is needed to communicate effectively whether you are reading, writing, speaking or listening.

At Prep Academy Tutors, we encourage our students to continue learning even when the school day has ended. Our tutors are here to help build the rich vocabulary that is needed for successful communication!

Written by Prep Academy’s staff author and reading specialist, Maryann Moriarty.

ISEE Exam Preparation for Private School Admissions

What is the ISEE?

The ISEE is the Independent School Entrance Examination for private lower, middle and high school admissions. There are 4 ISEE levels: Primary, Lower, Middle, and Upper. A student’s test level is determined by the grade to which the student is applying for admission. Students applying for entrance into grades 2 to 4 take the Primary ISEE; students applying for grades 5 and 6 take the Lower level ISEE; students applying for 7th and 8th grade take the Middle level ISEE; and students seeking admission into grades 9 to 12 take the Upper level ISEE.

ISEE Preparation

The ISEE is a standardized test and, like other standardized tests (e.g., SAT or ACT), it is a skill that students can master with preparation and practice. The ISEE is often the first high-pressure standardized test a student will take, so a comprehensive preparation plan is critical.

Families should understand that the ISEE is a competitive test administered to students applying to elite private schools. It’s also a challenging test, especially for younger students taking an upper level exam. For example, the Upper Level ISEE is designed to challenge 11th grade students, yet 8th graders applying for 9th grade are required to take the same Upper Level test. That’s a steep curve, so preparation matters.

Test Prep Tips:

• Start early: Ideally, students should begin preparing 10–12 weeks before their first test date.
• Build stamina: The ISEE is 2 hours and 20–40 minutes long, depending on the level. Practice full-length tests under timed conditions to build endurance.
• Master pacing: Students don’t need to get every question right, but they do need to work efficiently. Practicing with a timer is essential.
• Focus on vocabulary: The Verbal Reasoning section often trips up students. Make flashcards, read widely, and review root words.
• Use practice tests wisely: Take a full-length diagnostic test at the beginning and again every few weeks to track progress.

Insider Thought: Success on the ISEE often depends as much on test strategy as content mastery. Many students struggle not because they don’t know the material, but because they panic when the content feels unfamiliar. Knowing how to stay calm, skip and return to tricky questions, and eliminate wrong answers is crucial. Confidence is a learned skill in ISEE prep.

Also, the ISEE is only one part of the application. Strong ISEE scores help, but schools also consider essays, teacher recommendations, interviews, and transcripts. A slightly lower score doesn’t mean a closed door, especially if the rest of the application is strong.

ISEE Testing Seasons

Students may take the ISEE once per testing season, up to 3 times a school year. There is a fall, winter, and spring/summer ISEE season. Strategically, students can time their testing dates and prepare for a first test during the spring/summer (April–July) or fall (August –November) ISEE season, and retake (if necessary) in the winter (December–March) season.

ISEE Exam Preparation for Admission to Private School

Insider Tip: If your student is nervous, consider scheduling their first ISEE in the spring/summer. This allows for a lower-stakes attempt with time to prepare again for a fall or winter test, when application deadlines are approaching.

When registering for test dates, families should verify application deadlines with the school(s) their student is applying to and ensure that score reports are received on time.

FAQs & ISEE Scores

• Test length: The Lower level ISEE is 2 hours and 20 minutes; the Middle and Upper ISEE are 2 hours and 40 minutes.
• Test options: The ISEE is offered online and on paper, and can be taken in schools, ERB offices/centers, or at home.
• Sections: There are four scored sections – Verbal Reasoning, Quantitative Reasoning, Reading Comprehension, Mathematics Achievement, and an unscored Essay.
• Scoring: All questions are worth the same, and there is no penalty for wrong answers, so students should always guess rather than leave an answer blank.
• Scaled Score: The raw score for each section is converted into a scaled score between 760 and 940.
• Percentile Rank: Scores are normed against students in the same grade who have taken the test in the last three years.
• Stanine Rank: Stanine ranks are another way performance is compared to other students. There are nine stanine sub-groups ranking 1 to 9 (lowest to highest).

Insider Reminder: The essay is not scored, but it is sent to schools. A well-written, clear, and thoughtful essay makes a great impression—so don’t skip practicing for it!

Contact us to learn more about comprehensive ISEE test preparation!

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

Math Anxiety and Math Mindset

Numbers are everywhere and it’s important to know how to use them in our everyday lives. We see numbers as soon as we wake up in the morning. We notice the time and calculate how many minutes we have left to get ready and start the day. We buy breakfast, we get gas, we go to the salon and we calculate the tip.  Math is intertwined in every aspect of our daily lives and knowledge of math concepts is essential for connecting to the world around us.  So why do, “approximately 93% of adult Americans indicate that they experience some level of math anxiety?” According to the NIH, “Math anxiety is a widespread, worldwide problem affecting all age groups. It’s estimated that approximately 17% of the US-American population suffers from high levels of math anxiety.”

The Nation’s Report Card, released in January 2025 reported that nearly 40% of 4th graders reached proficient and advanced levels in math, but nearly a quarter did not reach the basic level. Eighth grade students did not show growth in math and stayed at the same level as 2022, which was an 8 point drop from previous scores, with 40% scoring below proficient.  The struggle in math is real for US students but is math anxiety to blame?

Studies have shown that, “Early numeracy establishes a critical foundation for mathematical thinking and problem-solving.” Early numeracy often leads to enhanced math proficiency, academic achievement and stem readiness. Math concepts are first learned in infancy and as a child advances in their educational career, these concepts become more complex. Problem solving strategies are introduced and prior knowledge of concepts taught are integral for in depth understanding. As students advance to the next grade level, numbers which were once concrete develop into analytical reasoning. For some students this is when their anxiety emerges. A student who exhibits frustration and fear when trying to solve a math problem often suffers from math anxiety. These feelings can manifest into physiological reactions such as a rapid heartbeat and sweaty palms which can negatively impact academic performance.

Math anxiety stems from a lack of self confidence in one’s own ability to correctly solve a math problem. Somewhere in the early math years, students develop negative feelings toward math which may compound into lifelong math anxiety.  Studies show that a child’s mathematical development can be directly related to parental math anxiety which can inhibit personal future growth. Students with math anxiety may change majors out of fear of failing and adults may even turn down amazing job opportunities. An article published in the American Psychological Association stated that, “Research suggests people with high math anxiety are less likely to finish graduate school or pursue STEM careers.”    The US Bureau of Labor Statistics has projected an increase of 10.4% in STEM careers by 2033. A recent study of math achievement in the UK showed that math-related motivational and emotional factors in adolescence contribute to STEM career choice in emerging adulthood.

Social Emotional Learning (SEL) can combat math anxiety. Instilling a growth mindset in early education promotes optimism, resilience and perseverance. Parents and teachers alike can encourage a growth mindset in math.  A growth mindset in math helps students understand that significant learning often manifests in the struggle. Math involves problem solving and making a mistake is part of the learning process. Building a growth math mindset enhances logical reasoning skills and enables students to make personal connections to the ideas and methods of math. A simple shift in mindset, a change from, “I can’t do it” to “I can’t do it, yet!”  The “Power of Yet” provides a learning curve for students and enables them to overcome math challenges with optimism, resilience and persistence.  These are three critical life skills needed for academic and future career success.

At Prep Academy Tutors, we understand math anxiety and how it can inhibit academic performance. Our math tutors cultivate a growth math mindset, promoting optimism, resilience and persistence, as they help students overcome their fear of math.

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.

AP Exam Preparation

What are APs?

AP means advanced placement. AP classes are national standardized tests administered by the College Board (the same body responsible for the SAT).  AP exams take place over 2 weeks in early May each year.  AP exams are scored on a scale of 1 to 5. AP classes are based on a standardized curriculum, in preparation for the AP exam. AP courses demonstrate RIGOR to college admissions officers and show that a student can meet the rigors of their high school if it offers AP-level courses. Some colleges will award students college credits for mastering AP course material and scoring a 4 or a 5 on the AP exams.

Digital AP Exams

In May 2025, 28 AP exams will go digital. The paper tests will be discontinued, and the exams will move to the Bluebook digital testing platform (the same platform used for the SAT). Some exams will be fully digital, while others will have a hybrid format. Fully digital exams will administer all multiple-choice and free-response questions on the Bluebook App. For hybrid exams, students will view the questions in Bluebook but write free responses by hand in paper booklets that are returned for scoring. Despite these changes, the structure and duration of the AP exams (number of sections, question types, and timing) remain unchanged.

The Bluebook App and tools are user-friendly and allow students to digitally highlight, annotate, and eliminate answer choices. There is also a built-in Desmos calculator, which allows for easy graphing and solving and is included on 12 AP exams, including AB & BC Calculus, Chemistry, Physics, Biology, Environmental Science, Macroeconomics, Microeconomics, and Precalculus.

Tips for Preparing for AP Exams

• Know your exam dates well in advance. Dates and times for the 2025 AP exams are listed on the College Board website.
• Consult the AP Classroom on the College Board website for practice tests and questions.
• Practice multiple-choice and typing free-response questions on your computer for full digital exams.
• For hybrid exams, complete multiple-choice questions on your computer and read free-response questions in Bluebook while writing your answers on paper.
• Practice using the built-in Bluebook Desmos calculator.
• Keep up with your AP coursework so you don’t have to cram.
• Create a study and review timeline for AP exams. Give yourself enough work-back time to keep up with your other coursework and obligations.
• Work with a tutor who has experience teaching and tutoring the content of your AP exams!

How to Create a Productive Study Space

Creating a study space that invites focus and productivity is key to achieving success in school. The right environment helps students concentrate on their tasks, making their study sessions enjoyable and efficient. A dedicated study area is like having a special place where the only mission is learning and getting things done.

By thoughtfully planning and setting up a study space, students can create a remarkable environment that supports their goals and growth.

Choosing the Right Location

Selecting the perfect spot is essential when creating a productive study space. Start by finding a quiet and comfortable area away from household noise and foot traffic. This quiet zone allows for better concentration and fewer interruptions.

Lighting plays a crucial role in maintaining focus. Natural light is ideal because it’s gentle on the eyes; try setting it up next to a window. If natural light isn’t an option, make sure to have a lamp with a soft but bright light to prevent eye strain. The right lighting sets the right mood for studying and helps keep energy levels up.

Proper seating is also important. A comfortable chair that supports good posture can make long study sessions more manageable. Avoid lounging on a couch or bed where it’s easy to become too relaxed and sleepy. Instead, choose a sturdy chair and a desk at the appropriate height to prevent discomfort and maintain focus.

The last step is to reduce distractions within the chosen space. Keep electronic devices like phones or tablets out of reach unless needed for studying. If a computer is essential, use website blockers to avoid time-wasting webpages. Removing visual clutter in the area can also help minimize distractions, making concentrating on the task at hand easier.

Organizing Study Materials

Having your study materials organized is key to a smooth study session. Gather essential supplies such as notebooks, pens, pencils, highlighters, and index cards. Include any textbooks or reference materials that might be needed. Keeping these items on hand prevents unnecessary trips to retrieve them, saving valuable study time.

Organize materials so that they are easily accessible. Use desktop organizers or drawer dividers to keep supplies sorted and within easy reach. This setup ensures that searching for an item doesn’t become a distraction. Consider dedicating a specific spot for each type of material so that everything has a home and clutter is minimized.

For students with limited space, explore creative storage solutions to tidy the study area. Shelving above the desk can hold books and binders, while small bins or caddies contain loose items like paper clips or sticky notes. Rolling carts are also a great option since they can be moved around and stored away when unused.

An organized study space leads to a more productive environment. Knowing where everything is allows students to focus on studying rather than searching for their materials. This efficient setup can help make studying less stressful and more effective, providing all the tools necessary for success right at their fingertips.

Personalizing Your Study Space

Personalizing a study space can greatly boost motivation and focus. When a space reflects one’s personality, it becomes more desirable to spend time there. This connection to the space can inspire creativity and make studying more enjoyable. Personal touches help in creating an environment where students feel comfortable and engaged.

Décor Ideas

Choose simple yet meaningful decorative elements. Consider adding a favourite colour through pictures, cushion covers, or a cozy throw blanket. Use bulletin boards or pin mail to display artwork or motivational quotes. Plants or small desk-friendly potted greenery can also add life and provide a calm atmosphere.

Functional Layout

Ensure that personalization doesn’t interfere with the space’s functionality. Arrange items so they are both aesthetically pleasing and easily accessible. A balance between decoration and practicality keeps the area inviting without hindering productivity.

A clutter-free environment is crucial. As personalization enhances motivation, keeping the area tidy promotes focus. Clear surfaces and store items in neat containers to prevent distraction. An orderly space fosters concentration, allowing for more effective learning.

Creating a Routine and Setting Boundaries

Establishing a regular study routine is immensely beneficial. A consistent schedule helps form study habits, making it easier to transition into study mode. It also sets clear expectations for when it’s time to focus and can lead to better time management.

Setting Boundaries

Make it clear that the study space is dedicated to learning. Avoid blending it with leisure areas like the TV room or kitchen. Use signals to indicate study time, like wearing headphones or turning on a specific lamp. This practice emphasizes that the space’s primary function is learning.

Breaks are just as important as study time in maintaining productivity. Encourage frequent, short breaks to refresh the mind and prevent burnout. These can be brief walks or simple stretches that help maintain energy levels.

Time management plays an integral role. Use timers to organize study sessions and ensure tasks are tackled efficiently. A balance of dedicated study periods, breaks, and clear boundaries within the space reinforces a productive routine, setting students up for success.

Conclusion

Creating a study space tailored to a student’s needs can transform their approach to learning. A well-chosen location with comfortable seating and good lighting serves as a foundation. Organizing study materials and personalizing the area can boost motivation and focus. Establishing routines and boundaries ensures that the study space remains an effective tool for education.

At Prep Academy Tutors, we believe in providing the best support for each student’s unique learning journey. Setting up a productive study space is one way to achieve this. If you’re looking to enhance your child’s educational experience further, consider reaching out to Prep Academy Tutors. Our tailored in-home tutoring services can complement their study efforts, ensuring academic success and confidence.

Understanding Your Child’s Reading Level

Reading levels are a way of determining the reading skills a child already has. They measure a child’s reading comprehension and fluency using a variety of factors like phonemic awareness, decoding, and vocabulary.

Schools give reading assessments one or more times yearly using one of several available systems. The Guided Reading Level (GRL) developed by Fountas and Pinnell is a popular system used in schools.

To determine reading levels using GRL, children sit one-on-one with their teacher and read from a book considered standard for their grade level – a “benchmark” book. A child’s reading level is classified alphabetically from A to Z. GRL books are organized from A to Z, with A being the easiest.

Each GRL reading level is associated with a grade level. For example, it is recommended that students in grade 1 read at levels E through J.

Reading levels are designed to build confidence by guiding children toward books that will challenge but not frustrate them.

Reading levels are also used to:

• Group students for instruction
• Identify students who need interventions
• Assess the outcomes of teaching strategies
• Document student progress during a school year
• Inform parents of progress over a period of time

Tips for Parents

Remember, reading levels are helpful but aren’t the only tool for choosing books for your child.

If a child is willing to tackle a more difficult book because the subject matter interests them, let them! On the other hand, if they want to reread an old favorite just for fun, that’s great, too.

The most important thing is to keep kids reading!

Our Services

Our certified teachers and reading specialists are experienced in literacy development and comprehension.

Our reading services include:

• Orton-Gillingham reading remediation
• Dyslexia screening
• One-on-one instruction with a certified reading specialist
• ELA tutoring
• Small group book clubs

Executive Functioning Skills for All Ages

Executive functioning skills have been found to have a positive impact on future success. A recent article by the Child Mind Institute stated that, “Executive functioning skills are the essential self-regulating skills that we all use every day to plan, organize, make decisions and learn from past mistakes.” EF’s components encompass many competencies, such as completing a task, managing time, paying attention, switching focus, planning and organizing, remembering details, multitasking, and impulse control. “No one is born with executive functioning skills, but nearly everyone can learn them.”  These critical life skills are regulated by the prefrontal cortex in our brain and develop at different stages, beginning shortly after birth with final maturation at age 25.

Executive functioning skills are learned from, “Infancy to adolescence.” Executive functioning skills consist of cognitive and behavioral skills. Thinking or cognition skills involve working memory, metacognition, organization, time management, and planning/prioritizing. Behavioral skills that fall under executive functioning involve emotional control, response inhibition, attention, initiation, persistence, and flexibility.  Working memory and self-control are the primary executive functioning skills acquired during the elementary years.

Working memory allows us to process and use information. It enables us to follow step-by-step directions and helps us recall the numbers in a math problem. A student with difficulty with working memory should not be overloaded with information. Brief instructions should be given at each task interval to help students comprehend and retain the important concepts. Visual aids such as checklists and color coding are critical as they encourage self-regulation and independence.

Impulsivity can make it hard for a student to participate actively in daily lessons, often leading to behavior modifications. Impulse control is an executive functioning skill supported by positive behavior intervention strategies and mindfulness.

Cognitive flexibility is another executive functioning skill that allows us to easily transition from one task to another while adapting to change. When we encourage flexible thinking, students learn to use new approaches for problem solving and beyond.  Mastering these skills enables all students to become self-directed and successfully lead themselves.

During the elementary, middle, and high school years, students are essentially, “Learning to learn,” and academics are not the only lessons taught in school. Teachers immerse executive functioning skills in the daily flow of the school day. Starting in Pre-K, students become acclimated to specific daily schedules and routines. As students advance in their academic careers, executive functioning skills will become more demanding.

Planning and organizing are crucial for academic success when transitioning from middle to high school. Middle school students can benefit from making priority lists, which help them navigate and rank the most important tasks that need to be completed. Explicitly teaching students how to use a planner is a great way to enhance time management skills.

Struggling with executive functioning skills can negatively impact a child’s success in school and beyond. Students with ADHD, learning disabilities, and autism often struggle with these executive functioning skills.

At Prep Academy Tutors, our certified teachers and executive functioning coaches support students from Kindergarten to 12th grade who need guidance with executive functioning skills. Our personalized lessons are based on the individual needs of each student. We look forward to working with your child as they master executive functioning skills.

Written by our staff author and reading specialist, Maryann Moriarty