SAT/ACT

Even the brightest, most industrious students can find the unique demands of standardized tests to be challenging. Aside from the breadth of content knowledge that the SAT and ACT assess, the peculiarities of each exam require students to have an integrated approach and a solid base of foundational skills. Greg works with his students to fill in any gaps in their content mastery and skillsets while ensuring they have a methodical approach that will optimize their performance. At the same time, he helps students cultivate their metacognition by teaching them to analyze how patterns in their thinking and testing behavior interact with the unique qualities of each test. Though start times vary depending on individual circumstances and needs, the spring of sophomore year is normally an ideal time to begin prep.

Freshman Prep: After years of working with families that were blindsided by the disconnect between the rigorous demands of the SAT/ACT and the preparation provided by the typical high school course of study, Greg has developed an enrichment program for freshman that precedes their formal test prep journey. The program focuses on areas such as reading comprehension, logical reasoning, and fundamental math skills depending on the specific needs of each student. Typically beginning in the spring of freshman year, the program helps students establish a strong base from which to tackle the SAT/ACT prep process.

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Middle/High School Entrance Exams

The demands of standardized testing often present unique challenges to elementary and middle schoolers because of their age and cognitive development. Greg has years of experience helping young students navigate those challenges effectively, and as an expert in the field, he has been sought after to train other educators to tutor middle/high school entrance exams. The exams often test concepts that are above grade level and require a thinking style that is unfamiliar to younger students. Greg structures the prep process to meet the needs of that particular age group, developing foundational skills, teaching advanced concepts, maximizing content retention, and cultivating reflexive testing habits while avoiding burnout–which is a particular concern for younger students. Because the process occurs at such a crucial developmental moment, the capacities built with Greg serve students beyond the testing experience: parents often comment that the work pays dividends in the broader academic lives of their kids. For students that will be testing in eighth grade, the spring of seventh grade is typically the best time to begin the process.

The exams Greg tutors include all levels of the ISEE and SSAT, the SHSAT, the Hunter Exam, and the Catholic School Exams, among others.

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Spanish

After years of Spanish study and four years living in Buenos Aires, Argentina, Greg speaks Spanish fluently and knows what it takes to master a language over time. He brings that experience to his work with students along with his passion for the Spanish language and his knowledge of common pitfalls for English speakers. Through years of working with students of varying ages and skill levels, Greg has developed a sophisticated system for teaching and helping students internalize Spanish while making the process fun and relevant to everyday communication.

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Writing

Greg brings his experience as an educator, artist, and professional writer/editor to his work with students on their writing. Even in an increasingly tech-dependent society, the capacity to articulate our ideas to ourselves and to others in a clear, logically sound way is essential for coherent thinking, effective communication, and the cultivation of a unique voice and identity. For that reason, Greg seeks to nurture that skill in his students with an eye toward both their academic success and their broader development as whole people.

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Academic Support and Executive Functioning

For families seeking support in specific academic subjects or managing the broader demands of school, Greg offers subject tutoring, homework help, organizational support, study skills development, and cultivation of executive functioning. Over the years, he has worked with students of diverse learning styles to develop systems for successfully navigating their academic programs. He has also helped students with learning differences build confidence and an appreciation for the unique qualities of their minds as they forged a path to academic achievement.

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