This past weekend, Study Hut was honored to have hosted an ISEE test prep weekend workshop at Westerly School in Long Beach. The workshop was a two-day seminar with four class sections running concurrently catering to students ranging from 5th grade all the way up to 8th grade. The workshop catered to students from the Independent School Alliance, and represented the beginning of a new partnership between Study Hut Tutoring and the Alliance.
The Independent School Alliance is a leading organization in private school admissions counseling and placement. It was founded by its member schools for the purpose of placing underrepresented students at the elementary and secondary levels. Since 1985, it has provided access and opportunities to thousands of students across Southern California. Its students become exemplary members of their independent school communities, and very often its member schools comment that their campuses are better places because of the presence of Alliance students.
The mission of the Independent School Alliance is to inform members of racial communities presently underrepresented in independent schools of the option of independent school education; to identify applicants from these communities and assist them in the application process; to provide ongoing support programs for students and their families’ and to act as a resource to member schools assisting them in their individual efforts to address issues of racial diversity and multicultural education.
The seminar included one ISEE Lower Level classroom, one ISEE Middle Level classroom, and two ISEE Upper Level classrooms running both Saturday and Sunday. Students learned a wide variety of concepts and strategies, from process-of-elimination tips for the Quantitative Reasoning and Mathematics Achievement sections, to time management strategies and active reading note-taking techniques for the Verbal Reasoning and Reading Comprehension. By all accounts, it was a massive success, and also a very rewarding experience for the Study Hut team.
Are you applying to a private high school and you need ISEE and HSPT tutoring ? If the answer is yes, chances are you plan on taking ISEE or the HSPT, which Study Hut offers for free. There is a lot more that goes into acing private school entrance exams than people think. With extensive vocabulary assessment, rigorous reading comprehension, geometry, algebra, and an essay section, the ISEE and HSPT are like baby SATs. Even incredibly high-achieving students have trouble keeping up with the test’s time restrictions, and the fatigue that sets in from taking a test for hours on end.
Was that a lot to digest with respect ISEE and HSPT tutoring? Have no fear. The Study Hut’s got you covered. Our ISEE and HSPT tutoring program has helped countless students dramatically increase their scores and get into the school of their dreams. Here’s how our program works. We begin by giving our students a complimentary practice exam. Our experienced team of tutors analyzes the results, assessing students’ strengths and weaknesses. Then, our students and their parents meet one-on-one with a tutor to discuss the test results. Our team creates a unique plan for every student based on his or her individual needs.
Another thing that sets the Study Hut’s ISEE and HSPT tutoring program apart is that we provide students with their very own practice test booklets. For the ISEE, we have our own unique Study Hut practice booklet, complete with comprehensive practice drills. Many of our students hadn’t taken Geometry before working with us, but we taught them everything they needed to know! What’s more, our ISEE booklet comes with test-taking tips to arm students with strategies for every section and provide helpful techniques to fend off fatigue! For the HSPT, we provide a Kaplan brand textbook, complete with six full-length practice tests. Whether you’re taking the ISEE or the HSPT, you’ll be given one-on-one support and guidance from an well-trained, seasoned tutor.
Here at the Study Hut, we understand the importance of getting admitted to the high school of your dreams. We make it our personal mission to help students reach their ideal educational path. With the Study Hut’s ISEE and HSPT tutoring program, your private school entrance exam scores are guaranteed to improve!
What is the ISEE?
ISEE stands for Independent School Entrance Examination. It is a test that is a helpful tool in assessing schools: how do their students usually fare on the ISEE? This helps measure the caliber of the school. It is also a test that schools use to assess students’ readiness, in consideration for admission. There are three levels of the ISEE: Lower level, for entrance in grades 5–6; Middle level, for entrance in grades 7–8; Upper level, for entrance in grades 9–12.
What is on the ISEE?
All levels consist of five sections: Verbal Reasoning, Quantitative Reasoning, Reading Comprehension, Mathematics Achievement, and a 30-minute essay.
Why take the ISEE?
Magnet, independent, and private schools often require the ISEE in consideration for admission.
When is the best time to take the ISEE?
Students can take the ISEE up to three times in 12 months, and you can review the results before sharing them with your school! For more information (https://www.erblearn.org/parents/admissions-testing-isee).
How can you prepare for the ISEE?
First, you should come to Study Hut for a FREE, full-length practice test. Then, our friendly, well-informed managers will breakdown the results for you, helping you and your student target areas for improvement.
Study Hut provides structured, test-based tutoring for the ISEE. The student will be matched with a test prep pro, who will serve as their tutor throughout the preparation process. This will provide consistency, accountability, and a level of comfort and trust for the student that will allow them to thrive!
Summer is a perfect time to prep for the ISEE!
Call (310-546-2408) or email (kristen@studyhut.com) today to schedule your free, full-length practice test and consultation!
El Segundo Office: (310) 648-8526 – Office Manager Adam – Adam@studyhut.com
The High Schools around the area have been holding registration and students have been preparing for their new classes/schedule for the Fall.
We have had many students here at the Study Hut gearing up for the new year and getting some refresher courses before the school year begins.
For students going to Mira Costa High School, school starts on the 28th of August.. one week and counting. For students attending Redondo Union High School and schools in Palos Verdes, they start school on Tuesday August 27th.
Here are the Study Hut we are closed Monday September 2nd for Labor Day and Wednesday September 5th for Yom Kippur.
On another note, we are also getting back into SAT and ACT training. The first exam of the year takes place in October which many students are signed up for.
We have diagnostic tests every other week on Saturdays at 8am for SAT/ACT/HSPT/ISEE. We had one on Saturday August 17th and the next one we have is on Saturday August 31st.
We have had many students in here for consultations with our co-owner Rob going over scores and getting prepared for their prep.
All our diagnostic tests are free as well as our consultations with Rob.
Past events and/or events coming up:
Our staff went to Parris Middle School for the week to help with registration Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday from 8-12noon.
We helped hand out schedules, assign lockers, and distribute agendas
– We have 15 tutors going to training for AVID on Monday. It is for the AVID programs at Palos Verdes and Peninsula High Schools – teaming up so the whole mountain is on the same page
Today we are talking all about the El Segundo Study Hut Office! We provide a wide array of services, from subject tutoring to test prep to help with college admissions. Our team of experts can tutor almost any high school subject through the AP level. We also have tons of experience with training for the SAT, ACT, HSPT, ISEE, GRE, and many other tests.
The El Segundo Study Hut had a very productive day yesterday and we wanted to share some highlights with you all !!
Key features and highlights:
1. We signed up an AP Calc kid
2. We trimmed up the outside (we consider it the most lush hut)
3. We prepped the tutors for the next 12 weeks – since Summer is right around the corner and we need the students to keep on track during the summer to make sure they don’t fall behind.
4. We added a computer station
5. We posted AP diag dates (same as Manhattan’s) – which were March 24th and the next one coming up is April 20th!
6. We replenished materials for all the SAT subject tests
7. We graduated to a housekeeping service
8. We planned a tutor gathering
9. We found a spot to hang the surfboard
10. We put an order in for an espresso maker
11. We ordered a new shipment of after school snacks
12. We dusted the corners and behind the bookshelves
13. We stocked the mini fridge
14. We added a whiteboard
15. We added new indoor plants to the family
The El Segundo Study Hut is located on Arena Street in El Segundo off of El Segundo Blvd. Co-Owner SP and others built the Tiki Hut that is pictured above!
While the majority of our students walk or drive over for tutoring from El Segundo High School, El Segundo Middle School, Center Street School, and Richmond Street School, we also work with students from all over the lower Westside. We tutor students from Westchester High School, St. Bernard High School, Hawthorne High School, and even Palisades High School, as well as Marymount, Notre Dame, and Loyola.
Hey Parents! Thinking of having your son or daughter attend an independent, magnet or private school next school year? With the ISEE exam dates fast approaching, here is some information that may help you get ready!
The Independent School Entrance Exam (ISEE) is an entrance exam used by many independent and magnet schools in California, including Chadwick, Vistamar, and Rolling Hills Prep.
Has three levels of testing; the lower level for entrance in grades 5-6, the middle level for grades 7-8, and the upper level for entrance into grades 9-12.
-Consists of 5 sections: Verbal Reasoning, Quantitative Reasoning, Reading Comprehension, Mathematics, and a timed 30 minute essay.
The High School Placement Test (HSPT) is a different test for admission to schools, such as Bishop Montgomery and Notre Dame Academy.
Is given only to 8th graders for placement into a 9th grade school
Also consists of a verbal, quantitative reasoning, reading comprehension and mathematics section, but has a 25 minute language section instead of an essay.
Here at Study Hut we offer an amazing ISEE prep to help get your student prepared for this important entrance exam. On top of reviewing all of the basic curriculum from school that they will need to know to do well on the test, students will also learn effective test taking skills as they review the types of questions that will be presented to them on the exam. Our young, local tutors are experts in many different disciplines, and can help your student solidify their confidence and ace this test!
Be sure to register at least three weeks in advance of the test date to secure a spot for your student. Test dates for our South Bay schools are:
ISEE
Chadwick School, Palos Verdes Peninsula – December 1st, 2012
Vistamar School, El Segundo – December 1st, 2012
Rolling Hills Preparatory School, San Pedro – December 8th, 2012
HSPT
Bishop Montgomery, Torrance – January 19th, 2013
Notre Dame Academy, Los Angeles – January 19th or 26th, 2013
It’s not uncommon that we witness nervous and frustrated 7th and 8th grade students walk in with one test on their minds. The independent school entrance exam at a first glance can appear not only intimidating but overwhelming. While some students find themselves lost and perplexed as they glance through what seem to be infinite pages of preparation in many booklets sold in bookstores, others take the easier route of denial and try to forget their woes of test taking anxiety. It covers extensive material in English, math, and uses these subjects in a critical thinking manner that can be a perplexing to many students. The English alone covers vocabulary words that have never been seen by most students, as test consultants we are familiar with test tactics that send students crying to their parents and do our very best to ease their minds. Here at the study hut, we succeed in not only planning a method to conquering the ISEE, but make it easy enough that any student can overthrow this test. Our tactical schedule of tutoring preparation gives the student the ability to do better than well in their weak subject matter and strengthen other subjects they are already confident in.
Our tutors are very understanding, and understand on a personal level the obstacle that each individual student is facing in relation to the ISEE. As recent college graduates we comprehend the pressure and are fresh on test taking strategies and are more than happy to pass on the wisdom. At the Study Hut we breakdown the ISEE preparation to a science. Offering an extensive personalized study plan, we allow each student to change bad testing behaviors and confront each fear they will face during the test. In a nut shell, we are here to help your student, not make a cookie cutter plan for everyone and offer extensive knowledge to each student in test taking skills and want each of our students to rule the ISEE.
