• What do they like about each class?
• What is the highlight of each?
• What type of schoolwork do they like most (e.g., writing assignments that involve creative expression or math problems that have a right or wrong answer)?

Talk about what intrigues them. What does your student enjoy doing most when they’re not at school? This might highlight a few skills that fall outside of the report card—like working with people and on teams, tinkering on the computer, talking/public speaking or something else. If your student loves their role on the school cybersecurity team, there are many excellent career pathways that could suit them. If your student enjoys their work as a peer tutor, that might be a sign they should consider an educational major and career. Or, if your student is passionate about their work on the yearbook committee and their role as captain of the basketball team, perhaps the broad area of communications is worth consideration.

Have them make a list of goals and things that are important to them. Many teenagers just aren’t sure yet what they want to do in life, but you can set the wheels in motion with some brainstorming. Have your student keep a notebook of college major options with pages where they can jot down:

• Subjects they like
• Academic strengths
• When they’re most engaged/excited throughout their day
• Homework/assignments/projects they like best in school (a running list)
• How they work best (sitting/moving around, alone/with people, time of day, type of work)
• Jobs that sound interesting or fun
• People they know (family members, neighbors) whose careers seem appealing
• Activities, volunteer work, or jobs they have done/held throughout high school that they’ve enjoyed
• What they want to change about the world
• What they could talk about or think about for hours

Encourage them to take a career assessment. Sometimes students have no specific ideas about what they want to do in life. That’s when a career aptitude test can be valuable. There are several types, and the high school guidance counseling office might have recommendations. Generally, these tests assess strengths, weaknesses, likes, dislikes, work styles, values and more and suggest possible college majors and career ideas. The great thing about this process is that your student might gain ideas they’ve never even considered before. Keep in mind that your student is only a teenager and not familiar with many jobs or fields of study out there.

Choosing a college major is a big life decision, but remember that many students use college as a chance to explore their options. For now, remind your student to put effort into the thought process like they put effort into the college search and application process. You’ll help them get their mind working and start planning so that they make the most of the college investment.

Practice emotional self-care. Spend time with friends and family. Although you need to prepare for next school year, try not to spend your entire summer working. If you find yourself feeling negative after a long school year, take a mental break and set all things school-related aside for a bit. Then, start a gratitude list. Write down or acknowledge the things about your job and your students for which you are grateful. It will help you embrace a better mindset.

Reflect on the year. Within a week or two of school ending, start taking a notebook to your favorite coffee shop regularly for some reflection. What worked well last year? What didn’t?

Set goals when your mind is fresh. After reflecting on the prior school year, set a few goals. What would you like to improve or change next year? How will you make those changes, and what milestones can you set to ensure you make progress?

Make a summer reading list. Just like you tell your students, summer is the best time to rediscover your love for reading for the fun of it. Make a list of pool reads and commit to unplugging and reading at least 20 minutes every day.

Develop healthy hobbies. Find ways to enjoy life outside of the classroom. Maybe that’s reading, listening to podcasts or crafting. If you are hobby-less at the moment, there’s no better time than summer break to take up something. That might be knitting, doing puzzles, taking photographs or painting, for example.

Stay organized. It doesn’t sound like self-care, but getting organized over summer feels good. If there’s one thing that creates chaos for a teacher, after all, it is a messy classroom. Take a day (or even just a few hours) to clean out and tidy up. As the first day of school gets closer, revisit your organizational routines and make changes as needed.

Last tip: Don’t feel pressured to do all of the above at once. Start small and do one thing. If that feels good, add something else. But remember to be good to yourself, which will help you be the best teacher you can be.

Summer is your chance to breathe in between school years and give yourself a much-needed mental break! Use the time well so that when the next school year comes, you feel excited and ready to make it a great year. 

1. Get an academic “checkup.” If you’re unsure where your child stands academically, a checkup is worthwhile. At Huntington, we can give a full academic evaluation to pinpoint exactly where your child could use support and where they are succeeding in school. We’ll then develop a personalized learning plan that addresses their weaknesses and nurtures their strengths.
2. Get ahead. While summer is a good time to close any skill gaps and correct any problems that arose during the school year, it is also a chance for students to build upon their strengths and get ahead if they’re taking any challenging classes in the upcoming school year. Students can learn at their own pace and with less pressure. They can spend as much time as they need to on a concept or topic during the summer. When they get back to school, they will be confident in their knowledge and ready to make it a great year.
3. Correct any missing skill gaps. Huntington’s academic evaluation shows the skills that students need to improve before progressing to the next grade. Huntington tutors focus on building the skills that your child might be missing or need a refresher on, and only move on once they’ve mastered them. We help students get back to where they need to be academically, so they feel confident and ready to tackle the upcoming school year.
4. Adopt a summer reading habit. Reading is one of the easiest and best ways to deter learning loss. Encourage your child to activate their love of reading by choosing material they want to read. Huntington’s Reading Adventure program launched last month, which offers participants a variety of high-interest book choices by grade level and reading ability. Huntington students and non-Huntington students are welcome. Learn more at https://huntingtonhelps.com/reading-adventure.
5. Review prior year’s work. Your child might resist, but reviewing last year’s material (with the purpose of improving retention) is wise. Try to have your child review saved worksheets or other assignments even just a few minutes a day. Even a little effort to retain what they learned throughout the last school year will make a difference and help your child when they head back to school in the fall.
6. Follow their interests. The key to successful summer learning is to get your child consistently doing something that stretches their mind and uses their skills. Follow your child’s lead. Perhaps a summer science project, a fun class at a local recreation or community center, or a self-directed research project on a favorite topic would get them excited. There are opportunities to learn everywhere. If you can position your suggestions in a way that feels like they’re your child’s ideas, that’s even better!

If your child could use tutoring to get ahead or catch up this summer, call Huntington. We’ll help your child reach any goals and make the most of this summer. Help set your child up for success going forward. Call 1-800 CAN LEARN today to discuss our academic assessments and summer learning programs, which are offered in center and online. 

Learning isn’t easy for all students, but the more you can make your classroom a safe space where students are treated as capable learners, the more effective you will be.

Even if your child isn’t planning to become a Fortune 500 CEO, leadership development is extremely beneficial. Your child will grow up to be more confident, adaptable, resilient and capable. They will become more proficient at making decisions and listening to others’ ideas (and articulating their own). Encourage your child to engage in activities that nurture their leadership skills. The positive effects will be long-lasting.

Learn the ins and outs of the exam. Students need to know the format and details of the exam they decide to take—especially now that the SAT is a digital, multistage adaptive test and the ACT is offered as either an online or paper-based test (student’s choice in select locations). It’s essential to be familiar with the exam’s question types, number of questions, section lengths, and other basic information. This can steer your student towards one test over the other, as the SAT and ACT have several big distinctions:

• The SAT is a multi-stage adaptive test, which means the test adapts to a student’s performance level. The test has two sections (Reading & Writing and Math) and each section is divided into two modules. Students start with the first module, which has easy, medium and hard questions. In the second module, questions will be more or less difficult, depending on how they performed in the first module. The ACT is a linear-based test, and the questions don’t adjust based on performance.
• The ACT has a Science section with 40 questions that assess science content in context. The SAT has science-themed questions that involve charts and graphs. These questions are peppered throughout the test.
• The digital SAT is 2 hours and 14 minutes long. The ACT is 2 hours and 55 minutes long. 

Create a schedule. Students will be more effective in their preparation if they create a consistent test prep study schedule with milestones. The schedule should dedicate the appropriate amount of time to each subject and specific section of the exam, targeting weaker areas and considering the student’s strengths. A student’s specific test score goals (possibly driven by their target college or university) and the gap between the diagnostic test score and “goal” test score will impact the amount of time needed.

Cover all the elements. Yes, the SAT and ACT require subject-matter knowledge. This should be the primary area of focus in a student’s study plan. However, the best test prep plan should cover several other areas as well:

• Practice exams – Students should take at least two full-length, timed practice tests that simulate the actual test environment. Huntington offers multiple practice tests throughout our test prep programs that measure progress and give students the chance to implement test-taking strategies.
• Technology - The SAT is administered online through the Bluebook app, which needs to be loaded on each test-taker’s school-issued or personal device beforehand. Students need to be comfortable with this technology and understand how to use it to their advantage.
• Speed – There are a lot of questions on the SAT and ACT to answer in a short timeframe. It’s important for students to work on improving their speed without sacrificing accuracy.
• Stress management – The SAT and ACT can cause test stress for students because of the impact that these tests can have on their future. It’s important that students learn how to manage their stress with relaxation or other techniques as needed.

Plan ahead for a retake. Many students take the SAT or ACT a few times to earn their best score. One of the many benefits of taking the SAT or ACT more than once is the ability to “superscore.” Superscoring combines your student’s best subject scores from each test attempt into one overall score. The idea behind the superscore is that it reflects your student’s true capabilities.  

Summer is the best time to prepare for the SAT or ACT.  Students will have more time to focus on test prep without the conflicts of school, homework, and extracurricular activities. Students considering applying to colleges or universities by the early action or early decision deadlines need to have test scores submitted as early as October 15th. Starting a test prep program now will give them time to work on improving their score.  

Parents and students who are unsure where to begin with the college admissions process should call Huntington. We’ve worked with millions of students to help them improve their SAT/ACT scores, gain entrance into the colleges of their dreams and increase their chances of earning scholarships.

Learn more about Huntington’s SAT and ACT prep programs and the Huntington test prep approach at www.huntingtonhelps.com. Call 1-800 CAN LEARN to get your student started. 

At Huntington Learning Center, we see it often: summer break causes more (and bigger) problems for students who find that math doesn’t come easy. After wrestling with the subject throughout the school year, they’re all too happy to turn in their textbooks and think about anything but math for a few months. As a result, they lose the skills they gained during the school year, which only exacerbates their problems.

And the same is true even for students who excel in math. The “summer slide” is another term for summer regression, and it is caused when students stop practicing skills while they are out of school. This can be especially problematic in math because each new school year introduces new material that requires students to draw on their cumulative knowledge. If they’ve lost some of that, understanding any new math becomes that much harder.

What can your student do to avoid the summer slide in math?

The best way to help your child improve math skills over the summer and avoid the summer slide is to sign them up for summer math tutoring. The right math tutor will assess your child’s math skills and abilities and develop a customized program of instruction that targets their weaknesses. This is the approach we take at Huntington. We help our students develop their skills and their confidence to continue to learn and succeed in math and other subjects.

Here are a few ways summer math tutoring can help your child maintain and improve their math skills :

• Tutoring will help your child build the skills they are missing. Because math concepts build upon each other, it’s critical that children fill in any gaps in knowledge. That’s where summer math tutoring can be incredibly helpful. Without the pressure of homework and other obligations, your child can focus completely on rebuilding skills. Their tutor can identify any missing math skills that your child will need going forward and get them caught up before the new school year begins. Every grade has levels of expectations as far as skills are concerned. At Huntington, we focus on foundational skills needed for your child’s grade level. Here are a few examples:   
• Huntington tutors help students going into fourth grade rebuild their understanding of repeated subtraction (e.g., 15-5-5-5 = 0) to grasp simple division (15÷5 = 3) to prepare for more complicated division in fourth grade.
• Huntington tutors help students going into ninth grade solidify their understanding of geometric formulas introduced in eighth grade: Pythagorean Theorem, the volume of cylinders and cones, and the perimeter of various shapes.
• Huntington tutors help students going into sixth grade rebuild their understanding of fractions and what they represent visually in order to manipulate them to other numerical values. Once solidified, the student learns how to recognize equal fractions, add and subtract fractions, convert fractions with different denominators and more.
• Tutoring will prepare your child for deeper learning. Throughout elementary, middle and high school, students learn both math content and math processes. Generally, content includes numbers and operations, algebra, geometry, measurement, and data analysis and probability. These are the building blocks, but the ability to comprehend the purpose of specific math skills is critical for true proficiency. Process standards that teachers typically focus on are problem-solving, reasoning and proof, communication, connections and representation. Summer math tutoring can help your child develop not just the nuts and bolts of math, but also their conceptual understanding of what math is and how to apply it. This is needed at the higher levels.
• Tutoring over the summer can set children up on the right track with high school math. Middle school academics set students on a particular path for high school. Most advanced high school math classes must be taken in a specific order or sequence. If your child is interested in taking honors and Advanced Placement classes in high school, summer tutoring can help them get ahead. Switching the math track or pathway to a more advanced track in high school is usually based on teacher recommendations and with approval from the guidance counseling team at your child’s school. Your child might not know what their college goals are just yet, but they should know that some colleges/universities have strong transcript preferences when it comes to math classes completed in high school.

If your child struggles with math and is fearful about the new school year being another difficult one, call Huntington. Working with a math tutor over the summer will help your child improve their grades, but summer tutoring does more than that. Closing knowledge gaps and strengthening weak skills will allow your child to keep up in class this coming school year and complete homework with a lot less frustration. That confidence boost will enhance your child’s overall attitude toward math and rebuild their self-esteem once they realize that they do have the ability to do well. Your child will have the confidence to know they can overcome any math challenges that arise in the future. Call 1-800 CAN LEARN today to get your child on the road to academic success.

Many colleges and universities across the country have made headlines recently by reinstating the SAT and ACT test score requirement for applicants—including Yale, Brown, Georgetown and MIT. As the year progresses, other schools will do the same.

“Standardized test scores are a much better predictor of academic success than high school grades.” 

Christina Paxson, President of Brown University

“To Test or Not to Test: A letter from the President”

June 20, 2023

The majority of students applying to test-optional colleges submit SAT/ACT scores. Not doing so could negatively affect your student’s admissions into their dream school.

No Better Time Than Summer

Summer is a welcome opportunity for college-bound high school students to focus their efforts on all things college—especially preparing for the SAT and/or ACT. The break from school is your student’s best chance to focus their time on preparing for the exam they plan to take. Aside from the obvious (a more relaxed schedule), there are many other reasons that summer is the best time for SAT/ACT prep:

• The summer schedule gives upcoming juniors (11^th graders) time to focus on test prep success. Many high school students take the SAT/ACT for the first time in the fall of their junior year, so the summer is the best time to start that SAT or ACT test prep. The SAT and ACT math sections have many questions focused on algebra and geometry and more advanced math. Keeping these skills fresh in their mind during the summer will prepare them for their fall test dates. It will also give them an opportunity to learn new skills that they will be tested on.
• Summer prep allows juniors time to retest if needed. Junior year is the most important year academically in high school, so your student’s main focus should be keeping their grades up during the school year. If your student has many AP and honors classes junior year, taking the SAT or ACT in the spring might conflict with their final exams and AP exams. By prepping in the summer and testing in early fall, 11^th grade students give themselves the flexibility to prep again and retake the SAT or ACT in the spring if they want to improve their score.
• For students starting their senior year, summer prep offers one final chance to earn a strong score. Many students like to retake the SAT in August or October and the ACT in July or September one final time before they start applying to schools. And with the quiet of summer, they can really put all their attention toward targeted studying with practice exams in order to achieve their best scores before applying in the early fall.
• Summer prep helps students improve skills lost during the past school year. There’s a lot of crossover in content tested on the SAT/ACT exams, so summer test prep can be an excellent way for students to reinforce skills and solidify knowledge headed into the next school year.

A summer SAT/ACT prep plan will help your student improve their test score. Huntington’s SAT/ACT prep programs are developed based on a student’s specific needs, strengths and weaknesses. Our tutors work one on one with your student to improve their skills and reach their target score.

Call 1-800 CAN LEARN to learn more about Huntington’s individualized exam preparation programs. 

• Meet with the guidance counselor. The guidance counselor has probably reached out to your student already this school year, but if not, make sure your teen schedules a meeting. The guidance counseling office is your student’s best resource for college to-dos and deadlines.  
• Register for the PSAT/NMSQT in October. Registration is handled usually through the school. Your student might have taken the PSAT already, but it’s a good opportunity to practice for the SAT. If your student does well, they could qualify for National Merit Scholarship Program scholarships.  
• Develop an SAT/ACT prep plan and register. Junior year is the best time to take these exams. Enrolling your student in a Huntington test prep program now can ensure your student has enough time to prep before the upcoming exams. 2022 has two remaining SAT dates: November 5 and December 3, and two remaining ACT dates: October 22 and December 10.
• Plan ahead for Advanced Placement (AP) exams. If your student is taking AP classes, they will also take AP exams in May 2023. Your student should consider starting their test prep program now and taking the SAT/ACT in the fall or winter to avoid conflict with their spring AP exam(s) schedule.    
• Take your teen to college fairs. Fall is a good time to attend any college fairs, like the ones offered by the National Association for College Admission Counseling. This is a good place to start if your student hasn’t given much thought to selecting a college yet. Attending college fairs will expose them to different colleges and universities and their campuses, majors and more. Then, your student can begin making a list to research throughout the year (and perhaps plan to visit in spring or summer 2023). 
• Start creating a resume. Now is a good time to make a list of accomplishments and activities for the college resume. If your teen could use some activities to strengthen this list, they still have time to get involved. Encourage them to start volunteering outside the classroom or get involved in a new club or organization. 
• Talk about what your student has in mind for majors. Even if your student hasn’t expressed interest in a particular field of study yet, you can talk about subjects they like and excel at, the type of learning environment your student is seeking (e.g., small classes, a liberal arts education or STEM options). You can also discuss college traits, such as a smaller or larger student body, a city or suburban setting, variety of majors and campus life. 
• Discuss cost, scholarships, and financial aid. It can’t hurt to start researching college scholarships and financial aid now. A good place to start is on the financial aid web pages of the colleges that interest your student. 
• Establish relationships with teachers and other mentors. In the coming year, your student might need to request letters of recommendation. These letters are best written by teachers and others who can speak to your student’s character, diligence, academic abilities and more. So, if your student tends to keep to themselves in the classroom, it’s time to break out of their shell a little this year to build at least a couple of good relationships. These will only benefit your student and become important when the time comes to request a recommendation.  

Junior year is arguably the most important year of high school. Not only is it the year that your student will be preparing for and taking the SAT/ACT, but it’s also a chance to improve their grades and raise their GPA before senior year. Encourage your student to work hard and take the year seriously. If your student is struggling with a specific subject, call Huntington at 1-800 CAN LEARN!  Our subject-specific tutoring can give your student the boost they need to gain a better understanding of the material and improve their skills and grades. 

Your student needs to make the most of this junior year, and Huntington can help! Our individualized test prep and tutoring programs will help your student make it a great year as they prepare for the college journey.  

At Huntington, every moment is an opportunity to appreciate teachers. We understand the profound impact educators have on young minds, and we are immensely thankful for their dedication and passion. Our teachers are not just educators; they are mentors, motivators, and champions for every student who walks through our doors. 

We are profoundly grateful to have such an exceptional team of teachers at Huntington," expressed Anne Huntington, President of Huntington Learning Center. "Their unwavering commitment to helping children succeed is truly inspiring. Many of them go above and beyond, working tirelessly in the evenings after their regular teaching or other jobs. Their dedication knows no bounds.” 

As we honor teachers this month, let's express our appreciation to educators everywhere for their steadfast dedication. They are the pillars of education, encouraging students to believe in themselves and aim for excellence in all they do. 

To all the teachers out there—thank you. Your passion, dedication, and faith in the potential of every student are truly commendable. You are the unsung heroes who shape the future generation, making a lasting impact on society. Let us honor and celebrate those who dedicate their lives to making a difference, one student at a time, aligning with Huntington Learning Center's mission to give every student the best education possible. 

Stock the home library. Help your child start their very own book collection and designate a space in the home as the cozy reading corner, complete with a bean bag and book case. Make trips to the bookstore a special treat (and keep an eye out for sales or memberships that offer discounts), and start becoming regulars at your local used bookstores.

Springboard from another passion. If it feels easier said than done to hand your child a stack of books to start reading over summer and expect success, try a different approach. Begin with your child’s other passions. If your child is a basketball player, for example, perhaps autobiographies on favorite players might appeal. Your local librarian is a wealth of information, so be sure to ask for ideas.

Get recommendations. On that note, choosing books haphazardly isn’t the best way to find books your child will love. Seek recommendations for the best summer books and good vacation books to read from the librarian or bookstore employee and on websites like Goodreads.com.

Bring books and reading into your life. During the school year, homework, activities and other things might take center stage. But now, it’s summer—an ideal time to relax a little. So, make reading a nightly family tradition. Gather on the porch or patio after dinner with drinks and books for 30 minutes of reading time. Read the same book as a family. Choose a book-turned-movie and make plans for a movie night when you all finish. And of course, make frequent trips to the library and bookstore.

It’s simple: the more your child reads, the better they will become at reading. And the best way to encourage reading is to get children to consider it an activity of choice. Reading for pleasure often takes a backseat as children grow older and other activities dominate their attention. However, summer presents a great opportunity to remind children what a wonderful activity reading really is. Find ways this summer to incorporate reading for fun into your lives, and you’ll notice your child choosing to do it more.

Review past work. Even 10 minutes a day looking over last year’s worksheets, math problems and other assignments is time well spent. This will help your child keep fresh on the skills they learned last school year. For students who struggled over the past year, reviewing work might be difficult on their own. If they lack the knowledge they need, a consistent tutoring program is the best course of action. This will help them catch up to grade-level standards.

Plan writing activities. Have your child continue to strengthen those writing muscles by embracing fun activities like journaling, creative writing, blogging or writing scenes from a movie script. If those things don’t pique your child’s interest, consider weekly themes for inspiration. For example, one week’s theme might be favorite people. Each day, your child could write about a celebrity or professional athlete they admire, a friend who means a lot to them, or another role model.

Go places. Many families take vacations during their children’s summer break. Why not transform those road and plane trips into educational opportunities? You and your child should check out travel guides and do some research together to learn more about wherever you’re headed. Have your child choose a few cultural attractions to enjoy and share what they want to discover while visiting them.

Catch up or get ahead. Summer is the best time to close any skill gaps and correct any problems that arose during the school year. It’s also a great chance to get ahead if your child is gearing up to take several challenging classes next year or wants to solidify knowledge built during the prior school year.

Huntington can create a targeted summer learning program that meets your child’s goals and helps them flourish. We’ll help your child retain the skills they learned throughout the school year. By the time the fall comes around, they will be ready to hit the ground running and keep building that knowledge base. Call 1-800 CAN LEARN today.

Remind your students of these tips and strategies for any kind of test—from basic quizzes to standardized test to the SAT or ACT. These test-taking practices will help them improve their test-taking abilities and confidence.

If your students need help with content or test-taking strategies, Huntington can help! We have individualized in-person and online test prep programs that can help build students’ test-taking confidence and develop strategies to increase their test scores. Call 1-800 CAN LEARN today.

• Missed or incomplete assignments
• Poor quiz/test results
• Struggling with new material and making very little progress
• Easily frustrated by material/new concepts
• Avoids being called on if they don’t understand the material
• Weak note taking and organizational skills   
• Distracting others, or the teacher, to get out of doing the work
• Irritation and anger (towards teacher, students, even friends)
• Using the bathroom for extended periods of time (to get out of whatever the work is)
• Skips class or is routinely late

The good news is that you can help your students by encouraging them to get summer tutoring help.

Here are a few things to share with students and their parents as you wrap up the school year:

• No problem is too great to overcome. You may have some students who are trying, but their effort doesn’t show in their grades. Other students might have become disengaged completely. No matter the situation, students need to hear from you that things will get better, and summer is a chance to turn things around. Positivity goes a long way.
• Individualized help is best. One size does not fit all when it comes to tutoring help. If a student had a hard time keeping up in the classroom, they will find the most success and improvement with a tutoring program that is customized to meet their specific needs (like Huntington’s programs).
• Next year is a new chapter. Students can make the next school year a better one if they do some work over the summer. That’s the best time for students to address learning issues, acquire any missing skills, and get back on track with organization and time management. Making strides will help your students feel good about themselves again.
• Summer is the best time to deal with school struggles. Remind parents of the urgency. While summer is a time to recharge the batteries, it’s also important that they don’t let summer learning loss kick in. When children don’t work their brains for extended periods of time (like summer break), they lose knowledge in reading, language arts, math and other subjects. Students who have fallen behind this school year need help so that their academic problems do not become worse next year.

Summer tutoring help from Huntington can make a big difference in your students’ lives. Refer parents to us and we would be happy to help their children. We work with students of all ages to help them rebuild confidence, discover their motivators, and find lasting school success, using our proven one-to-one approach.

Parents can call 1-800 CAN LEARN to hear more about our customized learning programs.

National Teacher Day is an annual celebration and part of Teacher Appreciation Week (May 6-10, 2024), sponsored by the National Education Association (NEA). 

Here are a few suggestions on how you can honor and thank teachers, tutors and all the educators in your life:

• Have your child write a thank-you note to any current and past teachers, sharing what they love about school and the teacher’s class.
• As a parent, write one of your child’s teachers a note of appreciation—or even one of your past teachers who had a positive impact on your life.
• Leave a voice mail for your child’s teacher thanking them for all they do.
• Help organize celebrations within your community and local schools.
• Have your child write and share a story about the great teachers they have had in their lives.

National Teacher Day is a longtime celebration that started in 1953 thanks to the encouragement of Eleanor Roosevelt. Congress declared March 7, 1980, as National Teacher Day, and in 1985, the NEA voted to move the event to May. 

The great thing about summer is it offers an opportunity to explore curiosities and learn for learning’s sake. It’s okay if you can’t get your child to crack a math book—there are lots of ways for children to deter learning loss and enjoy themselves in the process.

Need more summer learning beyond a few activities? Call Huntington at 1-800 CAN LEARN to discover our customized summer learning programs. We help children of all ages catch up and get ahead in school and boost their confidence and motivation.

It's not always easy to decipher the specific admission guidelines of selective colleges, but it’s safe to say that they’re all seeking students who make the most of school. They want to accept students who will enrich their campus. Academic excellence is of course the primary benchmark, and high SAT or ACT scores will reflect that. 

If your student has big college goals, call Huntington. We’ll identify your student’s strengths and weaknesses and develop a customized program of instruction—including one-to-one SAT or ACT prep—that will help them reach their dreams. 

Summer is the best time to prepare for the SAT or ACT.  Students have more time to focus on test prep without the conflicts of school, homework and extracurricular activities. Students considering applying to colleges or universities by the early action or early decision deadlines need to have test scores submitted as early as October 15th. Starting a test prep program now will give them time to work on improving their scores. 

Learn more about Huntington’s SAT and ACT prep programs and the Huntington test prep approach at www.huntingtonhelps.com. Call 1-800 CAN LEARN to get your student started.

For the most part, students who stay on top of homework, reading and studying will find test preparation to be easier because they know the material that’s being tested. Teachers don’t generally test subject matter that they haven’t covered in class, so if your child is keeping up on the work and earning good grades on assignments, that’s more than half the battle.

MAKE SURE YOUR CHILD KEEPS THE CONCEPT OF TESTING IN PERSPECTIVE.

The reality is your child will take a lot of tests in school, and it’s important to adopt a healthy outlook on what tests are (and what tests are not). Remind your child that tests are intended to give teachers a status check of how effectively students are learning and progressing. Their part is simple, yet essential. Your child must pay attention in class, put in the work and get enough sleep to stay focused.

HAVE YOUR CHILD ADOPT GOOD STUDY HABITS.

Studying is going to look different for different subjects, and the way students “study” in elementary school is certainly different than how they’ll study in high school. Overall, though, your child will be more effective and successful if they develop study plans for each subject/class, spread out studying (and avoids cramming), pay attention to teachers’ syllabi/class calendars, and reach out for help when needed—and well in advance of test days.

TALK ABOUT THE IMPORTANCE OF FOLLOWING DIRECTIONS.

Your child kept up with homework, paid attention in class, prepared for the test, then got a low grade. What happened? There could be a few things at play, but a common problem when it comes to taking tests is failing to fully read questions and follow all directions. Make sure your child pays attention to the details and reads every word of every question before attempting to answer. Guide them in how to read questions carefully to identify and eliminate extraneous information.

LEARN FROM MISTAKES.

Students should review graded tests to go over incorrect answers. School subjects are cumulative, and each new test assumes that students have acquired the building blocks of knowledge to date. So, it’s important for students to understand what they missed and why so they don’t carry those mistakes forward into future tests and assignments. Also, going over wrong answers helps students figure out why they missed them—a careless error? A gap in knowledge? A concept that was on the study guide and the student didn’t study very well?

STUDY IN THE WAY THAT WORKS BEST.

Every student learns differently, and while some students might find flash cards to be invaluable, others might not. Your child should study in ways that are effective for them and adjust those methods when needed.

PAY ATTENTION TO PACING.

Another common culprit of poor test scores is slow working. Tests are timed, and they require that students work efficiently. Help your child get better at doing a quick calculation at the beginning of every test to determine how much time to spend on each question. This will help them avoid wasting time when unsure about answers.

Tests are important and unavoidable. Help your child learn best practices for preparing well and remind them there’s no need to be scared of tests.

Just as children need to think about career paths and their viability before they go to college, they also need to build their financial literacy. When parents teach their children about budgeting, credit, income, and paying different expenses, they’re also strengthening their “money math” knowledge, including concepts like decimals, percentages and reasoning. These are skills children will put to use and appreciate in adulthood, and the earlier you teach these ideas, the better.

For more information about Huntington’s math and other tutoring and test prep programs, call 1-800 CAN LEARN.

Talk about mystery behind math. Yes, your child must learn the math basics: addition, subtraction, multiplication and division. However, mathematicians will tell you with passion that math is about asking deep questions and thinking abstractly. While you might not feel qualified to go into the nuances of math in detail, you can share with your child some examples of math’s incredible power and influence. Math helps scientists understand the earth’s patterns: from the planets’ orbit to the setting and rising of the sun. Math is used to predict what things will do (e.g., forecasting weather) and how they work (e.g., the connectedness of electricity and magnetism).

Explore careers that use math. It’s easy for children without a strong aptitude for math to write it off as a subject that they’ll never actually need down the road. However, it can be enlightening to point out some of the careers out there that use math—even the ones where it might not be obvious. Children who draw might be interested to know that architects and drafters use math for drawings and plans. Share with students interested in entrepreneurship or business how accountants, economists, financial analysts and others need math to make sound business decisions. For the hands-on child, talk about the many exciting careers that incorporate math, such as civil engineering, electrical engineering and urban planning.

Play fun math games. Children who fear multiplication and division might not realize that math is an integral part of some fun games. Try games such as UNO, Phase 10, Head Full of Numbers, dominoes, Rummikub, dice games, chess and Sudoku. These games build problem solving, critical thinking and reasoning skills. Search the app store on your smartphone for other fun math games on the go.

Building a solid mathematical foundation is important, so if you find your child not only disinterested in math, but slipping in their ability, call Huntington. We’ll help your child close any skill gaps and develop the math skills that they need to succeed in math—and maybe even enjoy it. 

Discuss the importance of effort. Each year, school only becomes more challenging—and sometimes, your child might struggle. Remind your child that hard things require hard work. Not every subject will come easily and your child might not always like what they learn. Your child needs to hear that their effort matters most, and they should take pride when their diligence and persistence leads to success.

Make sure your child is challenged. If class material isn’t moving fast enough, under-challenged students lose motivation to pay attention or put effort into their work. If your child has a strong understanding of concepts that are taught in class, they will likely perform well on tests. However, decreased motivation to do work outside the classroom often results in poor grades on assignments. Explore enrichment programs designed for students who need advanced academic instruction beyond what they are getting in the classroom. Huntington can help your student with accelerated learning. Our programs are individualized to each student’s needs and goals.

Work to close the skill gaps. One of the most common reasons that kids lack motivation is trouble with academic skills. When a child who has unidentified learning loss or skill gaps encounters difficult homework or concepts, their first instinct is often to give up. The child feels frustrated and embarrassed by their lack of understanding and would rather give up than continue to try and fail. Left uncorrected, skill gaps tend to get worse over time. Huntington can identify skill gaps through an academic evaluation. We identify areas where a child is missing essential knowledge and develop a customized program of instruction to help them rebuild weak skills, learn new ones and get back to grade-level learning. This effective approach boosts the child’s confidence and motivation too.

Focus on time management. For many students, new bad habits get picked up every school year. Make sure your child embraces a few best practices. They should use a planner to keep track of homework, tests, projects and due dates. When starting homework each day, they should spend a few minutes planning out the session and prioritizing their to-dos. Your child must stick to a reliable homework routine. And when working, suggest that they use timers and reminders to deter procrastination.

If your child seems increasingly unmotivated and their grades aren’t where they should be, call Huntington. We’ll investigate the problem and identify exactly what is going on, then develop a customized program of instruction. Our approach is effective and will help your student turn things around quickly! Call 1-800 CAN LEARN today.

• To see the campus and amenities firsthand – It’s hard to argue that seeing a college or university in person can greatly influence a student’s college decision. This gives you and your student an opportunity to check out everything, from the classrooms to the dorms, and picture themselves as a current student. That gut feeling isn’t everything, but it is important.
• To see the town or city – Your student will spend most of their time on campus, but it’s good to get to know the town or city the college is in too. If your student has always dreamed of going to college in a big, bustling city but you’re from a smaller town, spending at least a few days in that city is wise. Many college freshmen go to college without a car, so you should get a feel for the walkability of the town/city, amenities near campus like grocery and convenience stores, and the public transportation offerings.
• To show the school you’re interested – Touring a college campus demonstrates your interest in that school, which is actually something many institutions consider when evaluating potential applicants. College visits—along with things like emails to admissions departments and attending events in your city or state—tell admission officers that your student has engaged with the college. This is valuable for them because it provides a sense of how likely your student is to accept admission if offered.
• To get questions answered – You and your student can learn a lot from a college’s website, but other questions will definitely come up the further your student gets into the process. College visits are ideal for this. Campus tours led by current students are a great opportunity for you both to ask about student life, residence hall life, what led those students to choose the college, and what they like about it (pros/cons). Informational sessions with professors and staff are where you and your student can ask about class sizes and majors/areas of study.

Types of College Visits

Once your student has an idea of their top several colleges, plan some visits. The summer before senior year is a great time for this, as is spring break of junior year or even earlier. There are several types of college visits you and your student can take:

• In-person, student-led walking tours – As mentioned, current students often lead these tours, which offers a chance for your student to hear from a peer and ask questions.
• Open houses and information sessions – These are often paired with student-led walking tours. Admissions officers or other staff delve into everything you need to know about the admissions process.
• Self-guided tours – Many colleges and universities have apps that you can download on your smartphone to explore campus on your own if you do not have a scheduled tour reserved. Others have handheld devices with pre-recorded playlists to play while you stroll around the campus and student spaces.
• Virtual campus tours – It’s not always feasible to visit a college or university in person. Virtual tours are a great alternative, and usually cover much of the same information as an in-person tour: history, general information and highlights of the student experience.

Last Tip: Take Notes!

Once you and your student finish a tour, make sure to have them write down a few notes about their impressions, likes and dislikes. It’s easy for campus visits to start running together, so you’ll want these insights on hand later when your student starts narrowing down options.

The college visit is an excellent way for your student to get a feel for some of their top schools of interest. Plan ahead by looking at the college or university website to learn about the tour options, how to schedule them and how far in advance you can reserve. Tours can be both informational and exciting—and they can help your student make an informed college decision.

Here’s a summary of the study’s findings (titled, “Early Predictors of High School Mathematics Achievement”):

• Elementary school students’ knowledge of fractions and whole-number division predicts their mathematics achievement in high school more than their knowledge of:
• Whole-number addition, subtraction and multiplication
• Verbal and nonverbal IQ
• Working memory
• Family education
• Family income
• Poor knowledge of both division and fractions might lead students to give up trying to make sense of math and rely on rote memorization.
• Fractions and division are more difficult than addition, subtraction and multiplication, so it makes sense that this knowledge is more predictive of later math understanding. These concepts, like algebra, require more advanced thinking.

Give Your Students a Foundational Understanding of Fractions and Division

If you’re an elementary school teacher, keep these things in mind. The more your students understand the concepts of fractions and whole-number division now, the more likely they will succeed in high school algebra and other math subjects. And if you have a student who is struggling now with these math concepts, refer their parents to Huntington. We’ll identify where the child is having trouble and design a customized program of instruction to help them make big strides and prepare for more advanced mathematics later on.

“Since my son’s time at Huntington, math makes logical sense to him, and his grades are very good as a high school freshman. Thank you, Huntington, for preparing my son to be successful in math.”

– Maryann T., Parent 

Call 1-800 CAN LEARN today!

Math Stress? Huntington’s Math Tutoring Can Help 

Do some of your students struggle to grasp math? Do timed tests cause stress? If you have a student who is having difficulty keeping up with your daily lessons, let alone cultivating their mathematical thinking, encourage their parents to call Huntington. We’d be happy to help your student learn to love math. For any student at any level, call 1-800 CAN LEARN. 

Executive functioning – Executive functions are neurologically based skills that require self-regulation or mental processing. Put simply, they help students focus, prioritize tasks, set goals and work toward them, and stay attentive when studying. These “building block” skills allow students to learn successfully because they are better able to control, organize and monitor their time. Executive functioning is an umbrella term for a group of skills that children need to learn effectively, including:

• Organization – The ability to keep workspaces tidy and put supplies in places where they can be found easily at any time combined with the ability to stay on top of homework and supplies needed in class and at home.
• Time management – The ability to organize one’s time with the aid of a planner/calendar in order to maximize work time and deter procrastination.
• Planning – The ability to manage short-term and long-term to-dos.
• Retention – The ability to retain information and retrieve it later when completing a task.

Note taking – As students move from middle to high school, assigned reading increases significantly—for multiple subjects. Students need to develop a reliable method of taking notes and make sure their notes record key points covered both in the textbook and in class. When done correctly, note-taking does not take the place of careful listening or reading. Rather, good notes will supplement what students read and hear by summarizing a large amount of information into the essentials and by triggering the brain to recall important facts when needed.

Test taking – A solid study plan is the core of a good test-taking strategy. Students who embrace reliable learning methods and stick to a study schedule are best equipped to perform well on exams, but most need guidance to fine tune their test-taking skills. Huntington’s Advanced Study Skills program emphasizes the development of proven test-taking strategies and methodologies so that students are well-equipped to prove what they know when the time comes.

The expectations of today’s students are high, yet the daily agenda of most classrooms leaves little time to focus on the development of study skills. And while some students are inherently more organized and studious than others, none are born with the fundamentals to make the very most of study and homework time.

Huntington’s Advanced Study Skills program gives students the tools they need to successfully acquire, retrieve, analyze and communicate information. Our program is individualized for students based on their abilities and needs. If your student could use help developing their study skills, call us at 1-800 CAN LEARN. We’ll work together to help your student become a more efficient, effective and confident student.

Summer tutoring. Learning over the summer keeps children’s academic skills polished and, in some cases, makes it possible for them to get ahead. One of the best things about well-designed summer learning is that it can be laidback and still very effective. Huntington’s summer learning programs are designed to be high impact and low pressure, focusing on shorter sessions that cover one subject at a time. Children can focus on reading comprehension, math, writing and study skills, and receive positive, caring guidance to build their skills and confidence without overtaking their summer break.

Practice each day. Even as little as 30 minutes of daily academic practice can help children retain what they know. Check out workbooks that are designed to bridge learning between grades. Review material (like graded homework assignments and textbooks) from the previous school year, or enroll your child in a flexible, individualized tutoring program at Huntington.

Blend enrichment with recreation. Summer should be about relaxation and exploration, so try to find ways to combine learning and fun. Field trips and outings to library events and activities are two easy options, but get creative. Pick educational themes for each week of summer and read articles, plan activities and play games within that theme. Take a road trip somewhere historic and do some advance reading and research as a family.

Work on projects. Project-based learning is an excellent way to apply knowledge and skills and keep the mind active over summer. There are many advantages of this student-centered method of learning: students learn to solve problems, explore topics thoroughly and find answers to questions through research. At home, you could pick a theme or topic and have your child come up with a list of things to investigate about that topic. Throughout the summer, encourage them to share what they learn. Let your child drive the work, but facilitate along the way.

Read for fun. Summer is the perfect time for children to explore books they don’t have the time to enjoy during the school year. Give your child the freedom to read whatever they like this summer, and remember that magazines, blogs, comic books and child-appropriate websites are all fair game. Study after study shows that a daily summer reading habit prevents children from taking a step backward. As long as your child is reading, do not be too picky about the format or subject.

Summer is a great time for children to continue learning in a more relaxed, self-directed way. It’s important for children to recharge their batteries over summer break, but parents should nudge them off the couch and encourage them to explore their imaginations and engage in projects and learning opportunities with peers and siblings. Structured academic work each day can make a tremendous difference in preventing brain drain too, and will make the start of next school much easier.

Huntington offers summer tutoring programs for all types of students—whether a child has fallen behind in one or more subjects or wants to stay up on their skills during the school break. Call Huntington at 1-800 CAN LEARN or visit www.huntingtonhelps.com to learn more.

When are the 2024 AP exams?

The 2024 AP exams will be administered over two weeks in early May: May 6-10 and May 13-17. Your school will provide test location, date and times.

How are they administered?

High schools decide whether to offer AP exams in digital, paper, or hybrid (paper and digital) formats. Digital exams and paper exams have the same number of sections, number and type of questions and length.  

How are AP exams scored?

AP exams are scored on a weighted combination of scores on the multiple choice section and free response section. AP exam scores indicate how qualified students are for a college course in the same subject (which helps colleges decide whether to award college credit and/or course placement), and scores are on a 5-point scale:

5 = extremely well qualified 4 = well qualified 3 = qualified 2 = possibly qualified 1 = no recommendation

What’s the benefits of taking AP exams?

• AP test scores can boost a student’s college application. Colleges and universities look mainly at SAT/ACT scores and grades when evaluating students for admission. Strength of curriculum with AP classes and high AP test scores shows admissions officers that a student is willing to work hard and is capable of completing college-level work.  
• Students can get college credit with a good AP score. Each college makes its own decisions about what scores receive college credit. Generally, students who earn a good score on an AP exam might be able to skip a required general education course in that subject.
• AP scores help students graduate college early. Students can save money and time by graduating early from college. A college could take AP credits (for scores of 3, 4 or 5 on AP exams) and apply them toward general education requirements. Check the college website for information about AP credits.  

How can students prepare for AP exams?

They can and should start now. With AP exams happening in early May, most students start to prepare for AP exams in February and March. The AP exams are cumulative in nature, which means they cover all material from the school year. A consistent study plan with enough time to review the material not only helps students ace the exam but also sets them up for success for the remainder of the school year and with any upcoming SAT or ACT tests. It’s wise to prep early to avoid study time conflicts with final exams and the SAT/ACT. 

Huntington’s individualized AP, SAT and ACT test prep programs are the best way to pinpoint strengths and weaknesses and develop an effective study plan. An initial practice test identifies areas for the student to focus on. One-to-one tutoring with a skilled instructor allows students to learn at their own pace and develop the skills and test-taking strategies to score as high as possible.

Call Huntington to learn more at 1-800 CAN-LEARN.  

College admissions are very competitive, and your student needs to stand out amongst other applicants. High SAT and ACT scores will help them do just that.

How can your student succeed on these important tests? By preparing, of course! They must study the content and focus on areas where they need improvement, but strengthening their test-taking skills is also critical. Here are several tips that will help your student achieve their best score:

1. Strengthen time management. The SAT and ACT are timed tests, so every second counts. One of the most important factors in a student’s success on either test is the ability to manage their time. Your student should be familiar with the sections of the test they are taking and know what to expect as far as question types and approximate amount of time they can spend on each question. They must leave time at the end to review the exam to ensure no questions were missed or skipped.
2. Learn to narrow down answer choices. Your student should spend time studying different question types to start recognizing the kinds of answers that can be eliminated. For example, with multiple-choice questions, there are often answer choices that are obviously wrong because they contain absolute words like “always” or “never.”
3. Improve the focus. If your student struggles to tune out distractions, it’s time well spent to learn how to concentrate in a high-pressure test setting. This takes repeated practice, so remind your student that taking multiple timed practice exams can be very valuable.
4. Learn how to stay cool under pressure. Stress management is a key part of test-taking success, so remind your student to find ways to get and stay calm. That regimen could include positive self-talk, positive visualization, meditation, and deep breathing to still the mind.
5. Write down important information before starting. A tried-and-true test-taking tip is to jot down essential facts and formulas as soon as an exam begins. The digital SAT provides a formula sheet to reference, but the ACT does not. For the ACT, as soon as the test begins, your student should write down all math formulas they will need so they can reference them during the test.

Last but not least, remind your student that the SAT and ACT can bolster a college application. They are an opportunity to show your student’s strengths and offset a lower GPA. Applying to college without submitting SAT or ACT scores can harm your student’s chances of admission. Make sure your student has the right mindset about these tests and understands their importance!

If your student needs help, call Huntington! We’ll assess your student’s strengths and weaknesses, work with your student on building their weaker skills, and help them become a more confident test-taker. With the best possible scores on the SAT and ACT, your student’s college and scholarship options will expand tremendously. Let Huntington be your student’s guide!

“Check in” after every page. Self-monitoring is essential to comprehension, so encourage your child to pause after each page (or more frequently if needed) to glance over its contents and make sure they understand what it says. It can be helpful when reading a textbook to jot down important notes or main points on notecards (or sticky notes to place within the book’s pages). If reading together, ask your child periodically what a passage said and what didn’t make sense (if applicable).

Use the text to answer questions. Part of effective comprehension monitoring is knowing when to seek further information. If a text references an unfamiliar or confusing topic, encourage your child to flip through the chapter to see if the topic will be discussed later. If reading a textbook with an index, your child should look up unfamiliar terms.  

Take notes or map it out. Visual aids can be very helpful as students attempt to follow a plot of a story, organize ideas and make connections. Talk with your child’s teacher about story maps, cause and effect charts or other visual tools that might aid your child’s comprehension as they read. Also, remind your child not to gloss over graphics within a textbook. These are meant to summarize information and can help make complicated information more digestible.

Summarize at the end of a section. After each natural section or chapter, encourage your child to take a moment to confirm their understanding of the main takeaway, supporting information, extraneous information and anything unexpected that they learned.

Take time to reflect. When your child finishes reading, reflection is a beneficial exercise. After reading a textbook chapter, your child should refer back to the notecards or sticky notes on which they wrote important points. Also encourage your child to consider doing additional research on lingering questions. For example, a famous baseball player whose name is mentioned in an article about baseball might spark your child’s interest to learn more by searching online or at the library.

If your continued efforts to build your child’s reading comprehension do not seem to yield positive results, there might be something else going on. Factors such as a lack of basic reading skills like decoding and fluency can make it difficult, if not impossible, for your child to grasp what they read. If your child is struggling with reading in general, call Huntington. We can help get to the root of the problem and help your child become a more capable, confident reader.

Expand the vocabulary. The more high school students read, the better off they are. Reading a wide variety of materials—from books to essays to newspapers to blogs—helps students acquire new vocabulary, which will help them in college. It’s also important for students to learn to embrace the dictionary and thesaurus, which will help them get into the habit of looking up unfamiliar words and different word choices for common words.

Interpret. There’s no place for passive reading in college. Students should strengthen their analytic reading by breaking down complex passages. They must practice figuring out an author’s purpose and drawing their own conclusions. When reading, students need to think deeply about how they feel about texts and how an author’s approach does or does not influence their feelings and opinions.

Read with depth. In college, students are expected to read with depth so that they have a strong understanding of texts and can talk intelligently about them. Students should read to understand and reread if necessary to ensure they are able to share their opinions on the text, predict what might happen next, summarize the main points, and more.

If you are concerned about your student’s ability to keep up with college-level reading, call Huntington. We can help assess where your student is falling short and help them develop reliable strategies to read complex texts, analyze thoroughly, maximize comprehension and excel in classes. 

Huntington also offers an Advanced Study Skills program for students at the high school and college level. Study skills are key! In order to be successful, students must have the tools necessary to effectively acquire, retrieve, analyze and communicate information. Huntington teaches students higher-level strategies and concepts that are necessary to study efficiently and effectively.  Your child will focus on a range of study skills while learning how to apply these skills to study independently at home.

Call 1-800 CAN LEARN to find out how Huntington prepares high school students for college and career success in reading and all subject areas.

Obviously the biggest “red flag” that your child needs help in school is a poor report card, but there are plenty of indicators along the way. If you suspect that your child is having problems in school in between report cards, the first thing you should do is schedule a time to speak to the teacher to learn more about what they see.

You should also call Huntington. We can help identify the root of any school problems and design a targeted program of instruction that will help your child close any skill gaps and rebuild their confidence. Call us to learn more about how we can help your child at 800 CAN LEARN.

With so many other options competing for their time, many teens don’t continue reading on their own. However, reading is integral to learning and will always be important while your teen is a student—plus, it is an activity that can bring your teen happiness for the rest of their life. Be persistent and patient with your support, which will make a difference in getting your teen to choose reading as an enjoyable pastime.

Whether it’s detailed directions for an assignment or a class novel, keep reading aloud to your students when it makes sense. The benefits are numerous!

Do you have a struggling reader (or several) in your class? Reading troubles are common, and they must be corrected for students to succeed.

Students who have difficulty reading often have problems in other subjects too—and can experience diminished self-esteem and motivation. It’s important to help these students overcome their reading challenges sooner than later.

If a student needs help outside of school, refer the parents to Huntington. Our highly trained tutors first give an academic evaluation to determine the student’s reading gaps. We can work around the family’s schedule to develop a customized program of instruction that rebuilds the student’s reading skills and confidence. Let’s get your student back on track with reading!

To learn more about AP scores, what they mean and how to use them, students should meet with the guidance counselor at school and visit www.collegeboard.org.

With AP testing only a few months away, students should start to prep for their upcoming tests. Since the exams cover full year’s course content, students will need a refresher on material they’ve learned in the first half of the year. 

Huntington has AP test prep programs that can help your student prepare for their specific exam.  We start with a full-length practice exam that will pinpoint your student’s strengths and weaknesses. We then tailor a personalized learning plan targeted to meet the student’s unique needs and develop the skills and strategies necessary to earn the highest AP score(s) possible.

Call 1-800 CAN LEARN today for more information.

Decoding – The next step in mastering reading is decoding, when children use small words or word units to figure out larger words. Learning to decode helps students recognize root words, prefixes and suffixes (for example, when a child can read the word at, it’s easier to read the words cat and bat).

Phonemic awareness – Phonemes are the smallest units that make up spoken language, and they combine to make syllables and words. To learn to read, young children must learn to recognize the differences in sounds and break words apart into their phonemes. For example, pan is made up of the p, a and n sounds. It’s important that they recognize that some phonemes have multiple sounds, such as c, which can make a hard c sound or an s sound.

Fluency – Reading fluency is the ability to read with speed and expression without compromising accuracy. It comes with practice and of course relies upon the ability to recognize words on sight without having to sound them out part by part.

Comprehension – It goes without saying: children need to be able to understand what they read. Your child should be able to read a passage or chapter, answer questions about the who, what, when, where and why, make predictions about what might happen next, and summarize. Vocabulary development is an important part of comprehension.

There are other pieces to the reading acquisition puzzle, of course, such as the memorization of high-frequency words that appear often in texts and learning to identify letter patterns and recognize them when decoding unfamiliar words. It’s also important that children understand sentence structure and punctuation in order to get the context of that which they read.

Reading takes instruction and practice to master and it doesn’t come easily to everyone. When children have trouble with reading, it could be that they are missing important building blocks of reading and need focused guidance to rebuild those missing skills. Huntington’s individualized reading programs can help children boost their confidence and reading ability. Learn more by calling 1-800 CAN LEARN.

Assess the study skills. If your student’s study skills aren’t as strong as they could be, you’ll see the impact on their grades. Effective study habits enable students to learn efficiently, retain information, and achieve their academic goals. Check in with your student to see if those study habits are lacking and determine a way to fix them.

Develop a good homework/study routine. Does your student have a busy schedule packed with activities and commitments outside of school? A homework/study routine is critical. Your student needs to use a planner to keep track of homework, upcoming tests and everything else. This will help them make the most of their time so that studying is efficient and productive. By planning ahead and prioritizing nightly homework, your student will be better able to work around unexpected activities or schedule shifts when they arise.

Remind your student that no problem is too great to overcome. School difficulties and low grades can affect your student’s self-esteem and confidence. Be optimistic and let them know that with the right support , they can overcome any challenge and be a capable and independent student. 

Take action. The best course of action when your student is struggling academically is to get tutoring help. They are probably missing some key skills, which is preventing them from learning new material. This problem will only get worse over time. A customized program of instruction will help your student rebuild lost skills and master new ones. Poor grades in middle school and high school can hurt your student’s grade point average (GPA) and future chances of college acceptance. Don’t wait. Get help sooner than later so your student can turn things around and finish the year strong.

Huntington can help your student improve their grades and achieve their goals. We offer individualized subject tutoring in reading, writing, math, science, and many other challenging and advanced subjects and skills. Call 1-800 CAN LEARN to get started today.

Homework taking a long time – Many teachers give a time estimate at the beginning of the school year of how much homework their students should expect each night. How does your child’s work time compare to this estimate? If your child struggles to do homework independently or consistently takes longer than estimated by the teacher to complete assignments, you should investigate. This might be a sign that your child doesn’t understand what is being taught in class or is having trouble focusing or understanding directions.

Change in personality – Mood swings are normal for any child, but keep an eye out for significant changes in your child’s disposition and attitude. Is your typically happy child becoming sullen or angry during the school year? Is your child slowly losing interest in school or even friends or activities they used to enjoy? In addition, are you noticing your child’s grades suffering?

Negative self-talk – Frustration with even small challenges could signify that your child has given up on a subject—and themselves. This is common with children who are lacking building-block skills to keep up in the classroom and acquire new knowledge. Does your child seem pessimistic about their abilities? Do they become easily frustrated during homework time?

Disorganization – Disorganization is a common problem for children, but does your child seem to struggle with it in more than one area? Pay particular attention to how your child keeps track of homework and assignments and maintains their backpack, desk and room. Lost homework and sloppy work are signs that your child lacks attention to detail, a challenge that will become more problematic in middle and high school.

The best way parents can help their child is to seek help when they notice one or more warning signs. Most school issues don’t go away on their own. Poor grades are an obvious sign of difficulties in school, but there are many other red flags to which parents should pay attention. Recognizing that something is amiss and taking action quickly could make all the difference.

If your child appears to be struggling, call Huntington at 1-800 CAN LEARN to talk about how we can help your child improve their skills, which lead to better grades.

A recent study by economists and sociologists at Dartmouth found that standardized test scores, such as those from the SAT and ACT, are better predictors of college performance than high school grades alone. Contrary to popular belief, the research reveals that even students who excelled with a perfect 4.0 GPA in high school had only a marginal advantage over those with a 3.2 GPA as it pertained to college performance. This revelation challenges the notion that high school grades are the sole measure of academic aptitude.

Moreover, a separate study titled "Standardized Test Scores and Academic Performance at Ivy-Plus Colleges" by John Friedman, Bruce Sacerdote, and Michele Tine delves deeper into the relevance of standardized test scores in college admissions. This study focuses on Ivy-Plus colleges and examines the relationship between standardized test scores, high school GPA, and academic success in the first year of college. Despite the trend of colleges dropping standardized testing requirements due to the COVID-19 pandemic, this study finds that SAT and ACT scores remain strong predictors of first-year college GPA, even among students with similar high school grades. Higher test scores are associated with higher college GPAs, indicating the continued importance of standardized testing in the admissions process. Additionally, the study reveals that students from different socioeconomic backgrounds with comparable test scores perform similarly in college, suggesting that standardized tests may not inherently disadvantage students from less advantaged backgrounds. These findings underscore the value of standardized test scores in assessing academic readiness and potential for success in higher education.

Yale University has also decided to reinstate the requirement for prospective students to submit standardized test scores, reversing its policy of optional testing over the past four years. This decision follows a thorough review of internal data and the external studies.

The correlation between higher SAT/ACT scores and post-college success is also striking. While a stellar high school GPA is undoubtedly impressive, it pales compared to the predictive power of standardized test scores. Students with higher SAT/ACT scores are more likely to thrive academically in college and achieve success beyond graduation. This correlation highlights the significance of standardized testing in assessing a student's readiness for higher education.

Additionally, students may withhold their SAT/ACT scores, believing that their academic prowess and extracurricular achievements speak volumes on their own. However, this approach may inadvertently harm their chances of acceptance. Admissions counselors view standardized test scores as a crucial component of the application package, providing valuable insight into students' academic potential and readiness for college-level coursework.

As the landscape of higher education continues to evolve, one thing remains clear: the debate surrounding standardized testing is far from over. Students, educators, and policymakers alike must engage in constructive dialogue to ensure that college admissions processes are fair, transparent, and equitable for all. Moreover, students should recognize the importance of taking the SAT and ACT exams, as they are valuable tools in assessing academic readiness and potential for success in college. 

Here are six reasons why a Huntington test prep program will help your student increase their scores:

1. Huntington helps students choose the right test for them. The ACT and SAT are widely accepted by colleges and universities, and most students submit test scores during the college application process. Huntington can help your student determine which test is the best fit by taking a practice test for one or both.
2. Prep builds confidence. Practice makes better. The right test prep program will have your student take several practice tests in order to get comfortable with the pacing and structure of these exams, so they feel less intimidated. This is especially important if your student is taking the new digital SAT. This multi-stage adaptive test is a new style of testing for most students. It is divided into two modules, and how a student performs in the first module determines what types of questions they get in the second module. Each question throughout the test is weighted differently as far as scoring too.
3. Your student will get familiar with the tests. The SAT and ACT aren’t like other tests your student has taken before. Both tests have several different sections with different question types. They are timed differently and require test-takers to move through questions at a relatively fast pace. The SAT is now a digital exam, and the testing style is different too. If your student experiences test stress, a test prep program will help your student get to know these tests well, so that there are no surprises on test day.
4. There won’t be any guessing on what sections need attention. An individualized test prep program is just that: individualized for your student. That means your student will receive customized instruction in the areas where they need to improve and reinforcement in the areas where they are strong. That makes for quality test preparation and better test performance. Your student can master the skills needed to score as high as they possibly can.
5. Your student will be up to speed on recent changes. Test prep programs get students familiar with both test content and any recent adjustments like exam scoring, question types or scoring. Knowing that information can help your student adjust their test-taking strategy and approach. Huntington has a digital SAT test prep program to help students practice this new style of exam.
6. Tutors spend time on more than just exam content. Making sure your student has the knowledge and skills to perform on the SAT, ACT, or AP exams is a top priority for a quality test prep program. However, it’s also important to focus on things like time management and test-taking strategies. Your student will learn the length of each exam section so they know how much time to spend on different question types and how to narrow down answer choices.

If your student is planning to take the SAT, ACT, or any AP exams this year, Huntington can help your student prepare!

We don't just offer test prep. We craft a personalized test prep journey designed exclusively for your student. Here's what sets us apart:

• Huntington understands that every student is unique. We go beyond simple preparation and assist your student in selecting the test that aligns with their strengths and will help them achieve their academic goals.
• Using advanced data analysis and leveraging decades of experience, we work with your student to continuously monitor their progress and tailor a program for targeted improvement to meet their SAT/ACT or AP score goals.
• Huntington moves beyond just test content. We focus on equipping your student with the essential skills, confidence, and motivation needed to perform their best.

Call us at 1-800 CAN LEARN to get started.

The challenge: skill mastery requires individualized instruction

In concept, skill mastery makes a lot of sense. But in a classroom of 20 or more students, teachers are not always able to personalize instruction and give each student the attention they need when a concept or unit doesn’t click for them. Many students will keep up with the teacher as they teach the entire class. But there will always be some students who struggle to do so and miss important knowledge that is required to understand subsequent topics.

When this happens, those students might perform poorly on homework and tests, but the class continues onward. Often, these students must simply carry on and do their best to continue grasping the successive lessons. But as school advances from elementary to middle and high school and classes become harder, small skill gaps can easily become bigger and bigger.

Taking a time out to catch up

If you notice your child—no matter their age—struggling with things like…

• Low grades or inconsistent grades (e.g., poor grades on some homework and mediocre grades on other homework, often in the same subject)
• Lack of confidence
• Diminished self-esteem
• Poor time management due to getting stuck on certain homework

…it’s important to address the problem. No two students learn exactly alike or at the exact same pace, which makes 100% mastery of skills with 100% of students very difficult to achieve in any classroom.

Your child needs help bridging the gap between what they need to know in one or more subjects and what they actually know. If those gaps are left uncorrected, the problems will continue to grow.

Skill mastery is important

Students who master topics before moving on to new ones are shown to have higher levels of achievement in school, greater confidence, better comprehension and long-term retention, and a greater commitment to lifelong learning, among many other benefits.

If you want to help your child catch up their skills, call Huntington at 1-800 CAN LEARN. We’ll perform an academic evaluation on your child’s abilities, identify what skills your child still needs to master and develop a customized program of instruction to get them there. Let’s help your student master knowledge and finish the school year strong!

1. Previewing material – This is something you can do in class when going over new units or lessons. Show your students what you’ll cover in each class and give them an overview of the kind of homework you’ll be doing to reinforce learning.
2. Notetaking – It’s not too early to start helping students become skilled at notetaking, as they’ll start to use this more in late middle school and high school. Teach your students about recording main ideas and organizing notes so they are easy to read and useful for remembering key information.
3. Self-evaluation – As students progress through middle school, they need to be in tune with their learning preferences and styles. Encourage your students to think about how they study, what methods are effective and what distracts them.
4. Prioritization – Daily homework becomes easier when students learn how to quickly prioritize their tasks. Teach your students to divide their assignments every day into a few categories: due tomorrow, due this week, and coming up in one or more weeks. Encourage them to rank their highest priority (due soonest) items from most difficult and time-consuming to easiest. This helps students make the most of their study time and deters procrastination.
5. Planner use – Middle school is when students start using planners on a daily basis. Get your students into the habit of writing down homework each night and its corresponding due dates and encourage them to refer to their homework notebooks every night.
6. Careful reading – Students should learn to read all directions thoroughly, whether for assignments or test questions. It’s difficult to perform well in school when skipping over important details – and there are lots of details to pay attention to in middle school.

One final tip: remind students that frequent, shorter study sessions are always more effective than marathon studying for tests. The more you can train your students to keep up with daily work, the more you’ll help them lay the foundation for success in middle school and beyond.

• Specific – Avoid any vague terms. Define the goal as clearly as possible and make sure you outline the who the goal involves, what is to be accomplished, where, and why it is a goal for the student.
• Measurable – Students need to track their progress so that they know they’re making headway (and will know when their goal is achieved).
• Achievable – Achievable goals are within the realm of possibility—meaning, students have the resources they need to take steps toward them. The goals must be realistic, and students must have control over the actions that are necessary to reach them.
• Relevant – Goals must have a purpose. In other words, your students should think about whether the goals they set are worthwhile. They should be linked to their long-term visions for themselves.
• Timely – A clearly defined timeframe with specific milestones/due dates is important for any SMART goal.

As you teach your students about SMART goals, it helps to share an example of a SMART goal like the one below:

Because I want to major in engineering in college (relevant), I want to increase my math grade to a 90% between now, February 10, 2024, and June 1, 2024 (specific/timely) by attending 90% of the Tuesday morning study sessions and spending 15 minutes each weeknight reviewing class notes, in addition to completing any assigned homework (measurable/achievable). 

Questions about setting SMART goals? Contact Huntington at 1-800 CAN LEARN.

A recent study by economists and sociologists at Dartmouth found that standardized test scores, such as those from the SAT and ACT, are better predictors of college performance than high school grades alone. Contrary to popular belief, the research reveals that even students who excelled with a perfect 4.0 GPA in high school had only a marginal advantage over those with a 3.2 GPA when it came to college performance. This revelation challenges the notion that high school grades are the sole measure of academic aptitude.

Moreover, the correlation between higher SAT/ACT scores and post-college success is striking. While a stellar high school GPA is undoubtedly impressive, it pales compared to the predictive power of standardized test scores. Students with higher SAT/ACT scores are more likely to thrive academically in college and achieve success beyond graduation. This correlation highlights the significance of standardized testing in assessing a student's readiness for higher education.

Additionally, students may choose to withhold their SAT/ACT scores, believing that their academic prowess and extracurricular achievements speak volumes on their own. However, this approach may inadvertently harm their chances of acceptance. Admissions counselors view standardized test scores as a crucial component of the application package, providing valuable insight into students' academic potential and readiness for college-level coursework.

As the landscape of higher education continues to evolve, one thing remains clear: the debate surrounding standardized testing is far from over. Students, educators, and policymakers alike must engage in constructive dialogue to ensure that college admissions processes are fair, transparent, and equitable for all. Moreover, students should recognize the importance of taking the SAT and ACT exams, as they serve as valuable tools in assessing academic readiness and potential for success in college.

Huntington's digital SAT program is tailored to meet the demands of the digital age. Using advanced data analysis, students receive personalized learning paths that identify strengths and weaknesses, allowing for focused and efficient preparation. The adaptive test model, a hallmark of the digital SAT, ensures students are equipped to handle real-time changes during the exam, providing a competitive edge in their performance.

Huntington's digital SAT program offers students comprehensive support, providing essential insights into the key changes in the digital SAT format. The digital SAT assesses reading, writing, and math skills, eliminating the essay section on national test days. The exam, lasting 2 hours and 14 minutes, is administered on various devices, including school-issued, personal, or College Board-issued devices. Importantly, digital SAT scores are swiftly available, offering prompt feedback to guide further preparation.

For detailed information on the digital SAT format changes, please visit Huntington's digital SAT Overview.

"Amidst the evolving landscape of college admissions and standardized testing, Huntington Learning Center remains steadfast in its commitment to student success. Our digital SAT program not only prepares students for an exam but equips them with essential skills to excel in a digital-driven academic environment. With our personalized approach and expert guidance, students are poised to achieve outstanding results, paving the way for a promising future. To that point, we are thrilled to have the opportunity to collaborate with Jeff Selingo, a college admissions expert who serves as an advocate and speaker for our college prep programs," said Anne Huntington Sharma, President and Board Member of Huntington Learning Center.

Renowned college admissions expert Jeff Selingo, who works with Huntington producing free webinars for parents and students, emphasized the importance of strategic preparation. "You are essentially making a case to the admissions officer on the other side of the desk who is reading your application in 8-10 minutes. It’s not about whether a school ‘likes’ to see test scores or not; it’s about whether the test score will enhance your story and make a compelling argument for acceptance. Taking the test, doing your best, and being prepared are crucial steps. Once you have that score, then you can decide whether to submit it or not."

Selingo's insights highlight the significance of a well-prepared application, highlighting the critical role that test scores play in the admissions process.

Huntington test prep programs lead to a significant increase in test scores — on average, 229 points on the SAT and 5.4 points on the ACT. Moreover, on average, Huntington students receive $71,000 in scholarship offers. For more information on college and test prep programs, and to receive updates about Huntington’s initiatives to create a path to success for students graduating high school in today’s new climate, visit huntingtonhelps.com.

If your child has the academic ability and interest in pursuing challenging classes in high school, make sure they’re on the right track in middle school. Freshmen who didn’t take honors classes in middle school might have to double up on classes in their sophomore year of high school in order to move over to the advanced course sequence.

At Huntington, we advise parents of middle school students to consider the future. Middle school does set students on a path, so if your student has big goals and dreams of going to a competitive college, it’s not too early to help them get there.

If your student is having difficulty in a subject in one or more classes, call Huntington at 1-800 CAN LEARN.

Taking AP courses in high school is great for lots of reasons, but it’s important that students are thoughtful about the number and selection of classes they take. There are a number of factors to consider when your student approaches registration time. Here are some of the most important:

• The number of AP courses available at your student’s school – While there are 38 AP courses offered in multiple subject areas, schools decide which ones to offer. Your student will need to check with the school guidance counselor or on the course registration section of the school website to find out what is available to them. Taking the most challenging courses available in their high school and doing well in those classes should be your student’s priority.
• The selectivity of the student’s target colleges – Colleges and universities don’t outright recommend that students take a specific number of AP or honors courses, but your student’s college goals should influence their curriculum decisions in high school. The most selective colleges and universities in the U.S. attract top-tier students. If your student has their sights set on those types of institutions, they should research their websites for recommendations on high school curriculum and statistics about the most recently admitted class, including average high school GPA and SAT/ACT score range. Even with less selective colleges, your student might want to know what the typical admitted student’s transcript looks like so they can plan accordingly.
• Areas of career interest – Because AP courses are challenging, it’s always better when students have an interest in the subject. Your student’s academic strengths are a good starting point but be sure the interest and commitment are there too. For students thinking ahead about their future, the College Board offers a lot of resources to help students make connections from AP courses to possible college majors and careers. A student interested in engineering might be more inclined to take AP Calculus, AP Computer Science Principles and AP Physics C: Mechanics. A student interested in the law should consider AP U.S. History, AP U.S. Government and Politics, and AP Comparative Government and Politics.
• Other activities – Colleges and universities are seeking students with strong academic backgrounds, of course, but they also want students who will contribute to their campus culture and environment. That means that your student’s other activities and responsibilities are important. Does your student volunteer, play an instrument or play a sport? Are they involved in their church or debate team? Advise your student not to load up on AP courses simply for the sake of taking them. They need to be willing to put in the work they require and balance their other commitments at the same time.
• Commitment required and stress level – Preparing for college-level academics is a big benefit of AP courses. However, students need to avoid overcommitting and pushing themselves to the brink of exhaustion before they even get to college. Remind your student to allow themselves time to enjoy high school, friends, family and the activities that they care about. They also need to understand that their performance matters. A transcript with strong grades in four or five AP classes is more impressive than one with low grades in 10.

Call us at 1-800 CAN LEARN to discuss how to give your student the tools to succeed.

1. Identify and understand the challenge. The first step to overcome any testing challenge is to understand its root cause. Is the student struggling with a particular subject or skill set? At Huntington Learning Center, our certified tutors conduct comprehensive assessments to identify students' individual needs and tailor instructional programs accordingly. This targeted approach helps students improve their academic performance in class and on tests.
2. Set realistic goals. Setting achievable goals is crucial for motivation and success. With any type of test preparation, students should set both short-term and long-term goals that are specific, measurable, attainable, relevant, and time-bound (SMART). By breaking down larger goals into smaller milestones, students can track their progress and celebrate achievements along the way. Huntington Learning Center provides individualized test prep programs that help students set realistic goals and monitor their advancement.
3. Develop effective study techniques. Studying the right way is key to overcoming testing challenges. Students should strive for active rather than passive learning by engaging in activities that help them think critically and deeply about what they learn. Study techniques such as summarizing information to a partner after reading it, explaining a concept to others and creating review questions from one’s lecture notes enhance understanding and improve retention. Our tutors at Huntington Learning Center guide students to develop effective study approaches that align with their learning preferences.
4. Learn good time management. Proficient time management helps students prepare effectively for tests and perform well while taking them. Creating a study schedule that spans several weeks ensures thorough coverage of the material and reduces the stress and anxiety that comes with cramming. Timed practice tests allow students to simulate real exam conditions and learn to allocate the appropriate amount of time to each section or question
5. Maintain a positive mindset. Students must understand that setbacks are a natural part of the learning process, and perseverance is necessary when learning new and difficult material. Encourage your student to embrace a growth mindset by believing that their abilities can be developed through dedication and hard work. Praise effort, celebrate progress, and provide constructive feedback to foster resilience and an optimistic attitude about learning.

Huntington Learning Center is dedicated to equipping students with the strategies and support needed to overcome testing challenges and excel academically. Our incorporation of practice tests as a monitoring and training tool enables students to hone essential skills such as time management and organization. By identifying challenges, setting realistic goals, developing effective study techniques, managing time efficiently and maintaining a positive mindset, students can unlock their true potential and thrive—both on tests and in the classroom.

Remind your child that with preparation comes confidence in the classroom. Your child can vastly improve their self-confidence by taking ownership of their school responsibilities. If they go to school ready to learn, pay attention in class, and do the work required to perform well on homework and tests, your child will likely do well in school.

Point out your child’s growth as a result of their own efforts. Acknowledge when your child studies hard for a class and earns a good grade or raises a grade in a difficult subject after getting help from their teacher and/or a tutor. Taking pride in their own efforts is an important part of strengthening their self-confidence. As your child overcomes any academic hurdles, they will feel more confident about taking on new and bigger challenges too.

Put your child in charge. Even if your child has hit a few bumps in school, your consistent message should be that school is their responsibility. Let your child decide how and when they do homework and put trust in them—even if you think they could be doing things better. Your child needs to feel the weight of their decisions, both good and bad. Letting them take control, make mistakes and learn from those mistakes is essential for them to become confident students. This doesn’t mean you step away completely. Be available for support, and most importantly, tell your child explicitly that you believe in their abilities.

Have your child establish a good study and homework routine. One of the best ways parents can support their children in school is by insisting on a good homework/study routine, which isn’t always inherent. Generally, your student should embrace these nightly habits (and you can adapt them as appropriate, depending on your child’s age):

• Review the digital or paper-based planner for all homework assignments and upcoming tests/quizzes.
• Update the planner with anything new coming up (e.g., tests or project due dates, other activities, etc.).
• Prioritize the night’s assignments (going from shortest to longest and from easiest to hardest, or vice versa, depending on your student’s preference).
• Check the school’s -learning management platform for incorrectly marked absences, grade updates, missing assignments, and teacher communication about assignments.
• Tidy and organize the desk after finishing homework. Make sure the digital files are organized for easy access.
• Put all materials in the backpack for school the next day.
• Look ahead at what is coming up for the next day’s classes (if the student is in middle or high school).

Encourage goal setting. Setting goals can be a highly motivating activity for students, especially as they experience success in reaching them. The more your child attempts difficult things and achieves them, the more their confidence will grow that they have what it takes. So, talk about your child’s ambitions. Do they want to earn a certain Grade Point Average? Take Advanced Placement and honors courses in high school? Go to a selective university? Goals are good!

Huntington offers parents these tips when reviewing the report card:

Focus on progress. Too often, parents jump to the letter grades and don’t spend time looking at much else. Review your child’s progress toward mastery of grade-level standards. How is your child growing this school year? Pay attention to progress indicators and benchmarks.

Effort matters most.  As a parent, you have a good sense of your child’s homework and school work efforts.    During report card time, look for marks and comments that highlight your child’s effort—and whether that effort is reflected in their grades, as it should be.

Look for common warning signs. Low grades are one problem, but keep an eye out for other common red flags, including any indicators that your child has poor study skills, lacks focus, struggles to keep up or has difficulty with essential skills like organization and time management. If you’ve noticed a change in your child’s demeanor and these kinds of issues are showing up on the report card, initiate a discussion with the teacher.

Content knowledge is just one measure. Yes, it is important to review your child’s grades on content knowledge in the core subjects, but in today’s education landscape, there are many other measures of students’ performance. Review the report card for comments and marks on your child’s higher-level thinking, problem-solving skills, comprehension and other abilities.

Attitude is everything. Children’s attitudes about school are very telling—and a child who seems indifferent or angry about school is likely dealing with low confidence and feelings of hopelessness. Pay attention to any comments from the teacher (and probe further during the parent-teacher conference) on your child’s motivation and overall attitude about learning and grades.

Report cards are a valuable tool for parents to gain a detailed understanding of how their child is performing in school. No matter what the midyear report card looks like, no problem is insurmountable. If your child’s midyear report card highlighted areas of concern, call Huntington. There is plenty of time to address and correct issues and help your child re-build their self-esteem and finish the year strong.

As a parent, you might assume that the best advice to give your student is to be highly efficient with their time or even multitask whenever they can. While multitasking feels to some students like they are achieving more (faster), most research says that there are far more cons than pros of multitasking.  

Here are a few things to keep in mind and tips to help your busy, involved student achieve everything they want to in the time they have:

Multitasking with certain tasks is okay. Generally, attempting to do a few tasks at the same time can result in poor quality on all of those tasks. But there are some more routine activities where multitasking might make sense. For example, if your student wants to exercise but has to listen to a podcast episode for their history class, they could easily put in earbuds and do both—provided the workout is fairly rote (like running or walking).

Frequent switching of tasks can actually slow your student down. The mental capacity it takes to start and stop different tasks and bounce between them is actually higher than the capacity required to focus on one task at a time. This is especially true for children with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), who already struggle to get going on things like homework and studying. Talk with your student about how sustained, focused connection with each task in front of them will result in greater efficiency—and getting more done.

Many students today are inherent multitaskers. Students now have grown up in the digital age and are used to a lot going on and constant brain stimulation. They do a little homework, check social media, watch a video, forget where they were in their homework, restart, answer a text message, and so on. Digital distraction is a real issue and can negatively impact a student’s ability to maintain their attention span and learn. So, as a parent, you will not be able to change your student completely. You can, however, help them understand the way they work best so they can learn effectively and be productive. You can also encourage them to avoid foolish habits like watching a show while trying to study.

Remember: Approach the multitasking topic as a conversation and not a mandate. You will have much more success if you get your student’s buy-in. Also, remind your student that you simply want to help them use their study time effectively, avoid distractions, focus, and do well in school.

If your child is struggling with feeling overwhelmed by all of their academic responsibilities, Huntington can help. Call us at 1-800 CAN LEARN to hear more about our individualized tutoring programs that help students learn to prioritize their work, be efficient and become better learners.

Advanced Placement – Chances are you’ve heard about Advanced Placement (better known as AP) classes. These are developed by the College Board and intended to prepare students for college-level exams. Most colleges grant credit, advanced placement, or both for qualifying AP exam scores. Your student must ensure their official score reports go directly to the college from the College Board for evaluation.  

What kind of credit will your student receive for their AP Exam scores of 3, 4 or 5 (out of 5)? It might be elective credit. It might be the lab portion of a science class, or a general education course credit. Colleges set their own policies on awarding such credit or placement, so your student will need to research on the College Board or individual college websites.  

Advanced placement is when a student’s score proves their knowledge in a subject to the college/university, thereby allowing them to skip the corresponding course. So, an example would be bypassing the prerequisite introductory course (enabling your student to take a core course in their major instead).  

Dual Enrollment – Dual enrollment courses are those that students take through their high schools that give them college credit at a local college or university, sometimes for a minimal fee. Classes are college level but typically taught by high school teachers. There are many benefits of dual enrollment classes. Your student can get a head start on earning college credits and also get a feel for what college-level academics are like. For many students, this can help with the transition from high school to college.  

College-Level Examination Program – Another College Board program, CLEP, offers 34 exams that cover introductory college course material. CLEP is similar to the AP exams in that way: it gives students the chance to master some college-level work. But the main difference is the preparation. There are no corresponding courses for CLEP exams as there are for AP exams. Your student can take CLEP exams at CLEP test centers around the country. To see if a particular college grants credit for CLEP exams, your student will need to search the college website or the College Board website for that institution’s policies.  

CLEP exams are a great option if your student’s school doesn’t have an AP course in a subject that your student excels in. Or perhaps there isn’t an AP exam for a subject that your student wants to take. They still might have an opportunity to earn college credit through CLEP.  

Many Benefits of AP, Dual Enrollment and CLEP 

Earning college credits in high school is an excellent way to:  

• Challenge oneself and learn what college classes are like 
• Save money on future tuition costs 
• Build test-taking skills 
• Prepare for advanced-level course work 
• Strengthen the college application 

• A solid before-test routine is important. Students should get plenty of sleep the night before a test so they are well rested. Reviewing the material the night before the test is good, but cramming is not. The morning of the test, students should eat a filling, healthy breakfast and think positive thoughts.
• Remember what tests are and are not. Tests measure what students know and their progress toward mastery of topics and units. They are important, but they are not the only thing that matters in school. Remind your students not to worry too much about a test’s importance.
• Preparation reduces stress. It’s simple but true: the better your students prepare for tests, the less stressed they will feel before test day. Encourage them to listen and pay attention in class, do their homework, and avoid falling behind on assignments.
• Best practices make a difference. Remind students to do a quick calculation at the start of every test to make sure they know approximately how much time they can spend on each question. It’s important to read all directions and questions carefully and circle any to come back to (if students aren’t able to answer them quickly).
• Figure out a way to calm down. Students need a few trusted relaxation and visualization techniques in their toolbox to try when nerves take over during tests.

If you have students whose study skills seem to need strengthening, refer them to Huntington. We’ll help them become more effective learners who are capable of problem-solving, thinking critically, and proving their knowledge. This will build their confidence as test-takers and students.

Whatever the situation, if your student does have winter break homework to do, here are a few tips for keeping them on track: 

• Let them enjoy a true break for a few days. Even if your student needs to study or do homework or other projects during winter break, remember that they still need a moment to breathe.  For at least a few days, let your child unwind and relax. That mental break is important for rejuvenating their mind and body. If your family celebrates a holiday that falls during winter break and you’re taking time off as well, enjoy that time together. Resist the urge to require productivity on their first day off school.  

• Set goals. Once your student has had time to recharge, they should set goals for themselves, which will help them stay focused and motivated. Some students might be catching up on missing work that will help them raise their grades, while others might be working on projects due in January. Remind your child: goals are good! They will help your child take an organized approach to doing what they need to do and avoid the stress that comes with procrastination.  

• Create a schedule. A schedule will reduce any feelings of dread that might arise from the very idea of doing homework while on “vacation.” Sit down with your child to create a realistic schedule that is appropriate for their grade and age (and amount of work they need to complete). An elementary school child might be assigned nightly reading and a math or writing packet over winter break. Break down the packet into smaller chunks so that the work is manageable—perhaps 10 minutes a day each morning and 30 minutes of reading in the evening. A middle or high school student who has more winter break homework might develop a more detailed schedule. For example, if studying for finals when they return to school in January, they could break down their schedule by subject and by day, so that they spend 20-60 minutes a day studying—leaving plenty of free time to enjoy the rest of their time off school.  

• Develop a plan to address issues. Some students might not have homework or studying to do over winter break, but if the first semester of the school year was difficult, winter break is an opportunity to deal with any lingering academic issues. Huntington can help your child address areas that were a challenge throughout the semester and create a plan to strengthen skills to make next year (and the next term) better. Mounting frustration stemming from school struggles can lead to low motivation, so it might take some convincing, but using winter break to catch up, rebuild skills or all of the above is worth the effort. Your child will return to school feeling much more engaged, positive and ready to finish the second half of the year strong.  

One final suggestion: if you have a high school student who is planning to take the SAT or ACT in the new year, consider having them use this down time to their advantage by signing up for an SAT/ACT test prep program with Huntington. Strong SAT/ACT scores can strengthen students’ college applications, earning your student admission and scholarships to their top college choices.  

Whether you have a college-bound student who is taking the SAT or ACT soon or a younger student who would benefit from customized, one-to-one tutoring in one or more subjects, Huntington can work with your child during winter break—around your family’s schedule. Call us at 1-800 CAN LEARN to find out how we can support your child’s academic journey, wherever they are.  

Brainstorm both short-term and long-term goals. Talk with your child about what they would like to achieve in the new year. If that’s difficult for them to answer, try instead talking about what your child felt good about in the first part of the year. That might get them thinking about shorter-term goals like raising a grade or being more engaged in class. Long-term goals might be hard for your student to conceptualize but talk about what’s coming up in a year or longer. A middle school student might be thinking about applying to a competitive private high school or getting on the honors track in high school. A high school student might be starting to think about applying to colleges. Discuss what your student is excited about so that they can start to set bigger goals, which are great motivators.  

Get SMART with goal setting. You might have heard about SMART goals, which are specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, and time bound. This type of goal setting encourages a growth mindset while keeping students focused and engaged in the things that are important to them. Here are a few tips on how your child can follow this framework when setting academic goals:  

• Get specific. Vague goals feel out of reach because it isn’t clear how to actually work toward them. Encourage your child to write down goals that are explicit, clear and reference all the important details (i.e., who, what, when, where, why, how). 
• Make goals Goals that are tied to dates and broken down into steps are easiest to track. Your child should develop goals that have smaller milestones with due dates. 
• Set goals that are achievable. Goals that are too big tend to feel out of reach, so it’s better to have your child set goals that feel personal to them. It’s okay to be ambitious, but have your child start with attainable goals that they are capable of working toward. 
• Be relevant. Make sure your child sets goals that are aligned to their bigger purpose. If they’re a high school student planning ahead for college, for example, their goals should relate back to that. 
• Give goals a timeframe. Time-bound goals keep your student on track by giving specific deadlines to strive toward. 

Give your child a few academic goals examples. Setting goals is worthwhile but might not come naturally to your child at first. As you start this process, talk about the SMART goals framework and examples of goals that meet each of those criteria. A few examples of academic goals for students of different ages:  

• For the student who is trying to become more organized: I will keep my planner out in every class, write down assignments or reminders during the last few minutes of each class, and spend the last few minutes of study sessions every night updating my planner. 
• For the student who is taking the SAT for the first time: I will start studying for the March 9^th SAT on January 2^nd and study at least four days a week for 20 or more
• For the student who received a low grade in English last semester due in part to low weekly vocabulary quiz grades: I will create flash cards of each new unit’s vocabulary terms and review them for five minutes each night and five minutes over breakfast four days a week. 

Setting goals shouldn’t be a one-time thing. Students should adjust their goals as needed and set new ones when they achieve them. The continual process of having something to work toward puts students of all ages in the right mindset about school. Doing well requires effort and planning. The more your child embraces this, the more successful they’ll be as a student.

Whether your child is struggling in school or has big goals in mind—like getting into their dream college or earning scholarships—Huntington can help. Call us at 1-800 CAN LEARN to discuss how we can work with your child to set meaningful goals and develop a detailed plan to achieve them.

• Stop and intervene. Although it is tempting to ignore outbursts from students, a better approach is to deal with the situation immediately and directly. As soon as a student starts to act out, give nonverbal communication that they need to refocus and listen (e.g., by pausing to look at them and wait for them to stop disrupting). If this doesn’t work, move closer to the disruptive student, even standing right next to their desk if necessary. Address the student individually to request that they give you their attention and halt their poor behavior. If that too is ineffective, implement the consequence you’ve established for disobeying class rules, whether that is a timeout, loss of privilege or relocation to the hallway.  
• Review classroom rules. Even if you communicated your rules and expectations at the start of the year, it’s worthwhile to discuss them again if you’re dealing with repeated disruptive behavior in the classroom. Remind all students what acceptable and unacceptable behavior looks like and go over the consequences for not following rules and respecting others (including you).  
• Point out positive behavior. Rather than constantly call out students who are causing problems, focus instead on those who are doing what they are supposed to do and contributing to a positive classroom atmosphere. You can thank students for paying attention while you are speaking, cleaning up their desks when asked and working quietly in groups. Reward good behavior more than you punish bad behavior.  
• Keep calm and carry on. It’s easy to get frustrated when a student is behaving inappropriately, but reacting with anger will accomplish nothing and only throw you off course even more. Stay calm and uphold an environment of respect as much as possible. Be kind, keep your emotions in check when confronting classroom disruptors and treat all students with the same respect that you expect in return.  

Sometimes, disruptive behavior in the classroom is a sign of a deeper problem, for example, Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD). Students with ADHD might find it difficult to sit still, wait their turn to ask questions, and work well with other students. In the classroom, students sometimes react in surprising ways—like acting out in school to distract from the fact that they are having difficulty keeping up with what you are teaching.  

If you suspect one of your students is dealing with academic issues that are contributing to their disruptive behavior, refer their parent to Huntington at 1-800 CAN LEARN. We work with students of all ages and all skill levels and can provide an academic evaluation that determines a student’s unique strengths and areas that need improvement. Our personalized programs can help students improve their grades and build their confidence and motivation to learn. Whatever academic challenges your student is facing, we can help them overcome them and get back on track.

What can parents do to help their new middle school student navigate this change successfully? Here are several tips for sixth graders and their parents:  

Set expectations. Middle school steps up the academic rigor and brings greater teacher expectations and a larger workload. Now that your child has a few months under their belt, talk about the things that they are struggling with like: multiple classes, multiple teachers, moving from classroom to classroom numerous times throughout the day, a bigger building (if applicable), more class materials to keep track of and a greater emphasis on grades and GPA (to prepare students for high school academics). Have these conversations with your child and can help them make adjustments as needed.   

Manage time wisely. If there’s one piece of advice for middle schoolers you and your child are likely to hear from teachers repeatedly, it is to commit to excellent time management. Solid routines will minimize procrastination and help your child make the most of homework time. If your child is finding this difficult, make sure your child has (and uses) a planner to keep track of homework assignments, upcoming test/quiz/project due dates, and other commitments outside of school like volunteering or extracurricular activities. Your child should start every homework session by prioritizing their nightly homework. For bigger projects or tests, your child should plan ahead by breaking things down into smaller tasks with due dates. 

Get organized. There’s a lot to keep track of in middle school, and your student needs to have a good organizational system. This could include a binder and folder system that will help them avoid losing important papers and homework and save them time each night when they sit down to do their work. Remember that electronic files need a good organization system as well.  Make sure your student saves and labels digital files in a way they can quickly recall them. At home, your child should have a dedicated study space that is stocked with the materials your child needs. At the end of every homework or study session, have your child tidy the space and get their backpack organized and ready to go for the next day.  

Establish strong study habits. Most young students do not inherently know how to study. Talk with your child about habits that will help them succeed with the increased expectations and difficulty of middle school classes. In addition to everything mentioned above, your child should schedule their study time and stick to it, eliminate distractions from their study space and set goals for each study session. Shorter homework/study sessions with short breaks in between are much more productive than longer cram sessions.  

Discuss stress and how to deal with it. The middle school years are a time of growth and change for adolescents, both as students and as people. That can create stress, so make sure your child’s “middle school survival guide” includes tips for stress management. Staying organized and managing their time will help minimize school-related stress, of course, but it’s also important that your child adopts healthy ways of coping with the inevitable ups and downs of middle school life. Your child needs to get enough sleep, take care of their physical well-being, and make time for friends, family, and activities they enjoy. It’s beneficial to adopt a few methods to calm themselves when they are feeling overwhelmed.  

Middle school is an important time of development for young students, and parental support is critical. Parents should not fear what their child is experiencing but rather embrace it as an opportunity to support their child as they grow into an independent self-starter. Keep those lines of communication open with your new middle schooler and set expectations that your child needs to stick to good habits and make school a priority.

If your child needs support along the way, call Huntington at 1-800 CAN LEARN. We equip middle school students with the skills and confidence to overcome any academic challenges that arise in the classroom, and we can help your child do the same. 

Use a rubric. Rubrics are helpful for you and your students because they lay out your expectations for writing assignments and how you will grade them. This lets students know what you are looking for and takes the subjectivity out of your grading criteria. For example, your assignment might ask a student to write about a favorite activity. The rubric should show how students can earn points for essential components of their finished product, including:  

• The main idea  
• Organization (a clear beginning, middle and ending) 
• Use of effective language  
• Use of vocabulary 
• Correct grammar  
• Good sentence structure and correct writing conventions 
• Flow and readability  

Reinforce best practices. As students move from grade to grade, writing assignments become more complex and difficult, yet many of the basics of good writing remain the same. Even with simple assignments, teach students how to approach writing the right way: step by step! Those steps are:  

• Determining the purpose of the writing (e.g., giving an opinion, explaining something or sharing an experience or event) 
• Planning what to write (and doing any research)
• Creating an outline 
• Writing a first draft that follows the outline 
• Getting feedback from a teacher or classmate
• Editing 
• Revising
• Editing again 
• Proofreading
• Finalizing 

Give examples of writing that has been edited. Once your students have a grasp on what you are looking for in a writing assignment, try a class activity where you show them examples of feedback on student writing (from a fictional student, of course). Ask them why they think you made certain suggestions to affirm their understanding of how the original writing example was improved by the edit.  

Provide opportunities for revision. Any time you grade a student’s writing, it’s important to give them the opportunity to revise their work based on your feedback. This will help your students reinforce their learning and improve their writing skills. If you’re using a rubric, make sure your students understand how you used it when giving feedback on student writing and how to edit specific parts of their work to improve it.  

Be encouraging. Young writers have a lot to learn, and it’s easy to get discouraged when receiving feedback from a teacher that only marks the mistakes. Students in elementary school are still learning the basics of writing structure and might even be struggling still with things like spelling and using correct grammar. As much as you can, focus on your overarching goal when offering writing feedback to students. Provide comments that encourage students to reflect on the effectiveness of their writing. Be specific with corrections so students know what they need to change. Focus on progress, not perfection.  

Do you have students who need help improving their writing? Huntington can help! We teach students the fundamental writing skills necessary to succeed in school. Refer parents to Huntington at 1-800 CAN LEARN to find out more about how we - can help students become strong, influential writers.  

Identify goals. In a perfect world, your child would go into all tutor sessions with an idea of what they want to achieve or improve. However, don’t expect your child to drive this if their frustration level is high. They might not know what their goals are or how to define them. In the first tutoring session, your child’s tutor will identify the areas where your child needs improvement. That can spark conversations in future tutoring sessions about what the tutor and your child can accomplish together during their sessions, like:  

• Raising one or more grades 
• Rebuilding confidence in a subject that has been difficult in the past (and this year) 
• Catching up in a class that has been challenging and confusing 
• Learning a skill that they have struggled with since a prior grade (which is holding them back in a subject now) 

Review the material for that tutor session. If your child knows ahead of time what their tutor plans to work on, or sometimes brings difficult homework to their tutor to get help, it would be beneficial for them to look it over beforehand. That way your child can come up with a list of questions or at least mark the areas where they are confused. This gives the tutoring sessions direction and helps your child directly apply the skills they are learning with their tutor to the work they do in school. which helps the tutor either teach your child a new skill or help them master and apply the ones they know.  

Be open to new approaches and feedback. Your child must remember that their tutor is there to help, so their suggestions and ideas are intended to do just that. The tutor might have different approaches to tackling problems or doing homework that will take your child a little bit to learn. Encourage your child to be patient and keep in mind that their tutor’s goal is to help them make progress. Whether your child is struggling through a subject or needs to strengthen foundational skills that have been holding them back, trust their process.  

What to Expect from a Tutoring Session at Huntington Learning Center  

When the signs that your child needs help in school are obvious, it’s important to find a tutor you can trust. Huntington has the longest track record in the country of helping students achieve academic success—46 years, to be exact. Here’s what to expect from a tutoring session with Huntington:  

• An initial evaluation – Before instruction begins, we need to know exactly what your child needs. We start with an academic evaluation that identifies your child’s weaknesses and areas of strength. With that, we create a personalized learning plan that lays out a detailed tutoring schedule that will achieve desired goals (e.g., raising a grade, boosting confidence, etc.).  
• Individualized tutoring – Individualized tutoring is proven to achieve the best outcomes for students, so this is what your child will receive at Huntington during their first tutoring session and all others thereafter. Each student’s personalized learning plan is updated with the child’s progress as instruction continues from session to session.  
• Highly trained tutors – Huntington tutors all have degrees from four-year colleges and universities and hold state or Huntington certifications. This is not the norm for private tutors! With Huntington, your child is in good hands, learning from a caring and experienced teacher who knows how to help your child become a better student. In addition, Huntington is accredited by the Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools.  
• Collaboration with school teachers if requested – We are happy to discuss your child’s academic needs and progress with teachers and school professionals and will do so with your permission. This helps us learn more about your child’s academic history and better monitor their progress. Teachers can provide updates on how tutoring sessions with Huntington are improving their skills, confidence, and motivation in the classroom.  

If your elementary school, middle school or high school student needs help overcoming academic challenges, strengthening study skills or achieving their college goals (including preparing for the SAT or ACT), call Huntington. We have a wide range of tutoring programs to meet your child’s specific needs, no matter their age, goals or abilities. Call 1-800 CAN LEARN to find out how we can help your child achieve academic success that lasts a lifetime.  

This blog post discusses how a real science of reading should include different methods and approaches. It highlights the importance of oral reading fluency and vocabulary in a child's reading progress. Educators, the primary architects of this journey, must continually engage in professional development to nurture these essential skills effectively.

The Science of Reading: Beyond Phonics

When discussing the "science of reading," it's common to only consider phonics-based methods. Phonics is important for teaching kids to read, but there is more to reading than just decoding words. A holistic perspective embraces the idea that a well-rounded approach is necessary for fostering proficient readers.

1. Oral Reading Fluency: A Vital Component

Oral reading fluency is a foundational aspect of reading proficiency often overshadowed by phonics. Fluent readers can decode words effortlessly and understand their meaning, allowing them to comprehend text with ease. However, this fluency doesn't develop in isolation; it requires practice and instruction.

Teachers help improve oral reading fluency by using strategies like repeated reading, choral reading, and paired reading. Teachers should receive training to assess fluency, give helpful feedback, and create engaging activities to improve fluency. Integrating fluency exercises into everyday classroom routines can significantly impact students' overall reading abilities.

2. Vocabulary: The Cornerstone of Comprehension

Vocabulary is often referred to as the "building blocks of reading comprehension." Without a robust vocabulary, students struggle to grasp the meaning of words, sentences, and entire texts. The acquisition of vocabulary is a dynamic process, and educators must be well-versed in strategies that promote vocabulary growth.

Professional development should guide teachers in implementing vocabulary instruction effectively. This includes strategies like explicit vocabulary teaching, word mapping, and creating a language-rich environment. Educators must also understand the importance of teaching context clues and word relationships to empower students with the tools to decipher unfamiliar words independently.

The Role of Professional Development

To embrace the science of reading in its entirety, teachers require ongoing professional development that encompasses phonics, oral reading fluency, and vocabulary instruction. Here are a few ways professional development can support this endeavor:

1. Research-Based Training: Ensure educators are up-to-date with the latest research on reading instruction. This includes understanding the science behind phonics, fluency, and vocabulary acquisition.
2. Pedagogical Techniques: Equip teachers with a diverse set of instructional strategies tailored to individual student needs. This might involve differentiated instruction, multisensory techniques, and technology integration.
3. Assessment and Data Analysis: Train educators to assess students' reading skills effectively and use data to inform their instruction. Regular assessments can help identify areas of improvement and track progress.
4. Collaborative Learning Communities: Foster a culture of collaboration among educators. Encourage them to share successful practices and learn from one another's experiences.

Enabling Students’ Potential Through Literacy

A genuine "science of reading" acknowledges that reading proficiency is a multifaceted journey. It encompasses phonics, oral reading fluency, and vocabulary instruction as equally essential components.

For teachers, this means continuously seeking professional development opportunities that empower them with the knowledge and tools to nurture these skills effectively.

To achieve literacy excellence, we must remember that teaching reading comprehensively is crucial for unlocking the full potential of every student. A complete approach to teaching reading is the key. It helps in developing literacy skills and enabling students to reach their maximum capabilities.

Like many schools, Huntington Learning Center is committed to helping students improve their skill sets in reading and writing. Huntington has helped schools for nearly 50 years, providing them with publicly funded high dosage tutoring in reading and math as well as test prep for state exams and SAT/ACT. To learn more about the many ways Huntington can support teachers and schools' mission to improve literacy at a young age, visit HUNTINGTONHELPS.COM or call 1-800-CAN-LEARN.

Parents might notice their children struggling with math when:  

• Teachers move away from fun math activities and begin teaching more advanced material that relies upon students’ analytical skills, attention to detail, and critical thinking.  
• Math starts to require more patience and persistence (e.g., with multi-step problems). 
• Children don’t understand the relevance of math to their everyday lives. 
• Children don’t have a strong foundation to problem solve effectively when math problems aren’t straightforward. 
• Math requires more focus and attention to do correctly.  

Whatever the reason, it’s not uncommon for children who enjoyed math when they were preschoolers or kindergarteners to find the subject frustrating as it gets more difficult in elementary school. If you’re the parent of an early elementary child, there are many things you can do to build a strong math foundation. Here are a few tips and math activities for young learners. 

Play math games. Lots of children learn best by doing, so playing math games is a great way to teach while having fun.  Simple concepts are good for preschool and kindergarten children such as number identification, forming numbers, counting 1-10, basic shape recognition and drawing shapes.  Here are a few examples of games for preschool and kindergarten children: 

• Counting game – Draw several trees on separate pieces of paper and write a number in the trunk of each tree. Buy a sheet of apple (or circle) stickers. Tell your child to put the matching number of apples on each tree and count aloud to you while doing so.  
• Number recognition game – On separate pieces of paper, draw different quantities of objects—for example, three circles on one sheet, seven stars on another, and four smiley faces on another. Place note cards with numbers written on them (or number magnets if you have them) in a pile, and have your child count the objects on each sheet and choose the correct number note card or magnet to place in the drawing.  
• Shape scavenger hunt – Draw a triangle, circle, square and rectangle on separate sheets of paper, and tape them up on a wall. Then, draw each shape on a few sticky notes—for example, you could draw three triangle sticky notes, eight circle sticky notes, four square sticky notes and two rectangle sticky notes (a total of 16). Hide all of the sticky notes around your home, and have your child find them and bring them back to stick to the correct shape on the wall. When they are done, have them count the number of each shape and write that number on the paper.  

As your child moves through the early elementary grades (grades k-3) they can practice more complex concepts like addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division skills through games such as 7 ate 9, Uno, Left Center Right (dice game), Money bags, dominoes, and card games. 

For older elementary school students (grades 3-6), search for board games that develop critical thinking, problem-solving, and reasoning skills. Good examples are Bananagrams, Yahtzee, Monopoly, Qwirkle, Chess, and Sudoku.  

Pay attention to your child’s learning style(s). It might take a while for you to recognize your child’s learning style, but knowing what to look for will help you as you support your child’s math understanding at home. Here’s an overview of four common learning styles:  

• Visual learners learn best using visual aids, diagrams, or other visual tools other than words. When learning math, using pictures, charts, and objects will help this type of learner understand the concept being taught.  
• Auditory learners learn through listening, reading aloud and talking about ideas. If your child seems to prefer being read to and talking about what they learn, you can discuss math problems or ideas as they start bringing home math homework. 
• Reading/writing learners like to read things themselves to learn -new math concepts and they tend to be skilled at articulating their knowledge and ideas in writing. Step-by-step instructions and activities that involve reading problems to themselves (or to you) will suit them best.  
• Kinesthetic learners prefer to experience information for themselves, either by touching it, holding it or doing it themselves. Many preschool children learn this way, so hands-on activities that use tangible objects will reinforce their understanding of what numbers represent.  

Engage a math tutor if problems arise. Math is a tough subject for many children, and problems that start small tend to grow bigger quickly if left uncorrected. Because math concepts build on one another, children who don’t grasp the very basics of math in kindergarten will find elementary school math confusing and frustrating. This will continue into later elementary school too, as math becomes more complex, and success depends on prior knowledge.  

If you notice that your child doesn’t grasp math easily, don’t wait to seek help. Huntington’s individualized math tutoring programs unlock the world of math for elementary school students (and middle school and high school students as well). We start by conducting a comprehensive academic evaluation to assess your child’s strengths and weaknesses as well as their learning style and academic goals. We help children build foundational math skills for continued success and equip students with problem-solving skills from a young age.  

Call Huntington at 1-800 CAN LEARN today to start your child down a new path to math success!  

• Create a homework routine. It should go without saying, but many students need to hear it repeatedly: a homework routine will make them more successful. Talk with students about establishing an after-school schedule that allows them to study and do homework when they are most focused. Many students are busy with activities outside of school, so it’s okay if the schedule fluctuates a little, but the key is to have a plan going into each night. Students should prioritize their daily assignments and set goals for each block of homework time.  
• Break down large assignments into smaller tasks.  For bigger projects or assignments, show your students how to create a project plan that lays out tasks, start dates and deadlines. The more specific, the better—especially for any procrastinators. So, a research paper could be broken down into many separate to-dos:
  • Select topic
  • Create essay outline
  • Research sources
  • Narrow down sources/check in with the teacher
  • Revise outline
  • Rough draft
  • Revise the draft/have a peer review
  • Second draft
  • Revise the second draft
  • Final draft
  • Proofread
  • Turn in 

Once a large project is broken down into steps like this, the student should assign dates for when to start and complete each. Students can take a similar approach when studying for big tests. Since shorter study sessions are more effective than longer, uninterrupted homework marathons, advise them to create a study schedule and stick to it.  

• Use a planner or homework chart. Even though they get less homework, younger students can benefit from using a homework chart or checklist. This helps establish good habits like writing down assignments and time management. If you teach older students, you already know that a planner is very helpful for managing time, minimizing stress and achieving academic goals. Emphasize the importance of a planner or planner app and offer suggestions on how to use one effectively. Encourage students to write down homework each day for every class (during class) and keep the planner up to date with test dates, project due dates, reminders of upcoming deadlines or responsibilities, and other important tasks. Adding things like their volunteer or work schedule (if applicable) and sports/activity practice and game times is also a great idea.  

Poor organization and weak homework habits interfere with students’ learning and success in school. If you’ve tried to share homework tips for parents, and your advice to students doesn’t seem to make a noticeable difference, Huntington can help. We work with students who need homework help and additional support developing reliable study skills and organizational strategies. Parents can call us at 1-800 CAN LEARN for more information about our customized tutoring programs for students of all ages.

Although some children are diagnosed with ADHD before the age of five, this is more typically the case with children whose symptoms are considered severe. The median age of diagnosis for moderate ADHD is six years old (seven years old for mild ADHD).  

For teachers and parents, it’s not always easy to spot a child with ADHD. In the classroom, inattention can seem like a personality trait (e.g., the student is dreamy or always thinking). Being disorganized and forgetful are issues that many children struggle with, both at home and in school. So, if a student isn’t disruptive like a primarily hyperactive-impulsive type ADHD child and is able to keep up with their work and earn good grades, they can easily fly under the radar for years.  

Your job isn’t to diagnose, but you can watch for certain warning signs.  

If you teach middle school, you know all too well that this is a period when students go through a lot of change. School becomes more challenging due to increased difficulty and expectations, and that can be hard for many students. ADHD in middle schoolers is common, and teachers are often the first to notice certain symptoms. Although your job is to teach, it’s helpful for you to recognize when a child’s behaviors in the classroom might be indicative of ADHD. Here are some common signs to watch for:  

• Lack of attention to detail – Students with ADHD lack attention to detail. They might skim directions on quizzes, tests and homework assignments, resulting in wrong or incomplete answers. Because listening isn’t easy, they might miss some or all of your verbal instructions during in-class work or activities. 
• Struggling to focus – Maintaining focus isn’t a new problem for middle schoolers with ADHD, but it can become a more obvious issue due to the increased rigor and number of classes. You might notice that a student frequently hands in incomplete homework (due to it taking an overly long time to get focused and start, which causes them to run out of time to finish it). They could seem “zoned out” when you’re speaking or giving a lesson. During hands-on projects, they might appear disengaged or uninterested.
• Forgetfulness – In middle school, students with ADHD often have a weak executive functioning framework, which includes memory and the ability to remember things and recall steps required to achieve goals. You might notice that a student is reluctant to use tools like checklists or a planner, resulting in missed deadlines and forgotten homework. 
• Misplacing things – On its own, losing things like textbooks and jackets isn’t unusual for middle school students. But students with ADHD misplace items on a daily basis. Without reliable systems and routines—like getting their backpack ready the night before school (with all completed homework in it)—the problem continues. 
• Fidgety – At a young age, children with hyperactive symptoms of ADHD are known to move around a lot and struggle to stay seated. By middle school, this may look a little different. They still might prefer moving to staying still, but it could be more subtle: tapping a foot or bouncing a knee, for example.
• Impulsivity – Interrupting is a common habit of younger children with ADHD, and it can still be an ADHD symptom in middle schoolers. In the classroom, a student might talk more than they listen, blurt out answers to questions before you finish asking them, and cut off their classmates when they are speaking. It also can show up as procrastination due to weak self-control. A middle school student with ADHD might prioritize socializing and fun activities over school work.  

One of the biggest things you’ll notice in students with ADHD is poor academic performance as they fall further and further behind. If you have a student who is struggling, refer their parent to Huntington at 1-800 CAN LEARN. Our customized programs are taught by experienced tutors who incorporate research-based strategies into their instruction. We can help any student improve their grades and boost their confidence.  

• Homework takes an overly long amount of time. If your child takes a long time to do even the simplest of homework, there could be several culprits—like procrastination due to poor planning or difficulty focusing for more than a few minutes at a time. However, lengthy homework sessions are especially concerning if your child’s efforts don’t yield results in the form of acceptable grades. Your child might not be keeping up in class with what is being taught. That makes it difficult to successfully practice what they’ve learned at home. 
• Homework time goes quickly, and the quality is poor. Flying through homework quickly could be a sign of a skill deficit or could be that your child isn’t giving the work their full attention or care. Review homework with your child and pay attention to whether your child skipped sections or partially completed answers to the questions. If homework is marked incorrect there could be more going on than just a few sloppy mistakes. Following up on your child’s homework assignments after they have been graded can help to shed light on the underlying issue.  
• They don’t have any sort of homework routine. If your child’s approach to doing homework or studying for quizzes or tests seems haphazard and last minute, don’t brush it off as immaturity or typical. Good homework and study habits don’t come naturally to many students, but those who claim they don’t need them will eventually run into trouble. As school becomes more difficult and time-consuming, a lack of homework routine will result in missed deadlines and low grades. 
• Homework is a sore subject. Some children complain about homework being too hard, but others are vague in expressing their frustrations. Watch for changes in your child’s attitude about school and homework. If homework time is often accompanied by mood swings, outbursts, or self-deprecating comments (e.g., “I’m just too stupid to get this right!”) there’s more going on behind the scenes. 
• They’re full of excuses. If your child is a chronic procrastinator, there’s a reason behind it. Often, students who put off their work until the last minute avoid it because they know it will be difficult, if not impossible, for them to complete it on their own. Another classic claim of the struggling student is that they weren’t assigned homework. Blowing off homework (and hiding it) is a warning sign that should not be ignored. 

Of course, one of the most obvious signs that a child is having trouble with homework is low grades. Bad grades happen to all students from time to time, but if you notice a steady decline over the course of these past couple of months (or that decline started during the last school year), something is wrong. Huntington cautions parents not to wait too long to get their child the help they need. Grades that worsen quickly could indicate that a child is missing essential building-block skills from a prior school year. The child doesn’t have the knowledge they need to keep up in the classroom, and sometimes their frustration or poor classroom behavior distracts from this.

If your child is having a tough time this year doing homework independently or the process is proving so frustrating that your child often avoids it altogether, it’s time to get them the homework help they need. Academic issues do not go away on their own, and the longer you ignore them, the bigger they can grow.  

If you are concerned about your child and have noticed a few of these signs, call Huntington. We can pinpoint exactly what is going on with your child. Once we identify the areas where your child is missing skills, we create a customized tutoring program to close those gaps and rebuild your child’s confidence. Get your child help with math homework, writing homework or any other subject’s homework! Call us today at 1-800 CAN LEARN to discover how Huntington helps children of all ages improve their grades and become happier, more successful students.

Huntington shares these five warning signs that your child may need tutoring help—and questions to answer about your child’s behavior:

1. Difficulty getting started. Does your child seem unexcited and unmotivated about anything to do with school—especially working on assignments? Does he or she put off homework time every night and frequently spin his or her wheels when working?
2. Sloppy homework and overall disorganization. Is your child disorganized in most areas of his or her life? Does your child consistently hand in unfinished or messy homework? Does it seem that your child used to care about doing quality work and does not anymore?
3. Personality change. Have you noticed a dramatic change in your child’s disposition in recent months? Is your child more angry or volatile than ever before? Does he or she seem unhappy—about school and other areas of his or her life such as friends?
4. Diminished self-esteem. Does your child get down on him or herself easily during homework? Is your child pessimistic about school, his or her abilities, and more? On a day to day basis, does your child appear frustrated with him or herself?
5. Lack of interest in learning. Is your child totally apathetic about school and anything associated with school? Was your child interested in learning previously and now is not? Does that indifference translate to other areas, such as socializing or being involved in extracurricular activities?

“School can be a bumpy road for students who are struggling, so it is important to take action if you notice your child showing any of these signs,” Huntington says. “Experience has showed us that early tutoring intervention is key to getting students back to where they need to be as quickly as possible.” For questions about how a customized tutoring program could help your child, call the Huntington Learning Center at 1-800 CAN LEARN.

Use class time for peer grading. Assignments that are all multiple-choice or have straightforward answers (e.g., simple math assignments) are well-suited for having your students grade one another’s work (or their own) in class. Of course, you should monitor the room to ensure students are being honest and careful as they grade. Look for opportunities to lighten your grading load this way. To maintain student privacy, you could have students use their student IDs rather than their names on assignments you plan to have them grade.  

Use technology. Talk with your school district technology team to learn if they have vetted any tools or platforms that you could incorporate into your grading process to help you grade more efficiently. For example, you could save time when grading essays or other writing assignments by using Google Docs’ voice typing tool. Rather than type your feedback, you can voice type it (then review your comments to correct any dictation errors). In the age of artificial intelligence, there are many automated grading programs out there as well. Again, ask the technology staff at your school for advice and school-approved suggestions.  

Use rubrics. Rubrics are extremely helpful for teachers and students alike. For students, they provide a clear, objective set of expectations for assignments, including a checklist of requirements and a rating scale. They are great for taking the subjectivity out of grading assignments like essays and presentations because you design them around desired learning outcomes and key skills. This makes grading much easier and faster. Because the rubric provides grading criteria to students on the front end, you can use your written feedback to teach students how to improve on future work rather than justify your grade.  

Use a set time for grading. Effective time management is key to staying on top of grading. You can avoid mountains of paperwork by carving out specific times for grading—whether you use your prep hour or find times of the day when you feel most productive. Block off time on your weekly calendar to serve as a reminder to keep up with grading.  

Look for opportunities to lighten the load. Seasoned teachers know that not every assignment requires the same level of grading attention. Certain homework and in-class assignments might require a check to confirm that students completed the work to further their learning and reinforce concepts. Establish your goals and grading criteria to help students understand what is expected of them and how you will grade their work. In doing so, you’ll help them learn and save yourself time on grading.  

If you’re trying to step up your teaching time management this school year, grading is an area where you can find efficiencies. Try a few of these grading tips for teachers. Any time you save can be put directly back into helping your students learn and succeed.  

Have a student who would benefit from tutoring support outside the classroom? Refer them to Huntington at 1-800 CAN LEARN. For over four decades, we’ve helped students of all ages reach their academic goals, whether those are to raise grades and confidence or prepare for the college admission process. Teachers and parents trust us to build students’ success through caring, individualized instruction. Learn more about our proven tutoring approach.

• Lay the ground rules. An effective classroom management plan should set clear rules and expectations for appropriate, respectful behavior. You can create these rules yourself or involve your students in the process too. Be sure to include consequences for not meeting expectations—and hold to them.  
• Establish routines. Most students do their best when they know what to expect, and giving a loose daily schedule is helpful for this. How specific your routines are depends on the grade you teach, but here are a few examples of routines that are adaptable for any grade: 
• Entering-the-classroom routine. Set the tone for productivity by having students complete the same tasks within the first few minutes of walking in the door. For elementary teachers, that might include hanging up backpacks, getting out take-home folders, turning in homework to a specified bin, sitting at desks, reading the message on the board and following its instructions. Middle and high school teachers can take a similar approach, having students put their phones away when the bell rings and get out their pencils/notebooks, laptops, or other materials they need for the day’s lesson or activity. 
• Transition routines. Routines that help students move from one activity, lesson or place to another reduce disruptions and behavior problems. They also save time by keeping students in “school mode” and focused on learning. Create attention signals for different transitions and set expectations for what students must do for each (and how much time to take). For example, you could play three minutes of music to tell students that it is time to clean up and get ready for lunch. Transitions work best when you give students advance notice (Students, in five minutes, we’ll start to clean up and get lined up for lunch). A visual aid like a schedule posted on the wall helps keep students on track. 
• Ending-the-day/class routine. Minimize chaos with procedures that help both you and your students stay organized, whether students are headed to their next classes or home for the day. Allow a few minutes at the end of class for students to tidy up their desks and other classroom workspaces (or put things in their backpacks) and write down the day’s homework assignment in their planners. Job charts are a great way to keep your classroom tidy while building students’ sense of responsibility. 
• Focus on keeping students engaged. Students may lose focus due to a multitude of reasons such as encountering a variety of teaching styles or being overwhelmed academically. Students may also find it difficult to shift their focus from subject to subject when they move between classes daily. So, student engagement is important at every age and helps keep a classroom running smoothly. However, it can be especially hard to keep students engaged as they move into middle and high school. Don’t stop trying, though, because creating an inspiring learning environment will greatly enhance your classroom management efforts. Get to know your students and their needs early in the school year and connect what you teach with their own experiences whenever possible. Encourage students to work together and learn from each other. 
• Encourage teamwork and make respect non-negotiable. Rules and routines are a must to minimize chaos in the classroom, but developing a culture of respect among your students can go a long way toward making your classroom a comfortable, safe place for learning. On a daily basis, find ways to bring students together to collaborate and problem-solve. This teaches them valuable life skills like communication and keeps students focused when they are in your classroom. 
• Let your passion show. Ask any student what their favorite teachers do well and you’re likely to get an answer that mentions their enthusiasm and excitement for both their subject and their craft (teaching). So, try to give your students your best every day. When designing lesson plans, build energizing activities into them whenever possible to bring concepts to life. Welcome questions and encourage conversation. Keep things positive. Make learning fun!  

Whether you teach elementary school, middle school or high school, you know that good classroom management is important. It creates a positive classroom environment built on trust and respectful relationships between you and your students (and amongst the students). Of course, your primary goal is to facilitate your students’ learning. You’ll be much more successful at this if you create a well-managed learning environment. 

What do the numbers mean on report cards? Each state has a set of standards (which are categories of skills) for what students are expected to learn in each grade. Schools and school districts develop their curricula based on those standards. The standards-based report card shows advancement toward mastery of those standards. Put simply, these marks represent a student’s progress at the time of the report toward each standard being measured.  

Typically, these types of elementary report cards have a legend describing what each of the numbers mean. That might look like this:  

4 Advanced/exceeding the grade-level standard  

3 Proficient/meeting the grade-level standard 

2 Basic/approaching the grade-level standard 

1 Below basic/does not meet the grade-level standard 

Standards-based grading breaks down the subject matter into smaller skill categories that are measured.  Each category is a teachable concept that students should master by the end of the grading period. For example: under the subject of mathematics, standards-based grading could show your students’ progress on the category of “can find the sum of two-digit numbers,” as a 1 which means your student does not meet the grade-level standard at the time the report card was issued.  

This type of measurement/grading system is different from report cards you might have seen in the past (or received when you were in elementary school). Here are several things to keep in mind:  

• The number scale doesn’t translate to the traditional letter grade scale (and isn’t intended to). It can be confusing for parents who are used to letter grades to grasp that a 4 does not equal an A, and a 3 does not equal a B. Rather, these numbers show how a student is progressing toward mastery of grade-level standards (based on the above) at the time of each report card.  
• A mark of 1 or 2 early in the school year shouldn’t be cause for great concern. As this type of report card is measuring progress, it is reasonable that students might receive 1s and 2s on report cards early in the year. As they build new knowledge and grow their skills, they should move up that scale throughout the school year. 
• This type of report card supports student learning with clear communication. One of the biggest pros of a standards-based report card is that it lays out exactly what your student needs to learn by the end of the school year. Each time a report card is released, you’ll get a clear picture of your child’s development in each subject area.  
• Students’ grades (marks) are objective. Your child’s marks will show how well they are doing in school academically, as it relates to grade-level standards. The grades are based on your student’s mastery of the skill which makes it clear to the teacher where the student needs help or is thriving.  

Other Skills Measured on the Elementary Report Card  

Many standards-based report cards assess areas such as behavior in the classroom, self-discipline, study skills, effort and teamwork/working with other students. These will likely be measured using a similar scale used for academic subjects. That might look something like this:  

4 Exceeds expectations 

3 Meets expectations 

2 Sometimes meets expectations 

1 Rarely meets expectations 

Poor Report Card? Call Huntington for Individualized Tutoring Help 

What should you do if your child’s elementary report card seems to indicate that they are struggling to keep up and not progressing as they should? First and foremost, talk with the teacher. They can explain where your child is demonstrating knowledge and skills that are appropriate at this point in the school year and where they are falling behind. The standards-based report card identifies specific areas of strength and weakness.  

If your child needs additional help outside the classroom to reach grade-level standards, individualized tutoring gives your child the attention they might not get in a busy classroom which is important for your elementary student. When a student isn’t making sufficient progress toward mastery of those grade-level standards, tutoring can make a big difference. With the standards-based report card identifying a student’s weaknesses or areas that need improvement, individualized tutoring can target those specific skills and strengthen them. 

Huntington’s elementary tutoring program is designed to equip students with foundational skills so they can thrive in these challenging academic environments. With each student, we start with an academic evaluation to determine the student’s individual needs. We then develop a program to help the student learn the skills, tools and knowledge to improve their grades and meet every challenge with confidence. Whether your elementary school student needs help with reading, writing, math, science or study skills, we can help your child reach their full potential.  

Call 1-800 CAN LEARN to learn how Huntington can help your student this school year.

Overall, taking the SAT/ACT can significantly impact a student's college and career opportunities. While the COVID-19 pandemic has caused some changes to the college admissions process, these tests continue to play a vital role in the application process. 

• Start the year with a short learning survey. Although some students will open up about themselves when you ask questions, others might be less inclined to do so. Give your students an opportunity to share more about how they learn with you privately—via a short survey (paper or digital). Here are a few possible getting-to-know-your-students questions:
  • What’s your favorite subject? Why? 
  • What’s your least favorite subject? Why? 
  • What time of day do you prefer to do homework? 
  • Do you have any academic goals this year? 
• Learn two things about each student in the first week. Students will notice and appreciate this effort to get to know them personally. Greet them at the door as they come in or find opportunities to chat with students throughout the day/class period to learn things like:
  • A favorite sport or activity
  • A favorite TV show or movie
  • What the student did over the summer
  • What was their favorite book they read over the summer 
• Play icebreakers. Icebreaker activities set the tone for positivity and are a fun way to get students acquainted in the first couple of weeks of school. These ideas can be adapted for different age groups: 
  • Question of the day - Write a question of the day on the whiteboard before students come in and have them jot down answers on a slip of paper as they get settled. Have students share their answers with partners (and change partners each day). 
  • Class playlist - Invite students to submit three favorite (and class-appropriate) songs for a class playlist. Play music for a few minutes each day or period (e.g., during cleanup time for elementary students or as students enter the room for middle or high school students). 
  • Fun facts scavenger hunt - Hand out a list of statements and have students walk around the classroom to collect signatures of any peers who fit each. Examples: I have a dog. I was born outside the U.S. My favorite activity is baseball/football. I like reading more than math. My birthday is in the winter. I’m a good cook. I am fluent in more than one language. I have never traveled outside of the state. You can repeat this game any time you need a brain break and create new questions—some days more playful, some days more academically focused.  

Why is it important to get to know your students? For many reasons! You’ll establish a good rapport, create a positive relationship built on mutual respect, and help students feel more comfortable discussing their needs. A relationship with strong communication is needed throughout the school year and will translate to better engagement overall. And of course, the more you know about your students, the better you’ll be able to support their learning and help them achieve success. So, take the time to get to know students. It’s well worth it!  

Children who grapple with reading at a young age and do not overcome those challenges often go on to struggle in other subjects too. At Huntington, we see that a student’s reading ability is directly linked to their writing ability. But we also know that weak reading comprehension is not a standalone problem. The ability to read well is critical for understanding new concepts and ideas in all subjects. As students move from grade to grade and material becomes more complex, that lack of strong reading ability can prevent them from progressing in subjects like math and science, which require critical thinking, problem-solving and data interpretation.

Learning Depends on Reading 

Put simply, reading is the gateway to acquiring new knowledge. Here are a few examples of how students rely upon their reading skills in other school subjects: 

• Writing –When students read a prompt, they need to understand how to develop a well-written response to address that prompt. Writing is the active form of reading and students must understand how words make sentences, sentences make paragraphs, and paragraphs bring thoughts together in an essay or story.
• History –Students encounter numerous facts, details, cause-and-effect situations, as well as new vocabulary and old historic terms when learning Reading helps them understand a specific event and the impact it had on a community. 
• Math –Math requires reading and breaking down a word problem which includes recognizing the need for multiple steps, identifying the core question, and creating numerical equations to solve the problem. 
• Science – Students need to sift through scientific terminology, learn to read data, and understand a written hypothesis. Literacy is vital for scientific study: read; research; write; repeat.  

While the signs of reading struggles are often fairly obvious, it takes time for parents to see reading problems impacting other subjects. In early elementary school, a subject like science might involve doing hands-on experiments more than having students read and interpret data. So, a child who has problems with reading might not necessarily struggle with science. However, as time goes on, those reading deficits will start to hold back that student from succeeding in other subjects. The problems can become more obvious across multiple subjects.

Reading Well Begins with Reading for Pleasure  

Reading for fun helps students improve their vocabulary, communication skills, interpretation skills, research ability and much more. Parents can encourage their child to read in many simple ways. Here are a few suggestions on how to raise a reader:  

• Take your child to the library from a young age to explore their programs and reading activities.
• Ask about what your child is reading. Talk about the characters they find interesting, what they think will happen in the next chapter, their predictions for the ending and  
• Let your child see you “fun reading.” Be a good influence! 
• Read books together. Read to your child often when they are young, and as your child becomes a more independent reader, they can read to you.  For older students, plan to read the same book as your child and make time to discuss important events in the book or end-of-chapter chats. 

Reading is essential in school, but we remind parents that reading is also a wonderful pastime that children can enjoy throughout their entire lives. And of course, the more children read, the better they become at it. Parents should do their best to encourage their child to read for fun because the effects are significant and long-lasting.

What To Do When a Child Struggles with Reading 

It’s hard to convince a child who struggles with reading to ever think of it as a fun activity. These struggling students are frustrated, and it is hard to get them motivated.  Learning to read is a complex, multi-step process, and children must acquire the fundamentals to become strong readers. Only then will they be able to read fluently, comprehend what they read and experience the joy of reading. Reading comprehension involves constructing meaning by connecting what a child reads with what they already know. Without the fundamentals, however, children will have a hard time making that leap.

What should you do if your child has difficulty with reading? Call Huntington. Our individualized reading programs help students acquire the reading skills they need to advance in school. Huntington’s tutors work one-on-one with students, first performing an academic evaluation to identify a student’s current abilities and areas of weakness. Then, they design a customized program of instruction to help students learn and master the skills they are missing.  

Help your child become a happier, more confident reader. Learn more about Huntington’s reading tutoring program and call 1-800 CAN LEARN to discuss what we can do for your child.  

• Involved parents are better able to support their children’s learning at home, which can reinforce concepts taught at school faster.  
• Children who know that their parents care about their school performance tend to be more motivated.  
• Parents who are aware of low grades and homework difficulties are able to seek school support faster to help their child.  

As for how to get parents involved in school activities and the classroom, here are a few practical suggestions:  

Establish two-way communication. For all grades, newsletters or weekly emails are an excellent way to keep parents informed about what their children are learning and important dates coming up. Make sure you let parents know the best way to connect with you too, whether that’s simply by email or by scheduling a phone call. Make parents comfortable reaching out with questions or concerns. Be prompt with your responses.  

Invite parents to help out. If you’re an elementary or middle school teacher, there are many ways to engage parents that also benefit your students. Do you have recurring activities that would run more smoothly with a parent volunteer? Field trips throughout the year? Create a volunteer calendar and distribute it each month. If you’re a high school teacher, volunteer opportunities might be fewer, but don’t be shy about asking for parent support occasionally. You might be surprised how many parents would like to lend a hand when asked. 

Remind parents that involvement doesn’t need to be difficult. Research has shown that certain forms of parental involvement are much more effective than others. Share this with parents, who are busy with careers and supporting other children in school too. Parents can contribute to their child’s academic achievement by: 

• Ensuring they complete homework and have a consistent homework routine
• Encouraging them to embrace good time management, organization and study habits
• Prioritizing nightly reading 
• Engaging with their child(ren) every day about school and what they are learning
• Attending back-to-school night and parent-teacher conferences
• Reaching out to the teacher when concerns or questions arise
• Sending the message to their child (with words and actions) that school is important  

Let parents know their role during homework time. You assign homework to help your students practice new skills and concepts independently. However, the reality is that many students ask parents for help (or many parents offer it even when not asked). Parental support with homework can be valuable but be clear with parents about your expectations and dos/don’ts for homework help. Clear communication about this will strengthen the school-home partnership and support your teaching goals.  

Your efforts to involve parents in the classroom will help your students and simple strategies can be highly beneficial. Get to know parents. Recognize that some parents are able to be highly involved and others are not, and that involvement looks different for different grades. Offering specific ideas for parent involvement in school and sharing your goals and expectations will put you and your parents on the same page—and make this school year a great one.  

• Study. Students need to put in the time to study.  As a freshman, your student might not be thinking about college at all, but it’s important that they are aware of what’s to come over the next four years—and that their grades matter.  It’s crucial that your student schedule enough time for studying every subject daily. High school students’ schedules fill up quickly with all their activities so planning out times for each subject, project, and test will help them stay on track.  
• Commit to good time management and organization. You’ve heard it in middle school too, but perhaps the best piece of freshman advice to offer your student is to stay on top of their responsibilities in high school. A hard copy planner or planner app is an essential component of a foolproof time management system. Your student must use it to keep track of nightly assignments and upcoming test/quiz dates. Staying organized in high school is also important. Embrace a digital file management system so they can easily recall documents at school or at home. That also means using a folder/binder system for all papers and notes, tidying up the backpack and desk each night, and sticking to a study routine.  
• Understand the importance of high school academics. It cannot be stressed enough: your student should work hard from freshman year onward because the high school GPA is cumulative! Even one semester of poor grades can seriously hurt your student when it comes time to apply to colleges. Your student needs to know that a strong GPA, strong SAT/ACT scores, and a transcript that includes challenging (i.e., honors and Advanced Placement) courses will help them gain acceptance at their colleges of choice (and increase their chances of earning scholarships).  
• Think critically. Now more than ever, your student will be asked to embrace critical thinking in the classroom, on homework assignments, when presenting, and when asking questions. You can help your student build these skills by asking for their opinion on all kinds of topics, valuing their ideas, encouraging them to explore their curiosities, and embracing a growth mindset.  
• Listen for understanding. It sounds obvious that your freshman will need to listen well in their high school classes, but what this really means is being an active listener. Your student must go into each class ready to learn and willing to ask questions when they need to confirm understanding or clarify something. When teachers are lecturing, your student should take thorough notes that help them retain the information. Those notes must be detailed enough to help them recall details when studying later on their own. 
• Be your own best advocate. In high school, you as a parent can and should continue to support your student. However, your student must accept responsibility for their own learning. That means paying attention in class, keeping up on homework, and studying for quizzes/tests. It also means practicing self-advocacy by asking for help when your student’s efforts don’t result in good grades. Teachers want students to reach out when they’re confused or having difficulty, so remind your student not to struggle in silence.  

If you’re concerned that your student lacks some of the skills they need to do well in high school, explore Huntington’s proven study skills tutoring and subject tutoring programs. Students who struggled in one or more subjects throughout middle school might now have skill gaps that will only grow wider as high school classes progress, making it difficult to learn new material and earn high grades. Students also with ineffective, inefficient study skills are at risk of falling behind fast. Falling behind early in high school can make it hard to catch up, which can take a toll on your student’s self-esteem and squash their motivation. 

Call Huntington at 1-800 CAN LEARN to put your freshman on the path to success. We work with high school students who want to maintain a high GPA and build the knowledge and skills required in college and beyond. Whether your student needs support in one class or several, we’re here to help. After an initial academic evaluation of your student’s abilities, we’ll identify any areas where your student is struggling and create a customized program of instruction that corrects those weaknesses. Together, we can build your student’s confidence and give them the tools and knowledge to perform their best in high school.  

Tips to prepare academically

• Deal with lingering academic problems. Make sure your child is ready to succeed. That means addressing any issues that arose last school year. If your child struggled with low grades and high frustration, it’s not too late this summer to get them tutoring help from Huntington. Our programs provide personalized instruction that is designed to better understand your child’s academic difficulties and find a solution to successfully overcome their challenges. No matter your child’s struggles, Huntington can help your child get back on track before the first day of school. 
• Start working on the organizational system. For many students, organization is a challenge. Summer is a good time to revisit best practices on how to maintain a planner, binder system, and filing system (paper and digital). A couple of weeks before school begins, take your child shopping for supplies and have them start getting their materials ready and the planner updated. 

Discuss the art of prioritization. Have your child refresh their memory on how to prioritize, using the example of homework. Generally, that involves dividing homework into categories: Due tomorrow, Due this week, Due next week or beyond. Ranking specific tasks from most to least challenging helps too.  During homework time your child should focus on homework that is due soonest, and work on the task they have ranked the most challenging first. They should stick to the schedule that reflects the priority list they just determined. Prioritization is a key component of good time management.  If your child needs to practice this, they can prioritize activities they have planned over a few summer days. For example, prioritize their summer chores and/or their daily activities. For example, prioritize their “to-do” list for the day or week, and then rank those activities.  Keeping track of activities will help your child stay organized and perhaps give them more free time for summer fun.  

Tips to prepare emotionally/socially

• Talk through transitions. If your child is going to be a new middle or high school student, chances are they’re experiencing some back-to-school stress. You can ease their worries simply by talking about what to expect. Assure your child that they won’t be the only person who feels nervous about the change. Teachers will help them get up to speed with new expectations and you’ll be there for support at home. 
• Build your child’s confidence. Confidence comes from being prepared in school and understanding the Remind your child that staying on top of school and homework is the very best way to avoid school struggles. However, your child needs to realize that when a subject gets difficult, not all hope is lost. Let your child know that help is available when they need it and that you believe in them. No matter what kind of problem gets in their way, with persistence, patience and individualized support, your child can overcome it. 
• Set the tone for positivity. You have a big influence on how your child talks and thinks about school. Make sure you are optimistic about the new year. Let your child know that new school years can be exciting, fun, and a fresh start filled with opportunity. If your child isn’t interested in talking about what they’ll learn, try a lighter topic like what classmates and friends they’re excited to see again. Encourage your child to reach out to school friends too, which will give them an opportunity to interact with peers who are in similar situations. 

Tips to prepare physically

• Restart the routine. For the first month or so of summer, many children want to catch up on sleep, socialize, play video games and relax. There’s nothing wrong with a few lazy weeks of summer, but it’s good to start getting back into a routine in the 4-6 weeks before school resumes. Have your child incorporate some structure into their summer schedule that includes: 
  • Daily exercise
  • Daily reading
  • Daily writing 
  • Outside time 
• Control the bedtime. For most children, especially teenagers, the school routine is a rude awakening compared to the laidback summer schedule of late nights and sleeping in. You can help their bodies and minds adjust by encouraging an earlier (screen-free) bedtime during the last couple of weeks of summer as well as an earlier wake-up time. For younger children, a few run-throughs of the morning routine on a typical school day would be valuable—even just a week ahead of the first day of the new year. 

Whether your student is moving through elementary school or headed into their senior year of high school, easing from summer to a new school year is beneficial. If your child’s concerns about returning to the classroom seem worse than ever, it’s important to get to the root of the issue. Your child might be afraid to struggle through another school year. Call Huntington at 1-800 CAN LEARN. We’ll perform an academic evaluation to determine any trouble spots and learning gaps and a customized tutoring program to help them rebuild their skills and confidence.  

Summer is the perfect time for college-bound students to get started. Students can focus on test prep without the conflicts of a busy school schedule and extracurricular activities.   

Huntington’s test prep programs have a built-in study plan which will help your student improve their score.  Here are some tips for a successful SAT/ACT study plan:   

• It starts with an initial exam. This is an essential starting point, so your student knows where to begin with their test prep. Our test performance analysis will identify areas of strength as well as opportunities for improvement. With that information in hand, we develop a personalized test prep program.  SAT and ACT score increase success comes with the one-on-one tutoring that Huntington provides.  

• Scheduled study time. Your student needs enough time to effectively prepare for the SAT/ACT, and that starts with choosing an exam date and registering for it. Then your student can work backward from there and block off hours in their summer schedule for studying. At Huntington, we find that students who commit to a consistent SAT/ACT study plan are far more successful than those who study when they think of it. With summer, your student has more time to focus solely on SAT/ACT test prep, and 6-8 weeks of test preparation is great. The key to a good test prep study plan is consistency. We know that study schedules can change, so with Huntington’s test prep programs, your student can do sessions in the center, online or a hybrid approach which is a combination of both.  Your student can stay on track to reach their goal score. 

• Develop a targeted plan. Haphazard studying is at best, somewhat effective, and at worst, time wasted. We build a customized test prep plan around the results of your student's initial exam so that we can focus on improving weaker subject areas and strengthening the skills they know. This isn’t always easy for students to do on their own, but Huntington keeps students on track.  Our programs are customized to each student so that their preparation is targeted and purposeful. The goal, after all, is to raise that SAT/ACT score from the initial practice test score (or actual score if the student has already taken the exam).  

• Practice tests. The best test prep plan will include taking practice SAT or ACT tests.  Practice tests show students where they’ve made improvements during their SAT/ACT study plan and where they still need to focus their time. Practice tests not only monitor progress but allow students to implement test-taking and time-management skills they learn throughout our programs.  

• Learn test strategies. The SAT/ACT are objective measures of students’ core knowledge and skills needed for college and career success, so subject-matter knowledge is important. However, there are test-taking tips and strategies that will help your student build their confidence and improve their score.  This includes strategies for tuning out distractions, pacing (estimating time per question), narrowing down answers quickly, remembering key information in questions, stress management and more.   

Quality test prep requires a detailed plan and schedule. However, many students struggle to come up with such a plan on their own. That’s where Huntington can help. Our programs are built around improving a student’s SAT or ACT scores, and we have a track record of success and proven results. Our tutors know the SAT and ACT test inside and out and can help your student. Whether your student is taking the SAT or the ACT, we can design a program that helps them achieve their score goals.  

Learn more about Huntington’s SAT and ACT test prep programs by calling us today at 1-800 CAN LEARN to get started. 

One way to keep your child learning is to offer them summer writing prompts to nurture the writing habit. Writing is an essential skill in school and life, but it doesn’t come naturally to all students. With a break from the required writing of the school year, summer offers a chance to help your child discover the creativity and fun of writing.  

Here are several summer writing prompts for elementary students:  

Prompts to get your child to explain or inform you of something:  

• Explain how you will learn to [do a flip on the trampoline, swim the length of the pool underwater, ride a skateboard] this summer.  
• I’ve never been to our house before. What does it look like and why is it a great house?  
• How do you play [a favorite game or sport]?  
• Explain how you will go about saving up for a new [toy or game] this summer, step by step.  
• I’ve never ridden a bike before. Tell me how I can start to learn, step by step.  

Prompts about books or movies:  

• What character in the book you’re reading right now do you like most and why?  
• What character in the book you’re reading right now do you like least and why? 
• Write a letter to your favorite movie character. (This could be a recurring prompt with variations for movies your family watches together throughout the summer.)
• Pretend you’re one of the main characters in a book you read recently. Would you do some things differently than they did? Why?  

Prompts to encourage your child to share their opinion or convince you (or others) of something:  

• Write a letter to the principal of your school about something you’d love to see change (e.g., the lunch menu, the addition of a new elective class or the format of the talent show).  
• What’s the best summer activity to do at home to cure boredom?  
• Convince me (Mom or Dad) that you deserve a raise in your allowance.  
• Why should we go out to dinner to eat tonight instead of cooking dinner at home?  
• What’s the best type of ice cream and why?  

A few other tips with summer writing  

Here are a few other suggestions on how to get your child writing more for fun this summer:  

• Start with 15 minutes a day. Don’t feel the need to push beyond that at first.  
• Join your child in responding to each day’s writing prompt. Have a discussion afterward about what you each wrote.  
• Tie writing prompts to other things your child loves or is doing. Movies, games, favorite activities, sports, friends, favorite musical artists and people they know can spark new writing prompt ideas.  
• Vary the prompts. Try out different types of prompts to give your child practice with different styles of writing (e.g., creative or explanatory) for different purposes (e.g., to inform or to analyze an idea or text).  
• Give your child a journal. Journaling is a wonderful way for children to express their emotions and capture ideas. You can offer a list of summer journal ideas or just give your child a journal and see what happens. They might start the habit when you’re not looking. 
• Keep it fun. Remember that the goal with summer writing is to get your child to willingly practice their writing skills. Practice makes improvement!  

If your child struggles with writing, you might not be able to convince them to come up with summer journal ideas and write for fun in their free time. Huntington can help. We work with children from elementary school to high school to develop and strengthen their writing abilities. Our customized approach will help your child learn how to convey their ideas effectively and build confidence to continually develop their writing skills as they move from grade to grade.  

Don’t just sign your child up to work with any summer writing tutor. Explore the Huntington Advantage program, which sets students up for success. The program varies in length depending on each student’s needs and goes beyond the basics to get your child ready to make next school year their best one yet. And if your student needs to get back on track in other subjects like reading or math, we can incorporate that into their program as well. Call Huntington today at 1-800 CAN LEARN to discuss the best program for your child. 

Negative effects on education are not equally impacting school-aged children and young adults. Almost 400,000 children across the United States are in foster care, 270,000 of whom are school-aged. The pandemic’s effect on school-aged children was recently highighted  in the National Report Card, and the numbers are even more dire for students in foster care. 

According to the National Working Group on Foster Care and Education, youth in foster care are typically 16-20 percentile points below their peers. Less than 60% of students in foster care finish high school while only 3% of students in foster care attend college after graduating high school. Another study published by Georgetown University found that “foster children are three times more likely to drop out of high school than other low-income children, only 50 percent graduate from high school, and only three to eight percent graduate college by age 25.” The study also found that youth who do not graduate high school are three times more likely to end up homeless, unemployed, or imprisoned. 

The significance of supplemental intervention in education is not limited to school-aged children. In fact, studies have shown that the ripple effect of positive academic success reaches adulthood. A study done by the Department of Children and Family Services showed that teens between the ages of 17-19 who are given the opportunity for supplemental education have an 85% chance of going to college. Given the opportunity and support, education can be a transformative force for youth in care, allowing them to overcome the adversity of their childhood and build a brighter future.  

Through our research-based, student, and data-driven education practices, Huntington Learning Center can provide students with educational stability as well as tutoring to bridge academic gaps caused by displacement and change.

Daily practice is an excellent way to strengthen spelling skills and with school out on summer break, students have time to do just that. If your student has spelling problems, they should correct it as quickly as possible before it starts to affect other aspects of their academic development.  Parents can help with spelling at home or turn to Huntington for help. We have summer programs that will improve your child’s spelling problems and get them on the road to success. Here are some spelling strategies and spelling tips for struggling students:  

Focus on phonics. As your child learns to read in school, their teachers will focus on building phonics understanding. Phonics instruction focuses on teaching letter sounds and the relationship between letters and sounds. Without a solid foundation in these areas, children often struggle with both reading and spelling. Parents should to talk with their child’s teacher for suggestions on how to build these skills at home.  

Ensure children know common spelling rules. There are some unpredictable aspects of the English spelling system, but the spelling of many words is predictable. Make sure your child knows spelling rules like these:  

• Q is always followed by u. (e.g., quiz)
• It’s usually i before e (e.g., piece) except after c (g., receive) or when the word sounds like an a (e.g., weigh).
• With words ending in y, if y is preceded by a consonant, change y to i, then add es to make the word plural (e.g., fry becomes fries).

Get children familiar with root words, common prefixes and suffixes.  

Root words hold the most basic meaning of a word.  When you are not sure about the meaning of a new word, try to figure it out by studying its parts. Getting to know root words as well as prefixes and suffixes (and how their addition to a root alters it) can help your child build their vocabulary and understand spelling patterns.  

As reading and writing grow more complex, your child will encounter plenty of exceptions to spelling rules and irregularly spelled words, which can cause spelling problems and frustration. However, with persistence and patience, your child can become a better speller, and developing a reading habit is a key part of that. One of the simplest ways to help with spelling at home is to continue to encourage your child to read. The more familiar children are with words, the easier it is to recognize words visually. That’s one of the more common-sense spelling strategies.

If your child has spelling problems and also struggles with reading and literacy, call Huntington. Our academic evaluation will assess your child’s strengths and weaknesses in reading and spelling so we can develop an individualized program specific to their needs and goals. We’ll build your child’s confidence and help them become successful in school. Call us today at 1-800 CAN LEARN.  

But that’s where Huntington can help! Tutoring can be a valuable resource for families and children struggling with learning loss and ongoing mental health struggles as it provides them with a supportive environment in which they can work on their academic goals while also receiving guidance and support from a trusted adult.  

One of the many benefits of outside tutoring is that it provides one-on-one attention, which allows tutors to tailor their approach to the individual needs of each student. This can be particularly helpful for kids who are struggling with academic or mental health challenges, as it allows tutors to provide targeted support and encouragement. They can have a safe space where students can work on academic goals without being judged or ostracized by their peers.  

An additional benefit of this focused and individualized attention is the boost in confidence many students receive. During times of crisis, self-esteem and confidence can take a hit. Tutoring can help to rebuild these qualities by providing students with a positive and supportive environment where they can experience success and build on their strengths. 

Ultimately, tutoring can help kids in crisis improve their academic performance, which can provide a sense of accomplishment and help to alleviate some of the stress and pressure they may be experiencing. Every single milestone is a positive step in the right direction.  

Huntington Learning Center can work with a school or district to provide programs that can help, see our website for more information.

• The paper-and-pencil exam will not be around much longer. The SAT and PSAT are going digital but not at the same time. The timeline for each test is as follows:
  • Fall 2023: Digital PSAT 8/9 and digital PSAT/NMSQT only
  • Spring 2024: Digital PSAT 10 only
  • Spring 2024: Digital SAT only
  • Spring 2024: Digital SAT only in schools that administer SAT School Day
• The biggest change is that the Digital SAT is a multistage adaptive test. The test contains two groups of questions, known as modules. Performance on the first module determines which second module will be administered next to the student.   Here’s what that looks like in concept:
  • The Reading & Writing and Math sections are each divided into two equal-length and separately timed modules of questions. 
  • Module 1 contains a mix of easy, medium, and hard questions. 
  • Module 2 could be more or less difficult depending on how a student performs in module 1. 
  • This testing approach adapts to a student’s performance level which allows lower and higher-achieving students to maximize their potential. 
• The most noticeable change for students? A shorter test. The digital test will be 2 hours and 14 minutes long, which is a big change from the current paper-and-pencil SAT which is three hours long. The Reading & Writing section has replaced long passages with shorter passages.  The math section removes the wordiness in the word problems as well.  
• Students can use a calculator for the entire Math section. Another noteworthy change on the new digital SAT, students are allowed to use a calculator in the entire Math section. They can bring their own approved calculator or use the graphing calculator that is built into the testing app. This doesn’t necessarily mean that all questions will require the use of a calculator, but students are allowed to use one if they wish. 

These are some of the key changes that you and your student need to know about the digital SAT, but what does this all mean for your student? Here are a few important takeaways:  

• Testing now is wise. There’s no downside to taking the current paper-based version of the SAT now. The current SAT is familiar to and trusted by colleges and universities. Taking the paper-based SAT this year would be beneficial to your student since they know the test format if they’ve taken it or the PSAT before. If your student does plan to take the SAT this year, summer is the best time to prep since your student can focus without the distraction of schoolwork, homework, or extracurricular activities.
• Scoring of the digital SAT can vary dramatically. The multistage adaptive test format of the digital SAT can greatly impact a student’s test score. As mentioned above, the second module of each section (Reading & Writing and Math) is not the same for every student. Students who perform well on module one more than likely get the harder module two. 
• Prep this summer. Huntington is enrolling students now for summer SAT prep. In 2023, there are only five more opportunities to take the paper-based SAT before digital only SAT dates are introduced in 2024:
  • June 3
  • August 26
  • October 7
  • November 4
  • December 2

Call Huntington today for more information about what we know about the digital SAT transition and how we are ready to best prepare students. If your student is starting to make plans for college, it’s not too early to begin thinking about the SAT and the digital SAT. Let’s discuss your student’s college goals. We’ll help them build test-taking skills and strategies to achieve the highest score possible on the SAT, which will benefit them in all school subjects as well. Contact us at 1-800 CAN LEARN or visit www.huntingtonhelps.com/sat-test-prep.  

The single biggest mistake that many parents make when it comes to dealing with struggling students is waiting too long to take action. We often have parents bring their children to Huntington after a year or more of low grades and learning difficulties.

If you started to see problems arise for your student this past school year, don’t fall into the “wait-and-see” trap. Here are several reasons why it is urgent that you get your child academic support and tutoring help:

1. The slower pace of summer makes it a good time to deal with closing skill gaps. The school year is busy for most families, with children juggling far more than just homework and school. An extended break like summer is the best opportunity to set aside a dedicated time to identify and correct any skill and knowledge gaps that are preventing your child from progressing. When not in school, your child has fewer activities during the day and can commit to consistent learning while still enjoying some relaxation and downtime.
2. The summer slide will only exacerbate your child’s problems. The loss of skills and knowledge that occurs over summer break is called“ summer slide”. Students who don’t work on academic subjects during the summer months often struggle to retrieve their skills and knowledge when school resumes. If your child has been struggling during the past school year, summer learning loss can put your student even further behind. Your child needs academic support now.
3. Your child needs to start next school year with better habits. Did your child fall behind this school year when learning new material or concepts? Did they spend too much time on homework and that time wasn’t productive? Was procrastination and distractedness a big problem? Did your child’s disorganization and poor time management negatively affect their school performance? Don’t go into the next school year without fixing these issues, which are signs of more than just academic struggles. They’re also indicators of poor study skills and weak executive functioning skills. 

If your child’s grades have decreased and you’ve seen a change in their confidence and self-esteem, it’s important to act quickly. Get your child the academic support they need this summer, and don’t delay in doing so. When the time comes for school to resume and your child is equipped and ready to kick off a great school year, you’ll be glad that you did.

Call 1-800 CAN LEARN now to schedule an academic evaluation for your child. We will identify your child’s academic gaps and put a learning plan in place that improves your child’s weaker skills and strengthens the ones they already have. Your child will receive one-on-one instruction from a tutor, either in our center, online or via a hybrid program. We will work to quickly get your child on the path to success and ready for the start of the new school year.  

The Reading Adventure program takes place from May through August via participating Huntington Learning Centers nationwide and everyone is welcome to participate regardless of if you are a current Huntington student or not! Huntington’s Reading Adventure book list, which offers a variety of high-interest choices by grade level and reading ability, is available to local centers which can partner with schools and libraries to ignite a love of reading for all children.  "Huntington's Reading Adventure is our way of keeping students academically involved with reading skills during the summer months. After a challenging academic year that saw an increased risk of learning loss due to the global pandemic, we believe it’s more important than ever to keep children engaged in learning through the summer months. It’s also important to make it fun,” said Anne Huntington Sharma, President of Huntington Learning Center. “Our Reading Adventure program is aimed at supporting skills as well as helping students develop a love for reading."

The Reading Adventure program theme "Anywhere You Want to Go!" allows children to unlock limitless imagination, travel back in time or to distant lands, learn about real or fictional characters, and have some fun. Upon registration, each participant receives a Reading Adventure passport, where they can record a summary of each book read.  The goal of the program encourages children to read as many books as possible during the summer.   

To join the Reading Adventure, parents are encouraged to sign their students up by visiting  https://huntingtonhelps.com/reading-adventure to receive their summer passport!

Academic Routines 

One of the skills students often lose during the summer is the general academic routine. Establishing a routine with focused academic time prevents students from needing a reset during the early fall months. Tutoring programs that allow for daily or multiple sessions per week allow students to work on reading and math skills regularly.  

Independent Reading 

Reading is key! Even in the summer, students should be reading daily. This can be as easy as organizing a reading program over the summer through your school. Before the end of the year, coordinate a trip to the library so that children feel a sense of ownership and choice when picking out summer books. While school is out, Huntington Learning Center also offers Reading Adventure, a program to make reading over the summer fun and engaging for students. You can check out some of our past Reading Adventure Programs on our website!  

Summer Tutoring 

If you are seeing the effects of learning loss in many of your students, consider a summer tutoring program with us! Huntington Learning Center can help get students back on track for a specific subject or prepare them to move forward in the next school year. Across the country, Huntington Learning Center has helped thousands of students through their local districts. By partnering with Huntington, schools and districts can develop meaningful programs that increase student reading and math scores, even in the summer months. These high-impact tutoring programs will help students grow, getting them ready for their next school year.  

By working together, communities, districts, and families can ensure that students receive a high-quality education that prepares them for the future. By investing in tutoring and focusing on large-scale programming that is data-driven and student-focused, schools can mitigate the summer slide by accelerating learning and keeping students on the path to success!

1. The student is very behind. When students fall behind, it becomes increasingly difficult for them to catch back up, especially if the class moves at a fast pace. Also, falling behind tends to be a cumulative problem that worsens with time.
2. The student is disengaged. Students who are disruptive, uninterested, or even angry often have something else going on that requires addressing. It could be that they’re embarrassed about their school struggles. Apathy is a big red flag that shouldn’t be ignored. 
3. The student performs poorly on tests and quizzes. When a student’s homework grades are acceptable but they get low test grades, you might be dealing with a student who has poor test prep and study skills. 
4. The student struggles to work on pace. Some students work quickly while others take their time. This is to be expected, but if you have a student who consistently takes longer than seems reasonable to do tasks, supplemental tutoring might help them learn where they can be more efficient and build skills they’re missing. 
5. Your efforts to reach the student aren’t working. Maybe you’ve tried talking with a student and their parent, but your attempts have been ignored or met with resistance. A customized program of instruction that addresses the student’s areas of weakness might be just what they need.  

Have a student who you feel could benefit from one-to-one, individualized tutoring? Refer parents to Huntington: 1-800 CAN LEARN. We help children of all ages raise their grades and their confidence.  

1. Does my child seem to have the study skills they need? Even in elementary school, students need to start developing study skills like organization and time management. In middle and high school, they need to be able to prioritize their nightly homework, maintain a planner, take quality notes and much more. Ask what kind of study skills are important for your child’s grade and if your child seems to be lacking or weak in any of them. 
2. How is my child’s focus and attention during independent work time, lecture time and group work? As school becomes more challenging and teachers increase their expectations, it is critical that your child be able to focus during homework time and pay attention in class. Discuss with your child’s teachers whether they have any concerns about your child’s focus, attention and routines, and whether they see any signs of Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD). 
3. What weaknesses does my child have that need attention? This is probably the question most parents have in mind going into parent-teacher conferences and for good reason. If your child has one or more low grades, talk with those teachers about what is going on. And if your child is in elementary school and has just one teacher, ask where your child is below grade level and what is of the most concern. 
4. Are you concerned about academic skill gaps? Low grades on homework are a red flag, but it’s important to find out what is causing them. Academic skill gaps are a common culprit of school struggles. These are the gaps between what students need to know and what they actually know. Learning loss can create skill gaps or cause small gaps to grow even larger, but there could be other things going on as well. Ask about this if it seems that your child is missing important skills and this is causing them to have difficulty with new material. 
5. What do you think are my child’s strongest subjects and/or greatest strengths? Just as it is wise to get an update on areas of concern, you should make sure you know what your child’s strengths are too. These can open the door for college majors and career options and be a source of pride for your child. Nobody is perfect at all things, and most students have subjects they like more than others. Get a sense of this so you can help your child nurture their strengths. 
6. Are there areas where my child is exceeding expectations? Perhaps this will come up when you ask about strong subjects, but it might be good for you to broaden this to other areas too. Maybe your child is a leader in the classroom, an exceptional listener, or a great peer to other students. Maybe they are a very strong reader. See what your child’s teacher has to say. 
7. Do you have suggestions to promote time management and organization at home? Especially as your child moves into middle school and high school, time management and organization are skills they absolutely need to have. For some children, these come more easily as teachers introduce the concept of using planners. For others, these skills take practice. Your child’s teachers might have suggestions for you on how to help your child build these skills and reliable routines. 
8. Are there behavioral issues you are concerned about? If nothing has come up thus far in the school year, you might not need to ask about this. However, if you are seeing behavioral issues at home or have noticed a change in your child’s demeanor that concerns you, ask your child’s teachers if they have noticed anything in the classroom. 
9. What should we be doing to support our child at home? For younger children, it is good to ask about your role during homework time and what you should (and shouldn’t) do to facilitate your child’s learning. For middle school students, the discussion might focus on how to keep the student on track for high school academics or areas where you should step back and let your child build their independence. For high school students, perhaps there are college-related tasks you need to keep in mind. Teachers will appreciate you asking where you should be more or less involved and how you can best support your child’s learning. 
10. Looking ahead to next year, what should we keep in mind? The end of the school year is just around the corner. Now is the time to make sure your child is where they need to be to succeed in the next grade. You might want to ask about class placement for next year (if your child is in middle or high school), what teachers are focusing on in the final months of the school year, and how to make sure your child will be equipped for success going forward. 

Parents who don’t give much thought to what to ask during parent-teacher conferences are missing a valuable opportunity to get an update on their child’s progress thus far in the school year. Good preparation for the conference will help you get the most out of it so you can guide your child effectively.  

If parent-teacher conferences don’t go well and you’re concerned that your child is on the road to getting a bad report card, parents should reach out to Huntington.

Huntington’s customized tutoring programs for students of all ages are designed to get to the root of any academic problems and correct them. Call 1-800 CAN LEARN to discuss how to help your child finish the school year as strong as possible.

For some children, learning to spell is incredibly frustrating—and something that never seems to get easier or less confusing. The bad news is that spelling troubles are unlikely to go away on their own. The good news is that there are many things parents can do to help their children become better spellers, and as a result, better students. Here are several tips to help your child improve his or her spelling ability:

Encourage mastery of the sight words. You probably recall the words sent home by your child’s kindergarten and first grade teachers that you were instructed to have your child memorize by sight. Sight words—also known as Dolch words—are the most frequently used words in the English language. Many sight words have irregular spellings and it is critical that students memorize them and know how to spell them.

Make sure your student understands the different sounds that letter combinations make. Reading fluency is achieved through a series of “building block” skills, including understanding that words are composed of letters and word units and that letters (and letter combinations) make individual sounds. Your child should be able to sound out:

• Individual letters (consonants and vowels)
• Blends (such as pl or sm)
• Digraphs (two letters that make one sound, such as sh or ng)
• Diphthongs (two vowels that form as one syllable, such as au or ai)

Help your child recognize word families. Once your child masters train, give him or her a list of other words that share the same ain ending, such as chain and brain. Guide your child as he or she plays with letter combinations to understand word patterns.

Help your child memorize common spelling rules. Scholastic offers a helpful printable chart that summarizes spelling rules for ei vs. ie words, compound words, plurals, possessives, prefixes and suffixes. Once your child memorizes these basics, he or she will be able to apply them consistently and catch his or her spelling mistakes more easily.

Practice, practice, practice. Provided a student has a basic understanding of word structure, letter sounds, common spelling rules and relationships between words, repetition is critical to master spelling. As your child studies his or her new weekly spelling words, try the look, visualize, write, check approach. If your child gets tripped up with the same words over and over, practice them in the same way you would if they were brand new spelling words.

Spelling takes continued practice—and even adults can struggle with it throughout their lives. Frequent reading and repeated exposure to the spoken and written word are the best ways for students to acquire strong spelling skills. And when problems arise, early intervention is critical (as with all literacy skills). The sooner you can spot and correct spelling difficulties, the easier it will be for your child to become a good speller.

Are More AP Courses Better? Not Necessarily… 

While taking AP courses in high school is great for lots of reasons, it’s also important that students are thoughtful about how many, and which ones, to take. There are a number of factors to consider when your student approaches registration time. Here are some of the most important:  

• Number of AP courses available at your student’s school – While there are 38 AP courses offered in multiple subject areas, schools decide which ones to offer. Your student will need to check with the school guidance counselor or on the course registration section of the school website to find out what is available to them.  
• The selectivity of the student’s target colleges – Colleges and universities don’t outright recommend that students take a specific number of AP or honors courses, but your student’s college goals should influence their curriculum decisions in high school. For example, the most selective colleges and universities in the U.S. attract top-tier students. Taking the most challenging course available in your high school and doing well in those classes should be a priority.  If your student has their sights set on those types of institutions, they should research their websites for recommendations on high school curriculum and statistics about the most recently admitted class, including average high school GPA and SAT/ACT score range. Even with less selective colleges, your student might want to know what the typical admitted student’s transcript looks like so they can plan accordingly. 
• Areas of career interest – Because AP courses are challenging, it’s always better when students have an interest in the subject. Your student’s academic strengths are a good starting point, but be sure the interest and commitment are there too. For students thinking ahead about their future, the College Board offers a lot of resources to help students make connections from AP courses to possible college majors and careers. A student interested in engineering might be more inclined to take AP Calculus, AP Computer Science Principles and AP Physics C: Mechanics. A student interested in the law should consider AP U.S. History, AP U.S. Government and Politics, and AP Comparative Government and Politics. 
• Other activities – Colleges and universities are seeking students with strong academic backgrounds, of course, but they also want students who will contribute to their campus culture and environment. That means that your student’s other activities and responsibilities are important. Does your student volunteer, play an instrument or play a sport? Are they involved in their church or debate team? Advise your student not to load up on AP courses simply for the sake of taking them. They need to be willing to put in the work they require and balance their other commitments at the same time. 
• Commitment required and stress level – Preparing for college-level academics is a big benefit of AP courses. However, students need to avoid overcommitting and pushing themselves to the brink of exhaustion before they even get to college. Remind your student to allow themselves time to enjoy high school, friends, family and the activities that they care about. They also need to understand that their performance in AP courses matters. A transcript with strong grades in four or five AP classes is more impressive than one with low grades in 10. 

Success in AP Courses Leads to Success on AP Exams 

Students who take AP classes not only improve their high school GPA but are better prepared for college as first-year college classes are comparable to AP-level classes.  Success on the AP exams means your student can save both time and money when they get to college.  Depending on the course and the college, if a student earns anywhere from a 3 to 5 on an AP exam, it could count toward their college credits. That means your student would be able to get ahead on first-year class requirements and potentially graduate early or have room in their schedule to add a second major or minor. While teachers help students get prepared for these exams, it is important that they prep independently as well.  Developing an effective study strategy is crucial to scoring high on AP exams.

If your teen is preparing to take an AP exam in May, Huntington can help! Our individualized tutoring and test prep programs are the best way to do well in AP courses and AP exams. Our AP exam prep program includes:  

• A full-length practice AP exam that pinpoints a student’s strengths and weaknesses and identifies where to focus study efforts 
• A personalized learning plan that meets each student’s unique needs  
• Development of study skills and strategies  

Call us at 1-800 CAN LEARN to discuss how to give your student the tools to succeed.

What is Phonics Instruction? 

Phonics is a foundational reading skill that helps children learn how to read. Phonics tutoring and instruction teach children the progression of letter-sound correspondences in a methodical way. Put simply, children need to know what sounds different letters make, and later, what sounds different letter combinations make. 

Phonics understanding is essential for children to become strong readers, but it isn’t the only skill they need. The National Reading Panel evaluated more than 100,000 reading studies on how children learn to read and determined that there are five important “building block” components of reading instruction. Here’s an overview of each:  

• Phonemic awareness – Phonemic awareness is the ability to notice the smallest units that make up spoken language (phonemes) and understand how they work in words. Think of phonemes as speech sounds. Children need to differentiate them in syllables and words, identify the same phonemes in different words, and isolate individual phonemes in words. For example: 
  • Recognize: Bat is made up of the phonemes b, a and t. 
  • Identify: Bat, band, and bus all have the same starting phoneme, b.
  • Isolate: The first phoneme in bat is b. The last phoneme is t.
• Phonics – As discussed above, phonics is the understanding of the relationship between letters (graphemes) and the sounds that they represent (phonemes). Phonics instruction builds upon instruction of phonemic awareness. It’s most effective when taught in a logical sequence starting as early as preschool: 
  • Children first learn the shapes and names of all letters in the alphabet.
  • They learn how every single letter is pronounced. 
  • They learn how combining letters change their sound. 
  • Children apply their understanding of letter-sound relationships to reading and writing actual words (and later, sentences and longer texts). 
• Fluency – Reading fluency is the ability to read with speed and expression without compromising accuracy. Fluency is what allows students to understand what they read rather than expend effort decoding words. 
• Vocabulary – Children need to build a “bank” of words they know in order to continue reading more complex text. The more they experience life, talk to peers and adults, read books and go to school, the more they will build their listening, speaking, reading and writing vocabulary. 
• Comprehension – The purpose of reading is to understand and retain information. Comprehension takes effort, however. Teachers use a variety of comprehension strategies (like self-monitoring, asking questions, summarizing text and using graphic organizers) to help students become active, engaged readers who read with purpose.  

What Happens When Children Struggle with Phonics and Need Phonics Help?  

From nearly five decades of experience in phonics tutoring and reading tutoring, Huntington knows that children who do not master phonics early continue to struggle with reading throughout elementary school. Phonics mastery is essential for reading comprehension, spelling and more.  

What does it look like when a child hasn’t mastered phonics? Here are a few signs that parents might notice when their child is reading: 

• The child guesses how to pronounce words based on the first letter or letter blend.
• The child often mixes up how similar-looking letters sound (such as b and d).
• The child has difficulty spelling even simple words.
• When asked what sound an individual letter makes (or a combination of letters) or when asked to do other phonics activities, the child isn’t certain or guesses.
• If a picture is provided with a word, the child looks first at the picture to guess the word. 

Phonics is a key part of learning to read, but it isn’t the only component. When a child struggles with reading, it’s not easy for parents to know how best to help. Without understanding the reasons behind a child’s difficulties while reading, any efforts at home will be frustrating for both the parent and the child. That might result in a child who dislikes reading and wants to avoid it altogether.  

If your child is having difficulty with reading, Huntington Learning Center can help. We offer reading tutoring programs for students in elementary school through high school. We begin with a comprehensive academic evaluation that assesses your child's strengths and weaknesses so we can design the best reading tutoring program for them. Call us at 1-800 CAN LEARN to discover our individualized approach and how we can help your elementary school student become a stronger, more confident reader.  

An Individualized Education Program (IEP), is a document designed for each student who receives special education services that outline their educational goals, accommodations, and support. An IEP team is responsible for creating the IEP and for ensuring that it is properly implemented throughout the school year. The IEP team typically consists of the student’s parents, teachers, a school administrator, a case manager, relevant service providers (e.g., speech-language pathologist, school counselor, occupational therapist, reading specialist, psychologist), and the student when appropriate. IEPs are reviewed and updated by the IEP team on an annual (or more frequent) basis to ensure that the student continues to receive the support and services they need to succeed in school.  

Who is Eligible for an IEP?

A student may qualify for an IEP if they have a disability that affects their ability to learn and participate in educational activities and are therefore considered eligible for special education and related services. Disabilities that often qualify a child for services include autism, deafness, blindness, developmental delays, emotional disturbances, intellectual disabilities, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder(ADHD), and learning disabilities like dyslexia. It’s important to note, however, that a diagnosis alone is not sufficient for a student to qualify for an IEP. This is especially true for ADHD, which can be considered a disorder that affects a child’s behavior, but not necessarily their ability to demonstrate academic achievement. IEP eligibility is ultimately determined after a comprehensive evaluation of the student's academic, behavioral, and functional abilities is completed by the school district (learn more about how to know if your child needs an IEP).   

What Are the Key Components of an IEP?

IEPs are designed to lay out the special education supports and services that will help a student improve their educational results. The IEP allows parents, teachers, and other school staff involved with that student’s education to be on the same page about their responsibilities to carry out the IEP. It also establishes specific goals for each student and establishes how to measure progress toward achieving these goals. The IEP includes the following sections:  

Current level of performance: A description of the student's current academic performance and progress in school based on evaluations (i.e., tests and assignments) and observations. 

Measurable annual goals: Specific, measurable, and attainable goals for the student to achieve over the course of the school year. 

Special education program services: The IEP lists the special education and related services that the student will receive, such as resource room services, counseling, speech therapy, or assistive technology. This includes the accommodations and modifications that the student needs to participate and learn in the classroom.  

• An accommodation is a change to a student’s environment or learning equipment—some type of support that allows the student to access the general education curriculum. Examples include preferential seating in the classroom, speech-to-text software for a student with a physical disability or hearing impairment, extended time on tests or assignments, or computer access to type notes (vs. writing them in a notebook).  
• A modification changes the standards for a student who might have more significant intellectual or other disabilities that make learning a general education curriculum not possible, even with accommodations. Students might take alternate assessments that do not cover the same amount of material as other students’ exams or receive a reduction in homework or class work. Modifications can vary widely, but generally change the curriculum for a student to enable them to be academically successful.  

Transition services: For older students, this section outlines a plan for facilitating a successful transition from high school to post-secondary education, employment, and/or independent living. 

Measuring progress: This section explains the procedures for evaluating the student's progress and how parents will be informed.  

Learn more about the other components of the IEP in the U.S. Department of Education, Office of Special Education and Rehabilitative Services guide.  

Which Accommodations and Services are Typically Included in an Individualized Education Program (IEP)?

As mentioned above, the specific accommodations and services included in an IEP vary based on each student’s individual needs and goals. Accommodations and services often fall under these categories: 

Assistive technology: Access to devices or software that assist students in completing tasks or learning, such as a computer with text-to-speech software. 

Extended time: Extra time on tests or assignments for students with processing speed or attention-related impairments.  

Preferential seating: Preferential seating minimizes distractions and/or accommodates vision, hearing, or processing impairments. 

Visual and auditory supports: Typical supports include visual aids, such as graphic organizers, or auditory supports, such as a personal FM system to reduce background noise, improve clarity, and reduce listening fatigue. 

Access to a resource room: Additional support and services may be provided in a separate room or resource center, this often includes supplemental instruction or providing a room where work or exams can be completed with minimal distractions. 

Behavioral and organizational supports: Common strategies include the use of a classroom behavior chart (daily report card), allowing a student to fidget in a non-distracting manner throughout the day, frequent movement breaks, the strategic use of praise to motivate positive behavior, simplified organization systems, and regular check-ins with the teacher to help maintain an organization system.  

How Does the IEP Process Start? 

The process starts when the parents address their concerns by submitting a formal written request for special services to the school’s child study team or special education coordinator.  Typically, within 15 to 20 days of receipt of that request, an initial meeting will be scheduled.  The parents and school staff meet and determine the need and scope of the assessment.  If further evaluation is necessary, the parents provide written consent, and the school has 90 days to complete the assessment for that student. If the results from the evaluation verify that the student has significant learning/behavioral difficulties which are impacting their academic ability, an IEP program is developed.  Once the program is developed, specific special education services can begin.   

How Long Does It Take to Get an IEP?

The time from when an evaluation is requested to when an IEP is implemented can vary significantly depending on the complexity of the student’s needs, the number of assessments that are required for a comprehensive evaluation, the time it takes to receive assessment results, and the resources available within the school district. In general, it’s reasonable to expect that the process should take 3-5 months to complete. Developing the IEP varies by state and school district.   

What Should Parents Do When a Child is Denied Special Education Services?  

If the school district determines that a student is not eligible for special education and related services, the school must notify the parents in writing and include an evaluation report as well as instructions on how to challenge the school’s decision. If a parent chooses to challenge the decision, it can be helpful to enlist the help of an educational advocate or attorney.  

It’s important to remember that an IEP is not the only pathway to obtaining services and accommodations for your child. Many students may be eligible to receive services through a 504 Plan—and the special education services team at your child’s school can explain the difference between an IEP and a 504 Plan. In addition, many school districts offer programs for struggling students that can be accessed without a special education plan. IEPs are a valuable tool for students who need them, but they are not the right fit for everyone. Throughout the disability evaluation process, remember that the end goal is to get your child the services they need, regardless of whether it is through an IEP, a 504 Plan, or another option outside of the special education system.   

School priorities shifted in 2022 when the National Report Card showed historic lows in math and reading scores for the nation’s 4th and 8th graders. This is where Huntington can help!  

Huntington Learning Center is here to partner with public, charter, and private schools to provide high-quality supplemental educational services targeted toward students' specific academic needs and whatever lingering learning issues they may be facing. Our individualized tutoring plans help students improve their academic performance in subjects where they are struggling. By addressing specific areas of weakness, students can become more confident and capable learners, allowing for building blocks of success.  

Ways to Develop School Partnerships using ESSER Funds:  

Offering High Dosage tutoring services: Huntington Learning Centers can offer high-quality, high-impact tutoring services to students who need extra help in core subjects such as math or reading. Depending on student or district needs, these can be provided in person, online, or hybrid. Our data-driven, research-based programs have proven effective in our partner schools nationwide.   

Hiring and training tutors: ESSER funds can also be used to hire and train tutors who can provide one-on-one or small-group instruction to students. Huntington Learning Center can recruit and hire qualified teachers, retired teachers, or college students who can offer tutoring services.  

Offering enrichment programs: School districts can use ESSER funds to develop student success for every student. Huntington’s programs can be expanded to offer enrichment programs, allowing students to develop skills that lead to success. These programs, ranging from study help to giving students specific levels of attention, can be based entirely on what a school district needs. We work with students with diverse needs, expanding their success by developing a growth mindset.   

Test Prep Services: School districts can give access to  Huntington Learning Center’s personalized test preparation services for standardized exams such as the SAT, ACT, and state assessments. These programs can help students achieve higher scores on these exams, leading to increased opportunities for college admission and scholarships. 

Fighting the Summer Slide: In 6-8 weeks over the summer, Huntington Learning Center can provide a game-changing boost for students.  ESSER funds can be used to build a program to prevent the dreaded summer slide, which would only compound the severity of learning loss already faced by so many students following the COVID-19 pandemic.  

Working with school districts to utilize ESSER funding, Huntington Learning Center can provide a range of services and support to schools. By partnering with Huntington, schools can help their students achieve academic success and build a strong foundation for their future education and careers. Schools and students can benefit from this partnership before funding runs out.  

The International Franchise Association (IFA) named Cheri Reid, owner of Huntington Learning Center in Skokie, Illinois, as a 2023 Franchisee of the Year. Reid was honored at the 63rd IFA Annual Convention in Las Vegas, Nevada, for being an outstanding franchise establishment owner-operator.

Cheri Reid is an invaluable member of Huntington Learning Center and a standout franchisee who is poised to continue to excel within the Huntington organization as one of our most dedicated and successful leaders. 

When Cheri enrolled her five and six-year-old children at a local Huntington center she was so proud of the academic success her family experienced; and as a result she invested in a franchise herself. Now, after 20 years of being a Huntington franchisee, she continues to start her staff meeting with ‘good news,’ sharing how they are continuing to help students achieve their dreams. 

“Franchisee of the Year recipients represent the best in franchising,” said Matthew Haller, president and CEO of the International Franchise Association. “This is the highest honor IFA awards to individual franchisees, and local business owners like Cheri exemplify the power of franchising and its positive contributions to communities around the world.”

The Franchisee of the Year Award, sponsored by IFA’s partner Paychex, recognizes leading franchise owners from IFA member brands whose outstanding performance and contributions help protect, enhance, and promote the franchise business model. Nominated by their parent company, individuals are selected for their service to their communities, fostering a strong and vibrant workforce, opening the doors for career growth and entrepreneurship, and supporting their fellow franchisees.

Tutoring demand has been steadily increasing since Huntington Learning Center was founded, as evidenced by our growth as a company for nearly five decades,” Last Name says. “When parents turn to Huntington for tutoring help, it’s often after they’ve seen their child struggle in school for a while. Our individualized approach is effective because we pinpoint each student’s problem areas and develop a detailed plan of instruction to correct them.

Individualized Tutoring Help is Most Effective 

Last Name shares that while tutoring programs for K-12 grades can make a tremendous difference for students who are struggling in the classroom, not all programs are effective. Individualized tutoring is preferable to group tutoring. One-to-one tutoring has many advantages over larger group tutoring:  

• Personalized instruction – Individualized tutoring programs are designed around the student. At Huntington, a student’s abilities are assessed first so that the program of instruction fits that student’s needs and academic goals.
• More than just subject-matter knowledge – One-to-one tutoring programs build academic skills and catch students up to the rest of their peers, of course, but they also teach students organizational skills, better homework habits, and how to study effectively and efficiently. 
• No “hiding” for students – It’s easy for students to “fly under the radar” of teachers in classrooms of 20 to 30 students. With one-to-one tutoring programs, it’s just a teacher and a student working together to make sure that student feels confident at every step.
• No falling behind – Individualized tutoring is an entirely different experience for students who are used to feeling lost or behind in their school classroom. At Huntington, programs are designed to meet students where they are, and the teacher helps students master each skill and content area before moving on.  

Signs a Student Needs Tutoring Help 

While the most obvious sign of academic trouble is low grades, there are many other warning signs that a child may need tutoring help. It’s important to pay attention to more than just homework grades and report cards. Often, problems start small and grow over time. Parents should watch for these things:  

• Negative attitude – Children go through many changes growing up, and it’s not uncommon for some to go through periods of heightened pessimism about school and life in general. But a negative attitude about all things school related—especially for a child who used to like school—might be a symptom of other issues.  
• An overly long amount of time on homework – If nightly homework sessions are long and you often suspect that your child is distracted or struggling with the material, dig deeper. This could be a sign of a learning issue, especially if those marathon homework sessions don’t result in good grades. 
• Weak executive functioning skills – In elementary school, a student with weak study, organization and time management skills might still be able to get by just fine. But as school becomes more rigorous and teachers’ demands increase, deficits in these skills will cause problems and interfere with learning. 
• Reading difficulty – Reading problems do not go away on their own. If your child is approaching late elementary school or middle school and still struggles with reading speed and fluency, it’s important to get them the tutoring help they need. Every subject requires strong reading ability. Left uncorrected, your child will fall behind as reading material becomes more complex, and their frustration will grow.  

Call the Nation’s Tutoring and Test Prep Leader  

There are many companies to choose from in the vast U.S. tutoring industry, but few companies have the track record of success that Huntington Learning Center has.  

Whether your child is struggling with one class or several, or whether they are in first grade or 11th grade, Huntington can help. Thousands of students have seen great success in our tutoring programs. There’s nothing we love more than helping a student improve both their grades and their confidence. We help them acquire skills to last a lifetime.

Call Huntington at 1-800 CAN LEARN today to start your child down a new path toward academic success.  

Is it Time for a Math Tutor? 

If your child has experienced math difficulties this school year (and further back) and you hear them complain frequently about math, it might be time for a math tutor. An experienced tutor can give your child math help that improves their skills while building their confidence. Math tutoring is worthwhile for many students. Here are six signs that your child would benefit from math tutoring: 

1. Low and/or slipping grades in math – This is the most obvious sign that your child needs math help. It could mean your child is missing skills that allow them to complete homework correctly and perform well on tests and quizzes. Low grades might also mean that your child’s effort level is weaker than it should be (due to avoidance stemming from lack of understanding).
2. Trouble with math facts – Yes, it is important for your child to conceptually understand math facts, but memorizing basic math facts (addition, subtraction, multiplication and division) for numbers 1-10 supports your elementary school student in becoming fluent in math later on. So, if your child cannot tell you quickly what 5+7 is without counting on their fingers or drawing it out, more advanced math homework will be slow and difficult, if not impossible. 
3. Lack of understanding about practical application – Does your child seem to have a hard time applying the math they learn in the classroom to real-world situations? Without a grasp of math in real-world contexts, your child will have a hard time understanding the “why” behind math. Math tutoring can help them develop that context and recognize the importance of math. 
4. Stress increases during math homework time – Take notice if your child tenses up when it comes time to do math homework. Does your child get so agitated with math that finishing assignments takes an exorbitant amount of effort? Is your child avoiding doing math homework altogether?
5. Constantly behind peers – A child who does not master building block skills throughout the year will struggle to advance through each lesson and unit (which is why it’s so important to intervene early to get your child math help). In middle school algebra, for example, understanding concepts like properties of numbers, variables and expressions is essential to move into lessons on commutative property and distributive property. Concepts get more complex. Your child’s teachers have a specific list of milestones to meet and criteria they use to place students in classes each year. It will be clear along the way if your child is not meeting them. 
6. Low grades in other subjects that require math skills – Math struggles often show up in other subjects, especially for high school students taking honors and Advanced Placement classes. Classes like biology are less math-based, but chemistry and physics are definitely math-intensive. Because algebra 1 is typically a prerequisite for chemistry and students must be concurrently enrolled in geometry or algebra 2, any math trouble will impact your student’s abilities in chemistry classes too.  

Math Tutors for K-12 

No matter what grade your student is in, Huntington Learning Center has math tutoring programs to help them in elementary school, middle school and high school. Huntington’s highly trained, experienced tutors help students overcome math struggles and increase their confidence using the proprietary Huntington approach:  

• We start with a comprehensive academic evaluation. The goal of the evaluation is to identify gaps in math knowledge as well as opportunities for students who want to challenge themselves.  
• Huntington teachers pinpoint weaknesses. The academic evaluation gives us a detailed snapshot of a child’s skill level. We identify trouble spots where your child needs math help. 
• Huntington’s teachers develop a personalized tutoring plan for the student. We build our one-to-one programs around each student’s needs and goals. 

Math only gets harder as your child progresses from elementary to middle to high school. Even students who are good at math encounter difficulty sometimes! A skilled and patient math tutor can help your student boost their grades and their confidence. Call Huntington at 1-800 CAN LEARN to get started with math tutoring for your child. 

Here's the good news: improving attention span is possible. Here are a few tips and activities that will benefit your child:  

Limit screen time. Many studies show that too much screen time can decrease both attention span and cognitive function. Establish rules around screen time. Try designating no-screen periods of the day, such as during meals and before bed time. Encourage your child to strive for balance in their life. Smartphones and computers offer many benefits when used in moderation, but too much screen time can create a multitude of problems.  

Reduce distractions and time wasters. Smartphones are one type of distraction, but a messy room or cluttered desk can contribute to a lack of attention span too. Make sure your child has good habits and routines for doing school work and staying organized. Have your child put their phone away when they sit down to do homework, and keep homework breaks short and (ideally) screen free. Digital distractions can result in poor school performance and hamper your child’s efficiency. Set rules about social media use, TV and gaming if needed.  

Engage fully with one thing at a time. In today’s digitally dominated times, people often do several things at once, or they switch from screen to screen, from task to task. Educators and other experts agree, however, that multitasking is actually counterproductive. It can hurt efficiency and performance and contribute to a child’s attention span challenges. Teach your child to do one task at a time, which helps with improving attention span and getting more done.  

Try meditation. Meditation is known to benefit children and adults in a variety of ways. It can help your child improve their attention span, learn how to be more present during school and homework time, reduce their stress level and calm a busy mind. Even a few minutes a day can make a positive impact. Search for meditation videos online that you and your child can try together.  

Chew gum and drink water. Believe it or not, chewing gum can enhance attention, alertness and performance if you and your child’s teacher agree. Also, staying hydrated is important for lots of reasons, but it’s been proven that being dehydrated can impair performance in tasks that require attention and memory skills. While these activities aren’t long-term fixes for a lack of attention span, they are easy to try to see if they help your child!  

Incorporate physical activity into the daily schedule. You’ve heard it before—exercise isn’t just good for your body; it’s good for your brain too. Harvard shares that exercise helps memory and thinking, and it reduces stress and anxiety that can contribute to cognitive impairment. So, a regular exercise habit will strengthen your child’s brain, and active breaks (e.g., jumping jacks or a walk around the house) during study time are beneficial for your child’s attention span. There’s a reason teachers encourage children to stand up and move throughout the day!  

Get plenty of sleep. Here’s one of the simplest things your child can do to increase their attention span: go to bed! Sleep deprivation is a common problem among people of all ages, and unsurprisingly, it can have a very negative impact on your child’s attention span. Make sure your child is embracing good nighttime habits (like avoiding screens right before bedtime). If they are consistently struggling to fall or stay asleep, explore remedies with your pediatrician.  

If Your Child’s Attention Span Needs Improvement, Watch for Signs of Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)

Many children periodically struggle with focus. However, if your efforts to help your child improve their attention span have been unsuccessful, it might be worth exploring with school professionals whether ADHD is a possibility so you can help your child more effectively. Common inattention signs of ADHD include:  

• Chronic disorganization 
• Forgetfulness
• Poor time management
• Difficulty maintaining focus on many/most tasks and activities
• Lack of follow through (with school work, chores, etc.) 
• Loses things easily
• Avoids activities that require sustained mental effort 

A short attention span can be concerning, especially if it’s not the only red flag you’re noticing as your child goes through school. If your child’s school performance is suffering, call Huntington at 1-800 CAN LEARN. We’ll get to the root of the problem and create a customized program of instruction to help your child become a better student.  

“Our Nation is at risk. Our once unchallenged preeminence in commerce, industry, science, and technological innovation is being overtaken by competitors throughout the world. This report is concerned with only one of the many causes and dimensions of the problem, but it is the one that undergirds American prosperity, security, and civility. We report to the American people that while we can take justifiable pride in what our schools and colleges have historically accomplished and contributed to the United States and the well-being of its people, the educational foundations of our society are presently being eroded by a rising tide of mediocrity that threatens our very future as a Nation and a people. What was unimaginable a generation ago has begun to occur-- others are matching and surpassing our educational attainments.” 

It was this report that expedited Huntington Learning Centers’ decision to franchise and expand our mission to provide every student with the best education possible nationwide. As we celebrated our 45th anniversary as a company last year, we are marked by the grim reality that we have found ourselves in another period of uncertainty. Now, more than ever, we must invest the time and resources to ensure our children receive a quality education and rebound from learning disruptions as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.

This new year marks a monumental time for growth and our potential to positively impact millions of more students. We are proud to release key findings that offer a glimmer of hope and strengthen our proven method of individualized tutoring and test prep. We found that with 50 hours of instruction during the COVID period, Huntington students, on average, achieved a 35% increase in math percentile scores from pre- to post-test and a 33% increase in reading percentile scores from pre- to post-test. This was further supported by data from students during the 2021-2022 school year that showed that with 50 hours of instruction they achieved a 36% increase in math and 30% increase in reading percentile scores. 

These results show that in less than three months, together we can mitigate learning loss damage from the pandemic and help students regain control and confidence of their academic potential. Founded on a mission to give every student the best education possible, we are committed to helping even more students and families reach their full potential.

To schedule an academic assessment, please call 1-800-CAN-LEARN or visit www.huntingtonhelps.com.

AP classes can boost a GPA. Most high schools calculate the GPA by offering more potential grade points for AP classes than they do for regular classes.  That means earning all As in regular and AP classes would result in a GPA of higher than 4.0. Because high schools’ policies differ across the country, colleges recalculate weighted GPAs using their own scales—so they can compare students accurately. Bottom line: AP classes offer students the opportunity to boost their GPA in college preparatory classes. That’s always looked upon favorably by admission officers.  

AP classes prove to admissions officers that a student can handle a challenge. When looking at students’ transcripts, admissions officers want to see that students took the most rigorous academic course load available to (and appropriate for) them. They want assurance that every student they admit will succeed academically at their institution. Success in AP classes is good evidence of that. If you find your student is struggling in an AP level class call Huntington.  We offer subject-specific tutoring and can help your student with a quick refresher or more in depth instruction.  

At competitive colleges and universities, your student will be compared to other students taking AP classes. If your student wants the best chance of getting into their top college choice, they should strive to meet or exceed the academic statistics of the typical admitted student. At top-tier institutions, many students were at the top of their graduating high school class. It is expected that students applying have pursued the most demanding curriculum offered by their high school. That includes AP classes.  

AP course grades matter most of all. While scoring well on an AP exam is beneficial for many reasons, when it comes to college admission, your student’s academic transcript matters most. Again, academic rigor is important to college admissions officers, and a transcript with AP classes on it proves that your student challenged themselves in high school. If your student scores well on any AP exams they take, they can report those scores to colleges and earn college credit!  

At some schools, AP exam scores can meet the standardized testing requirement. New York University, for example, allows students to submit three AP exam scores in lieu of SAT or ACT scores with their application. So, at a college or university like this, students already taking AP classes and exams could compare their best SAT/ACT scores to their best AP scores and submit whatever will best reflect their academic strengths.  

Are AP Classes Worth It? 

AP classes can help with college admissions, but there are other reasons these classes and exams are worth the effort for your student:  

• They prepare your student for college. As mentioned above, AP classes are more rigorous than other high school classes. As your student nears college, this is important! 
• Strong scores could mean college credit. Most colleges and universities in the U.S. offer college credit, advanced placement or both for qualifying AP exam scores. That means your student could skip some general education or introductory classes their freshman year of college, which could save them (and/or you) money. 
• AP classes could start to cultivate ideas for possible college majors. Although your student won’t need to decide on a college major until they are at college, there’s no harm in exploring subjects more deeply during high school. AP classes allow your student to go as far as they can in high school in various subjects. This could point them in a career direction now and help them make the most of their time in college. 

Prep For the Advanced Placement (AP) Test

If your student is currently in an AP class, AP exam time is coming up soon and your student should start their AP test prep with Huntington. Huntington takes the same individualized approach to AP test prep as we do with our tutoring and SAT/ACT test prep programs. We start with a full-length practice AP exam that will pinpoint your student’s strengths and weaknesses. That allows us to tailor our test prep plan to your student’s needs and goals, so we can help them develop the skills and strategies to earn the highest score possible on every AP exam they take.  

If your student is struggling in one or more AP classes, Huntington can help them get back on track. Earning strong grades in AP classes will boost your student’s GPA and strengthen their transcript. Of course, the more confident your student is with AP class material, the more confident they will be taking AP exams too.  

Call Huntington at 1-800 CAN LEARN today to discuss how we can help your student achieve their goals for AP exams, college admissions and more!  

SAT updates 

• The SAT and all PSAT-related assessments are going digital. In January 2022, the College Board announced its plans to go completely digital. Here’s the timeline: 
  • The digital SAT will be offered at international test centers starting in March 
  • The digital PSAT 8/9 and PSAT/NMSQT will be offered everywhere starting in fall 2023. 
  • The digital PSAT 10 will be offered everywhere starting in spring 2024.
  • The digital SAT will be offered in the U.S. starting in spring 2024. 
• The digital SAT will be shorter. The current paper-and-pencil SAT is around three hours long and tests students in Reading, Writing and Math through four different sections. The digital SAT will be around two hours long, still testing students in Reading, Writing, and Math, but will only have two sections.
• The digital test will be adaptive. The digital SAT will consist of two sections, Reading & Writing and Math, and each section will contain two parts, or modules. Students take the first module and their performance in that module will determine which questions the student will receive in the second module. 
• SAT School Day is going digital also. Some schools currently administer the current version of the SAT (same format as the paper) on a computer during SAT School Day. In the spring of 2024, both the current paper-based SAT and computer-based SAT administered on SAT School Day will be replaced by the new digital Keep in mind the digital SAT released in 2024 will be very different than the versions currently offered.
• The entire Math section of the SAT will allow a calculator. A graphing calculator will be built into the testing app or students can bring their own. 
• Eventually, paper PSAT/SAT exams will no longer be offered. After the SAT suite transitions to digital in 2024, there will no longer be paper-and-pencil versions of the PSAT/SAT except for students with accommodations that require them. 
• Students can use their own computers. Students can take the digital SAT on a laptop or tablet (either a personal device or a school-issued device). If needed, they can request to borrow one from the College Board. 
• The shorter digital SAT will measure the same core knowledge and skills. The digital SAT will be more efficient in measuring what students need for college and career success. In the Reading and Writing section, for example, students will see shorter texts with one question each (vs. long reading passages with multiple questions per passage). For the Math section, word problems will be more concise. 

ACT updates 

ACT has not made any recent announcements about changes to the ACT exam. In the last few years, the company announced that several big changes would be forthcoming, including online testing and section retesting—the ability to retake individual sections of the ACT after sitting for the full exam.  

However, section retesting was postponed, and no further updates have been made as to whether it might still happen. The same goes for online testing: no recent updates. As of now, the ACT is still a paper-and-pencil exam for students taking it in the United States. A computer-based version of the paper-and-pencil ACT is offered in some states and school districts on school-day test dates only as well as at international testing centers. As for national ACT test dates, these are all still paper exams. The ACT content and scoring are the same for its paper-based and computer-based formats.  

Learn more about SAT and ACT changes by visiting the College Board and ACT websites.  

Taking SAT and ACT tests is important 

Even with some colleges and universities being test-optional, taking SAT and ACT tests is worthwhile. Strong SAT or ACT scores can open up opportunities for students to earn scholarships and direct admission into certain colleges or programs within a university. Also, strong scores can help strengthen a student’s overall profile, especially if they are trying to counterbalance a GPA that isn’t as high as they want it to be. Scores help round out the picture for admissions officers of a student’s academic abilities.

SAT and ACT test prep with Huntington is an excellent way to improve a score and open the door to more competitive colleges. Huntington begins every program with a comprehensive evaluation that identifies a student’s strengths and weaknesses. We feel it is important to personalize each student’s SAT/ACT test prep program to their abilities and goals. In a Huntington test prep program, students strengthen their knowledge, learn test-taking tips that will help them on the exam, get comfortable taking practice exams and improve their confidence.   

Learn more about Huntington’s exam prep tutoring for the SAT and ACT by calling 1-800 CAN LEARN.  

Huntington has ranked #104 on Entrepreneur’s 44th annual Franchise 500® ranking, an honor awarded to franchises demonstrating what it takes to build the kind of momentum that drives long-lasting success. This prestigious list recognizes franchises for their excellence in areas of innovation, creativity and adaptability. This recognition is a testament to Huntington's commitment to giving every student the best education possible.

"We are absolutely honored to have been highly ranked in Entrepreneur’s 2023 Franchise 500," said Anne Huntington Sharma, President of Huntington Learning Center. "This recognition demonstrates the hard work and dedication of our team and community, and we are grateful to be recognized among a group of such highly esteemed franchises and are grateful to Entrepreneur for this recognition for our contributions to the education industry."

Along with other franchises, Huntington has been awarded for its outstanding performance in areas including unit growth, financial strength and stability, franchisee support and training, and brand power. Being ranked in Entrepreneur’s 2023 Franchise 500 is a validation of The Huntington Communities' hard work and dedication, and a recognition of our communities' contributions to our field and community.

In October 2022, the National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP) released a report, known as “The Nation’s Report Card,” that showed math and reading scores for fourth and eighth-grade students declined between 2019 and 2022. In math, the national average score declines for both grades were the largest ever recorded. A majority of states saw lower scores across grades and subjects.  

 These results are concerning but not surprising. The 2022 NAEP report affirms that COVID learning loss is an issue that does not simply go away because schools have been able to return students to in-person learning. By fourth grade, students need a solid foundation of math and reading skills as they approach middle school. And by eighth grade, students without good math and reading fundamentals are at serious risk of falling behind in high school.

 While The Nation’s Report Card findings are alarming, during COVID, students at Huntington Learning Center improved math and reading scores as follows:  

• Math | Initial score: 39.9, New score (after 50 hours of tutoring): 54.0 | Score increase of 35%
• Reading | Initial score: 37.8, New score (after 50 hours of tutoring): 50.4 | Score increase of 33%

Although The Nation’s Report Card highlights areas of huge concern for our country’s students, it validates something we have long shared with Huntington families: individualized tutoring works. Our work to help children become better students and increase their grades is meaningful and important, and our approach is effective. After working with Huntington’s tutors, students achieve improved math and reading scores. This not only helps them in school, but it also boosts their confidence, mitigates the risk of them falling further behind in their academic careers, and opens up college options for them that would otherwise be closed.  

Individualized Approach to Combat Learning Loss 

Huntington’s methodology is unique and proven, resulting in high levels of success.  

COVID learning loss and any type of learning loss are current problems that many students today are dealing with. However, we work with all kinds of students and help them with everything, from subject-specific guidance to study skills development to SAT and ACT prep. The common factor: Huntington’s tailored approach.  

Through a four-step method of evaluation, planning, customization and communication, Huntington can help students improve their grades, increase their confidence and rebuild their motivation. The very first step we take is to administer an Academic Evaluation with each student to assess their academic needs, areas of concern and areas of strength. This allows us to customize a program for the student so that they can learn effectively and at their own pace. We meet regularly with parents to discuss progress and we’ll even involve teachers and school staff if needed and approved by parents.

To parents, the effectiveness of Huntington’s methods becomes obvious quickly. It’s really easy for parents to see that what we do at Huntington works when their children start earning better test scores and homework grades. It is noticeable when a child’s entire demeanor and attitude about school changes for the better. But the good news is that the numbers back up our claim that we have a proven track record of success.  

How Huntington Achieves Improved Reading Scores 

Huntington uses research-based, varied, and comprehensive curricula to deliver the most 

effective instruction. Our reading program integrates active learning techniques, context-based tutoring, and phonics instruction to help students improve their reading skills. Our balanced reading program is aligned with the findings of the National Reading 

Panel, which addresses each student’s abilities in the areas of emerging literacy, phonics and sight words, comprehension, vocabulary, reading strategies, fluency, and study skills.  

How Huntington Achieves Improved Math Scores 

As in the reading program, Huntington’s math program uses research-based methods and curricula. Those include Principles and Standards for School Mathematics by the National Council of Teachers in Mathematics, Third International Mathematics and Science Study, and the National Assessment of Educational Progress Mathematics Framework. We help students expand their math skills and learn how to apply prior knowledge and experience as their math schoolwork becomes increasingly difficult.  

Significant Results After Three Months  

Huntington’s long and consistent track record of helping students achieve results is what matters most. While COVID learning loss is on everyone’s minds these days, we’ve been helping students improve their grades, test scores and confidence for 45 years. On average, our students increase over two grade levels in reading and math in only three months of tutoring instruction. On the test prep side, the average student increase is 5.4 points on the ACT and 229 points on the SAT. 

Learn More About Huntington’s Methods and Programs 

Parents who want to learn more about Huntington’s tailored approach, proven results and recent successes helping students overcome COVID learning loss should call 1-800 CAN LEARN. Whether your child’s struggles are new, or they’ve been falling behind for a while, Huntington can design a program that will help your child feel confident and enthusiastic about learning again.  

It doesn’t have to be this way. Reducing stress on the SAT/ACT is a matter of planning ahead, preparing well and embracing stress-reducing strategies before and during the exam. Here are a few tips to take the stress out of SAT/ACT prep:  

Create a good study plan. As with any exam, last-minute studying without much of a plan is certain to do very little for your student’s confidence and stress level. With the SAT/ACT, it’s best to start studying as far ahead of test day as possible. Whether your student has three months or one month, having a detailed plan and schedule laid out will serve them best.  

Make the most of every study session. Effective SAT/ACT prep is targeted, organized and tailored to the student. Ideally, your student will approach every study session knowing exactly what to study. Taking an initial practice test will allow your student to get a feel for the exam, and it will also show them where they need to focus their efforts. Study sessions will be much more efficient if your student spends time on areas of weakness rather than studying everything.  

Learn and stick to a few simple tips. While there’s no getting around the fact that your student will have the most success on the SAT/ACT when they create a focused study plan and study regularly, there are certain strategies they should know. Here are a few examples:  

• Start with easy questions and circle back to hard ones at the end of the exam. 
• Fill in all answers (even if guessing), as there’s no penalty for wrong answers on either exam.  
• Learn how to quickly eliminate answer choices in multiple-choice questions (for example, by ruling out answer choices with “absolute” words like never and always). 
• Learn how to quickly identify key parts of questions. 
• Know minutes per question. Your student can do this calculation before exam day. It’s important to manage their time wisely so they do not run out of time by accident.  

Get familiar with sections and question types in the various sections. The more familiar your student is with the SAT/ACT structure, the more comfortable they will be when taking it. Knowing what to expect reduces stress and helps your student concentrate on showing what they know.  

How Do You Mentally Prepare for the SAT/ACT Test? While preparation is the key to helping your student reduce stress before they take the SAT/ACT, there are many things they can do just before and during the exam to calm their nerves. Test stress is a very real issue for many students that can cause even the most prepared student to perform poorly. The more you can help your student avoid it, the better the SAT/ACT will go for them.  

Here are a few tips to share with your student to reduce any test jitters:  

Have everything ready ahead of time. It goes without saying, but a smooth night before and morning of test day will get your student into a mindset for success. Make sure your student lays out all of their materials they’ll need for the test, knows what time they’ll need to leave in the morning to arrive early (if driving themselves), goes to bed at a good hour, and wakes up early enough to get ready and eat breakfast. Here’s a morning-of checklist of items your student should bring: 

• Printed admission ticket 
• Photo ID 
• Two No. 2 pencils with erasers 
• An approved calculator
• A watch without alarm
• Water and snack 

Learn and practice at least one relaxation technique. Knowing how to reduce stress in the moment is so valuable, but it’s not something many students are taught. Here are a few stress reducers that you and your student can research together so that they can practice them as part of their test prep plan:  

• Visualization techniques 
• Positive self-talk/positive thinking
• Meditation
• Relaxation breathing techniques
• Mindfulness breaks 

Start the day with a pep talk. Your student should try to go into the exam feeling positive and calm. Help them come up with a few words of affirmation to repeat to themselves before and during the test. The message they tell themselves should echo the one that you say to them: Your self-worth is not dependent on any test score, and your job on test day is to give your best effort. 

Reduce Test Stress with Huntington Prep 

The best way to reduce stress on the SAT/ACT is to prepare well. As much as your student might try to do this on their own, it’s much easier with the kind of caring support and customized guidance they’ll receive from Huntington.  

Huntington’s SAT/ACT prep programs are individualized to each student and taught by highly trained tutors. Whether your student has ambitious college goals and a target score or wants to raise their initial score (from prepping on their own), Huntington can help. Call us at 1-800 CAN LEARN for information about our test prep programs and how we can help your student achieve their best possible score.  

Huntington Learning Center, the nation’s leading tutoring and test prep provider, released key findings that showed during COVID, students at Huntington Learning Center improved math and reading scores as follows: 

• Math | Initial score: 39.9, New score (after 50 hours of tutoring): 54.0 | Score increase of 35%
• Reading | Initial score: 37.8, New score (after 50 hours of tutoring): 50.4 | Score increase of 33% 

These results signify the value of the company’s personalized and 1:1 approach and strengthens the impact of the 45 year legacy brand. 

In October 2022, the National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP) released a report, known as “The Nation’s Report Card,” that showed math and reading scores for fourth and eighth-grade students declined between 2019 and 2022. In math, the national average score declines for both grades were the largest ever recorded. A majority of states saw lower scores across grades and subjects.  

Although The Nation’s Report Card highlights areas of huge concern for our country’s students, it validates something we have long shared with Huntington families: individualized tutoring works. Our work to help children become better students and increase their grades is meaningful and important, and our approach is effective. After working with Huntington’s tutors, students achieve improved math and reading scores. This not only helps them in school, but it also boosts their confidence, mitigates the risk of them falling further behind in their academic careers, and opens up college options for them that would otherwise be closed.

Individualized Approach to Combat Learning Loss 

Huntington’s methodology is unique and proven, resulting in high levels of success.  

COVID learning loss and any type of learning loss are current problems that many students today are dealing with. However, we work with all kinds of students and help them with everything, from subject-specific guidance to study skills development to SAT and ACT prep. The common factor: Huntington’s tailored approach.

Through a four-step method of evaluation, planning, customization and communication, Huntington can help students improve their grades, increase their confidence and rebuild their motivation. The very first step we take is to administer an Academic Evaluation with each student to assess their academic needs, areas of concern and areas of strength. This allows us to customize a program for the student so that they can learn effectively and at their own pace. We meet regularly with parents to discuss progress and we’ll even involve teachers and school staff if needed and approved by parents.

To parents, the effectiveness of Huntington’s methods becomes obvious quickly. It’s really easy for parents to see that what we do at Huntington works when their children start earning better test scores and homework grades. It is noticeable when a child’s entire demeanor and attitude about school changes for the better. But the good news is that the numbers back up our claim that we have a proven track record of success.  

Significant Results After Three Months  

Huntington’s long and consistent track record of helping students achieve results is what matters most. While COVID learning loss is on everyone’s minds these days, we’ve been helping students improve their grades, test scores and confidence for 45 years. On average, our students increase over two grade levels in reading and math in only three months of tutoring instruction. On the test prep side, the average student increase is 5.4 points on the ACT and 229 points on the SAT.

Learn More About Huntington’s Methods and Programs 

Parents who want to learn more about Huntington’s tailored approach, proven results and recent successes helping students overcome COVID learning loss should call 1-800 CAN LEARN. Whether your child’s struggles are new, or they’ve been falling behind for a while, Huntington can design a program that will help your child feel confident and enthusiastic about learning again.  

The Positive Effects of Screen Time 

Starting with the good, there’s no question that access to digital media has positives for students of all ages. Technology opens up worlds of opportunity to learn and research. Here are just a few of its many benefits:  

• Technology and apps aid in learning. There’s an app for everything, whether your child is learning to read or practicing algebra concepts. Technology stimulates learning in new and highly effective ways. It can make challenging topics more digestible and fun to learn. And smartphones can enhance learning with their many tools and functions. 
• The internet makes it easy to access new information. A quick Google search can help your child discover just about anything. They can acquire information, learn how to solve a math problem, read both sides of an argument, and get answers to questions. 
• Social media can bring people together. Children often use social media to communicate and connect with others. They can keep in touch with friends when physically apart and rely on social media to connect with classmates about school and homework.  

The Negative Effects of Screen Time 

While there are definitely advantages of technology, screen time impacts children’s brains and behavior. Here are some of the negative effects of screen time on children and their learning:  

• Decreased focus – Frequent use of digital devices can make it increasingly more difficult for children to maintain focus on things like homework. For students who already struggle with focus (due to Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder), the always-on, always-available nature of digital activities can exacerbate these attention issues. 
• Distraction during class – Many teachers today make it a policy that students’ phones must be stowed in their backpacks during class—and for good reason. Devices can be highly distracting, with social media notifications and text messages popping up when your child is supposed to be paying attention. 
• Disrupted sleep – Blue light-emitting screens can suppress the secretion of melatonin, a hormone produced by the brain in response to darkness that helps people sleep. The nighttime routine should not include smartphone use or watching television, as this can cause your child to stay awake longer. That sleep disruption can lead to tiredness (and inattention) during the daytime while at school. 
• Loss of interest in other things – Like many enjoyable activities, use of digital devices can be all-consuming—and difficult for some children to stop doing. For many, screen use is reported to create a release of dopamine, a chemical that makes people happy. That means children want to continue watching that video or playing that game, often choosing screen time over other activities they like. 
• Struggles with prioritization – Too much screen time can make it difficult for children to control themselves when they need to. Even when they know they should be doing something else (e.g., homework), your child might find it hard to put the smartphone down and refocus. Of course, this can lead to other problems too, like deceptive behavior about screen use and not enough sleep. 

Type of Screen Time Matters 

Many experts suggest that certain types of screen time lead to more positive outcomes than others. Active screen time that engages your child in some sort of mental or physical activity is much better than passive screen time, which requires little thought or creativity and is more consumptive in nature.  

So, when your child’s screen time involves them interacting with the real world or using their brain, you can feel better about it—as long as it is an appropriate amount of screen time. A few examples of active screen time:  

• Using an educational app to learn math facts (as suggested by the teacher) 
• Creating a class presentation for YouTube 
• Creating a project to present in class with pictures, video and other media
• Watching conversational videos for a foreign language class 

While it’s okay if your child sometimes enjoys a little “mindless” screen time, do your best to minimize it. Passive screen time can be detrimental to your child’s creativity and take up far more of their time than it should.  

Limiting Screen Time for Children 

It’s impossible to completely eliminate screen time from your child’s life, and computers, televisions and smartphones do have many valuable benefits. Like most things in life, it’s best to encourage moderation. A few tips:  

• Set limits. Set rules about screen time use, such as screen-free time during homework and after 9:00 p.m. Help your child establish good homework habits that incorporate short screen time breaks but keep your child on task. 
• Set a good example. Show your child through your daily actions that you enjoy other things aside from screen time, such as exercise, time with friends, reading and other activities. Remind your child that screen time can be beneficial, but too much passive screen time is not. 
• Use technology to augment learning. There are all kinds of tools, apps and games that encourage children to develop their critical thinking skills and further their interests. A reasonable amount of screen time can actually help your child reinforce classroom learning, gain new skills and further their passions. 
• Remember that healthy screen time habits are a good way to communicate. Smartphones, social media and email allow family and friends to stay connected even when physically apart. With school, your child can take advantage of this to collaborate with or get help from classmates. 

Screen time is a hot topic these days, but it’s important to keep things in perspective. Not all screen time is bad, and many children develop healthy screen time habits with the help of supportive parents. If your child struggles with this and it is impacting their learning or study habits, call Huntington at 1-800 CAN LEARN. We can help your child develop positive time management skills and study routines to help them be successful in school.  

Distractions - Growing up in the digital world has many advantages, but one of the bigger disadvantages is the number of digital distractions. With a majority of children today having their own smartphones, they have access to everything from social media to games at many hours of the day. It’s easy for students to get sidetracked when they should be studying at home or listening in class. And smartphones aren’t the only issue. Most students do a lot of work on the computer, and with the internet just a few clicks away, this too can prove distracting. 

Parent tip: You can’t control your child’s every move, but you can set screen time and study rules at home. Create a screen-free study space at home. Have your child schedule study sessions and put their phone away for 20 minutes at a time before taking a short break. Most of all, don’t rely solely on phones’ screen time limits to keep your child in check. Have an open dialogue about the importance of having a routine, not procrastinating and focusing on school work when needed.

Increased academic stress – School stress is a growing problem among children. The number of pressures that today’s student’s face is high, and some students understandably become overwhelmed. You can help your child minimize school-related concerns and fears by embracing the right attitude about school at home and helping your child set up good habits. 

Parent tip: When talking about school, parents should be supportive listeners who believe in their children. School has ups and downs, and parents can really help their children decrease stress by sharing that effort matters more than end results, that mistakes are opportunities to grow and learn, and that many stresses can be avoided with reliable routines.

Lingering learning gaps - Learning gaps are a common problem that happen during extended breaks from school, like summer. When the pandemic forced students into online learning, those typical gaps became bigger for many students—and many are still behind. The problem: the longer learning issues are left unaddressed, the harder they are to correct. Each lesson and each unit that passes in a subject becomes harder, with children struggling to stay on track.  

Parent tip: Parents who notice their children’s grades slipping might be seeing the signs of learning problems exacerbated by the pandemic. Huntington can perform an academic evaluation of their child to determine what skills are missing and develop a plan of action to correct those gaps sooner than later. This will get their child back on track and boost their confidence again.

While the problems that today’s students are facing might feel different or even bigger than the problems parents faced growing up, the good news is that there is help available. Huntington works with thousands of children to help them overcomes difficulties in school, get better grades and increase their confidence. Our individualized tutoring programs for children of all ages in all subjects help students get back on track quickly and acquire the study skills and techniques they need to continue to do well in school. Call 1-800 CAN LEARN today. 

The idea behind chunking is that it makes information easier and much more manageable for students to grasp. Studies continue to show that chunking is highly effective in helping students (and anyone) synthesize and understand information. Chunking aids in improving long-term retention as well.  

Talk with the professional education department within your school district to get more familiar with chunking—they might have helpful resources for you. For starters, here are a few high-level tips to incorporate the chunking method into your classroom: 

Start with your end goal. What are you trying to achieve in a three-week unit, for example? Lay out those bigger objectives before you start breaking things down further.  

Look over your lessons for natural places to divide and conquer. Break lessons down into modules, and modules down into smaller topics. 

Define your learning objectives for each topic. At the smallest level, know exactly what you want your students to digest so you can think about how to get there, bit by bit.  

Have students try. Make sure you allow time for your students to practice and master! Chunking requires students to fully grasp small skills before continuing on to learn bigger ones. 

Chunking is a highly effective teaching strategy that helps students master difficult material. We encourage you to learn more about it and incorporate it into your classroom where it makes sense.       

A recognized leader in the educational services industry since 1977, Huntington Learning Center offers a range of exciting full-time, part-time and entrepreneurial opportunities. Ideal candidates for these key positions are self-motivated individuals with a proven record of excellence in their past endeavors. 

Visit our careers page to learn about open positions near you. 

Here are a few tips on what to take note of and what to do now that you have the scores in hand: 

Look at both total score and percentile. Your student’s total score is the sum of the two test sections: evidence-based reading and writing and math. Below that you will see a percentile, which represents the percentage of students whose score is equal to or lower than your student’s score. This is a good gauge of where your student is as compared to their peers.  

Look over the grade-level benchmarks. These are important because they measure whether your student is on track for college and beyond. Any areas where your student is not on track for college success, you should make note of to address later (in the form of individualized tutoring with Huntington).  

Review the cross test and sub scores. While these do not affect a student’s total score, they’re valuable to look over because they identify students’ strengths and weaknesses in writing, language and math. 

For sophomores, plan ahead to do test prep next summer. Because spring is busy for many juniors taking Advanced Placement classes, fall of junior year is a great time to take the SAT for the first time. Now that your sophomore has gotten a little practice under their belt with the PSAT, you can make plans to enroll them in a prep program over summer. 

For juniors who still want to test again, start prepping now. Juniors who just received their PSAT/NMSQT scores back and have not yet taken the SAT (or ACT) should start thinking about doing so in early 2023 (March 11, May 6 or June 3 for the SAT, or February 11, April 15 or June 10 for the ACT). Even if your student has taken the SAT or ACT once this year but wants to try to earn a better score, it’s a great time to lay out a study plan now that they have their PSAT/NMSQT scores in hand.  

Now that your junior or senior has some SAT practice, let Huntington help them achieve their best score. Our test prep programs get results for a reason:  

• We start every program with a comprehensive evaluation in the form of a full practice SAT or ACT exam.  
• We then pinpoint each student’s strengths and weaknesses so we can design a prep program that is tailored to their abilities and goals. 
• From there, we work with students on test-taking strategies and building subject-matter knowledge so that they can achieve their target scores and get into their top-choice schools.  

Whether your student’s PSAT score was excellent or not what they or you hoped it would be, we can meet your student where they are and help them do their best on the test that really matters: the SAT (or ACT). Call us today at 1-800 CAN LEARN to hear more about our success with students taking the SAT and ACT for over 45 years.  

Bake cookies, cakes and treats. You won’t get much argument from your child when you suggest concocting some tasty sweets, and you’ll be teaching them some practical math while you’re at it. Baking involves measuring and estimating. It’s a hands-on way to show your child how to conceptualize fractions (e.g., by using measuring cups and spoons) and multiply (e.g., by doubling and tripling a recipe). Baking also introduces many science concepts. Research and discuss how baking soda works and why it’s an important ingredient for cookies and breads (and how it is different from baking powder). Talk about how temperature changes the state of food. 

Play card games. A deck of playing cards can keep your child entertained every night of winter break. Games like UNO and Go Fish incorporate early math concepts like recognition, strategy and reasoning. Teenagers might like more complicated games like cribbage. Search online for classic or teacher-created card games that will help your child develop a variety of academic skills. 

Play math games. Browse your local bookstore or department store for kid-friendly math games. Rummikub is the game where players try to use all of their numbered tiles by combining them in consecutive order or in sets of the same number. It involves strategy and sequencing and can easily be adapted for more of a challenge. Yahtzee is a classic dice game that has players think and plan ahead on how to earn the highest possible score. These are just two examples; look around online and you will discover many fun board games wherein math is an integral element or a more subtle aspect of play. 

Explore your area’ museums or cultural sites. An outing or two to a natural history, art or science museum can be eye-opening and fun for the whole family. Even something like a walking tour of your downtown is a great way to learn facts you didn’t know before about where you live. No museums in your town? Perhaps one of the prominent employers in your area would be willing to give you and your child a tour of the facility and talk about what they do.  

Learn real-world money management by playing Monopoly. Monopoly is a game you may own already that teaches so many valuable money lessons about saving, how to generate income, the power of compound interest, why investing pays off over the long term, and why it’s important to plan for unexpected life emergencies. Monopoly makes all of this real-world “grownup stuff” highly entertaining, and chances are, your child will remember these lessons for years to come. 

Read a book-turned-movie together. There are several popular books series that appeal to children of all ages and are excellent options for a family winter break book club. You could spend the first week and a half of break reading the book aloud together at night (while serving up some of those tasty baked goods you made) and then plan a night to watch the movie as a family. This could spark some enjoyable conversation about the plot and detail differences between the book and the film and which you and your child liked better. 

There are opportunities to learn everywhere. Of course, winter break is also an opportune time for children to catch up in school if they need a boost in one or more subjects. Huntington is here to help. Call 1-800 CAN LEARN to explore our individualized tutoring programs. Help your child make the most of this break from school so that they start the new year off on the right foot.  

It’s the question I get most often when speaking to teenagers and their parents about the college admissions process. The answer, however, is not as simple as a Yes or No. So, let’s break down the decision-making process for applicants.

First, “test-optional” doesn’t mean taking the ACT or SAT is optional; it means submitting a test score to colleges with such a policy isn’t required. Because students take the ACT/SAT—and need to prep for it—well before they know exactly where they’ll apply to college, plan to take the test and have a score so you can make the best decision about whether to submit it with an actual score in hand.

Second, once you have that score, don’t treat all test-optional schools on your list the same. Look closely at their middle 50 percent range for scores, which you can often find on their admissions website or the Common Data Set (which you can usually find by searching the web for the school and the term “Common Data Set”). If your score falls above that range or squarely in the middle of it, then you’re better off submitting it.  

Remember, a test score is another signal in an application full of them. The more positive signals you can send in your favor, the better your chances of get­ting in.  If you fall below the middle 50 percent, then be sure the rigor of your high-school courses and the grades you received in them can make up for having a score that is below their middle range. Also, remember that many schools are optional for using a score in their admission decision but they might use it for awarding merit aid. Be sure to ask if you need to submit a score to be considered for financial assistance.

Third, use your test score to balance your college list. Whether you submit a score or not, be sure not to have too many schools on your list where your score falls in bottom 25 percent or lower of enrolled students. That might be a sign that you have too many “reach” schools on your list. Add more schools where you’re above the range for GPA and test scores or solidly in the middle.

Finally, no single measure in the application is the reason students don’t get into their dream school. The problem with test-optional admissions is that most colleges that adopted the policy during the pandemic haven’t been transparent with would-be applicants about its impact on who ultimately gets accepted.

In general, in my research for writing an update to my book, Who Gets In and Why: A Year Inside College Admissions, I found that about half of applications to selective colleges and universities over the past two application cycles arrived without test scores. But admissions deans said those applicants were usually less competitive across the board and were accepted at a lower rate. At Emory University, for example, nearly half of the applications for the Class of 2025 arrived without test scores. Overall, Emory admitted 13 percent of its applicants. But the admit rate for those with test scores (17 percent) was higher—about twice as high—as those without (8.6 percent). The same was true at Colgate (25 percent vs. 12 percent). At Georgia Tech, the admit rate for those with test scores was 22 percent compared with 10 percent without a score. The gap was much closer at Vanderbilt (7.2 percent vs. 6 percent).

Those are just a few of the top colleges that actually released statistics on who applied and who was accepted without test scores. Most admissions deans are cautious about saying too much, worried the overall numbers might paint a misleading picture for applicants because admissions rates often differ by major. So, students who apply to popular or competitive majors, such as business or STEM (science, technology, engineering, and math) without test scores tend to have even lower chances of getting admitted than students who apply to less popular or competitive majors.

The bottom line is that without a test score, admissions offices tend to fall back on historical data for students who, in previous years, enrolled from the same high school as the applicant. When colleges accumulate a significant number of graduates from a particular high school—say, ten students over the course of several years—they can track the grade-point averages and eventual degree completions associated with that school. The data indicate to those reviewing applications how grades in one high school translate into grades at the university. If you don’t want your admissions chances to rely on predecessors from your high school—or worse, be rejected because the college doesn’t know your high school well enough—then let a test score help tell your story. .

At Huntington Learning Center, every student can increase their SAT or ACT scores, making acceptance to their dream school a reality. Huntington students see on average a 2+ grade-level increase in math and reading, 229 point increase on the SAT and a 5.4 point increase on the ACT after three months of tutoring. Huntington is the tutoring and test prep leader and will prep your child for the SAT and ACT by developing the skills, confidence and motivation needed to succeed. Call us today at 1-800 CAN LEARN to discuss how Huntington can help your child get into the college of their choice.

Of course, the marketing is designed to make students focus on a “dream” school and a “perfect fit.” It’s not about the similarities that colleges have—it’s about the purported uniqueness of each. No one sends high school juniors a glossy brochure explaining that the top liberal arts colleges are pretty similar. Or a viewbook about engineering co-op programs that says here are a couple of good options for you. Who can blame students for focusing instead on individual brands? Remember that’s what colleges are selling.

Recently, I hosted a webinar with Huntington Learning Center about finding the right “fit” in a college. (You can watch the entire virtual event here.) Here are my four key takeaways from the webinar:

There is no one meaning of “fit.” Think of “fit” in three dimensions. The first is academic fit. Does the college have my major? Does it offer other majors I might be interested in just in case I want to switch? Will I be challenged by classmates and professors or will I slack off if there isn’t a culture of wanting to do well?

The second dimension is social fit. Are sports and Greek life important to me? Do they have a variety of clubs that I might be interested in? Do I want to be in a city or a rural area? Do I want to go home on weekends?

The final dimension is one that is often ignored until it’s too late and that’s financial fit. Will I qualify for need-based financial aid? Merit aid? What’s the mix of loans, grants, and work study? Right now, too many students don’t know the actual price tag of a college until after they’re accepted and receive their financial aid offer—shortly before the May 1 deadline for choosing where to go. Use the net-price calculators colleges are required to display on their websites to project your estimated aid package as you’re developing your list of colleges. Use my list of “buyers and sellers” to determine which institutions give out the most in merit aid. The more you winnow colleges early on for “financial fit” the easier it will be to eliminate institutions late on because they’re unaffordable.

Find value as well as fit. Only about half of students who go to a four-year college actually graduate in four years. While most students and their families go to college with every intention of graduating within four years, things get in the way: students can’t get classes they need, credits don’t transfer as expected, students don’t find friends and leave, or tuition becomes more difficult to cover than first thought.

Learn more about college readiness here!

As you’re looking for the right fit, pay attention to retention rates. That’s the number of students who return for their sophomore year. The national average is around 81%, so you want to go to a place at that level or above. Also, scrutinize graduation rates and “predicted rates” for students like you, since rates differ by gender and major, for example. The average graduation rate is 50% for the bachelor’s degree in 4 years and 62% in 6 years. You can find all the stats you need on collegeresults.org.

How you go to college is more important than where you go. The problem with often-quoted statistics about the success of graduates from selective schools is that they overlook the role that the individual student plays in their own eventual success—both the social and financial “capital” they bring to their undergraduate careers is very impor­tant. Top colleges don’t take just anyone who applies. They accept smart students who exhibit promise—or who are well connected or come from upper-middle-class and wealthy families—and then unite them with top-notch faculty, research opportunities, ambitious classmates, and an exten­sive alumni network.

Top-ranked institutions have long sold us on those distinctions, telling prospective students and their families that the brand name on the degree is what matters most when it comes to success after college. But in recent years, economists have been digging deeper into a stockpile of data from tax records and job postings. What they’re finding is starting to shift the conversation around the question “Does it matter where you go to college?” For economists, it’s a much more nuanced answer than before: majors and skills might count for more in the job market than the college itself.

Take a look at the U.S. Education Department’s College Score­card (collegescorecard.ed.gov) to get a granular look at what graduates earn and how much debt they take on broken out by academic program, not just the college they attended.

Go off the beaten path on the campus tour. Visit a class—ask in advance about sitting in on a class you might actually take. Notice what happens before and after class with the professor. Go see a professor during office hours—check in on a faculty member in your intended major. Walk the campus and eat in the dining hall. Visit the career center, the library, and talk to students.

Luckily, winter break is a good chance for college-bound students to put attention toward their college-related tasks. Here are several tips on what your student should do to maximize their break:  

• Prep for the SAT/ACT. It’s not easy to devote time to test prep during the busy school year, so students can use this time to prepare. Test-taking strategies, timing, and content knowledge are few things your child needs to know before taking the exam. A test prep program with Huntington can make a difference in how your child performs on the exam. The earliest SAT date in 2023 is March 11 and the earliest ACT date is February 11, so kicking off a test prep program over break is good timing.
• Research colleges online. If you have a junior (or a procrastinating senior who is narrowing their college list), have them spend 20 minutes a day browsing colleges’ websites to learn about things like fields of study, location, campus life and admission criteria. If your student has no idea where to start, the College Board has valuable tools to help students find colleges that are a good fit for them. 
• Volunteer. There are many organizations in need over the holidays. If your teen is involved in National Honor Society, which requires community service, now is a good opportunity for them to work toward that requirement. If not, it’s still a wonderful way for your teen to explore interests (e.g., volunteering in a nursing home for a student interested in health care or medicine) and give back—while boosting their college resume.
• Plan ahead for Advanced Placement exams. For students taking AP classes, those AP exams will come up fast (May). It’s not too early for your teen to start looking over any study guides provided by their AP teachers or to contact Huntington about how to prep effectively. Take a trip to the bookstore for a self-study book that your teen can start looking over now. 
• Catch up on school work. If your teen’s first semester report card came out and wasn’t what they hoped, winter break is a good time for them to address any issues and get ahead. Encourage your student to reflect on what went well and not so well this fall. If your teen could use support getting back on track, they can always call Huntington for individualized help. Your student’s high school GPA matters, so make sure they don’t fall behind. 
• Pay attention to college application deadlines. For seniors who didn’t apply early action or early decision, winter break is a good chance to put the finishing touches on those applications, especially any with January 1 deadlines.  

Winter break is a time for your student to relax after a busy fall semester, but it’s also an opportunity for your student to work on some of those college tasks too. Huntington is here to help! Whether your teen wants to focus on getting ahead to get off to a strong start in the spring semester or is eager to get going on SAT/ACT prep, we’re ready to discuss their needs! Call us at 1-800 CAN LEARN for more about our individualized exam prep programs and tutoring programs for college-bound high school students.  

To be clear, you as a parent do not choose whether your child receives an IEP or not. The IEP is a required document for students who receive special education services. So, before the IEP step arises, the following would take place: 

1. A child would be referred for evaluation of a disability. This request might come from a parent or a school professional or both. 
2. The child would be evaluated in all areas related to the suspected disability or disabilities. Teachers, parents, school counselors and other professionals might be involved in that evaluation. The results of this evaluation would determine the child’s eligibility for special education services. 
3. The qualified professionals involved would determine whether the child has a disability as defined by IDEA. 

Once a child is determined to have qualifying disability and is found eligible for special education and related services. Within 30 days of this eligibility determination, an IEP team must meet to write an IEP for that child.  

The IEP includes a lot of information about the child and the programs and support at school that will meet their needs. That information includes the child’s current educational performance, annual goals, special education and related services to be provided, and more.  

When to request an evaluation  

Parents can request that their child be evaluated if they suspect that they have a disability. Here are a few signs that could indicate an evaluation is worth pursuing:  

• Homework and learning are hard, and nothing seems to help. If your child struggles with homework every night and seems to be prevented from fully participating and progressing in general curriculum because of certain challenges (whether known or unknown), this shouldn’t be ignored. 
• You’ve followed teachers’ advice but have seen little to no progress. You’ve tried all the tips and interventions at home, but your child continues to have problems completing school work, working independently and/or achieving their academic goals. 
• You just know something isn’t right. Perhaps you’ve never considered that your child’s challenges are actually a disability. Many parents do not realize that some behaviors or habits are problematic until their children are older and school work is more challenging. If your child is struggling in school and nothing you’ve tried or done seems to make a lasting difference, it’s time to dig deeper. 

What disabilities qualify for an IEP 

There are 13 disability categories defined by IDEA that qualify a child for an IEP: 

1. Specific learning disability (includes dyslexia, dyscalculia, dysgraphia, etc.)
2. Emotional disturbance (includes anxiety disorder, schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, depression, obsessive-compulsive disorder and others)
3. Speech or language impairment
4. Visual impairment
5. Deafness
6. Hearing impairment
7. Autism Spectrum Disorder
8. Deaf-blindness
9. Orthopedic impairment (caused by a congenial anomaly, disease, or other cause such as cerebral palsy)
10. Intellectual disability (such as Down syndrome)
11. Traumatic brain injury
12. Multiple disabilities (concomitant impairments, such as intellectual disability-blindness)
13. Other (includes ADHD, asthma, diabetes, Tourette’s syndrome, and others)

Learn more about these definitions by exploring part B, section 300.8 of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act.  

To learn more about how Huntington helps students with ADHD and a wide range of other learning disabilities succeed in school, call 1-800-CAN LEARN. Our team is here to help your child develop strategies to manage their time, stay organized, improve their efficiency and effectiveness, and much more.

Right now, policies differ depending on the college or university, and it’s best for you to check with the schools where your student plans to apply for the most up-to-date information. You can expect standardized testing policies to fall into one of these categories:  

• Test optional – This leaves the decision up to the student on whether to send in SAT/ACT scores. Colleges that are test optional do not require, but usually encourage, students to submit test scores for admission.  
• Test blind – Test blind means that a college will not consider SAT/ACT scores when making admission decisions. Colleges with this policy will not look at these scores even if provided by the applicant. 
• Test flexible – Test flexible means that a college requires test scores, but not necessarily SAT/ACT scores. They might instead request students to choose from SAT or ACT scores, an International Baccalaureate Diploma, three AP exam scores or three higher-level IB exam scores (if not an IB diploma candidate). 
• A modified policy – Again, each college and university is different, so checking out specific policies is essential. Some might be test blind but use test scores for course placement after enrolled. Some might be test optional but still imply that self-reporting test scores is important for scholarships, financial aid programs and academic placement.  

Here’s how colleges are using SAT/ACT scores in today’s admissions environment:  

• To gain insight into a student’s academic preparation – Most institutions embrace a holistic review process in which they consider multiple factors in making admission decisions, but the bottom line is that academics still matter most. Colleges want proof of a student’s academic preparation and excellence, and the SAT/ACT is another objective measure of this.  
• To advise on future course placement – Many colleges and universities encourage applicants to submit SAT/ACT scores for placement in some courses—even if their general university policy is test optional. 
• For direct admission into certain majors – For certain majors, it’s possible to gain direct admission into a school/department/program with a solid academic record that includes SAT/ACT scores. This is common for colleges of business, for example. 
• For scholarship consideration - Some colleges and universities offer automatic scholarships based on students’ GPA and SAT/ACT scores, even if the SAT/ACT are not required for admission. Others use test scores to consider students for a range of other merit-based scholarships.  

Last but not least, it’s a good idea to investigate the standardized testing reporting policies of the colleges on your child’s target list. Superscoring is when a college automatically takes the highest section scores across all test administrations to combine them into one, higher total score. Score choice is when students are given some control over which SAT/ACT scores they report to a college.  

While score choice benefits students in certain ways, it’s important to read the fine print, so to speak. Some colleges require that applicants submit all test scores, while others recommend but do not require this. Others are more flexible and will accept whatever scores a student decides to submit. So, if your child’s dream college requires SAT/ACT scores and requires a complete testing record, it would be wise for your student to prepare for the exam to earn the best possible score (and not just take the exam for practice a couple of times before studying).  

If your student needs help preparing for the SAT or ACT and you want guidance on how to approach this process strategically based on your student’s goals, call Huntington at 1-800 CAN LEARN. We’ll help your student develop a detailed study schedule based on their strengths and weaknesses so they can perform their very best and strengthen their college application! 

What are some of the middle school study skills your student should be cultivating as they move toward high school? Here are five of the most essential: 

• Time management/creating a study schedule - Time management is a skill that new middle school students have not always mastered. Encourage your child to use their planner or homework app to keep track of all of their work. When it comes to upcoming quizzes and tests, they should always plan ahead. That means developing a study plan well in advance. Remind your child that spaced out study sessions have been proven to be much more effective than fewer, longer study sessions. Encourage your child during middle school to develop a consistent study schedule. Tips:
  • Work backward from tests/quizzes when creating a schedule
  • Prioritize hardest and soonest tests/quizzes
  • Incorporate study time every day leading up to tests/quizzes around other responsibilities and school hours
• Visual aids - Even students who learn effectively by reading and listening can benefit from visual aids such as diagrams, charts, flashcards, lists, visual memory devices and diagrams. When there are opportunities for your child to incorporate visual study tools, do so.
• Practice tests - Not every teacher will offer or use practice tests as a way for students to get prepared for the real thing, but if your student ever does have access to mock exams or can ask the teacher for any, these are useful. Another idea: have your child create their own practice tests. They can use their detailed notes and textbook to create test questions. Some texts even include summary questions at the end of chapters.
• Taking quality notes – Note taking is new for most middle school students. Writing down what a teacher says isn’t enough, however. Your child needs to learn how to take useful notes that will help them prepare well for quizzes and tests. Help your child develop this skill. Talk with their teachers about effective methods, whether they recommend the Cornell note-taking method or have other note-taking tips. Your child’s notes should: 
  • Summarize important concepts
  • Call out key terms and information that jogs their memory for more details
  • Record essential concepts they should study more deeply
• Organization - For many new middle school students, organization is a big challenge. Never before have these students had to keep track of so many separate materials for separate classes. Help your middle schooler create an organizational system that keeps track of all physical items like handouts and syllabi as well as any electronic files. While organization is not exactly a study skill, being organized helps students minimize wasted time and stress so that when they do sit down to study, they can easily access what they need and get focused. 

Lastly, it is wise to get your child help in middle school when they struggle with studying or homework. If your child seems to lack discipline or tools to study effectively, you must address these issues sooner than later. Middle school is a big transition period for students and a time to help them become more independent. Honing those study skills is an important part of that. Huntington can help! Call us at 1-800 CAN LEARN to learn how.  

• Build math fact fluency. Practice makes better! Give students daily opportunities to become proficient at the math facts, starting with the easy ones first (2s, 10s, 5s) and building up to more challenging facts (4s, 3s, 9s, 6s, 7s, 8s). Flashcards and apps can help, and there are lots of math facts songs out there for your audio learners.  
• Explain the concept of math as extended addition. Multiplication of whole numbers is adding the same number several times. Help students build this understanding by assigning a tangible item to one of the numbers in a multiplication problem. For example, with 3 x 4, the 3 could be cars and the 4 is the number of groups of cars. Walk your students through this step by step:
  • 3 x 4 is the same as 3 cars in 4 different groups 
  • 3 x 4 = 3 cars + 3 cars + 3 cars + 3 cars
  • 3 x 4 = 3 + 3 + 3 + 3
  • 3 + 3 + 3 + 3 = 12
  • So, 3 x 4 = 12
• Help children visualize the commutative property of multiplication. Once children realize that the order of the numbers they are multiplying doesn’t change the product (answer), multiplication becomes much simpler. This means that 2 x 7 will have the same answer as 7 x 2. Use worksheets and tangible tools that help your students visualize this. 

Of course, understanding multiplication requires that your students also understand addition and subtraction. If you find a student struggling with basic math, Huntington can assist. We’ll help your students build the right math skills to be capable of advancing to more complex math. Refer parents to 1-800 CAN LEARN today!  

"The results from the ‘Nation's Report Card’ paint a reality of the impact of the pandemic, the importance of consistent learning environments and the need for individualized learning plans to help students succeed. Now more than ever we need to continue to support the work happening in our schools and supplement students where they need additional attention. Huntington Learning Center will be using this new data to target areas for future investment, expand our offerings and resources and do everything we can to work with parents, students and schools to continue our mission to give every student the best education possible.” - Anne Huntington Sharma, President and a Board Member of Huntington Learning Center.

What can parents do?

• Do daily check-ins with your student to discuss their workload and the content they are learning about at school. This is a great opportunity to help them prioritize their tasks and also find out where they may be concerned about their readiness or familiarity with the content at hand. 
• Engage your school community to find out what resources are available. 
• Huntington Learning Center is here to help. Please call 1-800 CAN LEARN to schedule an academic assessment, and we will work with you to develop an individualized plan to meet your student’s needs.

• Get up to speed. Look over recent test and quiz scores and homework.  Refresh your memory on the last full report card and how your child did in each subject or class. If the teacher has reached out at all this school year, look through those notes or emails again. They might have made comments or suggestions on your child’s participation, effort or behavior that might come up during your discussion. 
• Put a file together to bring with you. Your child’s teacher will likely have items on hand as well, but if you have a recent assignment or test that you want to ask about (e.g., if your child did not do well), bring those things along. 
• Talk with your child beforehand. If you and your child discussed any goals at the start of the school year, now is a great time to revisit those. Ask how your child feels about the year to this point and which classes or subjects are most enjoyable and most difficult. Approach this conversation positively. If your child doesn’t open up, that’s okay. Just let them know that you’re always there for support. 
• Make a list of questions. Often, teachers expect that they will share as much detail as possible about their students’ progress and any areas of concern and then give parents the floor to ask any questions. Jot down a few so you’re ready—here are a few ideas:
  1. How are my child’s study skills and focus level?
  2. Are you concerned about any learning loss remaining from summer break?
  3. Do you have suggestions to nurture good time management and organizational skills at home?
  4. What are the best ways to support our child at home?
  5. Is my child exceeding expectations in any area? 
  6. Is my child meeting expectations in any area?
  7. Is my child’s behavior in the classroom meeting expectations?
  8. Are there any concerns about learning issues like Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder? 

You can adapt these questions depending on your child’s grade. For example, if your child is in elementary school, make sure you ask about how your child is doing with reading and math. The foundation for these subjects is set in elementary school, so it’s wise to make sure your child is on grade level. If your child is in middle school, talk about how they are progressing toward high school readiness. Discuss their study skills as well.  

Parent-teacher conferences are an excellent check-in early in the school year where you can learn about where your child is doing well and where they are struggling. For you, it’s also an opportunity to maintain a good connection with your child’s teacher.  

The school-home partnership is so essential for children’s school success. Take time to prepare thoughtfully for the conference now so that you gain as much valuable insight as possible during your meeting with the teacher. This will benefit your child and strengthen their school experience.

If your child is struggling already this school year, don’t wait to get help. Call 1-800 CAN LEARN to learn more about our customized programs, our track record of success and how we can get your child back on the right track. 

Focus on building study skills. For children with ADHD, studying effectively is a challenge. The way your child does this in elementary school vs. high school will look very different, of course, but your child can embrace a few good habits:  

• Lay out a study plan for each subject/class with daily checklists for the week(s) leading up to the test.  
• Space out studying to avoid cramming.
• Organize the study space with all materials needed. Make sure that space is somewhere that is free from distractions. 
• Build stamina by breaking work sessions into short 10- or 15-minute periods with five-minute breaks in between. Gradually, you can extend the length of those sessions, but shorter study sessions are most productive for children with ADHD.  

Encourage reflection. Often, students with ADHD do not take the time to learn from their mistakes on tests and homework. Help your child become a better student who is much more prepared for tests by having them spend time looking over graded homework to understand what they did wrong. Doing this can help them avoid careless errors and identify before every exam where they have gaps in knowledge (so they can meet with the teacher).  

Have your child study how they learn best. Every student learns differently, and therefore, not every study tip or tool will work for your child. Advise your student to try different methods and tools (e.g., video lessons, visual memory devices, drawings, flash cards, rewriting notes, etc.) and embrace techniques that are effective—not just those that other classmates claim work best.  

Do the basics. Sometimes, the simplest advice is the best. Remind your student that there are several things that will help them do better as they prepare for exams:  

• Going to class (not skipping if in middle or high school) 
• Avoiding distractions while in class. 
• Getting plenty of sleep so they improve their focus during the school days 
• Addressing questions/problems as they arise (and not waiting to get help).  
• Keeping up with all homework and reading.
• Staying organized with a solid organizational system and a study plan with dates/milestones attached to it. 

Help your child improve their pacing. A common problem for students with ADHD is running out of time on assignments and tests. Even if your child has a 504 plan in place to give them extended time on tests and homework, it’s important that they can keep themselves on task and finish tests during the allotted window. Have your child practice estimating at the start of every homework assignment how long they will spend on each problem and the entire worksheet or homework assignment. Encourage them to do the same (estimate time per problem based on how long the test is) during any practice tests to speed up their pacing. When possible, taking practice tests is the best way to help your child get comfortable and minimize test anxiety.   

If your child continues to struggle on tests, don’t wait to get help. There might be more going on behind the scenes. Huntington has experience working with ADHD students to help them overcome typical challenges, including preparing for tests. Through an evidence-based tutoring approach, we help students improve their confidence and strengthen their motivation to do their best on tests. Call us at 1-800 CAN LEARN to discover how Huntington’s individualized instruction and customized learning programs achieve results. 

If you know that your child is experiencing learning difficulties, it’s important to not ignore the signs. Here are a few things to watch for when your child is young that could be signs of learning disabilities or other learning issues:  

Issues with reading and writing – For many children, reading and writing challenges start early and continue to be a problem throughout elementary school. If your child has a hard time remembering basic spelling rules, forming written letters or writing coherently, or reading aloud or fluently, there could be one or more issues at hand. Pay attention to their reading comprehension as well. Are they understanding what they read? Your child could be missing skill gaps or dealing with something more complex like dyslexia.  

Struggling with simple math – Math difficulties tend to worsen with time because math as a subject becomes progressively harder. If your child has trouble reading or counting numbers, mastering simple math facts, or understanding simple visual representations of numbers (e.g., that five dots represent the numeral 5), dig deeper. Knowing the fundamentals is essential for middle school and high school math, where the subject gets much more complex.  

Poor short-term or long-term memory – There are lots of reasons that a good memory is helpful for students. It helps them store and recall information when they need it. It helps them remember directions long enough to complete multi-step work (like math problems). A weak working memory and problems with focus are symptoms of Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD). Your child’s school can help you identify issues like this, and Huntington Learning Center can also help with a personalized tutoring program designed to address your child’s specific needs.  

Difficulty with directions – If your child struggles to comprehend written directions or the teacher shares that they often misunderstand or do not seem to hear verbal directions, you might need to evaluate their work habits more closely. Sometimes ADHD is the culprit, while other times it could be a processing disorder or a visual issue.  

Weak study, organizational and time management skills – Many students have to cultivate these skills over time, but if your child misplaces or forgets about homework frequently, procrastinates during every homework session and ignores essential details during homework time, don’t wait to deal with these problems. This lack of executive functioning skills will become even more problematic as your child grows older.  

School becomes more challenging with each grade, and the expectations of your child increase. Your child must be able to focus, pay attention, manage their own time, stay organized and learn effectively. If your child struggles with these things and their grades are suffering, Huntington can help. We work with children of all ages and abilities. Whether your child is dealing with a learning disability or simply needs individualized tutoring to close learning gaps and build skills, we can get to the root of the issue. We’ll work one-on-one with your child to help them become a more successful student. Call Huntington at 1-800 CAN LEARN today to learn what we can do for your child’s self-esteem and confidence!  

Here’s what goes into the IEP, according to the U.S. Department of Education: 

• Current performance – The IEP must share results of the student’s evaluation when they were assessed for disabilities.  
• Annual goals – Measurable academic, behavioral or other goals broken down into short-term objectives or benchmarks. 
• Special education and related services – The IEP must list the services to be provided to the child, including supplementary aids and services as well as modifications needed or training that school personnel might need to assist the child. 
• Participation with nondisabled children – The IEP lays out whether the child will participate with nondisabled children (and how much). 
• Participation in state and district-wide tests – The IEP states what modifications the student will require to test or whether a test is not appropriate for the child (and an alternative test plan). 
• Dates and places – The IEP must state when services will begin and how/when they will be provided. 
• Transition services – Transition services are addressed if a student needs certain transition services to reach any goals such as taking advanced placement courses or preparing to move into adult life (e.g., higher education or employment). 
• Measuring progress – The IEP must state how a student’s progress will be measured and how parents will stay informed.  

The IEP is a detailed document, but writing it doesn’t fall solely to you as your student’s teacher. Depending on how your school’s special education team is structured, the members of the IEP team who will write the IEP might include: 

• Parents  
• Classroom teacher(s) – At least one, if the student will participation in the typical classroom 
• Special education teacher
• The person who can interpret what the child’s evaluation results mean (and instructional implications)
• The person representing the school system who understands school resources
• Others with special expertise about the child, such as a paraprofessional, occupational therapist, psychologist or speech-language pathologist
• Representatives from transition service agencies if the student is preparing for such a transition  

Your students deserve to receive the best education possible, and the development of the IEP supports that goal. Huntington’s mission is to give every student the best education possible and we offer tutoring and ADHD support for students who might need assistance outside of the classroom.  

A recognized leader in the educational services industry since 1977, Huntington Learning Center offers a range of exciting full-time, part-time and entrepreneurial opportunities. Ideal candidates for these key positions are self-motivated individuals with a proven record of excellence in their past endeavors. 

Visit our careers page to learn about open positions near you. 

The legacy organization was founded on the mission to give every student the best education possible.  As the original tutor and test prep organization blossomed, it has grown in size and today has nearly 300 locations throughout the U.S. offering in-person, online, and hybrid programs. To date, Huntington has helped over one million students achieve their academic goals and excel in and outside of the classroom.

“It’s our greatest pleasure to have been part of families’ school stories for so long. Witnessing countless ‘I can’ moments as students achieve their academic goals and experiencing the joy they feel due to the added confidence our certified teachers have nurtured within them are the pieces of this work that fuel our organization’s drive to succeed. We will continue to innovate and create learning opportunities for students for years to come,” said Eileen Huntington, CEO and Co-Founder of Huntington Learning Center.

In recent years, Huntington has gone above and beyond to innovate technology that has helped students and families navigate the educational challenges they faced due to the global pandemic. The Huntington team encourages students and parents to continue to closely monitor their student’s progress and lean into academic support tools like the tutoring, homework help and test prep programs offered at a location or online as they continue to recover from unfinished learning due to school year disruptions.

“Our Huntington team has experienced a great deal of growth and change in four and a half decades. Most recently, we have worked closely with families to help them mitigate the effects of school closures and remote instruction. It is critical to align with parents, educators, and school districts now, taking action to intervene as early as possible for students in an effort to close the skills gaps in the fundamentals of learning,” said Anne Huntington Sharma, President and Board Member of Huntington Learning Center.

Huntington offers the following advice to parents for the 2022-2023 school year:

• Check-in Consider having your student take an academic evaluation like the one we offer at Huntington to get a clear picture of where your students stands regarding grade-level skills and expectations. Having this information will be a great benchmark to use as your student builds on these strengths and weaknesses throughout the year.
• Check out one of our free online webinars. Huntington offers free, online webinars for parents featuring expert resources who provide advice and direction on important topics like navigating the college admissions process, how to support students learning with ADHD, goal setting, test taking, and more. All webinars are free to register and available for download to review at a later date.
• Join our family. Are you as passionate about helping today’s students as we are? Is your entrepreneurial spirit driven to help fulfill our mission to provide every student the best education possible? The need for learning support nationwide is as great as it has ever been. Huntington remains dedicated to world-class student results as well franchise profitability. Visit huntingtonfranchise.com for more information about joining our mission driven, legacy organization.

Huntington students see an average of 2 plus grade levels of growth in reading and math, a 5.4 point increase on the ACT and 229 point increase on their SAT scores. For more information about Huntington’s tutoring and test prep programs, and to receive updates about Huntington’s initiatives to create a path to success for students visit huntingtonhelps.com.

About Huntington Learning Center

Huntington Learning Center is the nation's leading tutoring and test prep provider. We offer customized programs in person, online, and hybrid options. Our certified teachers provide individualized instruction in phonics, reading, writing, study skills, elementary and middle school math, Algebra through Calculus, Chemistry, and other sciences. It preps for the SAT and ACT, as well as state and standardized exams. Huntington’s programs develop the skills, confidence, and motivation to help students succeed and meet the needs of Common Core State Standards. Huntington is accredited by Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools. Founded in 1977, Huntington's mission is to give every student the best education possible. Learn how Huntington can help at www.HuntingtonHelps.com and for franchising opportunities, visit www.HuntingtonFranchise.com.

Press Contact: hlc@mbpconsultants.com

Skills gaps caused by the COVID-19 pandemic contributed to an average decrease of 5 points in reading and 7 points in math. Anne Huntington Sharma, President and Board Member for Huntington Learning Center states:

“For 45 years we’ve been working with families and schools to focus on academic progress. This initial report from NAEP demonstrates how much attention needs to be given to our students; however, the declines have been happening for decades. For example, the initial results from 2022 almost mirror those from a 1983 report in “A Nation at Risk: The Imperative for Educational Reform”. The 2022 NAEP initial report provides us with data that shows us how meaningful our work is every day.

The NAEP test is administered nationwide to students aged nine, which generally correlates to the 4th-grade mark. The evaluation of these test scores is one of the various analytical pieces Huntington Learning Center monitors to continue to provide the best education possible to our students across the country.

By age nine, students should have a strong foundation in the basics of learning, which includes phonics, reading and arithmetic for example. Reading comprehension will go undeveloped without phonics and the fundamental skills, which then puts students at risk of falling behind throughout their academic careers. Identifying if there is a skills gap before this critical age of nine is key.

The full NAEP report will be released later this Fall and Huntington is here to help families and schools with individualized tutoring and test prep programs to make sure students do not fall behind.

It is critical that Huntington, parents, educators, and school districts take action to intervene as early as possible for current and new students to remediate the growing skills gaps in the fundamentals of learning.

At Huntington, we create individualized tutoring and test prep programs that build skills, confidence and motivation for students to achieve in and out of the classroom. Huntington Learning Centers across the country have programs in person at our locations and online in addition to partnerships with schools. Huntington is accredited by Middle States Association of Schools and Colleges and our tutors are certified. For more information check out Huntington’s free webinar series and call us to learn more. Please circle back here for additional information as we learn more about the full NAEP 2022 results later this year.

About Score Choice 

Taking the SAT/ACT offers an opportunity to strengthen an application even further with a strong score, but your student should make sure they are clear on colleges’ policies on sending scores. Some colleges do not participate in the Score Choice option that allows students to choose which SAT score dates they submit to a college (e.g., their best scores). Your student should confirm each college’s score choice practice. If they do not use the Score Choice feature, the College Board automatically sends all scores to each college where they apply.  

Here are what six well-known colleges across the country have to say about the SAT /ACT and their admissions policies:  

1. Massachusetts Institute of Technology – In March 2022, MIT announced its decision to reinstate the SAT/ACT requirement for future admission cycles. On their blog, they wrote, “Our research shows standardized tests help us better assess the academic preparedness of all applicants, and also help us identify socioeconomically disadvantaged students who lack access to advanced coursework or other enrichment opportunities that would otherwise demonstrate their readiness for MIT. We believe a requirement is more equitable and transparent than a test-optional policy.” 
2. University of Chicago – The University of Chicago is still test optional, but says this of the SAT/ACT: “The SAT, ACT, and other standard measures can continue to be an important part of the University of Chicago’s holistic admission process for students electing to send scores and are a required part of the application process at many other highly selective schools. These tests can provide valuable information about a student which we and other colleges will consider alongside the other elements in a student’s application.” Also: “Given that many of our peers do require testing, we anticipate that the vast majority of students will continue to take tests and may still submit their test scores to UChicago.”
3. Georgetown University – Georgetown requires testing for admission, saying, “Georgetown University requires submission of SAT and/or ACT scores as part of our holistic application review process. Candidates for admission should submit official score reports from the College Board and/or ACT.”
4. New York University – NYU is currently test optional but has a unique standardized testing policy that allows applicants to submit one of the following if they so choose: SAT; ACT; International Baccalaureate Diploma; 3 AP Exam scores; 3 IB higher-level exam scores if not an IB Diploma candidate; GCE A-Level Examinations; or other international exam scores. 
5. University of Texas at Austin – UT Austin says this of submitting SAT/ACT scores: “Students are encouraged to submit SAT/ACT scores, but it is not required. Submitted standardized test scores will serve as one of many elements that are holistically assessed to determine a student’s ability to contribute to and benefit from the UT Austin educational experience.” They add, “Students should provide information in their application that demonstrates their academic potential. This can be accomplished in a number of ways, such as through their essay prompt, high school transcripts, or items like letters of recommendations or standardized ACT or SAT scores.” 
6. University of Florida – The University of Florida and all colleges within the Florida state university system require SAT/ACT scores. UF says, “All applicants must submit test scores from the SAT and/or the ACT. UF will superscore (take the highest scores for each subsection) to create the highest possible total score.” 

How To Improve Test Scores 

With so many students submitting test scores how can your student stand out amongst other applicants? By submitting the highest score possible! Before your student takes either exam they need to prepare for it! Straight A students sometimes find college entrance exams challenging, Prepping with Huntington can help them improve their scores and increase their chances of acceptance at their college of choice.    

Call Huntington at 1-800 CAN LEARN to learn more about our SAT and ACT prep programs, our tutoring programs for high school students (and students of all ages) and how we can help.  

1. Confront last year’s problems. Be honest: did you and your child address any past year issues over summer break, or did the months slip by you without dealing with the things that were challenges last school year? As the school year begins, make sure to put a plan in place to close any skill gaps, deal with any lingering academic or other problems, and talk with your child’s teacher about what your child has faced in the past. Things to discuss with your child’s teacher:
   • Support that your child might need in the classroom
   • Any accommodations set forth in your child’s 504 plan or Individualized Education Plan (IEP)
   • Concerns you have about the school year (e.g., things that have been issues in the past, such as poor grades or low motivation)
   • Tutoring outside of school with Huntington to provide the personalized attention your child needs, and other ways you can support your child at home.
2. Establish good organizational routines. An organized student is a successful student. Help your child create and stick to good habits. A planner should be your child’s best friend, whether they use a homework planner app on their smartphone or a paper planner. The key is to get them writing down homework assignments as assigned and recording all upcoming dates in their calendar. At home, get your child into the habit of tidying up their backpack and workspace every evening and keeping all important papers filed correctly. 
3. Discuss goals and a plan to revisit them. Goal setting is incredibly valuable for students of all ages, and it doesn’t need to be lengthy to be effective. Sit down together now and talk about what your child wants to achieve or change this year. This might be as simple as improving their GPA or improving their reading skills. It might be a list of several things. Talk about some of the steps your child can take to achieve these goals and set a date to discuss them again in a month to see how they’re progressing.
4. Address big transitions. The start of a new school year is full of change for all students, but if you have a new middle school student, a new high school student, or a student starting to think ahead to the college journey, make sure you spend time discussing these milestones (here are tips for new middle school students and new high school students). Your middle schooler might need support with time management since they’ll be taking several classes with all different teachers for the first time, for example. Your high school junior or senior might need reminders about what is on the horizon as far as college tasks.
5. Last and certainly not least, parents should reach out to Huntington Learning Center for support. We work with students who want to work ahead and maintain a strong GPA as well as those who are hoping to rebuild weak skills and raise their grades. We can help your child achieve their goals this year and beyond.” Call us to learn more about Huntington’s diagnostic evaluations at 1-800 CAN LEARN. 

• Establish a few daily tasks to start things off right. If you’re an elementary school teacher, give your students a morning checklist, which might include hanging up their backpack, getting out materials, sitting quietly in their seat and reading morning instructions on the white board. If you’re a middle or high school teacher, your start-of-class checklist might look a little differently, but you can still get your students into a good preparation routine to get focused.  
• Assign jobs. Classroom jobs build responsibility and confidence, giving students an important sense of pride. For younger students, these jobs might include roles such as line leader, teacher’s assistant and calendar helper. Teachers of older students can do the same thing: assign and rotate jobs through students to help your classroom run smoothly.  
• Incorporate planner updating into the daily routine. The planner (or homework planner app) is your students’ best organizational tool. Have your students get them out at the start of class to look over upcoming dates and deadlines and at the end of class to record homework assignments, upcoming test dates and project due dates. 
• Spend the last few minutes of class tidying up. There’s so much value in involving students in the cleanup and putting away of supplies, especially for elementary students. Establish a before-bell routine where students put everything back in its labeled place in the classroom and tidy up their desks, binders and backpacks. 
• Keep things simple. Keeping organizational systems simple works best. Colored folders for each subject or a binder with tabs prevent misplaced papers and backpack chaos. Establish a system so your students know what their most important papers are (and can keep them accessible). Encourage an at-home filing system for documents they might need, but not in class every day.  

Have a student who struggles with organization? Refer them to Huntington. Sometimes poor school habits and weak executive functioning skills are the culprits, but other times, there are bigger issues at play. We can perform an academic evaluation to determine where the student might be struggling.  

A recognized leader in the educational services industry since 1977, Huntington Learning Center offers a range of exciting full-time, part-time and entrepreneurial opportunities. Ideal candidates for these key positions are self-motivated individuals with a proven record of excellence in their past endeavors. 

Visit our careers page to learn about open positions near you. 

• Do support your student’s efforts. There are many things to do to prepare for college, and things really pick up during junior year. Hopefully, the school guidance counselor offers good support, and the school might even have students use some sort of college and career readiness software for college planning. You can also help by printing out our college checklist and keeping those lines of communication open. Your student might not always ask, but they need and will appreciate your support!  Don’t take over. Ultimately, preparing for college should be your student’s responsibility. Resist the urge to handle all of the major tasks for them. Instead, be aware of the important deadlines and dates and help your student keep those in mind. There’s plenty to do on top of your student’s regular school responsibilities. Make sure you are aware of what’s coming up so you can keep your student on track.  
• Do get your child thinking early. If your student is just beginning high school (or in middle school), start talking about college as a plan and a reality. Your student should meet with the guidance counselor to start getting familiar with the process, start doing a little research on possible majors and colleges of interest, and plan ahead with their high school courses. For example, a student who has ambitions for a prestigious, competitive college will need to take a rigorous course load all four years of high school, keep up their grades, and earn strong SAT/ACT scores. If your student is an upperclassman, they should make plans to prep for and take the SAT or ACT and start making a list of colleges of interest.
• Don’t push too hard. College is important and for many reasons, it is a great path after high school, but too much pushing might actually discourage your student during this sensitive, ever-changing time in their life. Be supportive and positive. Tell your student that you’re always there for help and advice, but don’t be afraid to step back and let them take the reins. College will be your student’s thing, not yours. Encourage, but let them drive the process. 
• Do talk through the most important factors. There are so many colleges and universities across the country and so many college tasks that it’s easy to not even know where to start. Simplify things by helping your student think through these considerations: 
  • Majors – Majors of interest to your student, breadth of majors if undecided, strong in certain fields of study if decided, etc. 
  • Size – Large, medium, small, similar size to their high school or significantly smaller or larger, etc. 
  • Reputation – Acceptance rate, respect, etc. 
  • Location – Close to home, far away, warm climate, climate with seasons, drivable from hometown, requires a flight for visiting, etc. 
  • Student body – Sports-focused university with vibrant campus life, Greek life options, activities, etc. 
  • Cost – Total cost of attendance, scholarships available, availability of financial aid, family ability to contribute, etc. 
• Don’t expect too much from your student. While you might have a student who is driven and decisive and seems to have career ambitions in mind already, it’s okay if that doesn’t describe your student at all. If your attempts to talk through how to find the best college fit don’t generate much conversation, be patient. Your student might need more time to think about all of this. For now, you can focus on helping them earn good grades and prepare for the SAT and/or ACT.  

The college decision is a big one! Want to help your student navigate the college research process successfully so when it’s time to apply, they’re ready to start? Does your student need to begin studying for the SAT/ACT? We can help. Call Huntington at 1-800 CAN LEARN to learn more about our tutoring and proven exam prep programs.  

How do children use working memory in school? 

A child’s working memory is in use when they recall all the little things that go into more complex things. For example:  

• When a teacher gives multi-step directions, your child must be able to pay attention to that information and store it long enough to retrieve it for subsequent parts of directions.
• When a teacher tells students to put their names at the top of their papers and write down their student numbers, your child must hold onto that information long enough to actually do this. 
• When a teacher introduces a guest speaker by name and asks the students to write that name down, students must tap into their working memory to retain those details for use thereafter. 
• When a child must remember part of a math problem to complete the rest of it (for example, completing the sum of three numbers in a numerator divided by the sum of three numbers in the denominator), that requires working memory. 

Think of the working memory as your child’s personal white board where they can jot down information and manipulate it. It enables students to do complex work by accessing short-term information.  

How can you help your child improve their working memory?  

There are several ways to build and strengthen the working memory:  

1. Chunking – At Huntington, we’re big proponents of the chunking method: taking larger tasks and breaking them down into smaller, more manageable chunks. You can do this during homework time, by helping your child break down their homework into specific tasks and assigning times to those tasks. 
2. Play memory-based games. There are many games and apps out there. Good examples of games that give children practice retaining information while also using it are chess, checkers, puzzles, sudoku, card games, memory card games and crossword puzzles. 
3. Have your child repeat things back to you. Ever ask your child to do something and discover five minutes later that they have not only not done it, but also forgotten what you asked? For children with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, this is a common problem. Give clear, concise directions and ask your child to repeat them back to you. Do this without stress or guilt to help your child get into the habit of active, focused listening. 
4. Read, read, read. There’s a strong connection between working memory and reading comprehension. As your child reads words, their memory is hard at work decoding them and understanding them while continuing to absorb each sentence, each paragraph and the story overall. At a young age, have your child read aloud to you. If your child is a middle school or high school student reading independently, explore these tips to get your teen to embrace daily reading.  

What can you do if your child’s working memory is weak?  

If your child struggles with things like focus and attention, reading comprehension, math or other subjects, there could be several issues contributing. Your child might benefit from a personalized tutoring program created with your child’s individual needs in mind to develop the building blocks for school success—and the working memory. Pay attention to the below issues with your child:  

• Homework taking significantly longer than it should 
• Executive functioning is weak or nonexistent 
• Inconsistent or dropping grades
• Difficulty starting homework and procrastination
• Inattention/focus challenges during homework and daily tasks
• Reading problems
• Difficulty recalling what they learned during the school days (and therefore, homework difficulty) 

If your child struggles with any of these issues, Huntington Learning Center can help. Call us at 1-800 CAN LEARN today to discuss how we can help your child improve their grades and skills and build their confidence and motivation, no matter their grade level. 

First things first: grades matter most 

While extracurricular activities are a factor in college admissions, they are definitely not the most important—academic performance is! Grades, a solid GPA, and the strength of curriculum matter most to the admission officers evaluating your student. Course selection is a very big part of college admissions, so don’t let your student drop out of a higher-level course if they are struggling.  Get tutoring help with Huntington as early in the school year as possible. We offer one-on-one subject-specific tutoring where your student can learn at their own pace. We help students work through any difficulties by focusing on core skills and keep them advancing through the tougher concepts.  All it takes is one poor grade to hurt your student’s GPA and future college options.  So, while your student should invest some time into their extracurriculars, their first priority should be succeeding in school.  

Extracurriculars can tell a story 

One of the most prestigious and selective colleges in the country, Harvard, has this to say about extracurriculars:  

“Some students distinguish themselves for admission with their unusual academic promise through experience or achievements in study or research. Other students present compelling cases because they are more ‘well-rounded,’ having contributed in many different ways to their schools or communities. Still, other successful applicants are ‘well-lopsided’ with demonstrated excellence in one particular endeavor. Some students bring perspectives formed by unusual personal circumstances or experiences.” 

Your student’s choice of extracurriculars tells a lot about who they are and what is important to them. These activities can highlight areas of passion or academic strengths. Alternately, they can showcase other interests your student has that might not otherwise be obvious on the application.  

What colleges seek in extracurricular activities 

Every institution is different, and some might “rank” certain activities higher than others. Generally, you can expect that colleges like to see these things in extracurricular activities:  

• Achievement – Participation in an activity is beneficial, but when a student demonstrates success in that activity, that’s even better. This might include winning a national math competition or placing in the top two amongst teams in state football championships.  
• Leadership – Serving as a team co-captain or officer of a club is an excellent way to demonstrate dedication. Going beyond that to help fundraise for that team/club shows enthusiasm and passion.   
• Continued commitment – There are many pursuits that take persistence and practice over a long period of time. Playing a musical instrument, playing on the lacrosse team, or participating on the debate team, are a few examples, but there are many others. Joining a team or club as a high school freshman and continuing throughout all 4 years shows commitment and interest as well.  
• Career interest – It’s always a bonus when students participate in extracurriculars that build skills, such as computer programming builds coding skills, that they will use not only in college but also in their careers. Activities that teach students to push through adversity, problem solve, think critically and learn from their mistakes tend to impress admission officers.  
• Service – Some students have a heart for volunteering their time in their community—such as at a local animal shelter, nursing home or through community organizations such as scouts, and local food banks. This shows college admission officers their responsibility and empathy. It also proves to admission officers that your student is interested in having  a positive impact someday. 
• Passion and interest – It’s helpful to admission officers when they can see the student behind the application, and extracurricular activities do just that. A student’s musical pursuits (and participation in the high school marching band), participation in theater and acting classes, or participation on the dance team (and in dance classes before that) are examples of showing one’s personality and passion.  

A Word on Quality Over Quantity 

Extracurricular activities can strengthen a college application and show a school who your student is, and it is okay if your student doesn’t have a list of a dozen. In fact, colleges prefer quality over quantity—meaning, they want to see that your student is involved in activities that really matter to them, not just padding their resume.  

So, instead of telling your student to sign up for every club or activity possible, encourage them to choose extracurriculars to which they will be committed. It’s better to be engaged in and excited about three or four activities than it is to be a member of eight or nine (but not very committed). Colleges consider extracurricular activities to be a great supplement to the resume. Not only are they good for your student’s profile, but they’ll also help them in life in many ways. Tell your student to get involved in a few things that interest and excite them and makes them happy.   

• Get reacquainted with the organizational system. Organized students are successful students. Remind your child that a good organizational system should include a planner or planner app to help them keep track of all assignments, tests, deadlines and other obligations, a system for keeping track of all papers and graded homework, and a digital filing system for any electronic documents.
• Talk through time management. Most students struggle a little with time management, with so much else competing for their time and attention. Go over the essentials before school starts. At the top of the list should be homework prioritization (dividing homework every night into what is due the next day, later in the week or later in the month, and into rank of importance), breaking down big tasks into smaller ones, scheduling time for school, and avoiding time-wasters and distractions.
• Go over the routine. Summer is more relaxed, so your child might need a little refresher on what the routine will look like for the school year. Talk about school start time, when the carpool or bus picks up (or when to leave if walking) and everything that your child should prepare the night before and on school mornings. Go over what works best for your child in the evenings as far as when to do homework and what other evening obligations they will have (e.g., sports practice).
• Transition into learning mode starting now. Use the final few weeks of school to get your child back into school mode. Tidy up the workspace and get all supplies for home and school. Resume a nightly routine of 20 minutes of reading, encourage an earlier bedtime, and review any textbooks or graded homework or tests from last year. Even a little effort can make a big difference in getting your child’s brain working again.
• Talk positively about school. As a parent, you have a big influence on how your child sees learning and school. Have a good attitude and never speak negatively about school in front of your child. Talk about learning as something that is continuous and requires students to make mistakes. Let your child know that you want them to be unafraid of trying and failing, and remind them that school requires persistence and patience. This attitude is called a growth mindset, and students who have this take responsibility and ownership of their own learning.
• Discuss your child’s goals for the year. Goals help students reflect on their strengths and think about how they can make improvements on any weaknesses. Achieving goals can help them fulfill their dreams and envision their futures. Talk with your child about what goals they want to set this school year and how you can support them.

If your child had a difficult school year last year, now is the time to act. It’s best to send children into the school year feeling confident and ready as opposed to fearful and nervous. A student who had trouble last school year risks falling further behind if they head into the new school year without fixing those problems. To learn more about Huntington’s personalized learning plans for students of all ages, call 1-800 CAN LEARN.

1. Business – Students who are interested in things like entrepreneurship, finances, money, and leadership should consider a business major, which gives the big picture of all elements of a business. Because this is a general degree that touches the various parts of running a business, it exposes students to a lot of disciplines—and that exposure can give them different ideas for careers. Along the way, your student might decide they have a knack for numbers (e.g., finance or accounting) or an interest in marketing and change to one of those majors, or include them as a minor.
2. Biology – Students who have always enjoyed the sciences should consider biology, which is often touted as the best science major for students who like science but are still exploring options. Biology is the study of living organisms and their vital processes, and it can open doors for everything from medical school to forensics to marine biology. With a biology degree, your student could study diseases as a medical researcher, work in forensic science, go on to medical school to become a doctor or go on to veterinary school to become a veterinarian.
3. Liberal arts – Students who are interested in a wide range of subjects and unsure which would suit them best for a career might think about a liberal arts major. Liberal arts colleges and majors prepare students with an education in both the sciences and the humanities. A liberal arts degree lays the groundwork for students to continue their studies in graduate school in disciplines like law and business. Employers that value well-rounded critical thinkers with life skills like communication and teamwork also hire liberal arts graduates. 
4. Computer science – Computer science is a popular major for good reason. Technology is very prevalent in every aspect of human life today, and the world needs professionals like network architects and engineers, systems analysts, software engineers, and network security engineers. If your student has always been interested in technology and how it works and likes solving challenging problems (but isn’t exactly sure where that would lead them), computer science is broad enough to steer them in a good direction.
5. Communications – Strong communication is essential in every aspect of life. This broad major is great for students who are good communicators themselves and see the value of communication throughout businesses and organizations of all kinds. A communications major can set the stage for a career in marketing or advertising, public relations, copywriting or even human resources. 

Before declaring a major, your student needs to do plenty of research. There’s nothing wrong with getting into college and taking some classes before making the decision, but it can be advantageous to start with a broad major that generally fits your student’s interests and strengths. Your student can pivot from there.  

If your college-bound student is leaning toward a particular major but feels they don’t have a strong enough GPA or the right mix of high school classes now is the time to get help. Selective colleges prefer incoming students to have 4 years of Math with at least one being calculus or trigonometry, 4 years of English and at least 3 years of History/Social Studies.   

Many students struggle in high school with the higher-level courses and come to Huntington for help.  Not only will Huntington help your struggling student understand the newest concept introduced, but we can also help your child improve any weaker skills that might be preventing them from learning more advanced concepts.  Our subject-specific tutoring can help your student learn at their own pace and boost their skills, grades and confidence.     

Lastly, your student needs to understand that a career is a journey, and even if your student majors in something they like today, it’s conceivable that in the future, they will change paths. This is the start of your student’s journey, so encourage them to be honest with themselves about their skills and interests and grades. Guide them as needed and encourage them to reach out for the support that can help them succeed. 

How can you remind your students every day that the goal is learning? Here are a few tips:  

Talk about effort. Let students know that as long as they put forth their best effort, they’re doing their job. Sometimes students will struggle and need more support from you, and there will be times they fall behind because they don’t understand material. That’s okay, as long as they are trying and speaking up when they need help. Your objective is to become independent students, after all.  

Teach students to be proud when they succeed. Encourage your student to set goals and put in the necessary work to achieve them. When they reach the milestones they set for themselves, point out how they did so and what it took to get there.   

Share that mistakes are important. Mistakes are an essential part of learning, and teach students perseverance. Learning a new skill or subject requires patience and practice, and there will be setbacks. That’s okay. Let your students know that it is all part of the process and to keep at it.  

Strive for intrinsic motivation. Students who are inspired to learn because they want to learn are better off in the long run. Set the bar high for your students and be supportive. Congratulate them for their efforts and progress, not just their grades.  

When students put in effort and have the right attitude in school, they will learn much more than just the subject matter. They’ll learn how to apply themselves, persist through failure and work diligently toward goals. That sets them up for lifelong success!   

A recognized leader in the educational services industry since 1977,  Huntington Learning Center  offers a range of exciting full-time, part-time and entrepreneurial opportunities. Ideal candidates for these key positions are self-motivated individuals with a proven record of excellence in their past endeavors. 

Visit our careers page to learn about open positions near you. 

Here are a few tips on how to help your child confront lingering learning issues that simply aren’t going away on their own:

• Check the organization. Is your child disorganized and constantly losing track of papers and homework? Is staying on top of assignments problematic? Does your child not use a planner no matter how much you suggest it? It is possible that your child is causing many of their own problems with poor organization and haphazard homework routines (e.g., relying too much on their memory to remember assignments and test dates). Make sure they fine-tune their organization skills.
• Evaluate the time management. Some students struggle with managing their time more than anything else. This could be due to Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), which causes struggles with focus, task completion, organization and staying on track while doing just about any activity. Check your child’s routine. Do they have one in place? Have you set expectations for what they must accomplish in the mornings and after school? Help your child become more efficient with better time management.
• Observe your child and pay close attention. You can learn a lot about what struggles your child is having by watching them do homework. Watch how your child operates. Is your child struggling with the work, staying on task, or both? Which subjects take the longest and cause the most stress? If your child needs better homework habits, check out these homework strategies.
• Develop a game plan. Once you’ve gathered information and evaluated the problem on your own, it’s time to strategize about how to fix school issues too. Talk with your child’s teacher, or if you have an older student, encourage them to do so first. The teacher is an important resource who can share their observations of what’s happening in the classroom. They can work with your child to take appropriate action and can refer you to the right school resources if needed.

The new school year is just getting underway, but if you notice that your child seems to lack skills and knowledge they should have acquired in prior years, is getting poor grades already, is angry or apathetic about school, or has needs that are not being met, don’t wait to deal with these issues. Your child needs help getting back on track.

Huntington is here to assist! We’ll perform an academic evaluation to get to the root of the problem and develop a customized program of instruction to address what’s going on. Academic issues do not disappear on their own, and different issues require different approaches. Huntington can help your child become a happy, confident student again, and make this school year a great one. Call us at 1-800 CAN LEARN.

Recently, I hosted a webinar with Huntington Learning Center about the factors that go into admissions decisions. (You can watch the entire virtual event here.)

I was joined for part of the webcast by Rick Clark, assistant vice provost and executive director of admissions at Georgia Tech and co-author of The Truth about College Admission: A Family Guide to Getting In and Staying Together.

Here were my three key takeaways from the webinar:

Test scores matter as one of several key factors in holistic admissions.

“Holistic admissions” is a process that looks at both academic and non-academic factors and is used by most colleges and universities that don’t have strict “cutoffs” for grades and test scores when deciding who gets in.

While there isn’t one element of an application that puts a teenager in the “admit” or “deny” pile in holistic admissions, generally speaking nothing carries more weight than an applicant’s high school transcript (rigor of courses and grades in them) and ACT/SAT scores. As admissions officers wade through thousands of applications in a short amount of time, those three metrics offer a relatively quick way to predict who will succeed on campus.

Numerous studies show that grades and test scores taken together are the best predictor of success in college—better than either measure alone. At the beginning of the pandemic, however, many colleges and universities were forced to waive their testing requirements for applicants who had difficulty finding locations to take the SAT or ACT.

But in 2021-22, more students took the tests than the year before and colleges are reporting that more and more applicants are sending scores—even if they aren’t required—as a way to bolster their application in a competitive field.

Some institutions, like Georgia Tech, have returned to requiring test scores in admissions. Clark, the admissions director at Georgia Tech, said that even when test scores weren’t required for admission in the Fall of 2021, two-thirds of applicants submitted their scores anyway. And the acceptance rate for those students was higher. Tech admitted 21% of students who included test scores in their applications, compared to only 11% who did not. The trend is similar at other colleges as well, where students who submitted test scores had a higher acceptance rate. 

When given a choice, Clark said students should weigh application-by-application whether test scores will help or hurt chances of admission.

“If you’ve been maximizing the curriculum at your school, you're performing at a high rate, you're in that top 10% of your school, that's a whole different conversation on what your testing will mean for admission decisions versus if you’re not in the top percentile of your class where test scores are probably not going to save you,” Clark said.

One more important thing about test scores: they are often used to award merit-based financial aid, and in general, that requirement was not waived even during the pandemic.

Tell a story in your application; don’t just fill in the blanks.

Resist cutting and pasting from a Google doc to fill in the blanks on your application or to complete a supplemental question about why you want to go to X school.

After spending a year embedded in three admissions offices for my book, Who Gets In and Why: A Year Inside College Admissions, I found in the rush to finish applications, students often miss the cohesiveness of their own story that is supposed to be at the foundation of holistic admissions.

Tell admissions officers what you want them to know. Make acronyms clear. Don’t assume they know anything about you, your high school, your classes, or your activities. If you want them to know something, tell them.

Explain what matters to you. In the activities section on your application, put first what matters most to you.

Finally, what’s the story you want to tell? Think of your application as a narrative of your journey—the social and educational path you took to reach this particular point in your life, your passions, and interests.

“Be sure your essays and short answer questions broaden our understanding of who you are—not simply what you’ve done,” Clark said.

Before you hit Submit on the application, think: What do I want this document to tell someone who doesn’t know me and will only have a few minutes to review it?

There is no formula to guarantee admission.

Every applicant isn’t judged by the same yardstick despite what the public might think happens or wants to happen in the name of fairness.

Admissions standards aren’t applied consistently because they are applied in context. Admissions officers judge applicants’ achievements based on the opportunities they were given. What courses did they take from the classes available to them? How many students in their high school go to college? What might a college expect from them once they get to campus?

According to Clark, “Where we spend the majority of our time is looking at where do you go to high school? What did you have access to? How did you do in those classes?” 

At Georgia Tech, for example, that means looking at the rigor of math classes a high school offers compared to the classes an applicant actually took. Colleges are looking not only for well-rounded students, but a diverse student body, with a range of experiences.

What is early decision?  

Early decision applicants can only apply early to their one top choice school. Applicants who apply this way are agreeing to enroll in a college if they get accepted—or in other words, the student’s decision is binding. Applications tend to be due in early November with admissions decisions being sent to students by mid-December.  

Early decision is much more restrictive than early action. If accepted, students must withdraw all other applications submitted via regular application deadlines. They are typically asked to send in a nonrefundable deposit far in advance of May 1, the typical acceptance deadline.  

What is early action?  

Like early decision, early action applicants can apply earlier, but the biggest difference is that early action allows students to apply to multiple colleges. Students also do not have to commit to the college until the typical reply date of May 1. Again, applications are due in mid-November, with students getting notified of admissions decisions by mid-December.  

Early action is a little more flexible in two important ways. First, applicants do not need to commit to offers of admittance upon receiving them. And second, applicants do not need to hold back on applying to other colleges if they wish. However, there are some exceptions to this. At Princeton, for example, students can choose from regular decision application deadlines or single-choice early action deadlines that mean they may not apply to an early program at any other private college or university (but applying early to non-binding public colleges/universities is OK). The rules are similar at Yale and Harvard.  

Which is better for your student?  

These two types of applications are different, and depending on your student’s goals, one could be a better fit. A few things to consider:  

• Early decision might appeal to a student who has one clear top college pick. If the student knows for certain that they would attend that college if accepted, early decision is a good way to go.  
• Early action might appeal to a student who has several top choices and would like to get a jump start on their application process to find out where they gain acceptance. These students might want to compare financial aid offers at several schools before they make their decision.  
• Applying early, whether early decision or early action, is best for students who have done their research on their top college(s), are prepared with a solid application, and are confident about their top college choice(s).  
• A big benefit of either approach is that students can get the daunting task of college applications done sooner than later in their senior year. And if none of those early applications result in acceptance, your student will be ahead of the game with all materials ready to go to apply to their next-in-line colleges via their regular admission deadlines.  

Keep in mind that applying early is a great way for your student to set themselves apart as a prepared, motivated student who is interested in a particular school. It’s important for your student to put their best foot forward by presenting the best grades and test scores. Huntington can help with this. If your student is taking the SAT/ACT, our personalized test prep programs will help your student increase their scores and make their dream school a reality. To start off strong as freshmen and sophomores (or raise grades as juniors), consider our tutoring programs for high school students. Huntington can help students build the skills and confidence to succeed academically and improve their grades (to get into the college of their choice). Learn more about Huntington’s summer tutoring programs for students of all ages. 

Applying early isn’t for every student.  

If your student could use the fall semester of senior year to strengthen their GPA, retake the SAT/ACT one final time to get a better score or do more research on colleges, early action/early decision might not be for them.  

Perhaps your student needs the extra time to make the important college decision. While they are doing so, they can put their best foot forward by enrolling in a Huntington SAT/ACT prep program and/or tutoring program. Encourage your student to finish high school strong to put together the very best application package possible. Call 1-800 CAN LEARN to hear more about how Huntington helps students boost their GPAs and their confidence and get into the colleges of their choice.  

A student with a “spike” in their application can set themselves apart. A spike is a concentrated interest of a student’s that they display to an admissions team. Spikes can be beneficial to the college application, particularly when shared in a compelling essay. Colleges are looking for students who will add value to their institution.  Almost every student who applies to college has a wide array of extracurricular activities, but it’s what makes your student stand out that should be shared. 

Here are a few tips on how your student can identify a natural spike and articulate it in their college application essay: 

• Start with areas of sincere interest. There’s no sense in forcing extracurricular activities as resume builders. Your student should invest their time in things they truly care about and want to do. These could be things like hobbies, such as photography or painting, or a specific job or volunteer work that shows your students’
• Utilize strengths. Does your student have any natural talents, whether academic or other? These are ripe opportunities for spikes because your student is likely to enjoy doing them (and perhaps is already doing so) and excel in them. Those accomplishments will always strengthen a college application package. These could include things like athletics, fluency in multiple languages, and a musical prodigy.    
• Brainstorm ways to tie interests to school. If your student loves math, activities like math club are great—but also something like participation in math competitions or becoming a peer tutor for math will show deep and sustained involvement. 
• Think about ways to demonstrate leadership and commitment. Once your student has a few ideas about their natural talents and interests, they should evaluate how they are showing their dedication to these things. The student who loves and excels in music might pursue a leadership position in their school choir, or the Eagle Scout might have leadership experience in Boys Scouts. 
• Get your student thinking about how to take initiative. Meaningful participation in things is important, but your student’s college application essay will be richer if they can show how they got more deeply involved and enthusiastic with If your student is part of the cybersecurity team, they could parlay that interest into a summer internship at a nearby business or volunteer position for a nonprofit that teaches younger students about cybersecurity and computers.   

The most competitive colleges and universities in the United States obviously have academic excellence at the top of their criteria list, but extraordinary extracurriculars are very important too. Colleges like to learn about students’ nonacademic interests and extracurriculars and how they are engaged and committed to those activities. We remind students that means quality over quantity. In other words, being a member of eight clubs is less impressive than demonstrated passion in one or two activities.