SSAT and ISEE Preparation

The SSAT and ISEE are the standardized tests used for admission to independent day and boarding schools. For many students, these tests might be a first experience with high-stakes testing. We know the stress and anxiety the SSAT and ISEE can cause, and we’re here to help.

A good SSAT/ISEE testing plan is customized to the individual student’s needs. It puts the student’s well-being front and center and prioritizes school work. Tutoring lessons are focused on the content and strategies that will help the student reach their score goals. Our Program Directors work with families to create a sensible, individualized testing plan for each student.

Our tutors are warm and caring, and they understand how to work with this age group. We help improve students’ vocabularies, reading skills and comprehension, writing, and problem-solving and computational skills (often pushing them ahead of the class!).

Learn more about our tutors
Discover our approach

Begin with a diagnostic test

The best place to start the SSAT or ISEE journey is by taking a free proctored practice test with Summit. Our practice tests simulate the testing experience and provide students with exposure to test pacing, question types, and format. After the test, you’ll receive a detailed score report and analysis that pinpoints student strengths and areas for development. Your dedicated Program Director will sit down with you one-on-one to guide you through an analysis of the results. Summit provides your initial practice test free of charge, in-person at one of our sites — or we can send the materials home.

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“[Our tutor] connected with my daughter beautifully and kept her on track and learning. Even at late hours of the night. My daughter really felt good about her ability to learn.”

Julianne P., Parent

“My husband and I want you to know how grateful we are for Kelly and Jonathan’s extraordinary support and professionalism since we started working with Summit last summer. [Our son], in turn, thinks the world of Jonathan, who has been extremely helpful in easing his anxiety about taking standardized tests, and has equipped him with countless strategies to dissect any test he takes.”

Polly B., Parent

“Our tutor has been wonderful. She certainly provided lots of incentive for my daughter to study hard – and Summit’s almost immediate feedback on the tests is a great help. For both of my daughters, the Summit tutors have proved to be mentors as well as instructors. It is a pleasure to work with your group.”

Deborah H., Parent

“Mergim was really helpful and has a gentle, relaxed demeanor. He pinpoints exactly what needs to be worked on and doesn’t waste time on the stuff that doesn’t.”

Darcy H., Parent

“David quickly figured out our son’s academic weaknesses, and he helped him to deal with some of the weaknesses and to strategize how to take the SSAT. Good tutor, good teacher, nice guy. I highly recommend him.”

Miriam J., Parent

“Tessa was a very good tutor. She explained the materials in a thorough and understandable way. She had Kate fully prepared for her first shot at the SSAT, as demonstrated by her 90%.”

Lisa F., Parent

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Meet Some of Our Top Tutors

Lily Gordon

Lily Gordon graduated with a B.A. in Literature from Williams College. She has four years of tutoring experience and loves to get to know the people she tutors. Lily has a knack for making each student feel comfortable with her gentle, supportive teaching style while also pushing them to access their unlimited ability to learn and grow. She is a Spanish-speaker and hopes to make her career working with bilingual kids. In her free time she lets her creative spirit run wild making art, dancing, and reading lots and lots of books. College, degree obtained: Williams College, BA, Literature

Lauren Doolan

Lauren is from Peabody, Massachusetts and has worked as a tutor for Summit since 2012. Her teaching style is patient, encouraging, and positive. She loves helping students gain confidence and master new skills. She has a BA in writing, literature, and publishing from Emerson College and an MFA in writing from Sarah Lawrence College. She’s worked in after school programs and adult education classes, doing everything from teaching grammar and punctuation to ESL students to showing seventh graders how to make tacos. In her spare time she enjoys reading, sewing, cooking, and traveling.

Natalie Harrington

Natalie Harrington received her BA in Cognitive and Linguistic Sciences from Wellesley College. She loves to keep busy: she currently works as a Manager at Johnson String Instrument in addition to her part-time role as a one-on-one tutor at Summit. In her spare time Natalie enjoys writing, riding her motorcycle, and traveling to car shows around the country.

Leslie Greene

Leslie Greene earned her BA in English from Williams College, her JD from the University of Chicago Law School, and a Masters in Secondary Education (English) from Fairfield University.   She began her career as an attorney in Chicago, moved to CT and raised her family, and then turned to teaching and tutoring.  At Summit since 2016, Leslie tutors the SAT, ACT, SSAT and ISEE tests.  She is a good-natured teacher who builds confidence in her students as they master the skills and strategies for the test.  Leslie enjoys cooking, reading with her two book groups (one contemporary fiction and the other early American history non fiction), going to the theater and to art museums and concerts, and spending time with her three grown daughters who live in NYC. College, degree obtained: Williams College, BA, English University of Chicago Law School, JD Fairfield University, MA Education, English

Get Our Complimentary Guide

The Independent School Admission Testing Guide is published annually by Summit Educational Group. It is a valuable resource from which you will learn everything from what’s on the tests to how they are scored and what the scores mean, as well as advice on timelines for test prep.

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