Waltham office now open for in-person tutoring and practice tests. New address: 260 Charles Street, Suite 100, Waltham

Foundations of SAT & ACT

If your student needs extra support to build the skills essential for success on the SAT and ACT, we’re here to help. Summit Foundations is our 1:1 tutoring program designed to strengthen the Math and Verbal content tested on these exams. Tailored for 9th, 10th, and rising 11th graders, Foundations ensures students develop a solid academic base before diving into full SAT and ACT preparation.

Program Highlights:

  • Targeted skill-building: Focus on fundamental Math and Verbal concepts essential for the SAT & ACT.
  • Customized 1:1 tutoring: Eight 90-minute sessions, scheduled at your student’s convenience.
  • Flexible format: Sessions available in-home or online.
  • Personalized approach: Programs can be tailored in length and focus to meet individual needs.

About Our Curriculum

Summit’s Foundations program is built on 30+ years of expertise in educating students. Our evidence-based curriculum strengthens core skills in math, reading, and writing, helping students excel not only on the SAT and ACT but also in their everyday academic classes.

What We Cover:

  • Math: Algebraic functions, logarithms, trigonometry, and other key concepts.
  • Reading & English: Critical reading and analysis, vocabulary, grammar, and punctuation.

Beyond mastering test content, students gain confidence and stronger academic performance, setting them up for long-term success.

How to Get Started

  1. Take a Practice Test – Your student will begin with a practice test to assess their baseline knowledge and identify key areas for improvement.
  2. Meet Your Program Director – A dedicated Program Director will review the results and create a personalized tutoring plan.
  3. Get Matched with a Tutor – We pair your student with a caring, experienced tutor who fits their personality, learning style, and academic needs.
  4. Personalized Lessons – Each session is customized to focus on the foundational skills your student needs to master for success.

Our expert tutors don’t just teach the material—they know how to engage and motivate students, helping them build confidence alongside essential academic skills.

"My son's tutor was terrific. He helped him with test taking strategies that made a big difference in his scores."

Christy, H., Parent

“Our Summit tutor was a great match for my son. Appropriately strict and understanding. My son made amazing progress and I never had to get involved!”

Lisa K., Parent

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

Polly B., Parent

“Summit has become a wonderful resource for me. Our tutor helped me develop a testing plan for my daughter. I have already recommended Summit to many friends.”

Chris S., Parent

"He is a phenomenal tutor who helped our son achieve a score even better than we had hoped. He was methodical in breaking down the areas that needed improvement and coached our son how to overcome his weaknesses. We couldn't have asked for a better tutor."

Susan K., Parent

“My son's tutor 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

Meet Some of Our Top Tutors

Gerry Casadei
Gerry Casadei

A Summit Tutor since 2022, Gerry specializes in test prep, AP Chemistry and Environmental Science, and academic tutoring. With 20 years of high school teaching experience, he holds a B.S. from Cornell and an M.S. in Education from the University of Bridgeport.

Areas of Expertise

Test Prep: SAT,  PSAT, ACT, SSAT, ISEE

AP: Chemistry, Environmental Science

Academic: Algebra, Biology, Chemistry

Tessa Murray, PhD
Tessa Murray, PhD

A Select Tutor since 2015, Tessa specializes in test prep, AP, and academic tutoring in math and science. She holds a PhD in Molecular Biology from the University of Aberdeen and conducted postdoctoral research at Boston University.

Areas of Expertise

Test Prep: SAT,  PSAT, ACT, SSAT, ISEE

AP: Biology, Chemistry, Calculus AB, Precalculus

Academic: Biology, Chemistry, Algebra, Calculus, Geometry, Trigonometry, Precalculus

Lily Gordon
Lily Gordon

With a B.A. in Literature from Williams College, Lily tutors SAT, ACT, SSAT, ISEE, as well as Biology, and English. A Select Tutor since 2020, she is passionate about education and creating a supportive learning environment.

Areas of Expertise

Test Prep: SAT, ACT, SSAT, ISEE

Academic: Biology, English

Marvin Wolfert
Marvin Wolfert

A tutor since 2004, Marvin is a history subject expert specializing in test prep and AP and academic history. He graduated magna cum laude from Boston University and holds a J.D. from Suffolk University Law School.

Areas of Expertise

Test Prep: SAT, PSAT, ACT, SSAT, ISEE

AP: World History, US History, European History

Academic: Algebra, English, History

Dave Pyrch
Dave Pyrch

With 9+ years of experience as a tutor and high school math teacher, Dave specializes in test prep, AP, and academic math tutoring. Holding BS and MA degrees in Mathematics and Education from UConn, he helps students break down complex math concepts.

Areas of Expertise

Test Prep: SAT, ACT, SSAT, ISEE

AP: Statistics, Calculus BC and AB, Precalculus

Academic:  Algebra, Calculus, Geometry, Trig/Precalculus, Statistics

Leslie Greene
Leslie Greene

A Select Tutor since 2016, Leslie specializes in SAT, ACT, SSAT, and ISEE prep. A former attorney, she helps students build confidence and master test-taking strategies. She holds degrees from Williams, UChicago Law, and Fairfield University.

Areas of Expertise

Test Prep: SAT, ACT, SSAT, ISEE

Ready to get started?

Contact us to discuss test prep and tutoring options.

MA: 1-800-698-8867 / CT: 1-800-843-8520 / NY: 1-800-391-8435