
North Avenue Education
News, Insights, & Study Tips
ACT Checklist: What to Bring for Test Day (Paper and Online)
Ensure a stress-free ACT test day with this comprehensive checklist. Learn what to bring, what to avoid, and essential test-day tips to help you perform at your best.
Cracking the Code: Your Ultimate Guide to Acing AP Exams
Master AP exams with expert study strategies, time management tips, and test-day preparation. Learn how to self-study effectively and maximize your college credit opportunities.
Navigating the 2025 ACT Enhancements: In-Depth Analysis and Strategic Guidance
Explore the 2025 ACT test changes, including superscoring policy updates, university admissions implications, and content rebalancing. Get expert advice tailored for students and educators to navigate these enhancements effectively.
What Sets North Avenue Education’s Tutors Apart? Our Approach to Excellence in Tutoring
Through rigorous hiring, ongoing development, and long-term retention, we ensure students receive exceptional, personalized instruction from dedicated mentors who foster confidence and academic success.
Tutor Spotlight: Riley H.
Meet Riley. Riley is a seasoned educator with a master’s degree in English and over a decade of experience teaching and tutoring writing, critical reading, and standardized test preparation. Boasting extensive experience coaching SAT, ACT, and SSAT, Riley excels at helping students hone their analytical and time-management skills for success on test day. His patient, tailored approach ensures each student gains confidence and mastery in tackling complex material.
Tutor Spotlight: Aster E.
Meet Aster. A recent Physics graduate from Reed College, Aster boasts over 3,000 hours of professional tutoring experience, specializing in SAT/ACT test prep as well as AP Calculus and IB Physics. They bring a deep understanding of test formats and advanced subject material to yield an individualized approach to tutoring sessions. Aster’s teaching philosophy emphasizes clarity, compassion, and mutual collaboration to help students succeed in school and beyond.
How to Prepare for AP Exams in 2025
Maximize your AP exam success with strategic study tips, test-day strategies, and expert tutoring. Learn how preparation, resources, and time management can boost your scores!
How to Write a Stand-Out College Admission Letter
A compelling card or letter serves as a follow-up to an application, reinforcing a student’s interest in an institution and reminding admissions officers of their strengths. This guide outlines key components, structure, and expert tips to help students craft an impactful letter that enhances their application.
Tutor Spotlight: Chandler G.
Meet Chandler. A dynamic educator with over a decade of experience, Chandler specializes in helping students master science concepts and develop effective study skills. With a background in executive function coaching for neurodiverse learners, Chandler combines a passion for STEM with personalized strategies to help students stay organized, focused, and engaged.
How to Interpret Your SSAT Scores
Learn how to interpret SSAT scores with our expert guide, covering scaled scores, percentiles, and actionable steps to help your student succeed in admissions.
Your Guide to Navigating the HSPT: Helping Your Child Succeed on the Catholic High School Entrance Exam
The High School Placement Test (HSPT) is a critical admissions component for Catholic high schools. This guide offers insights into the test structure, scoring, preparation tips, and resources to help your child excel confidently on test day.
Tutor Spotlight: Maria A.
Meet Maria. With a deep understanding of both foundational and advanced mathematical concepts, Maria is skilled at simplifying complex problems and making them accessible to students. She tailors her tutoring approach to meet the unique needs of each student, helping them build confidence and improve their skills. Whether working through fundamental concepts or preparing for more advanced topics, Maria is dedicated to providing clear and patient guidance to support student success.
Tutor Spotlight: Alisa Chung
Meet Alisa. She brings a compassionate and patient approach to tutoring. With extensive experience as a peer mentor and undergraduate teaching assistant, she excels in creating affirming learning environments tailored to neurodiverse students. Alisa’s academic background and dedication to inclusive education make her an invaluable asset to students striving to understand complex mathematical and scientific concepts.
Tutor Spotlight: Arek Rein Jungwirth
Meet Arek. He specializes in nurturing the academic growth of neurodivergent students and those with learning differences. With a psychology degree and robust experience in diverse teaching settings (incl. chess and unicycling!), Arek brings patience, creativity, and a deep understanding of individual learning needs to each session. His gentle approach ensures that every student feels valued and empowered to succeed.
Decoding Your 2024 PSAT and PSAT 10 Scores
Understanding PSAT and PSAT 10 scores helps juniors and sophomores gauge SAT readiness, consider ACT options, and plan effective prep.
Big Changes Are Coming to ACT in 2025 – Here’s What You Need to Know
The ACT is evolving, and the updates rolling out in 2025 will bring some exciting and impactful changes. If you’re planning to take the test soon, here’s everything you need to know about what’s new, how it will affect your prep, and what you can do to stay ahead.
New Accessibility Features in Bluebook: What SAT Students with Learning Differences Need to Know
Navigating the SAT can be challenging for any student, but for those with learning differences, the hurdles can feel even more daunting.
Tutor Spotlight: Patrick Miller
Meet Patrick. As a credentialed educator with extensive experience teaching AP subjects in the classroom and leading speech and debate teams, Patrick specializes in test preparation. His innovative teaching methods and commitment to academic excellence have consistently fostered high achievement, making him a trusted mentor to scores of high-performing students.
How to Write a Personal Essay for a Typical College Application
Starting college applications is exciting, but writing a personal essay can be intimidating. The good news is that the best personal essays all share certain traits, and with practice, you can write your own show-stopper.
How to Write a Hook For a College Application Essay
Learn how your essay can stand out by utilizing attention-grabbing hooks. Let’s dive into what makes a good hook and review some college essay hooks examples.
Back-to-School Tips: How Personalized Tutoring Can Ease the Transition
Working one-on-one with someone experienced and knowledgeable is a great way to help students get through these challenging times. Parents who connect their students with personal tutoring have set them up for success
Guiding Your Teen to Write a Winning College Admissions Essay: A Parent’s Guide
Unlock the secrets to a successful college admissions essay with this comprehensive guide for parents. Learn how to support your teen in crafting a standout essay that captures their unique strengths and experiences.
Tutor Spotlight: Mamie Stevenson Morago
Meet Mamie. With a decade of experience, Mamie guides students in crafting impactful admissions essays. Having graduated with a degree in literature, she brings a love of language and narrative expertise to the coaching process. Drawing from her professional background in copywriting, manuscript editing, and journalism, her goal is to help students identify unique perspectives and hone their story.