Needham Community Education

This class provides parents/guardians and their high school Seniors the opportunity to learn about the Common Application, and to gain tips for completing a high-quality Common Application that will accurately and effectively represent the student to college admissions counselors. The first evening of the class will be held virtually and is intended for both the student and the parents/guardians. The evening will provide an overview and understanding of the elements of the application. The second evening is an in-person, hands-on Common App workshop for students only. Note: Students should bring their laptop to the in-person class. Limited to 15.

Summer is the best time for rising high school seniors to get a head-start on their college essays and supplemental essays. In this two-session course, veteran writing coach Jane Hirschhorn will introduce students to what makes standout personal essays and offer specific brainstorming exercises to get them moving forward in the writing process. In session one, Jane will describe the purpose of college essays; how they differ from school essays and what students can do to write the best essays possible. She will cover both the personal statement and supplemental essays and offer helpful resources and exercises to begin the writing process for both. In session two, students will arrange an individual 50-minute session with Jane to work on either their personal statement or one supplemental essay. Please note that all meetings take place via Zoom and must be scheduled to take place between August 4 and September 30.

This program for high school Juniors introduces first-time, standardized test takers to the PSAT and provides helpful strategies. The course is in preparation for the October 17 test date offered by NHS.

This Middle Level ISEE course is designed for students who may be applying to independent/private schools for grade levels 6-8. The virtual nine-hour course, five-night workshop includes a proctored full-length practice exam, and it is designed to give students a complete overview of all sections of the ISEE. By participating, students will become familiar with powerful ISEE strategies and improve their knowledge of the most commonly tested topics - from finding slope to vocabulary-in-context. The skills and tips learned during this intensive workshop will provide a strong foundation for your student’s ISEE preparation. The course also will provide diagnostics that can guide further targeted preparation, either for the exam or in school. Benefits of NCE ISEE Prep Program: Learn new skills to improve test performance Online, so classes can be accessed from anywhere Small classes (limited to 14 students) Expert instructors (Sexton Test Prep Tutors) Practice exams Great value! Scholarship pricing for Needham students for those who qualify. Class size will be small with no more than 14 students at one time. Note: There will be an additional fee for required materials, with package prices ranging from $95-$300/student. For more information on the packages, contact Sarah Weiner, saw@sextontestprep.com. The materials fee that will be paid directly to Sexton Test Prep & Tutoring.

This Upper Level SSAT course is designed for students who may be applying to independent/private schools for grade levels 9-12. It is a virtual nine-hour course that includes a five-night workshop, with a proctored full-length practice exam. It is designed to give a complete overview of all sections of the SSAT. By participating in this course, students will become familiar with powerful SSAT strategies and improve their knowledge of the most commonly tested topics - from analogies to slope. Students will also learn which resources and study methods give them the best chance of succeeding outside of class. The skills and tips learned during this intensive workshop will provide a strong foundation for your student’s SSAT preparation. Also, the course will provide diagnostics that can guide further targeted preparation, either for the exam or in school. Benefits of NCE SSAT Prep Program: Learn new skills to improve test performance Online, so classes can be accessed from anywhere Small classes (limited to 14 students) Expert instructors (Sexton Test Prep Tutors) Practice exams Great value! Scholarship pricing for Needham students for those who qualify. Class size will be small with no more than 14 students. Note: There will be an additional fee for required materials, with package prices ranging from $95-$300/student. For more information on the packages, contact Sarah Weiner, saw@sextontestprep.com. The materials fee that will be paid directly to Sexton Test Prep & Tutoring.

Your rising junior or senior will likely have more time to focus on SAT Prep during the summer than they will during the school year. Benefits of NCE SAT Test Prep Programs: Learn new skills to improve your test performance Online, so classes can be accessed from anywhere Small classes (limited to 12 students) Expert instructors (current or recent NHS staff members) Multiple practice exams Great value…at least 30% less expensive than comparable commercial offerings! Scholarship pricing is available for Needham students who qualify. Please call NCE for details, 781-455-0400 x5.