My DD is in 7th grade and her public middle school is not academically challenging at all. Basically it sucks. We are looking for serious prep so she can catch up on what she's missing and have a chance at a better high school experience. Kweller seems ridiculously expensive. Any opinion on if it's worth it? I saw an earlier post mentioned ibidPrep which I hadn't heard of (so thank you!). There isn't much online about them, besides their website. Has anyone used them for rigorous prep?
(yes, I am aware the test might not be given next year, and yes, I know it's wrong to prep, so we're set with that).
Thank you!
Can I ask what district you are in? (have a rising 6th grader).
Re prep, in your situation, I would strongly consider starting with a tutor, who can hone in on, and fill in, any missed gaps. Sounds like it probably wouldn't be much more expensive.
We're in Brooklyn. not the nicest part.
A tutor does make sense. Any suggestions for how to find one that is on the ball with the requirements?
If you are in Brooklyn, you have options depending where you live. Most are remote anyway right now. There are the prep places that cost a fortune - aimed toward UMC families, usually in Manhattan and Park Slope, downtown. And then there are prep places deeper in the boroughs aimed toward immigrant communities which are much less money and just as effective. A tutor is more effective use of money as they can focus on what your child needs and move at their pace, as opposed to a standard curriculum for the class.
I don't have much comment on places and a tutor does seem more effective to target weaknesses, but if you find a class is more within your budget, I just wanted to say that my DC did well with a class. She is the kind of kid who does well in a group setting. She also went to a school where it's easy for her to be top of the class without trying that hard, so in the class she saw more kids who are just as smart/smarter and who are motivated, so it lit a fire under her to do well.
I agree with getting a tutor. You have more flexibility with a tutor and they are giving your child their undivided attention as opposed to a class. When my son was in 7th grade, we started tutoring around this time. We did one hour a week (but he was also given some HW in between sessions) and we took a break over the summer and started back in August - October. The test was in October. This was pre-pandemic of course. Even if the DOE doesn't have the test next year, your child is still learning useful information.
My DS worked with the Kweller prep program for the HCHS exam. Overall I thought it was good value. I was initially skeptical about classes taught by college age kids but I think they did a good job of explaining the concepts and working through any misunderstandings.
...........I might add though that my DS was not accepted by Hunter . He did learn a great deal though and his school grades improved.
My DS is at HCHS and several kids he knows did Kweller.
Thank you all for your responses! very helpful. My DD was waitlisted at HCHS. She didn't prep at all, and I'm trying to do better for her this time.