It's All About The JATP Scores, Right?

I've learned from those who do not learn and always smile when the movie in my mind is played every year from unwilling parents who go through the process of Admissions Preparation here in Atlanta.

Private schools here in Atlanta are what they are: private. The information that they wish to share with you is more of a mystery that can only be solved only by watching all of Alfred Hitchcock's movies and talking to the mother who you think is your BFF at the pre-school that your child is in.

Most parents trust those who are willing to give you the information they believe will "tell them what they want to hear". I've heard, and seen, and observed it all. From the neighborhood pre-school to your son's friend whose mother has a friend who is the friend...The list goes on and on and on.

The problem is - they see a snapshot of what they see for that one year. Unless they come from a troupe of 12 children who have enrolled in each of the 10+ schools on the list and have experienced rejection/acceptance letters for each of their children, the outcome is daunting to say the least.

As much as I love to ramble about this process, the fact of the matter is - you should not judge the past performance of what "others" have done to predict the outcome of your child. Everybody is different and until you have an objective view of the school and what it can offer to your child, it is best to use discretion.

If you would like more information about the Admissions Preparation Program at Learning Ridge, feel free to contact Christine at 404-964-8533.  

10 Things To Do On a Snowday

Hi Everyone! Here are some of our favorite suggestions for those of us who are stuck at home due to bad weather on a school day!

1. Get a head start on homework and assignments - that way you can enjoy the weekend more.
2. Prepare lunch together and turn your child into the sous chef of your dreams!
3. Clean your room, desk, backpack.
4. Create something with your child using paper, dough, or blocks.
5. Share a story with your child when you were unexpectedly off from school "Back when I was in 2nd grade, we had a really bad storm..."
6. Facetime/Skype with a favorite family member or grandparents
7. Teach them how to read weather maps, how weather works, and what you can do during power outages.
8. Have hot chocolate and bake cookies!
9. Create a two minute one-act play skit based on their favorite movie and upload it to YouTube!
10. Take some time to think about your long-term educational goals for your student. At Learning Ridge we provide a wide range of educational services to help you get lasting results. 

Test Prep Atlanta Rankings!

Test Prep Tutors - Atlanta, GA

We're ranked one of the top 3 Test Preparation Tutors in Atlanta! Very Nice!

How Teachers Can Help Girls Lead

How Teachers Can Help Girls Lead



I definitely encourage all students to lead, but sometimes you need to develop those skills in each student differently!

Common Core In Georgia

I've been asked by people both in and out of my circle about the Common Core Standards. The Common Core Standards are a set of objectives that the Department of Education has mandated that all states follow to strengthen the position of the United States as it attempts to earn back it's place in this global competition. What I have discovered in the last few months are rather disturbing.

Many States Are Not Ready To Implement the Common Core

I've done my research and have been extremely disappointed at the fact that despite these standards have been put in place for several years, many states have not prepared for the implementation of the rigor and difficulty of the new standards. In Georgia, I've noticed a few passive attempts to "talk to the public" about these new standards, but it's been nothing more than a mere whisper to announce that they are going to integrate these standards by merely posting the standards in the classroom....

Publishers and Book Companies Do Not Know How To Address The Common Core

When we had the CRCT, EOCT in Georgia, it was fairly easy to understand how to teach various objectives to students. As we have migrated to Common Core, the task is to teach this new generation how to think "critically". Over the last few years, I have yet to see publishers compile the ideal set of resources to help students achieve this goal. Curriculum developers are struggling to do this which results in poorly written books, study guides and materials that lack in the content needed to help students, school staff, and parents with better test goals.

Teachers Want To Teach, But Are Lacking The Support

As a professional, the most important aspect that can attribute to success is being prepared. The fact that many of these professionals are being given standards without a blueprint to reference really bothers me.

I've done research and have noted that many school districts in every state have been given the directive to establish benchmark assessments and leveled questions that will address these standards. The fact of the matter is, the reason why your teacher may be struggling teaching your students is because they do not know what to teach.

What Can Be Done?

Let's face it, children are struggling in school. If the expectations are not presented properly, it will be difficult for them to perform at any level. I am unsure as to how long it will take for the various school districts and states to follow through on their promise to help students "reach for the top", but until that happens, I would not wait for your child to fail.

If you are looking to have your child have the confidence and skill sets needed to navigate through this tumultuous time, find a company that has a track record of adapting to the changing needs of education. At Learning Ridge, we've made certain that we have the resources and materials to help each student access the information that they need in order to be confident and successful in their educational endeavors. Months have been spent aligning our services and products to make sure that we have everything that we need so that every minute we spend working with the student yields the best results. It's something that we have seen tremendous results in - and has attributed to the success of many who have called on us.

CRCT 2014.. Good luck students!

It's that time of the year where students are about ready to change their habits from sleeping in and skipping breakfast to having their parents set their alarm clocks and waking them up in preparation for those four letters that has caused more stress and turmoil than I've seen in my last ten years in education: CRCT.

Understandably, this test is a way to collect data from each and every student so that we can objectively assess many different things: how great their teacher was, how great the administration has been, and generally, what the overall school climate is in that community.

It has been without a question that because the game has changed to using the Common Core Standards, more and more heartache has been seen in both classrooms and carpools alike. I've seen parents both applaud and complain at the standards, I've seen different twenty different iterations of how to solve simple fractions that I learned to do with two steps, I've seen parents "save" kids from the piles of superfluous homework by either giving them a family homework pass or (I heard this on the radio) doing the homework for them. Either way, it's been quite a painful year.

My main concern is, and always will be the children. As a good parent, I'm sure that you want the best for your children. As a good community, we want to be represented as the best (especially here in Cobb County). However, at what cost does being the best come to for some of our children? Nothing pains me more than hearing a five year old complain of stomach issues, headaches or nosebleeds because of needing to perform. It's rather abrupt to have students go from perform in a lackadaisical manner to a more persnickety  manner to compensate for what has not been expected in the last twenty years.

After this series of tests, I think there will be a gross re-evaluation of not only what we can expect from our students, but also from the adults who make decisions for these students.  

Private School Admissions Update

Yes, it's almost (at least that's what I think now) over.. Many parents are through the first two hurdles of Admissions Preparation and they are waiting for what's next. Now, my more outstanding clients are actually working with me on transition planning so that their student can stay ahead of the pack for the 2014-2015 school year.

This has been quite an interesting year. Unlike last year where one client decided to "scream his way into an assessment" (yes, it actually happened. I wonder what their tour to the school looked like that year.) we've had the opportunity to work with a great group of people this year as well as a few returning clients.

I'm excited to say that 95% of this work is done. In line with knowing that the children will be attending a new school, many of our clients have continued to work on transition planning to make sure that their child will "hit the ground running" when they are at the new school. It's one way to continue leading our clients onto the path to success.