SOMA Living May 2022

EDUCATION Long-term Academic Success

Success can mean different things to different SOMA families. Success can include a variety of elements, like academics, athletics, social development, emotional health, peer and family relationships, a sense of self, and confidence. Long term success of a student has a foundation in consistent academic support. Specifically, for some families, it may mean that their student is like Charlie, who they want to be able to pursue his love of math and science to the fullest degree. He was reading before kindergarten and took to learning, like a duck to water. He naturally works “above grade level” because he is curious about STEM but is a little bored in school. They don’t want him to “skip” a grade, although he probably could do so academically, because he is comfortable with his peer group in 5th grade. Other families may have a student like June, who loves soccer above all else, is working at grade level, doesn’t really like school, but does love to read and write. They want to keep her academics steady, so she can pursue soccer at this high school and college level as is her dream. They understand that without the solid academics the high school and college athletics won’t be a possibility for their daughter. Still other families may have students like the twins, Mae and Miller, who struggled in kindergarten and “fell behind” in the last couple of years. They want to provide supports to their two 3rd graders so they don’t fall further behind and disengage from school. Each of these families, if they’re like the families we see, mostly want their children to feel confident and engaged with their learning. My advice to any of these types of families is to start providing your children with supplemental educational support now and do so consistently through elementary, middle and high school. In elementary school, small group enrichment classes like those we offer at Best in Class are tailor made to allow students who are ahead, at or slightly below grade level to gain the foundation in math and English that can get and keep them at the head of the class. In middle or high school, enrichment can still be valuable, as a curriculum like ours provides them with foundational skills that improve their writing skills in English and their calculation and critical thinking in math. Middle and high school students also can benefit from private tutoring or test prep help as needed. What we have seen to be most effective is consistency. The students who have worked with us between 7 months and 4+ years have seen the most growth, progress, movement above grade level, confidence, awards, and ease in school. Feel free to try us this year or this summer—enrichment, private tutoring, camps, and test prep.

Recieve $50 off per week for Summer Camp Use: SOMALIV50 offer ends 5/31/22

Alissa Gardenhire, Ph.D., Owner of Best in Class Education Center, South Orange. We are excited to offer our awesome summer camp (see our ad). For 2nd to 6th graders we are offering intensive Summer Enrichment Classes in math and English to give them a real boost and provide strong readiness for next school year. Our half day camp is fun, curated to your child’s needs and your wants, and most of all effective. Visit Bit.ly/thebrainzone to register.

MAY 2022 | SOMA LIVING 23

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