Student Success Network at Miami Country Day School

Student Success Network One goal: success.

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About us

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Tutors

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Services

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Questions and Answers

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Contact us

— Vision Leadership

— Selection Process Expectations

— Academic Subjects and Test Prep Enrichment and Specialized Services

— Logistics Registration

— Where to find us How to reach us

Success starts here.

Miami Country Day School defines success as a combination of core values.

The Student Success Network facilitates the whole child development by offering a broad range of services designed to enhance opportunities for achieving success.

Through the values of honor, respect, wisdom, and compassion, we support our students so that the entire family and our Miami Country Day School community enjoy a successful educational experience.

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Valerie Bosman Student Success Network Coordinator

For 25 years Betsy Kaplan’s business experience and acumen have been assets to Miami Country Day School, culminating in her current positions as Director of After School Clubs and Director of the Student Success Network. Betsy’s diverse career has spanned from management and budget controls of Brand Marketing and Communications at Barry University to ten years in retail sales at Neiman Marcus. Her talents include the ability to fluidly work with children, parents, and staff members in order to facilitate the excellence of her programs. A Miami native, Betsy has been married to another Miamian for 33 years and they have a son who attended MCDS from Kinder to College before embarking on his law career and a highly successful daughter.

Valerie tutored her way through Cornell University, Columbia University, and New York University before realizing that tutoring itself provided the passion she sought... and that she had a knack for getting accepted to top colleges.

Her 23 years as a professional tutor for the most prominent tutoring agencies, including nine years as a Master Tutor for The Princeton Review, garnered her renown for substantial student score increases on standardized exams such as the: SAT, ACT, PSAT, and LSAT and for transforming student reading comprehension, writing skills, and overall GPA performance by igniting an enduring passion for learning and achievement. Valerie has also designed curricula and taught customized SAT/ACT and AP Literature workshops for various institutions, including Florida’s Seminole Tribe reservations. An avaricious bibliophile, Valerie lives a rainbow fairy life with her husband and their ever-expanding coterie of furry offspring.

Meet the team.

Betsy Kaplan Student Success Network Director

Our academic and test prep tutors are expert tutors and teachers.

Miami Country Day School’s Student Success Network employs highly specialized tutors who possess the magic required to transform complex concepts into relatable ideas, utilizing a myriad of creative explanations. Our academic and test prep tutors are expert tutors and teachers who customize their approach to each student, facilitating understanding and maximizing academic success.

Most of our tutors hold advanced degrees in their subject areas. All tutors have five or more years of professional tutoring experience and have scored in the 92nd percentile or higher on all test prep exams taught. Our tutors have completed an extensive interview process and are continually evaluated. We look for tutors who have been awarded recognition for their accomplishments and who demonstrate a passion for helping every student, every day.

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Singapore Math Group

All tutors have five or more years of professional tutoring experience and have scored in the 92nd percentile or higher on all test prep exams taught.

Test Prep

College Essay Our tutors have completed an extensive interview process and are continually evaluated.

Our mission is to deliver the best possible experience for our families.

The Student Success Network facilitates the whole child development by offering a broad range of services designed to enhance opportunities for achieving success.

We love meeting and exceeding expectations.

“The ACT was my worst nightmare; It was the only thing standing in between me and my dream school.

Within one month of tutoring, my scores, as well as my confidence, skyrocketed. [My tutor] was as dedicated as I was to achieve my goals. She pushed me harder than anyone had ever done before, and I can’t thank her enough for it. Thanks to her, I am attending my dream school next year and could not be happier.” – upper school senior “We can’t thank you enough for the extra help you gave our daughter with her tutoring sessions. You always went out of your way to accommodate a session based on her schedule and her needs. She had been struggling with math until you were able to find the right tutor for her.” – upper school parent “Your SSN tutor has made all the difference in the world to our daughter. Because of her, our daughter was inspired, engaged, and felt looked after. Your tutor made it possible for our daughter to succeed.

They have a special bond, and we will forever be grateful.” – lower school parent

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What’s available?

Services

Academic Subjects

Math and Science Singapore Math Algebra I, II Geometry Pre-calculus Calculus Science Physics Biology Chemistry Marine Biology Environmental Science

Private: $107/hour Semi-private: $82/hour Small group (3+): $62/hour

Humanities

Social Studies History European History World History American History Human Geography Civics Government Economics Macroeconomics Language Arts English Genres American Literature World Literature British Literature Comparative Literature Contemporary Literature Public Speaking Journalism Creative Writing Essay Writing Persuasive Writing Analytical Writing Music Theory

World Languages Spanish 1-5 Spanish Literature French 1-4 Mandarin 1-3 Arabic ESOL

Additional Subjects Study Skills Test-taking Strategies Time Management Organizational Skills Reading Comprehension Quantitative Ability

Honors and AP available where applicable.

Small Group: $62/hour

Athletic Enrichment In conjunction with Country Day’s Ahtletic Department, we now offer private and semi-private lessons for Lower, Middle, and Upper School students.

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Baseball Basketball Lacrosse Soccer Weight Training

Private: $87/hour

Private: $137/hour Semi-private: $82/hour

ACT AP Exams ERB PSAT SAT SAT Subject Tests SSAT/ISEE

Enrichment

Small Group Test Prep

Small Group Tutoring is a great way to learn with your friends! Find a group of three or four, and we will design a schedule and material tailored to your needs.

Drums Guitar Piano Saxophone Trumpet Violin/Viola Voice

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Q

When are you open?

Weekday hours: 8:30 AM – 6:30 PM Weekend hours: 9:00 AM – 4:00 PM

Do you provide other services?

Yes! We offer specialized services like speech therapy and occupational therapy.

Did you know?

Every Saturday and Sunday your child can come to campus to take a free official test prep exam.

Call us to schedule a practice exam!

Questions? We have the answers.

Who are your tutors?

What is your cancellation policy?

Most of our tutors hold advanced degrees in their subject areas. All tutors have five or more years of professional tutoring experience and have scored in the 92nd percentile or higher on all test prep exams taught. Our tutors have completed an extensive interview process and are continually evaluated. We look for tutors who have been awarded recognition for their accomplishments and who demonstrate a passion for helping every student, every day.

If it becomes necessary to cancel a session, please contact Valerie Bosman or Betsy Kaplan 24 hours in advance. Failure to cancel an appointment in advance will result in your account being charged for the cost of the session. For any other reason, please contact Betsy Kaplan.

What types of tutoring are available?

Tutors are available for all core subject areas, standardized exams, organizational, time management, and test-taking skills. If you do not see your subject or exam listed, please contact us and we will match you with an expert in that field.

How do I pay for tutoring?

Parents register for tutoring online. For assistance with registration, please call Betsy Kaplan at 305.779.7211. After registration is complete, tutoring may be scheduled through Valerie Bosman at 305.779.7342.

Sessions that are missed without notifying the Student Success staff are billed as “noshows” and charged the standard rate. All tutoring must be paid in advance.

What does the student bring to a tutoring session?

Students are expected to bring all necessary materials (books, class notes, tests, quizzes, review sheets, etc.) in order to make the session as productive as possible.

What if a student or parent is late?

If a student is late for an appointment, the lesson will still end at the scheduled time. Payment will be for the entire period scheduled.

When do I schedule a tutoring session?

Please try to schedule appointments as far in advance as possible to increase the chances of getting an appointment at the day and time preferred. However, we understand that last-minute quizzes, exams, and anxiety are all part of academic life. For this reason, you can schedule appointments at any time by calling Valerie Bosman.

Can I switch to a different tutor?

Of course you can. Tutoring is a subjective construct dependent upon student-tutor compatibility. Understand that there are a variety of tutor “flavors” and tutors have different styles of helping just as students have different styles of learning. If you would like to change tutors, please notify Betsy Kaplan.

What’s next?

For program information and general questions, please contact Betsy Kaplan, Student Success Network Director, 305.779.7211 or kaplanb@miamicountryday.org For assistance with tutoring or evaluations, please contact Valerie Bosman, Student Success Network Coordinator, 305.779.7342 or bosmanv@miamicountryday.org You can also visit us at our office in Primary Hall or online at www.miamicountryday.org/studentsuccess

Let’s go!

Auxiliary Programs | Student Success Network 601 Northeast 107th Street | Miami, Florida 33161 studentsuccess@miamicountryday.org | 305.779.7211 miamicountryday.org/studentsuccess