SAT & ACT Programs
Saturday Boot Camps
Our Saturday boot camps equip students with the content knowledge, strategies, and confidence to score well on either the SAT or ACT (new enhanced version). Held one or two weeks ahead of each test date, these classes are designed for students with little experience, although those who have multiple tests under their belts will benefit, too. Time: Saturdays, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Cost: $200. Location: Raleigh Tutoring, 3717 National Drive, Suite 104, Raleigh, NC 27612. Click here to register.
ACT Boot Camp Schedule 2026 (registration)
Saturday, April 4
Saturday, June 6
Saturday, June 27
SAT Boot Camp Schedule 2026 (registration)
Saturday, April 25
Saturday, May 16
SAT vs. ACT: Which Test Is the Best Fit?
This course helps students determine which college entrance exam—the SAT or ACT—best aligns with their strengths and provides a clear plan for success. Students will submit PSAT or Pre-ACT scores at the start of the course. On Monday, they will take a full-length practice version of the alternate test. Using both sets of results, instructors conduct a detailed comparison to identify each student’s best-fit exam.
From Tuesday through Thursday, students receive targeted instruction in all sections of their recommended test, focusing on strategy, content review, and skill-building. On Friday, students take a second full-length practice test to measure progress and identify areas for continued improvement. Each student receives an official prep book and expert guidance on test registration, timelines, and preparation strategies.
Location: Raleigh Tutoring Office
Cost: $450
Dates: June 29–July 3 or July 6–10
Time: 12:00–3:00 PM
Instructor: Jack Saha
➡️ Register for SAT vs. ACT Class
SAT Prep Class
This focused, results-driven course prepares students for success on the SAT. The class covers both sections—Reading & Writing and Math—while teaching effective strategies for time management, question analysis, and pacing.
Students will practice with official SAT questions, receive guided instruction, and build confidence through structured review. A practice test is included to assess progress and identify areas for improvement. Each student receives The Official SAT Study Guide for continued practice.
Location: Raleigh Tutoring Office
Cost: $450
Dates: July 20–24 or July 27–31
Time: 1:30–4:30 PM
Instructors: Steve Rutherford and Suzanne Wood
➡️ Register for SAT Prep
ACT Prep Class
This intensive course prepares students for success on the enhanced ACT. The class covers English, Math, Reading, and the optional Science section, with an emphasis on pacing, strategy, and confidence.
Students will work with real ACT materials, receive individualized support, and take a practice test to measure progress and refine their approach. Each student receives The Official ACT Prep Guide for continued study.
Location: Raleigh Tutoring Office
Cost: $450
Dates: July 20–24 or July 27–31
Time: 1:30–4:30 PM
Instructors: Steve Rutherford and Suzanne Wood
➡️ Register for ACT Prep
Additional Offerings
"Choose Your Own Date" Boot Camp or Class
Interested in a boot camp or class but don't see any dates that fit? Organize a group of at least three students who all want the same test and date, and we'll do the rest. Reach our for more details.
Proctored Practice Tests
Offered Saturdays and Sundays throughout the school year by appointment, these proctored practice tests enable students who haven't taken the SAT or ACT before a great opportunity to establish a "baseline" score that a study plan can be built around.
Common Application Essay Class
Get a head start on college applications by completing your personal statement this summer. This course guides students through the process of crafting a compelling Common App essay—from brainstorming to final draft.
Students will:
- Reflect on meaningful experiences to develop strong essay ideas
- Choose the most effective Common App prompt
- Draft, revise, and refine their essay into a polished final version
Before class, students complete a questionnaire to identify key experiences and accomplishments. Students should bring a laptop and have access to Google Docs for writing and feedback.
By the end of the course, students will have a polished essay and greater confidence heading into senior year.
Location: Raleigh Tutoring Office
Cost: $450
Dates: July 13–17
Time: 1:30–4:30 PM
Instructor: Suzanne Wood
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Common App Essay Class + Individual Coaching
This program combines a small-group Saturday workshop with four one-on-one virtual sessions for personalized guidance and feedback.
Students will brainstorm, draft, and refine their essays with both collaborative instruction and individualized support, ensuring their final essay reflects their unique voice and story.
Includes:
- One in-person Saturday session (9:00 AM–12:00 PM)
- Four individual virtual coaching sessions
Class Dates (choose one):
June 27
July 18
August 8
Instructor: Julia O’Daniel
Cost: $500
➡️ Register for Essay + Coaching
👩🏫 One-on-One Tutoring Available
Looking for more personalized support? We offer one-on-one tutoring for SAT, ACT, and college essays tailored to each student’s needs and schedule.
- Customized lesson plans and pacing
- Flexible scheduling
- Available in person or virtually
- Ideal for targeted score improvement or essay refinement
Summer Camps for K-6
Summer day camps can be educational as well as fun. They’re a great way for students to pick up a new skill, polish an existing one, or prepare for the upcoming school year. Camps will be held in June and July at Camp Francis on the campus of the Catholic Community of St. Francis, 11401 Leesville Rd. Raleigh, NC 27613. Get more info or register for Camp Francis camps here.
June 22-26
Trash to Trinket
Why throw it in the trash if you can turn it into crafts? In this hands-on summer camp, campers will learn how to recognize the craftability of common household waste like plastic grocery bags, paper towel rolls, old CDs, and cereal boxes. We’ll combine those items with traditional art supplies to learn new skills and make unique creations. Campers will be challenged to think outside the (cardboard) box!
Time: 9:00am-12:00pm
Grades: 3rd-6th
Chemistry of Slime
Slime Science - make a different kind of slime every day and learn how it all comes together! Kids will learn about the scientific method and be introduced to concepts in chemistry while engaging in hands-on slime crafting. They’ll make notebooks of slime recipes and take home the slime that they make. We’ll talk about what ingredients alter what properties of the final slime, and let them get creative!
Time: 1:00pm-4:00pm
Grades: 3rd-6th
Messy Science
Explore science with hands-on activities. In this camp, kids will use their 5 senses to observe, ask questions, form hypotheses, and perform experiments. The scientists will perform experiments on their own and record the results. They will be able to perform their own chemical reactions with volcanoes, lava lamps, and bottle rockets. They will explore the science of weather by measuring air pressure and exploring what makes thunder and lightning. And finally, they will learn about how rainbows are formed.
Time: 9:00am-12:00pm
Grades: K-3rd
Messy Art
All art worth keeping and sharing is messy! In this camp, kids will create works of art with glue, paint, watercolors, paper, glitter, yarn, recyclables and clay. Budding artists will complete projects to take home each day as well as work on others that will be completed on the last day of camp. Examples of masterpieces include picture frames, clay pots, magnets, rainbow art, marble paintings, and much more!
Time: 1:00pm-4:00pm
Grades: K-3rd
July 6-10
Wonders of Space
Blast off into an out-of-this-world adventure! Campers will explore the wonders of space as we journey through our solar system and discover its fascinating planets. We’ll learn why the Sun is essential to life on Earth and how each planet is unique. Through hands-on science experiments, campers will observe and compare what conditions might be like on different planets. Creativity will soar as we explore space through art by painting planets, galaxies, constellations, and comets. To wrap up the week, each camper will create and take home their very own solar system model!
Time: 9:00am-12:00pm
Grades: K-3rd
Messy Masterpieces
All art worth keeping and sharing is messy! In this camp, kids will create works of art with acrylic paint, tempera paint, watercolors, tissue paper, glitter, yarn, chalk, pour paints and clay. Budding artists will complete projects each day as well as work on others that will be completed on the last day of camp. Examples of masterpieces include Sharpie and alcohol t-shirts, pour paintings on canvases, self-portrait picture frames, and recreations of Monet's Japanese Bridge with watercolors, Van Gogh's Starry Night with tempera paints, Georgia O'Keeffe flowers, and Eric Carle animals with chalk.
1:00pm-4:00pm
Grades: K-3rd
Kaleidoscope Crafting
Campers will explore reflections and symmetry in nature and be challenged to apply those concepts to their arts and crafts through activities like tie dye, paper flowers, and paper towel roll kaleidoscopes. They’ll strengthen connections between ideas in math, science, and art through experiencing patterns in context - no need for numbers or formulas in this hands-on camp!
Time: 9:00am-12:00pm
Grades: 2nd-5th
Candy Chemistry
Sweet! Candy is fun AND smart. Campers will perform sweet science experiments and learn concepts such as why sugar crystallizes to make rock candy, the chemistry behind gummy bears, how molding chocolate candies demonstrates the phases of matter, and much more. On the last day of camp, children will present their unique candy creations, “market” them to fellow campers, and get to take home not only their own candy but a bag filled with treats made by others!
Time: 1:00pm-4:00pm
Grades: 2nd-5th
July 13-17
STEM Maker Lab: Invent, Build, Play!
Step into the STEM Maker Lab, where your ideas become real-life inventions! Over the course of camp, you’ll build balloon-powered cars, design mini catapults, create marble roller coasters, and even make light -up circuits. Each challenge is a chance to experiment, tinker, and test your skills—then improve your design and try again. Work solo or team up with friends, discover what works (and what doesn’t), and see your creations come to life. Get ready to invent, problem-solve, and have tons of hands-on STEM fun— because in this lab, YOU are the engineer! Minimum 8 & Maximum 20 participants.
Time: 9:00am-12:00pm
Grades: 2nd-4th
Math Masters Game Lab
Get ready to invent, build, and battle it out in the Math Masters Game Lab, where you become the game designer! In this adventure-filled camp, you’ll create your own board games, card games, and fast-paced challenges that help sharpen your math superpowers. Then the fun really begins—you’ll team up, test each other’s games, earn points, solve puzzles, and compete in daily mini-tournaments. Bring your imagination, your strategy skills, and your excitement… because at Math Masters Game Lab, the games don’t just teach math—the games are yours!
Time: 1:00pm-4:00pm
Grades: 3rd-5th
July 20-24
Trashion Fashion
Don’t know what to do when your favorite shirt gets a hole in it? Don’t just throw it out - make it into something new! In this camp focused on beginner upcycling techniques, campers will explore ways to bring new life into old clothes. We’ll be cutting up t-shirts, turning paper into beads, brightening up cloth with fresh dye, and learning simple embroidery skills. Expect to take home some new unique accessories. At the end of the week we’ll have a fashion show with all our creations!
Time: 9:00am-12:00pm
Grades: 3rd-6th
Building a Dream Home
Design and build your idea of a perfect home from blueprint to designing the interior. Discover the skills and concepts important to architecture such as planning, problem solving, and thinking three dimensionally. Be inspired by a selection of homes on display as you design your house, build it using a variety of materials, and add the perfect finishing touches. At the end of the week, you get to bring home a brand-new addition to your room!
Time: 1:00pm-4:00pm
Grades: 3rd-6th
Under the Sea
Join us as we dive into an underwater exploration of the animals that live under the sea. Be ready to read fun stories and create your own sea animals using a variety of art materials. We will learn about a new creature each day and use our artistic abilities to create masterpieces daily. From jellyfish to sharks to super cool fish -- come make a splash with us!
Time:1:00-4:00
Grades: K-3rd
Get more info or register for Camp Francis camps here.