Pre-K, Kindergarten, and Elementary Enrichment
SOAR is a school readiness program for preschool children and an enrichment program for elementary students. Recognizing that each child grows at his or her own pace, our tutors use games, literature, puzzles and other highly interactive activities to nurture appropriate academic, critical thinking, fine motor, and social skills. SOAR is a program developed over many years in consultation with experts in preschool and elementary school education.
SOAR:
- Enhances language and literacy development
- Sharpens problem-solving and critical thinking skills
- Reinforces fine motor skills
- Nurtures social and emotional regulation skills
- Increases confidence working with adults one on one
- Provides suggestions to parents that support development at home
- IS FUN—we use games and play to accomplish our goals
A Word About the WPPSI and WISC
We do not prepare children for school admissions tests such as the WPPSI or WISC. At the request of the private schools in Houston and to respect the integrity of these exams, we do not use any materials that resemble the format or appearance of any of their sub-tests. Science informs us that educationally rich environments in the early years are critically important for optimizing later outcomes. Our goal is to provide educationally rich environments and stimulation so children can thrive in elementary school and later in life.
Pre-K, Kindergarten, and Elementary Enrichment and Admissions Process Advising
SOAR begins with a free initial consultation with Jennifer Herbst, head of the SOAR program. Parents and child will have the opportunity to articulate their expectations and pose any questions. Additionally, we strongly encourage beginning with diagnostic testing materials so that the child’s cognitive strengths and difficulties can be objectively measured and assessed. Based on this consultation we identify program goals, develop customized curriculum benchmarks, and match the best tutor for your child.
The SOAR curriculum proceeds in one-on-one tutoring sessions that can be flexibly programmed to accommodate your scheduling needs. We typically encourage 45-minute sessions for students ages 4 or above and 30-minute sessions for students younger than 4. We offer immersive 5- and 10-session programs, as well as programs that are more adaptable in structure and provide enrichment and support over a longer period of time. Throughout the program, the tutor and parent continue to collaborate to determine the best course. There is no minimum commitment, and plans can be adjusted at any time depending on the student’s evolving needs and goals.
Tutoring for Pre-K and Kindergarten
Our SOAR tutors are highly skilled, exceptionally gifted professional instructors with significant teaching experience. They also LOVE working with younger kids. SOAR tutors are particularly adept at motivating children to excel and to consistently demonstrate their highest potential. Every tutor who teaches in the SOAR school readiness program has been individually trained in our proprietary curriculum.
Tutor of: ISEE, SOAR Preschool and Elementary, Academic Advantage Program
M.Ed. in Curriculum and Instruction from Houston Baptist University.
B.S. in Communication Science and Disorders from Texas Christian University.
Professor in Pragmatic Studies at the University of St. Thomas; Teaching Certification in Early Childhood–Sixth Grade with Additional Training in Gifted and Talented Instruction.
Tutor of: SAT, ACT, GRE, MCAT, ISEE, SOAR Preschool and Elementary
Ph.D. in Chemistry from Purdue University.
B.A. in Chemistry from Grinnell College.
American Society for Mass Spectrometry Member; American Chemical Society Member.
Tutor of: ISEE, SOAR Preschool and Elementary, Academic Advantage Program
M.S. in Early Childhood Education from the University of Houston-Clear Lake.
B.S. in Biology from Texas Southern University.
Certified Autism Specialist from the International Board of Credentialing and Continuing Education Standards.