Write Ahead Class Offerings
2022-2023 School Year
All classes are led by a live instructor via Zoom.
Analytic Writing
Persuasive & argument essay writing classes for 4th-11th graders.
Classes Meet Once/Week
Semester 1:
Mon, Aug 29, 2022 - Mon, Jan 16, 2023. 17 Sessions.
Semester 2:
Tues, Jan 17, 2023 - Mon, June 5, 2023. 17 Sessions.
ISEE + SSAT Test Prep
Comprehensive test preparation class designed to maximize test scores.
Next sessions start June, 2023. See summer schedule.
College Application Essays
Narrative writing for expressive and memorable college application essays
Next sessions start June, 2023. See summer schedule.
AP Supplement Classes
Learn specific advanced critical thinking and writing skills needed to succeed on the exam.
AP English & Composition
AP United Stated History (APUSH)
Analytic Essay Writing
Semester 1: Monday, August 29, 2022 - Monday, January 16, 2023 (17 classes)
Semester 2: Tuesday, January 17, 2023 - Thursday, May 25, 2023 (17 classes)
3rd Grade Tuesdays 6:45-7:30 EST (3:45-4:30 PST) $499 per semester
3rd Grade Wednesdays 3:50-4:35 EST (12:50-1:35 PST) $499 per semester
3rd Grade Thursdays 4:15-5:00 EST (1:15-2:00 PST) $499 per semester
4th Grade Tuesdays 3:45-4:35 EST (12:45-1:35 PST) $599 per semester
4th Grade Wednesdays 2:00-2:50 EST (11:00-11:50 PST) $599 per semester
4th Grade Wednesdays 6:50-7:40 EST (3:50-4:40 PST) $599 per semester
5th Grade Tuesdays 5:45-6:45 EST (2:45-3:45 PST) $699 per semester
5th Grade Wednesdays 2:00-3:00 EST (11:00-noon PST) $699 per semester
5th Grade Wednesdays 5:50-6:50 EST (2:50-3:50 PST) $699 per semester
5th Grade Thursdays 6:00-7:00 EST (3:00-4:00 PST) $699 per semester
6th Grade Tuesdays 7:35-8:35 EST (4:35-5:35 PST) $699 per semester
6th Grade Wednesdays 4:45-5:45 EST (1:45-2:45 PST) $699 per semester
6th Grade Thursdays 5:00-6:00 EST (2:00-3:00 PST) $699 per semester
7th Grade Tuesdays 4:35-5:35 EST (1:35-2:35 PST) $699 per semester
7th Grade Thursdays 7:00-8:00 EST (4:00-5:00 PST) $699 per semester
8th Grade Wednesdays 7:45-8:45 EST (4:45-5:45 PST) $699 per semester
8th Grade Thursdays 8:00-9:00 EST (5:00-6:00 PST) $699 per semester
9/10/11th Grade Tuesdays 7:30-9:00 EST (4:30-6:00 PST) $899* per semester
9/10/11th Grade Sundays 7:30-9:00 EST (4:30-6:00 PST) $899* per semester
9/10/11th Grade Invitation Only Mondays 6:30-7:00** EST (3:30-4:00 PST) $799 per semester
9/10/11th Grade Invitation Only Sundays 6:30-7:00** EST (3:30-4:00 PST) $799 per semester
* Tuition includes individual feedback provided outside of the listed class time on school essays
** Writing strategy instruction portion of class lasts 30 minutes, however, the class continues for as long as students need feedback on the plans, outlines and/or drafts of school assignments.
Don't see a class time that works for your schedule? Write Ahead is continuously adding class options. Join our notifications list to receive a notification of new classes (2-4 emails/year).
ISEE & SSAT Test Preparation
Sunday, September 11, 2022 - Sunday, December 4, 2022 (12 classes)
Lower-level ISEE/SSAT (5th graders applying to 6th grade) Sundays 11:30-12:25 EST (8:30-1:25 PST) $599
Mid-level ISEE/SSAT (6/7th graders applying 7/8th grade) Sundays 12:30-2:00 EST (9:30-11:00 PST) $799
Upper-level ISEE/SSAT (8th graders applying to 9th grade) Sundays 2:00-3:30 EST (11:00-12:30 PST) $799
College Application Essay Class
Monday, September 12 - Monday, October 31 - eight classes total
Mondays 7:30-9:00 pm EST (4:30 Pacific) $649
AP Supplement Classes
Semester 1: Monday, Sep 19, 2022 - Monday, January 16, 2023 (15 classes)
AP English Language and Composition Supplement Class Mondays 7:00-9:00 EST (4:00-6:00 PST) $799
AP United States History Supplement Class Sundays Noon-2:00 EST (9:00-11:00 PST) $799
Analytic Writing
For rising 4th - 11th graders. Writing classes are focused on expository/analytic writing strategies, more commonly known as essay or composition writing for both English and history classes. The curriculum follows an evidence-based teaching methodology whereby classes cycle through the full writing cycle. Each cycle includes explicit writing strategies, tools, and processes appropriate for the age level. Students typically complete an essay every 4-5 classes. For additional information please see a more detailed class description which includes a summary of the curriculum by grade level at the bottom of this page. Max of 6 students/instructor.
We are proud to share that we have received over 100 testimonials for our writing classes. To see what students and parents have to say about the program, please feel free to browse through their comments on the Testimonials page.
ISEE/SSAT Test Preparation
For rising 4th-9th graders with separate classes for lower-level, mid-level, and upper-level exam preparation. The ISEE/SSAT class is a comprehensive test-preparation class that covers math, verbal, reading comprehension, and writing. Classes will cycle through presenting strategies for how to approach each section and different types of problems, practicing problems, and reviewing concepts missed. Progress will be measured by comparing a pre-class test (we will provide) to scores on sections and practice tests throughout the class. Students will have homework which includes learning new vocabulary words each day. Max of 6 students per class. See Write Ahead's ISEE/SSAT webpage for further information.
College Application Essay Class
This class guides students through the process of developing a story, based on a personal experience, to respond to one of the Common App prompts (2022-2023 prompts are here). The story will reveal their character and personality, delving into experience(s) that influenced them and the resulting evolution of their thinking. Students will be taught to write about themselves in a manner that is expressive, detailed, revealing and memorable. See the College Application Essay webpage for further information.
AP US History (APUSH) Supplement Classes
The APUSH supplement class is designed for high school students who will be sitting for the AP exam in May 2023 and either do not have or can not fit an AP US History class into their schedule, or are seeking reinforcement of the more advanced concepts and skills required for command of the material and success on the exam.
The class focuses on teaching students the two specific skills needed for the exam that students do not tend to learn in standard (non-AP) history classes: how to analyze a primary source and how to develop a complex argument synthesizing information across sources, prior knowledge, historical context, and target audience. The goal is to prepare students for the multiple-choice section of the exam which focuses on critical primary source analysis and the essay portion which includes a DBQ (document-based question) or synthesis question.
Note, this is not a full US AP History class, we do not cover all the historical content of the AP curriculum but instead, teach the strategies and techniques needed for critical historical analysis and synthesizing multiple sources.
What makes the class great? The instructor - Maggie R. Maggie graduated from UPenn, concentrating in American history, and loves teaching history. She is a dynamic, high-energy teacher who teaches students how to appreciate and love the nuances, implications, and lessons of history as much as she does. All of her students to date have scored a 5 on the exam. When not teaching she can be found developing AP History curriculum for various online programs, teaching analytic writing classes, walking her donkey on her farm, or hiking up a local mountain.
Class format: meet online with a live instructor for 2 hours/week plus 2 hours/week of homework that mimics the AP exam. AP exam success derives from participating in discussions that critically analyze history. Students work through such discussions together in class.
Detailed Class Descriptions:
Class Descriptions:
3rd Grade Develop & Support a Claim
An inviting, informative and just plain fun writing course designed to support your child in developing and supporting a claim. Students will learn to craft paragraphs, state a clear claim, choose relevant evidence, add details (analysis) to support the claim, and develop a conclusion. Students will be provided with tools to evaluate the flow of their paragraphs and the consistency of their information and details within their claim. It will be taught using a road-tested writing instruction methodology. Techniques will be practiced with engaging and high-interest content. Writing will become easier for them, and the quality of their writing will improve.
Curriculum:
The writing process: Pick Information, Organize and then Write - POW
Organization - Topic, Information, Details, Ending - TIDE
Close reading strategies to identify evidence
Outlining technique structured to articulate and prove a claim
Make and develop a claim
Prove your claim
Endings that wrap-up
Figurative language techniques, show don’t tell
Word choice & transitions
Class Descriptions:
4th Grade Develop, Support and Strengthen a Claim
An inviting, informative and just plain fun writing course designed to support your child in developing and supporting an argument. Students will learn to craft paragraphs that state a clear claim, choose best evidence to support the claim, develop analysis that proves the claim, and state a conclusion that synthesizes the point they aim to make. Students will be provided with tools to help evaluate the coherence of their paragraphs, improve the organization of their writing, and clarify the relationships of their ideas. It will be taught using a road-tested, proven, writing instruction methodology. Techniques will be practiced with engaging and high-interest content. Writing will become easier for them, and the quality of their writing will improve.
Curriculum:
The writing process: Pick Information, Organize and then Write - POW
Organization - Topic, Information, Details, Ending - TIDE
Close reading strategies to choose best evidence
Outlining technique structured to articulate and prove a claim
Make and develop a claim
Prove your claim
Endings that synthesize the argument
Figurative language techniques, show don’t tell
Word choice & transitions
Class Descriptions:
5th Grade Argument & Literary Analysis Paragraphs
An informative and inviting writing course designed to support your child in developing and supporting a strong argument, and introducing him or her to literary analysis techniques. Students will learn to craft paragraphs that state a clear claim, choose best evidence to support the claim, develop analysis that proves the claim, and state a conclusion that synthesizes his/her argument. Students will be provided with tools to help evaluate the coherence of their paragraphs, improve the organization of their writing, and clarify the relationships of their ideas. It will be taught using a proven, writing instruction methodology. Techniques will be practiced with engaging and high-interest content. Writing will become easier for them, and quality will improve.
Curriculum:
The writing process: Pick Information, Organize, Write, Revise & Edit - POWRE
Establish an insightful thesis/claim
Organize and outline the argument
Select best evidence
Prove the argument
Interrogate argument for strength & depth
Revision and editing strategies
Fine tune word choice, transitions, sentence variety and coherenc
Class Descriptions:
6th Grade Argument, Literary & Expository Writing Methods
An informative and inviting writing course designed to help your child develop and support an argument with clarity and depth, and strengthen his/her literary analysis techniques. Students will learn to craft paragraphs that state a meaningful claim, choose best evidence to support the claim, develop analysis that proves the claim, and state a conclusion that synthesizes his/her argument. Students will be provided with tools to help evaluate the coherence of their paragraphs, improve the organization of their writing, and clarify the relationships of their ideas. It will be taught using a road-tested writing instruction methodology. Techniques will be practiced with engaging and high-interest content. Writing will become easier for them, and quality will improve.
Curriculum:
The writing process: Pick Information, Organize, Write, Revise & Edit - POWRE
Develop an insightful thesis
Organize & outline the argument
Select best evidence to support claims
Craft analysis to prove the thesis
Interrogate argument for strength & depth
Analyze literary characters and point-of-view
Revision and editing strategies
Fine tune word choice, transitions, sentence variety and coherence
Class Descriptions:
7th Grade Argument & Literary Analysis Fine Tuning
An informative and inviting writing course designed to support your child in developing and supporting an argument with clarity and depth, and strengthening his/her literary analysis techniques. Students will learn to craft essays that state a meaningful and insightful claim, choose best evidence to support the claim, develop analysis that proves the claim, and state a conclusion that synthesizes his/her argument. Students will be provided with tools to help evaluate the depth of their argument, coherence of their paragraphs, the logic of their organization, and clarity of the relationships of their ideas. It will be taught using a road-tested, proven, writing instruction methodology. Techniques will be practiced with engaging and high-interest content. Writing will become easier for them, and quality will improve.
Curriculum:
The writing process: plan, organize (outline), write, revise, edit - POWRE
Develop an insightful thesis
Organization & outlining techniques
Select best evidence to support claims
Craft analysis to prove the thesis
Interrogate argument for strength & depth
Literary character and point-of-view analysis
Revision and editing strategies
Fine tune word choice, transitions, sentence variety and coherence
Class Descriptions:
8th Grade Persuasive Essay & Literary Analysis Strategies
An informative and inviting writing course designed to help your child develop and support an argument with clarity and depth, and strengthen his/her literary and historical analysis techniques. Students will learn to craft essays that state a meaningful and insightful claim, choose best evidence to support the claim, develop analysis that proves the claim, and state a conclusion that synthesizes his/her argument. Students will be provided with tools to help evaluate the depth of their argument, the coherence of their paragraphs, the logic of their organization, and the clarity of the relationships among their ideas. It will be taught using a proven, writing instruction methodology. Techniques will be practiced with engaging and high-interest content. Writing will become easier for them, and quality will improve.
Curriculum:
The writing process: Pick Information, Organize, Write, Revise & Edit - POWRE
Develop an insightful thesis
Organization and outlining techniques
Select best evidence to support claims
Craft analysis to prove the thesis
Interrogate argument for strength & depth
Analyze literary character and point-of-view
Revision and editing strategies
Fine tune word choice, transitions, sentence variety and coherence
Class Descriptions:
9th, 10th & 11th Grade Advanced Argument Essay & Literary Analysis
An informative and enticing course designed to support your child in developing powerful arguments with persuasive writing, and historical and literary analysis capabilities. Students will learn to craft essays with a meaningful and insightful thesis, choose best evidence to support the claim, develop analysis that proves the claim, and craft a conclusion that synthesizes and extends his/her argument. Students will be provided with tools to help evaluate the depth of their argument, the coherence of their paragraphs, the logic of their organization, and the clarity of the relationships of their ideas. It will be taught using a road-tested writing instruction methodology. Techniques will be practiced with excerpts from literature and history topics likely to be encountered in school. Writing will become easier for them, and quality will improve.
The high school class is structured differently from the other Write Ahead classes. The class is 90 minutes. We spend the first 30-40 minutes of each class reviewing a writing strategy or exemplar essay, and the remainder of the class is spent applying the (cumulative) writing strategies taught to school writing assignments. The instructor(s) cycles through the students providing active feedback. The goal in the high school class is to teach sound writing strategies and then to support school writing assignments. We do not assign any homework, apart from sharing outlines and drafts of school assignments for which timing of the class does not align. We provide feedback within 24 hours on anything shared. The writing strategies focus on adding depth and a universal truth to thesis statements, outlining techniques to prove the thesis with a strong and interesting argument, craft techniques to connect with the reader, and then advanced editing skills. Students have appreciated the format and school support structure.
Curriculum:
The writing process: Pick Information, Organize, Write, Revise & Edit - POWRE
Develop an insightful thesis
Organization & outlining techniques
Select best evidence to support claims
Craft analysis to prove the thesis
Interrogate argument for strength & depth
Introduce and address counterclaims
Revision and editing strategies
Grammar - the most common grammar mistakes that cloud writing clarity and grammar needed for the SAT/ACT
Literary character and point-of-view analysis
Fine tune word choice, transitions, sentence variety and coherence
Class Descriptions:
ISEE & SSAT Test Preparation
A comprehensive test-prep class covering math, verbal, reading comprehension, and writing. Classes will cycle through presenting strategies for approaching different types of problems, practicing problems, and reviewing concepts missed. Progress will be measured by comparing a pre-class test to scores on sections and practice tests throughout the class. Students will have homework plus be asked to learn new vocabulary words each day. Max of 8 students per class. Note, the practice sections and essay prompts assigned will be tailored/matched to the test each students plans on taking for those who know if they will be sitting for the SSAT or the ISEE.