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Write Ahead Class Offerings
2023-2024 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

Tue, Sep 5, 2023 - Sun, Jun 2, 2024.

 

34 Classes Total 

ISEE + SSAT Test Prep

Comprehensive test preparation class designed to maximize test scores.

Classes Meet Once/Week

Sunday Sept, 10 - Sunday Dec, 3

AP Test Preparation

Learn specific advanced critical thinking and writing skills needed to succeed on the exam.

AP English & Composition

AP United States History (APUSH)

 

2023-2024 Schedule & Tuition 

Analytic Essay Writing

Tuesday, September 5, 2023 - Sunday, June 2, 2024 (34 classes)

4th Grade Tue 4:15-5:00 PM EST (1:15 PST / 2:15 MST / 3:15 CST) $1238 per year

4th Grade Wed 6:00 -6:45 PM EST (3:00 PST / 4:00 MST / 5:00 CST) $1238 per year

4th Grade Wed 7:00 -7:45 PM EST (4:00 PST / 5:00 MST / 6:00 CST) $1238 per year

4th Grade Thurs 6:00 -6:45 PM EST (3:00 PST / 4:00 MST / 5:00 CST) $1238 per year

4th/5th Grade Tue 1:00-2:00 PM EST (10:00 AM PST / 11:00 AM MST / 12:00 PM CST) $1438 per year

5th Grade Mon 10:00 -11:00 PM EST (7:00 PST / 8:00 MST / 9:00 CST) $1438 per year

5th Grade Tue 5:00 -6:00 PM EST (2:00 PST / 3:00 MST / 4:00 CST) $1438 per year

5th Grade Wed 6:00 -7:00 PM EST (3:00 PST / 4:00 MST / 5:00 CST) $1438 per year

5th Grade Thurs 4:00 -5:00 PM EST (1:00 PST / 2:00 MST / 3:00 CST) $1438 per year

6th Grade Tue 6:00 -7:00 PM EST (3:00 PST / 4:00 MST / 5:00 CST) $1438 per year

6th Grade Wed 7:45 -8:45 PM EST (4:45 PST / 5:45 MST / 6:45 CST) $1438 per year

6th Grade Thurs 5:00 -6:00 PM EST (2:00 PST / 3:00 MST / 4:00 CST) $1438 per year

6th Grade Thurs 10:30 -11:30 PM EST (7:30 PST / 8:30 MST / 9:30 CST) $1438 per year

7th Grade Tue 7:00 -8:00 PM EST (4:00 PST / 5:00 MST / 6:00 CST) $1438 per year

7th Grade Tue 10:00 -11:00 PM EST (7:00 PST / 8:00 MST / 9:00 CST) $1438 per year

7th Grade Wed 4:00 -5:00 PM EST (1:00 PST / 2:00 MST / 3:00 CST) $1438 per year

7th Grade Thurs 6:45 -7:45 PM EST (3:45 PST / 4:45 MST / 5:45 CST) $1438 per year

8th Grade Tue 8:00 -9:00 PM EST (5:00 PST / 6:00 MST / 7:00 CST) $1438 per year

8th Grade Wed 5:00 -6:00 PM EST (2:00 PST / 3:00 MST / 4:00 CST) $1438 per year

8th Grade Wed 10:30 -11:30 PM EST (7:30 PST / 8:30 MST / 9:30 CST) $1438 per year

8th Grade Thurs 7:45-8:45 PM EST (4:45PST / 5:45MST / 6:45CST) $1438 per year

9/10/11/12th Gr Sun 8:00 -9:00 PM EST (5:00 PST / 6:00 MST / 7:00 CST) $1798 per year*

9/10/11/12th Gr Mon 8:00 -9:00 PM EST (5:00 PST / 6:00 MST / 7:00 CST) $1798 per year*

9/10/11/12th Gr Invitation Only Sun 7:00 -8:00 PM EST (4:00 PST / 5:00 MST / 6:00 CST) $1598 per year*

9/10/11/12th Gr Invitation Only Mon 7:00 -8:00 PM EST (4:00 PST / 5:00 MST / 6:00 CST) $1598 per year*

 * Tuition includes individual essay feedback provided outside of class

AP US History (APUSH) Test Preparation Crash Course Day/time Sun 6:00 - 7:00 PM EST, January 3, 2024 - May 8, 2024 $899 **

AP English Language & Composition Test Preparation Crash Course Sun 5:00 - 6:00 pm EST, January 3, 2024 - May 8, 2024 $899 **

**  Tuition includes individual essay feedback and practice-test grading conducted outside of class

 Don't see a class time that works for your schedule? Write Ahead is continuously adding class options. Join our notifications list to receive schedule additions (2-4 emails/year).  

 

 

 

ISEE & SSAT Test Preparation

Sunday, September 10, 2023 - Sunday, December 3, 2023 (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

AP Test Preparation Crash Courses

Offered January - May 2024, once/week for 16 weeks

AP English Language and Composition Supplement Class Sundays 5:00-6:00 EST (2:00-3:00 PST) $899

AP United States History Supplement Class Sundays 6:00 - 7:00 EST (3:00-4:00 PST) $899

Class Descriptions

Analytic Writing Classes

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. 

AP US History (APUSH) Test Preparation Crash Course

The APUSH crash course is designed for high school students who are taking APUSH at school and want to develop or hone the more advanced concepts and specific skills needed for exam success. 

 

The class offers students comprehensive and rigorous preparation for the AP Exam by supplementing the knowledge gained during your class at school with historical analysis and connection or context-building skills needed for the exam. Class time is focused on reviewing and analyzing the eight themes of the exam, practicing exam skills, completing practice tests, and reviewing sample, highly scored essays. The instructor also reviews the scoring rubric published by the AP Board for short and long-response essays.   AP exam success derives from critically analyzing history; class time is devoted to walking through related discussions together. 

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. 

Sessions include:

  • Three graded practice tests

  • Multiple-choice question skills and tips

  • Primary and secondary source analysis

  • Discussion of historical developments and processes

  • Learning how to create connections between historical moments or patterns

  • Thesis/Argument development

  • Integrating evidence into writing

  • Feedback on all writing, including short and long essay and document-based questions 

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: meets online with a live instructor for 1 hour/week for 16 weeks. Students will receive 1 hour/week of homework that mimics the AP exam.

Detailed Analytic Writing Class Descriptions:

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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

  • Literary analysis formats including theme development, poetry analysis, compare and contrast, literary technique analysis, setting analysis and point-of-view analysis

  • How to apply writing strategies taught to historical analysis

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.

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