I remember when Patrick came to me and said we should offer Regents Review Classes.
I thought he was crazy.
I had never heard of such a thing. Yet, he was so passionate and his vision was so pronounced: These one day classes would allow students to review the subject’s curriculum, gain lots of confidence, and be better prepared for their Regents exams.
I was still skeptical.
Could a one day review even work? Playing devil’s advocate, I asked myself “Why would anyone want to take a one day review class anyway?” As an English teacher, my subject matter is far more abstract than say, algebra, earth science, or geometry. I listened to Patrick because he was so passionate about the idea. But, I wasn’t entirely sold. Could one day reviews for tests such as Regents exams and AP exams really work?
Over the course of several months, Patrick and I went back and forth, finally arriving at an idea that would ensure that we could reach each student in each review class. We decided that our teachers had to know in advance what the students needed and wanted more review in. By knowing this information, each review would be unique to the students in the room. Our reviews could be more personalized, more student-centered. Sure, our teachers would cover the entire curriculum, but they would review what students requested first. We would reach out to every student to learn what concepts or topics were causing trouble. Our students, ranging in age from 12-18, could sit for several hours and not get bored or restless because the class would be designed around what they wanted.
We also wanted to get as much feedback from our classroom and tutoring students and their parents so that we could ensure that our reviews were something that students would find extremely valuable. After each review, we would request feedback on how to improve. We would use that feedback to improve the next review and so on.
We also wanted to ensure that students were fed lunch. While it may seem simple, no other review company does this, so students are on their own if they take another review. While speaking to parents, we heard some eye opening things. There is no reason for teenagers to be wandering around a college campus or crossing busy roads to get something to eat. Patrick and I are both parents, and we view each student as our own. We want to keep the focus on learning, not wondering when, where, or how someone will be getting lunch.
Patrick and I are educators at heart, and there is nothing that we want more than to help kids. So, we continued to research and discuss, knowing that there is definitely a saturation point for students. In the end, kids are still kids, and after a number of hours, students can potentially tune out.
Our reviews would keep students interested by giving them what we call strategic breaks. Because the teachers know what the kids need to review and want more review in, they can develop a curriculum that includes breaks at strategic times. (Who knew that countless times students would actually elect to skip breaks?) We would also offer two time frames–3 hour and 5 hour–because schedules come into play, and sometimes, the thought of 5 hours is too much for a teenager. (Who knew that 65% of students who signed up for 3 hours would elect to stay for the extra two hours?)
I came to learn that not only was my initial reaction to Patrick’s idea wrong, but that Regents Review Classes really do work because the concept gets results. We now offer AP Review Classes, which follow the same premise as our Regents Review Classes. We have found that in addition to a tremendous boost in confidence, students can expect on average a 5-15 point increase on their Regents exams. Students can expect at least a full point increase on their AP exam grade. At our last AP Review Classes, students even stayed after class to continue talking and working with the teacher.
The one day Regents and AP review format really does work wonders.
Parents and students alike have written, called, and texted words of praise many times. Just recently, the parent of a student in one of our AP Review Classes emailed us this:
“He’s a senior and has been to many reviews in his years. This was his favorite one by far. We will be using your company for his sisters in the future. It was great to get a glowing review.”
Regents Review parents have given us feedback such as this:
“The teachers were also incredible. My kids now feel confident that they will do well. Thanks again!”
So, do one day review classes work for tests such as Regents and AP exams? Yes, they most definitely do, especially when high-quality, passionate educators work together to provide a new perspective from which to view the subject matter, show testing tips and tricks, and lay the foundation for continued success.
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Laurence Mechanic is an English teacher and SAT and ACT tutor who lives and works on Long Island.
For more information about our Long Island AP Review Classes, please click here.
For more information about our Long Island Regents Review Classes, please click here.
For more information about our Rockland County AP Review Classes, please click here.
For more information about our Online AP Review Classes, please click here.