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SSAT, ISEE & SHSAT Verbal Specialist | Structured Reading & Writing
Wendy S.

5.0 (424 ratings)

1,474 hours tutoring

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About Wendy

Bio

Most students struggle with reading and writing because no one has ever shown them a clear way to approach either one. I focus on structure. My students learn how to break down complex passages succinctly, organize their ideas clearly, and explain them in a way that makes sense.

I work with middle and high school students on SSAT, ISEE, SHSAT verbal, and academic writing. We use simple, repeatable frameworks, including Point–Proof–Explain, Claim–Evidence–Reasoning, and...

Most students struggle with reading and writing because no one has ever shown them a clear way to approach either one. I focus on structure. My students learn how to break down complex passages succinctly, organize their ideas clearly, and explain them in a way that makes sense.

I work with middle and high school students on SSAT, ISEE, SHSAT verbal, and academic writing. We use simple, repeatable frameworks, including Point–Proof–Explain, Claim–Evidence–Reasoning, and Issue–Rule–Analysis–Conclusion, so students have a clear starting point each time instead of guessing. I also teach students how to build a full essay from the ground up, including the hook, thesis, topic sentences, body paragraphs, counterclaim, and conclusion.

I have over 1,300 hours of one-on-one tutoring, and many families come to me after trying other tutors. I am direct, but I meet students where they are and help them build from there. The goal is for them to understand the process, not just get through an assignment.

My background in law shapes how I teach writing and argument. I focus on clear claims, strong evidence, and thoughtful explanations so students can approach their work with more confidence and a clear plan.

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Education

Skidmore College
B.A.
Benjamin N. Cardozo School of Law
J.D.
The New School - ESL certificate
Other

Policies

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Approved Subjects

ACT English

ACT English

I have successfully guided many high school students through the English & Reading Sections of the ACT. I have done this both in group sessions and via private tutoring. My goal is to customize an individualized plan for each student and work with them towards achieving it.
ACT Reading

ACT Reading

I have been teaching ACT Reading & ACT English professionally for CUNY's grant program. I also help students with reading comprehension and test-taking in a private capacity.
Creative Writing

Creative Writing

With a strong background in English and years of experience guiding middle and high school students through essays and narrative writing, I bring structure and inspiration to creative writing sessions. I help students in these age groups develop authentic voices, build engaging story arcs, and refine their use of literary devices. My approach blends encouragement with clear, constructive feedback so they feel confident taking creative risks. Whether they’re crafting a short story, a personal statement, or a creative response for class, I provide the tools and support they need to express themselves with clarity and imagination.
Debate

Debate

As a former litigator, I spent years sharpening my debate skills in the courtroom. Now, as a tutor, I teach students to do the same: to identify key issues, research thoroughly, build persuasive arguments, anticipate and address counterclaims, and deliver their points with confidence and clarity.
English

English

I have been working as an English Tutor for the last ten years in various capacities. I have helped students reach their reading and writing goals both inside classrooms and via private tutoring. I have worked with students on everything from standardized test-taking to writing competitions to personal statements and so much more...
ESL/ESOL

ESL/ESOL

I have been teaching ESL for the last 10 years. I have my ESL Certificate and have taught the spouses of diplomats at the United Nations. My lessons include an emphasis on day-to-day conversation, literacy, and grammar. I am happy to tailor our sessions to suit your specific goals and needs.
Essay Writing

Essay Writing

I guide students through everything from timed standardized test essays (ISEE, SSAT, AP Language, AP Literature & Composition etc.) to academic papers and personal statements. My method equips students with a practical writing toolbox to develop, organize, and express ideas clearly and confidently. With a focus on structure, clarity, and voice, I empower students to write purpose-driven essays for any subject or setting.) to academic papers and personal statements. My method equips students with a practical writing toolbox to develop, organize, and express ideas clearly and confidently. With a focus on structure, clarity, and voice, I empower students to write purpose-driven essays for any subject or setting.
Grammar

Grammar

I have worked with students of all grade levels to improve their grammar. This frequently includes punctuation, paragraph formation, spelling, vocabulary, and language errors. Depending on each student's specific needs and abilities, I will do my best to find creative ways to ensure they meet their academic goals. This can range widely from weekly homework assignments to standardized test preparation.
ISEE

ISEE

With extensive experience in standardized test prep, I provide targeted, effective tutoring for the ISEE, helping students master verbal reasoning, reading comprehension, and the essential ELA and vocabulary skills needed for the exam. My hands-on approach ensures students develop test-taking strategies, time management skills, and confidence. Having built ELA programs for all grade levels, I specialize in strengthening vocabulary, reading, and writing—key components of the ISEE. I customize lessons to ensure optimal results.
Literature

Literature

I am a literature tutor with deep experience guiding students through classic and modern texts, helping them understand theme, character development, symbolism, and authorial intent. I specialize in close reading, textual evidence, and analytical discussion of works commonly taught in middle school, high school, and introductory college courses, with an emphasis on traditional literary analysis and historical context. I help students move beyond plot summary to develop clear, well-supported, and confident literary interpretations.
PSAT

PSAT

I have helped many students conquer the reading and writing sections of the PSAT. For many, this test is a teen's first experience in the world of standardized testing. My goal is to ensure they are well-prepared and set up for success on test day.
Reading

Reading

I provide structured reading tutoring for students of all grade levels, with a strong focus on reading comprehension, vocabulary development, and critical thinking. My instruction emphasizes close reading, accuracy, and fluency while building the skills students need to understand complex texts with confidence. Lessons are tailored to each student’s needs and are designed to produce steady, measurable improvement. I also support students preparing for standardized exams or seeking to strengthen overall literacy.
Regents

Regents

I have successfully tutored numerous students for their Regents examinations in English Language Arts (ELA) and American History. I provide tutoring for both these exams as part of my job with CUNY's STEM program. Additionally, before law school, I majored in American Studies (an interdisciplinary degree combining English and American History).
SAT Reading

SAT Reading

I help students raise their SAT Reading scores by teaching targeted strategies that build confidence and improve comprehension with every passage. We focus on identifying main ideas, analyzing tone and author’s purpose, and mastering inference and vocabulary-in-context questions, which are some of the most challenging parts of the test. My students learn how to read actively, annotate efficiently, and apply techniques that lead to measurable score increases. With personalized guidance, even reluctant readers build the skills and confidence needed to succeed on test day.
SHSAT (NY HS admissions)

SHSAT (NY HS admissions)

I have successfully tutored numerous New York City students in preparing for the SHSAT, helping them meet and exceed their academic goals. My expertise lies in the ELA section of the exam, with a focus on grammar, vocabulary, and reading comprehension. Many of my students have gained admission to top specialized high schools as a result of our focused and personalized preparation.
SSAT

SSAT

I have helped many students drastically improve their scores on the SSAT. I tend to work best with students who are having difficulty navigating the reading, verbal, and essay sections. This includes the challenging analogy questions, frequently foreign to first-time test takers. I enjoy this exam because it provides ample opportunity to build test-taking strategies, that carry over for the remainder of students' academic careers.
Writing

Writing

Most students struggle with writing because they’ve never been taught a clear structure; I teach writing in a way that makes it repeatable, logical, and effective. I specialize in helping middle and high school students develop clear, structured writing using frameworks such as Point–Proof–Explain (PPE) and Claim–Evidence–Reasoning (CER), so they move beyond summary into precise analysis. My background in law (Cardozo School of Law) informs my emphasis on argument, clarity, and evidence. I work on academic essays, analytical writing, and test-based writing (SSAT, ISEE, SHSAT, ACT), with sessions designed to produce measurable improvement in both writing and critical thinking.
Study Skills
Vocabulary
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Ratings and Reviews

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5.0 (424 ratings)
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Reviews

5 stars!

Wendy is an absolute gift to work with. She tutored me on the verbal section of the SSAT and my percentile went from 70% to 98%. I've had other tutors and no one else could bring my score up by that much. Wendy was also able to help both my sister and me with our admission essays, and the grammar and language of both essays improved tremendously. My sister was accepted to the school that Wendy helped with, and I was accepted to every school I applied to. Additionally, Wendy not only made a difference, but she made it fun. Whenever a tutor session was mentioned, my sister and I would absolutely refuse to do it with anyone other than Wendy, because Wendy was the only tutor that we actually had fun with. I would look forward to my lessons every week because of the positive and energetic manner that Wendy taught her lessons in. I already recommended her to my friend Aftab who loves her just as much as me. I can't even imagine working with anyone else for vocab or essays. If you are thinking about working with Wendy, I cannot tell you how much I hope you do work with her! I cannot recommend her enough, and we will definitely be booking lessons with her in the future.

Lin, 13 lessons with Wendy

Very knowledgeable and helpful tutor

Wendy is a great tutor - my son needed help with his ACT reading and Wendy taught him some very efficient strategies that immediately improved his score. We are very happy with Wendy. Thank you.

Faig, 1 lesson with Wendy

Wendy has been the best tutor we have ever had for our son.

My son has been meeting with Wendy twice a week for the past nine months, and his overall english has improved dramatically, night to day difference. She is flexible with our times and always seams to make it work for him if our schedule changes. I would highly recommend her!

Jim, 78 lessons with Wendy

Excellent SSAT Tutor

Wendy is an excellent SSAT tutor, and we feel very fortunate to have worked with her. She helped our 5th-grade son prepare for the middle-level SSAT on short notice, focusing on reading comprehension and analogies, which were his most challenging areas. From the first session, Wendy quickly identified where comprehension and timing were breaking down and tailored her strategies to our son’s needs. Her sessions were focused, confidence-building, and supported by helpful follow-up materials such as targeted Quizlet lists and clear lesson summaries. We were also impressed by Wendy’s professionalism and integrity. When we flagged a timing issue in one session, she immediately acknowledged it and made up the time without hesitation. Communication throughout was prompt and reassuring. Most importantly, in just a few sessions, our son’s overall SSAT percentile improved from 89 to 93, along with a noticeable boost in confidence. We highly recommend Wendy to any family looking for a knowledgeable and dedicated SSAT tutor.

Amit, 3 lessons with Wendy

excellent SSAT tutor

Got right down to it with our son. Had materials ready to review and was very quick to get feedback and revise work as needed. Very fortunate to have found her when we did.

Golan, 2 lessons with Wendy

Wendy is THE best!

We are incredibly grateful for the support and guidance Wendy provided to our daughter. From the very beginning, it was clear that she genuinely cared: not just about test scores, but about building confidence, mindset, and a love for learning. Wendy's teaching style is both fun and highly engaging, which made each session something our daughter actually looked forward to. We had a very short time to prepare, and Wendy understood the assignment! She made the process feel positive, encouraging and fun. We would wholeheartedly recommend her to any family looking for a tutor who combines expertise with genuine care, warmth, and an engaging approach that truly brings out the best in students.

Suha, 7 lessons with Wendy

Wendy is THE best!

We are incredibly grateful for the support and guidance Wendy provided to our daughter. From the very beginning, it was clear that she genuinely cared: not just about test scores, but about building confidence, mindset, and a love for learning. Wendy's teaching style is both fun and highly engaging, which made each session something our daughter actually looked forward to. We had a very short time to prepare, and Wendy understood the assignment! She made the process feel positive, encouraging and fun. We would wholeheartedly recommend her to any family looking for a tutor who combines expertise with genuine care, warmth, and an engaging approach that truly brings out the best in students.

Suha, 7 lessons with Wendy
Tutor responded:

This means the world to me! Thank you so very much!

Efficient and helpful

My 7th grade son had a great first session with Wendy. She helped him to see how his writing could be more concise without losing his voice, and also worked with him on grammatical rules. She was encouraging and knowledgeable.

Ana, 18 lessons with Wendy

Energetic, fun & engaging tutor

My son truly loved our ELA class with Wendy - she was so engaging & made the learning fun. She also shared a super cool flip-style digital flashcards for us to practice after the class. We are looking forward to more classes!

Julia, 5 lessons with Wendy
Tutor responded:

Thank you so much — this truly made my day!

Efficient and helpful

My 7th grade son had a great first session with Wendy. She helped him to see how his writing could be more concise without losing his voice, and also worked with him on grammatical rules. She was encouraging and knowledgeable.

Ana, 18 lessons with Wendy
Tutor responded:

Thank you so much!