Register now for the PSAT

Dear Parents,

First, I would like to take this opportunity to welcome all new Montfort parents and students. I look forward to meeting all of you and sharing with you the journey of secondary education, national testing, and college preparation!

Believe it or not, the deadline is fast approaching for ordering the Preliminary SAT (PSAT), to be administered Wednesday, October 13, 2010. This test mirrors the SAT in its format, but with content suited to a second-year high school student. All rising sophomores are asked to participate in this test, which is a crucial step toward preparing for the SAT. Not only is the PSAT an essential practice tool, helpful in understanding individual strengths and deficiencies, but handsome scholarships are also offered to sophomores who score exceptionally well (that is, a fraction of the top one percent).

We also invite rising juniors and incoming freshmen to take the PSAT. For juniors, it provides a structured environment in anticipation of their first SAT trial; for freshmen, it provides a preliminary glimpse into the world of aptitude test-taking and helps them to assess the skills needed to succeed. Since the scores are not sent to prospective colleges and are not recorded on the student transcript, it is truly a low-stakes test.

The cost is a modest $15, which covers both scoring the test and mailing. Payment will be collected in September.

At this point, we need a show of participation. Would you like your daughter or son to take the PSAT? Please send an email confirmation to me by Tuesday, June 1st so that we can order enough copies of the test.

Thank you for your reply. We wish all our students the blessings of memory, intellectual acuity, and inspiration as they study for final exams and regents!


Yours sincerely in Christ,

John Pilsner
Testing Coordinator
Academic Guidance Counselor
Director of College Admissions

Ivy Insiders Test Prep

Dear Parents of Juniors and Sophomores,

Caitlyn Sommers, Branch Manager for Ivy Insiders and a U. Penn junior, will be teaching a three-week preparation course for a select group of students (limited to about 10) here at Montfort, from July 19th to August 9th. Classes will take place on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday, from 9am to 1pm on Mondays and from 9am to 12pm on Wednesdays and Fridays. It is best to start early, before the temperature climbs to the hottest part of the day. Attached you will find impressive promotional literature from Ivy Insiders and a class calendar for Montfort. Caitlyn will visit Montfort before the year's end, so that parents and students can meet the teacher. You can also view Caitlyn's profile here.

Preparation is a must for juniors, and sophomores have a golden opportunity to overcome SAT jitters and get on the straight and narrow path to higher scores. This year once again it is evident that students with good SAT scores are offered more substantial merit scholarships - as much as several thousand dollars more per year - and are able to gain entry to colleges and universities with reputations for a higher standard of education. Surely this is an investment with a quick return!

The cost for the course is $599 ($100 less than last year), payable on the web site or by check. Click here to enroll on Caitlyn's Instructor page.

Here is also a link to the course schedule offered at Montfort.

I would happy to discuss this course or any other options with you. Whatever you do, please form a clear and definitive plan.

Sincerely,
John Pilsner