Academics

In STAIRS, classes primarily focus on three academic areas: English, Math, and Study Skills with mentors. In the spring, English and Math meet for 45 minutes each with a 45 minute mentor session with advice and games in between.

STAIRS also applies an additional focus on ISEE test preparation. The ISEE test (an acronym for Independent School Entrance Exam) is the entrance exam required for acceptance into private college preparatory schools, therefore familiarity with its main concepts is beneficial to the students. 

English: Because writing skills are often difficult for students to learn at this age, a significant amount of time is devoted to writing development, vocabulary enhancement, and reading comprehension. These skills find importance in future academic accomplishments as well as with taking the ISEE. 

Math: In math class, students focus on operations with fractions, word problems, logical reasoning, one and two-step equations, quantitative reasoning, and number properties. Mastery of these skills will be useful in many future math classes as well as the ISEE exam. 

Study Skills & Break with Mentors: Students learn life skills fundamental to high school, college, and job applications in Study Skills through our mentors. These lessons include how to interview, conduct themselves professionally, and the laws of social etiquette. The students also get a break playing screen games with the mentors facilitating!