Clayborne Education

07/07/2026

We sat down on Cville Right Now with Sophia Lipinski, a rising senior at CHS — 5 APs, competitive diver, theater kid, and novel writer — to talk about what junior year actually feels like from the inside.

She gave better advice to upcoming juniors than most adults would. Lee was there too, and had something to say about a conversation he had with the dean of admissions at University of Chicago that stopped us in our tracks.

Worth a listen. Listen to the full conversation here:

Sophia Lipinski, a rising senior at Charlottesville High School, along with Lee Elberson, CEO Clayborne Test Prep and Tutoring, talk about her experiences, pressures, and challenges in navigating her junior year of high school and preparing to take the next step to college. https://share.transistor....

07/02/2026

Four years at many private colleges now costs over $300,000 — and new federal loan limits that took effect July 1 mean the borrowing backstop most families have relied on just got smaller.

Merit scholarships matter more than ever. A strong SAT or ACT score at the right school on a balanced list can make a real difference in what families actually pay.

If you're thinking about college costs, it's worth thinking about the test at the same time.

Read more here: https://clayborne.com/blog/new-federal-loan-limits-college-prep/

New federal loan limits could change how families plan for college costs. Learn what the changes mean for borrowing, merit aid, and early college prep.

06/29/2026

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x_myANY7mU4

In this walkthrough, Clayborne Education's Clay Daniel takes you th...

06/29/2026

The SAT just turned 100.

A lot has changed since the first test was given in 1926. Today’s SAT is digital, adaptive, and shorter, but it still rewards students who can read carefully, think clearly, and prepare strategically.

In our latest blog, we look at how the SAT has changed over the past century, what still matters, and what students should know as they prepare for the test today.

Read the full article here:

The SAT turns 100 as the test enters a new digital era. Here’s what has changed, what still matters, and how students should prepare.

06/19/2026

Law school applications are surging and the LSAT is changing.

Applications and applicants are up sharply, top LSAT score bands are more crowded, Logic Games are already gone, remote testing is ending for most students, and a new LawHub interface arrives this August.

For students applying this cycle, the takeaway is simple: the LSAT is not just a box to check. It may be one of the clearest levers applicants still control.

Read our full breakdown:

Law school applications are surging, top LSAT score bands are more crowded, and major LSAT changes are here. Learn what the end of remote testing, the removal of Logic Games, and the new LawHub interface mean for applicants.

06/17/2026

For students taking the digital SAT, knowing the math content is only part of the equation. Knowing how to use Desmos well can make a real difference.

Clayborne CEO Lee Elberson walks through SAT practice questions and demonstrates practical ways students can use the built-in calculator to work more efficiently and confidently. More to come!

Watch the full video here:

Learn how to use Desmos for Digital SAT math questions with Claybor...

06/17/2026

Test-optional may still be listed on most college websites, but the admissions landscape is changing.

Six of the eight Ivy League schools have now reinstated SAT or ACT requirements, and more selective colleges are following the same path. At the same time, grade inflation has made transcripts harder to compare, which means test scores are becoming more important again for admissions, scholarships, and honors programs.

Following Yale's recent announcement, our latest blog article breaks down what families need to know and why students should think strategically before deciding not to test.

Read more:

Ivy League schools are moving away from test-optional admissions as grade inflation rises. Here’s what families need to know about SAT/ACT strategy, scholarships, honors programs, and the new ACT.

06/10/2026

Phone bans may help students focus, but they do not answer the bigger question now facing schools: what happens when AI becomes part of the classroom?

Our latest blog explores the difference between distracting technology, instructional technology, and the tools some students rely on for accessibility and why schools need clearer policies as AI moves further into education.

Read more:

Schools are banning phones — but AI is already filling the gap. What parents and students need to know about the next wave of classroom technology policy.

05/29/2026

When family budgets feel tighter, parents naturally start asking harder questions about what is worth keeping, delaying, or cutting.

A vacation can wait. A subscription can be paused. A restaurant meal can become dinner at home.

But for many families, test preparation sits in a different category because it may affect a student’s college options, confidence, and scholarship opportunities later.

Clayborne students receive, on average, approximately $25,000 more in merit-based scholarship aid than their peers.

In our latest blog, we look at why families often continue to invest in test prep during uncertain economic times, what kind of return parents should realistically consider, and why starting with a diagnostic can provide clarity before making a larger commitment.

Read the full article here:

Clayborne explores why families continue to invest in test preparation during economic uncertainty — and how tutoring, diagnostics, scholarships, and 529 funds can shape long-term educational value.

05/20/2026

Reserve your spot: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSe85XJrIpzufnkz4nXArPnBU7JSrJw49Gqeu5uhPUfUEPe-cQ/viewform