Total Tutoring Services

10/05/2026

It’s hard to believe there are only a few weeks left in the marking period! If your child’s grades aren’t quite where you hoped they would be—or homework has become a nightly source of frustration—we would love to help.

At Total Tutoring Services, we provide one-on-one tutoring personalized to each student’s needs. Whether your child needs help understanding current classwork, preparing for tests, completing missing assignments, or building better study habits, we can create a plan to help them finish the marking period strong.

We offer tutoring in your home, at a local library, or virtually. Please feel free to message us or visit www.TotalTutoringServices.com for more information

09/28/2026

A simple study tip for tests and quizzes:
Don’t just reread the notes!

Students learn more when they actively retrieve information from memory. Encourage your child to:
✅ Close the book and explain the topic aloud
✅ Make and answer practice questions
✅ Use flashcards in both directions
✅ Complete a few problems without looking at examples
✅ Teach the material to someone else

Studying should involve more thinking than highlighting!

09/25/2026

Your child is bright, capable, and has always done well in school. Then middle school begins—and suddenly, assignments are missing, grades are slipping, and homework becomes a nightly source of stress.

For many families, the change feels confusing. How can a student who understands the material still struggle so much in school?

The answer may have less to do with intelligence or academic ability and more to do with executive function skills.

Your child is bright, capable, and has always done well in school. Then middle school begins—and suddenly, assignments are missing, grades are slipping, and homework becomes a nightly source of...

09/23/2026

https://www.totaltutoringservices.com/blog/preparing-for-the-hspt-or-isee-when-should-your-child-begin

If your child is applying to a private or independent school, the admissions process can feel overwhelming—especially when an entrance exam such as the HSPT or ISEE is involved. One of the most...

09/22/2026

09/21/2026

One of the best questions you can ask after school isn’t “How was your day?”

Try one of these instead:
💬 What made you laugh today?
💬 What was the most interesting thing you learned?
💬 Was anything confusing?
💬 What are you proud of today?
💬 Who did you spend time with?

Specific questions often lead to much better conversations—and give parents a clearer picture of how school is really going.

09/19/2026

Every child deserves to feel capable.

Sometimes a student doesn’t need someone to give them the answers. They need someone who will slow down, explain the material differently, celebrate their progress, and remind them that they can do hard things.

That is one of the most important parts of one-on-one tutoring. ❤️

If your child could use additional academic support this school year, Total Tutoring Services would be happy to help.

09/17/2026

HSPT or ISEE—which test does your child need?

Both are private-school admissions exams, but they are used by different types of schools and have different formats.

📘 The HSPT is most commonly used by Catholic high schools and is typically taken by eighth-grade students. It includes verbal skills, quantitative skills, reading, mathematics, and language.

📕 The ISEE is commonly used by independent and private schools. Different levels are available based on the student’s grade, and the exam includes verbal reasoning, quantitative reasoning, reading comprehension, mathematics achievement, and an essay.

In most cases, the school your child is applying to determines which test is required, so always check the school’s admissions information first.

Total Tutoring Services offers individualized, one-on-one preparation for both the HSPT and ISEE. Our tutors help students review tested content, strengthen pacing, learn effective strategies, and approach test day with confidence.

09/16/2026

https://www.totaltutoringservices.com/blog/why-i-started-total-tutoring-services

When I started Total Tutoring Services in 2008, my mission was simple: to help students discover how they learn best and turn frustration into confidence. That mission grew from my experience as an...

09/15/2026

Preparing for the HSPT? Here’s a quick look at what families need to know!

The HSPT is used by many Catholic high schools as part of the admissions process. Understanding the test’s format, question types, and timing can help students feel more prepared and confident on test day.

At Total Tutoring Services, we provide individualized, one-on-one HSPT preparation tailored to each student’s strengths and areas for growth. Our tutors help students:

📚 Review the verbal, quantitative, reading, math, and language skills tested
⏱️ Improve pacing and time management
✏️ Learn effective test-taking strategies
💪 Build confidence and reduce test-day anxiety

Tutoring is available virtually or in person at your home or a local library.

Ready to get started? Visit the link in our bio or contact us at 443-604-9358.