Course Notes and Benefits

A proven approach for success on a demanding test.
In Person classes meet on Tuesdays and Fridays at Mater Dei School from 3 - 4:30pm. Here is the exact schedule for the fall of 2024.
Seven in person classes for 1.5 hrs each session
All classes meet at Mater Dei School, Bethesda, MD 20817 in the 8A homeroom
Class includes full access to all online materials and resources, including three practice tests.
Traditional textbook approach and vocabulary program are essential parts of the curriculum
Digital access to the course continues through the calendar year and beyond.








SSAT in person Session I (for Mater Dei students only)


Key Lesson Concepts:

✨Flashcard program enhances studying for SSAT exam
✨Students learn to create and customize their own flashcards
✨Regular use of flashcards improves retention and performance on SSAT exam


Our Course Curriculum


  1. Welcome Video
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  2. Fall in Person Classes
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  3. Introduction to the SSAT
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  4. Math
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  5. Verbal
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  6. Reading
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  7. Writing
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  8. Quizzes
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  9. Summer Classes (I will remove this eventually)
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About The Author


John Dugan, a career educator, has over two decades of teaching and tutoring experience. For over fifteen years, he has taught SSAT and HSPT prep classes in person to hundreds of students in the Washington, DC area with great success. He is now bringing the best of the classroom to you online.

John is a committed educator and school leader. He is disappointed that he cannot offer the traditional, in-class experience to the local students, but he is excited to bring his courses to those who need them. While there are many options available to you for such courses, John believes that his approach is rooted in the fundamentals of good teaching and learning and not in simply teaching the students “tricks.”

John feels blessed to have had the experiences that he has had. He has worked with the administrative team at Mater Dei, becoming assistant headmaster in 2015, but he has still been able to continue teaching, coaching, and advising the 8th graders as they prepare to enter high school. He has enjoyed increasing his knowledge of “Ed tech” and working with his SSAT and HSPT students. While we are all in the midst of the pandemic, he remains hopeful about the future of education and looks forward to continuing to help young people.


Choose a Pricing Option

Edith Deborah


Creating and using flashcards was a turning point in my SSAT prep. The interactive approach made memorization easy and fun. I saw noticeable improvements in my vocabulary and math skills, which boosted my overall performance. This course's innovative techniques were instrumental in my SSAT success.


⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐


Joel Anderson


The flashcard program in this course was excellent. It transformed my study habits, making learning interactive and personalized. Creating my own flashcards helped me target specific areas, enhancing my understanding of key concepts. My SSAT scores improved dramatically, and I felt much more confident on test day.


⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐


Esther Evenly


The flashcard program was a game-changer for my SSAT prep. It made studying fun and interactive, especially creating my own flashcards. This approach significantly improved my vocabulary and math skills. I felt much more confident and prepared for the exam after using these effective study tools.


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