What Our Student Have To Say About Our HSPT Course



Mr. Dugan’s HSPT class was a key reason why I was able to be accepted into Gonzaga. Before enrolling in his course, I was nervous and clueless about how to prepare for the HSPT. Thankfully, I chose to sign up for Mr. Dugan’s HSPT course. From the very first lesson, it was clear that Mr. Dugan was committed to helping each student succeed. His structured approach and comprehensive curriculum provided me with the tools and confidence I needed to tackle the exam. The techniques and strategies I learned in Mr. Dugan’s class were invaluable. Not only did they help me achieve a high score on the HSPT, but they also enhanced my overall test-taking abilities throughout high school. His lessons on time management, critical thinking, and problem-solving have been particularly beneficial, enabling me to perform well on various standardized tests and classroom exams. I am incredibly grateful for the skills and knowledge I gained from his class, which have continued to benefit me long after the test was over."



Rex Stinchcomb 25

Sunday HSPT in Person Course Overview


Course Benefits


The HSPT in Person course meets Sundays at Mater Dei School in Bethesda, MD 20817. Specifically, the 8A homeroom in the Upper School building at the center of campus.
The class starts in early October and runs every week for seven weeks in a row. The final class will be before Thanksgiving. 
Also, included in the In Person course is access to a library of recorded lessons and videos as well as one full HSPT test that can be taken online and graded after submission by each section taken. 
You will experience the best of both worlds: great in person instruction and a wealth of online materials and support.
I will teach the class at three separate times. I would like you to pick a consistent time that you would like to attend the course. While you are picking your preferred time when registering, but you can always email me the week of to request to attend a different time if a conflict arises. 

Course Curriculum

  Welcome Video
Available in days
days after you enroll
  1. Classes
Available in days
days after you enroll
  2. Introduction to the HSPT
Available in days
days after you enroll
  3. Verbal
Available in days
days after you enroll
  4. Quantitative
Available in days
days after you enroll
  5. Reading Comprehension
Available in days
days after you enroll
  7. A Digital Practice HSPT
Available in days
days after you enroll


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 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.



This course is closed for enrollment.

Our Testimonial

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.

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐



David McMorris ‘24


Without the help of Mr. Dugan’s HSPT prep class, I don't know what I would’ve done the day of the HSPT. Not only did the class help me understand the material but it helped me gain confidence within myself to do well on the test. On the day of my HSPT, I wasn’t only ready but eager to take the test and I can only thank Dugan’s HSPT prep class for helping me along the way.



University of Pennsylvania 


⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐


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.


⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐