Its a pleasure to write this review, SelectivePrep has earned it. They provide the best, well organized and time tested prep resource. My son attended their intensive 4 weekend program last year and made the best out of it. With their help he got full score in the selective enrollment test and got accepted into his number one choice school. 7 years back my elder kid went through their course, scored full, got into her first choice school and is now doing undergrad at MIT. SelectivePrep was the beginning of that trajectory. We are grateful to them for supporting our children pursue their dreams.

We enrolled our son in SelectPrep in 2019 to prepare for the selective enrollment exam. My son reported that the instructor would calmly go step by step through strategies on how to solve different types of problems. The instructor followed up with me weekly on his progress and assessed his strengths and weaknesses. My child was already a good test taker, and he is a high performer. He just needed a couple extra points to get into a great school. I think it is imperative for all students to thoroughly understand the Selective Enrollment process, see example questions, and practice time management so that they dont freak out on the big exam day. Many CPS teachers and administrators will tell you that tutoring kids to take the test is a waste of money. I understand that they say this because they want all kids to be on a level playing field. But this is the same argument that was made against the SAT/ACT prep courses 30 years ago. Now colleges encourage students to take these courses and take the tests multiple times. CPS should do the same and subsidize prep courses for lower income families.

We sent all three kids to this program whenever there is a class suitable for them. They all get in to Whitney Young. I am happy for the teachers delegation and well designed study material that helped them. My twin girls both got admitted with high score. I did not do anything but send them to good schools and programs.

SelectivePrep provided the best, very well organized test prep resources! My son is a non-CPS student, with the help of SelectivePrep program, he got full score in the selective enrollment test and got accepted into his number one choice school Whitney Young Academic Center! Jonina is so knowledgeable about the entire enrollment and selection process. Thanks for all the time and effort you and your staff put into this great program!!

We were advised to have our child take course by a friend, who noticed a significant improvement in his kids scores w/ SelectivePrep. We opted for the early intensive for our non-CPS child who also had to take the MAP. Already a smart child, but the practice helped w/ pacing for test taking and review of subject materials. Keep in mind....child MUST work through the test booklet for optimal preparation. If you dont think your child will do this, then it might not be worth the cost. However, if your child plans to do a small amount every day, the preparation is worth it. No tier help needed for admission to first choice, WY. I believe the early intensive also helped the MAP score. (It was easy.)

My son used selective prep to help prepare him for the high school selective enrollment test. It was 8 sessions of hard work, even more hard work at home, and well..he got a perfect score. Highly recommended to anyone looking for test prep in Chicago. They really know what they are doing.

I have taught and worked in education for over 20 years (now in assessment) and cant tell you how impressed I was with the Selective Prep staff and program! My daughter is pretty self-motivated and worked through all of the test prep assignments. However, as a result of the program, she not only felt more confident headed into the HS selective enrollment process, but she increased her NWEA by 2-3 points in both Math/Literacy and scored a 99 on the SE exam. She got into her 2nd choice school and we could not be happier! Selective Prep staff and instructors provided outstanding communication, were responsive, and extremely knowledgeable about how to best prepare students for all of the assessments they support. Definitely money well spent!

The teacher was nice, and the study packets and homework really helped me learn new things. I also liked how they emailed me on what I should improve, it gave me a goal to study for. The mini tests, and time limitations, helped me learn to pace myself. Because of their great curriculum, I got into the Academic Center I wanted.

My daughter went to Selective prep numerous times . Selective prep prepared her for her Academic center exam, her NWEA exam , for her High School selective exam . She scored excellent on all of them . She received her first choice on the High School Selective exam and now she is so excited to be going to Northside College prep . Thank you for all the help . My daughter really enjoyed her teacher Ben ( he was her teacher for the last two times ) . He was always very helpful ( in the mornings before class started ) and in general, the program always seems to be on top of everything . I always made sure my daughter is on time and prepared for class . The material that they give out in class is a lot so be prepared for really hard work but I guess that is very good point if you want your child to have an excellent result . I am very thankful and my daughter enjoyed going to Selective prep . I strongly recommend this program and I think the hours of instruction that your child receives plus all the study guides are worth the price .

Selective Prep Delivers Best Selective Enrollment Results. Top High School Prep Course in Town. Worth every $. 2 unique kids. 5 years apart. Perfect scores. Both admitted to Walter Payton College Prep (2017 & 2012). As a parent, enjoyed the scheduling flexibility in location, day & time. Found instructors knowledgeable, patient & responsive. Noticed relevant & updated materials in class & homework. Appreciated detailed instructor feedback sent to parents after class sessions. Also, valued private tutoring lessons when faced with a particular troublesome topic. Program prepared kids to enter tests with confidence. Saw Joninas reassurance and guidance comforting to families during this stressful time in our lives. Glad to see families, whose kids also participated in Selective Prep, get their kids accepted to top schools of choice at Whitney Young, Jones & Payton.

Im very pleased with the test prep my 2 daughters received for both academic center and high school admission admissions tests. Just knowing what to expect is a big advantage. SelectivePrep additionally provided intermediate assessment to help us identify the low hanging fruit to improve scores. Our instructor, Harish, was very professional, supportive, positive, and able to identify areas for further work based on test data. He even emailed to see how the test went! I highly recommend SelectivePrep.

My daughter was new to the state of Illinois and I enrolled her in this course best money spent she was confident and prepared for exam scored high enough to get in any school but Jones College Prep was her first choice. I asked her after did she think the course help she said absolutely!!

My son attended pre-k-8th grade at a non-CPS school. Selective Prep helped my son prepare for the admissions test so that he could get into his 1st choice high school. My son reported that he was taught math in the class that he never was exposed to in school, so I’m confident that this exposure helped him get into his “dream school”. Good luck!

Our daughter had great results from her SelectivePrep classes. Huge jump in already-high MAP scores and aced the high school entrance test. Teachers were responsive, and I really respect the straightforward, no-nonsense approach of the administrators. Expectations very clearly set from day one.

The odds were against us living in a tier 4 neighborhood, but Selective Prep really help prepare my son for the high school entrance exam, especially having the chance to take the practice exam at the end of the course. Each week, we go emails giving us updates and what my son should work on. My son scored a perfect test exam and given a position at North Side College Prep. Much thanks to Selective Prep.

SelectivePrep helped my son not only feel confident about taking the exam, he aced it thanks to this course. He was accepted into the AC of his choice and we both feel SelectivePrep was the help he needed. They are very well organized and the teachers are prepared and helpful throughout the lessons. I would recommend highly for any parent looking to help their child prepare.

Thank you very much for the test preparation. My son got offered from Lane with score 297/300. The class was helpful to prepare for the test. Instructor Harish is very professional. I really recommended the class. 👍👍

I enrolled my son in the Selective Prep study program for the High School Selective Enrollment CPS exam. With the help of Selective Prep, he scored a 297 out of 300 on the high school exam and was accepted into his first choice - Lane. I cant say enough about his instructor, Aaron who provided great study tips and preparation. He also kept me consistently informed about his progress. Selective Prep was a great investment!

Ms. Lerner expelled my 13 year old granddaughter from the Select Prep program because, and these are her words, Her mother was rude. On October 15 my daughter attended the parent orientation for Select Prep Tutoring. She brought her 2 year old child with her who, according to other parents, was not being disruptive. Ms. Lerner seemed to take issue with the child being there and after the orientation my daughter spoke with Ms. Lerner. I have no idea what was said , that was between two adults. But whatever was said, it should have no bearing on my granddaughters enrollment status. My daughter went home and wrote a review of the orientation. Shortly thereafter, Ms. Lerner expelled my granddaughter from the program. I called and spoke to Ms. Lerner today and explained that she was punishing my granddaughter because of some perceived slight from my daughter and that was not fair to the child; she didnt care, she sounded rather smug about her decision. I tried to impress upon her that an adult should not use a child as a tool for revenge but thats exactly what she is doing and she knows it so beware parents who use this program. Dont make Ms. Lerner angry, she might boot out your kid too.

Thanks for the help! My son got an offer into his preferred high school Lane Tech College Prep High school. Would recommend!

Both of my daughters took the Selective Prep courses for 7th Grade MAP testing and Selective Enrollment testing going into High School. I believe the classes and guidance prepared them for the tests and measurably improved their performance. I recommend Selective Prep to any parent looking for effective test prep.

My daughter was recently admitted to the academic center of her choice. She had prepared for the exam by taking a class offered at SelectivePrep. I feel that the class was instrumental in getting her ready for the exam. The material was comprehensive, the instructions clear and her tutor Dayna very helpful and responsive.

Weve now had three children go through Selective Prep in preparation for the Academic Center tests. All of them were able to qualify, and I have no doubt Selective Prep was a big part of their success. The questions students see on these entrance exams are typically unlike anything they have come across before. So gaining familiarity (and extensive practice) with the various question types prior to the entrance exam gave them a lot of confidence heading into test day. I cant recommend SelectivePrep enough for anybody thinking about having their child go through the Academic Center process.

My daughter took this class and it improved her time management drastically! Her instructor kept us (parents) updated on our children’s strengths and weaknesses, this allowed us to take necessary steps at home to get the best score possible on the selective enrollment exam. Needless to say, my daughter tested well enough to be accepted into her first choice school! This class is definitely worth the investment!

Our son took the SelectivePrep course for Selective Enrollment High Schools last Fall. The coursework was challenging, and it was up to him to do his homework and be committed to the program. The instructor made himself available for questions prior to each class session and encouraged the students to utilize those services as needed. Every week, the instructor also sent out a detailed email, giving the results and an overview of our sons weekly tests and where to focus for improvement. We are pleased to announce that our son scored a perfect 300 on the Selective Enrollment test, and was admitted to his #1 choice for high school...Whitney M. Young! Very pleased with the process and the outcome, but I would stress as with most things in life...the amount of effort that one puts into their endeavors, usually yields an equal result of those efforts! Thank you again SelectivePrep!

I want to thank SelectivePrep for my daughter’s admission into WY. As a mother with a “hands-off” philosophy, I entrusted my daughter’s Academic Center entrance test prep to this place, which was highly recommended by a friend who tends to do thorough research on everything. We received emails after each of the 6-session lessons with a summary on her strength and weakness on that day’s topics, and suggestions on what practices to do. When we missed a session, they helped to arrange for a makeup session at a different location. I do want to say their communication style might seem “rude” at times, but I would suggest us as parents to keep our anxiety at check, do our share of research before burdening them with questions we could find answer on CPS websites, and keep our communications brief and to-the-point. Once we do this, they are very pleasant to communicate with. I would recommend this place to anyone who wants professional help in getting their kids “test ready”.

My daughter got into Whitney Young HS. She took an enrollment prep class here, which definitely helped her reach full point. I highly recommend your child to partake in a class.

The reason I am giving this only 2 stars is due to the attitude and policies of Jonina Lerner who owns/runs the company as well as the test prep material. She absolutely refuses to give out answers to test prep materials. Your child has to be paying full attention in class in recording the correct answers. In addition, the test prep materials contain errors, making it frustrating to figure out the answers. The material is also almost the exact same from year to year. You would think they would change things up a little bit. The actual course instructor was extremely nice and helpful, especially in the weekly emails tailored specifically for your child. Despite that, I would highly recommend you simply obtain the test prep materials from someone who already took the class and study on your own and save yourself some money. If your child is already so smart that they are scoring in the upper 90s on their NWEA/MAP tests, you definitely have no need for this class. I bet most of the people who are thanking SelectivePrep for helping their child get in have kids that would have gotten in anyways. Your child deserves the credit, not SelectivePrep. And yes, my child did get into an academic center.

My daughters NWEA scores did not increase much, despite many hours spent at this tutoring and going over materials provided. I received some pretty curt, borderline rude, communications from the owner. We will pursue other test prep options in the future.

My daughter has learned a lot from Selective Prep! She was able to get into one of the top five hardest selective enrollment high schools! Even though she already took the exam, she still applies the items she has learned from Selective Prep into her school work today. I highly recommend parents to enroll into a class!

We used Selective Prep for both MAP and the selective high school entrance exam. The homework helped us understand where we needed a refresher, and where there were concepts to review. We were very pleased with the preparation and instruction.

Really great teachers and curriculum. This program definitely helped my son get into his preferred selective enrollment high school.

I have used Selective Prep for 2 kids. I feel it definitely helped with preparing them for the Selective Enrollment Test. One was accepted into Jones College Prep, the other into Payton. Both were straight A students but I think the prep helped with the actual test.

I enrolled my son in the Selective Prep study program for the AC Selective Enrollment CPS exam. With the help of Selective Prep, he scored highly on the test and was accepted into the AC of our first choice - Young. I have to say thank you to his instructor, Ms. St. James who provided great study tips and preparation. Each week we received progress reports detailing his strengths and weaknesses, and how to improve from his weakness area. SelectivePrep helped my son feel confident about taking the exam and tackled the time management on the test. We both feel SelectivePrep was the help he needed. I would recommend highly for any parent looking to help their child prepare for any selective enrollment tests.

Both of my children took this course and they both scored 300/300 on the selective enrollment test. One of them attends Jones College Prep and the other one attends Westinghouse College Prep. My son was also admitted to St. Ignatius. I highly recommend this course!

The instructors do a really fabulous job with the students. My issue is with Jonine. She is not responsive or helpful. She completely ignored multiple emails about a make up test since my daughter was unable to attend the final session. For the money, I expected at least a modicum of professionalism but received none -- even as a repeat customer with future business to give. Again, though, the instructors and materials are great. I suppose they have something of a monopoly though and so do not really need to offer good customer service.

I thought that I’d share my opinion of your program and my son’s Instructor. Over the past six weeks, I’ve had a regular dialogue via email with him. Not only has he been extremely thorough in his responses, but he’s been amazingly accessible. I am very impressed with your program and the way that your Instructor has engaged the students and the parents in the implementation. I’ve spend time going through the material with my son and have personally found it very challenging. The exam is a big uncertainty. Selective Prep did everything to allay those fears. My son got into AC at school of his choice. Highly recommend the course and wonderful teachers

Our son took the 7th grade NWEA prep course and also the selective enrollment test prep in 8th grade. Both programs were well run. I felt the communication from the program and the individual instructors was excellent. The instructors gave specific feedback and areas for improvement for my son. Im confident the investment of money, time and effort we made in Selective Prep made a different in my sons academic performance.

I had both my sons in all the classes at select prep. We did map testing improvement and high school placement test classes at Sy Bens and North University. Both boys are in Lane and love it. My youngest we were panicked as he got a B in Science on his final grade for 7th. Yes I know a B is not bad but in the point system it can be a deal breaker. He did the classes to help him with the high school entrance test and got a 297. Both boys say select prep helped and the teachers are great. Don’t hesitate , one of the smartest decisions I made when it came to helping my boys take tests.

As a non-CPS family, we needed a good place to help us practice for the MAP Test and Selective Enrollment Exam. Selective Prep was really helpful and my son got into his first choice at Lane Tech. For anyone who is looking to go to a selective enrollment High school, this is the place to go.

I just left the parent orientation session for the selective prep course and was disappointed by the lack of professionalism demonstrated by the presenter/owner Jonina Lerner. I had my 2-year old daughter with me in the room with the other parents and she was playing quietly - not silently. Ms. Lerner repeatedly stopped the session to say how disruptive it was to have her in the room. I did apologize for the distraction but stayed in the session as I wanted the information, paid the fees, and had a right to be there. I would have immediately left if my daughter was crying or screaming. No one but Ms. Learner seemed to mind. She also made comments such as Quiet over there, Another late arrival ,when some parents came in after the start of the session, as well as saying, with an irritated tone, What is that? , when another parents phone rang. When I spoke with Ms. Learner after the session to say that I felt her response to my child was inappropriate, all she said in response was Whats your name - whats your name? I asked why she wanted to know and Ms. Learners response was I just want to know. Im a CPS teacher and I feel that an enterprise seeking to help students succeed should have a more positive approach to children in general. Additionally, the information session was undermined by her response to minor distractions. I cannot comment on the efficacy of the program for my 8th grader ,however, I will not use this company for my 2 younger children.

Selective Prep was fantastic and helped my Son achieve his testing goals. We are certain that the tutoring and practice tests provided by Selective Prep made the difference in his scores.

My daughter in 2013 and my son in 2017 were both accepted to their first choice high school, Northside College Prep. They both scored 300 on the HS entrance exam, and I have no doubt the preparation they received at Selective Prep helped them to get there.

My son was accepted to Whitney Young, thanks to, in substantial part, Selective Prep. Jonina and her staff were very hands on, and took a genuine interest in my childs success. I cant recommend Selective Prep highly enough.

We enrolled our child with Selective Enrollment because children of several of our friends had attended Selective Prep classes, have gotten into Selective Enrollment schools and stay very successful.Both our child and we have been enjoying the class. The program consists not only of rigorous academia but also of fun instructional methodologies in the classroom. The Team of instructors is absolutely fabulous: enthusiastic, competent, professional, smart and quick. Jonina herself has proved to be not only an excellent organizer but also a compassionate instructor in tune with all the needs of her students parents. On multiple occasions Jonina personally helped us with her expert advice on academic inquiries, responded promptly to our questions and provided an insight on school-related matters. Can’t say enough: Thank you, Jonina and the Team!

My daughter is in 6th grade at a private school, and while we are very happy with our current school, she wanted to take the selective exams to see how she would do. If were going to do this, then were going to do it right, and we signed her up for the Selective Prep 6th Grade Academic Center Test Preparation. Let me tell you -- that exam is nothing I would have expected, being completely different than the NWEA MAP exam, and my daughter found it invaluable to do this course to be familiar with the questions and be shown how to handle some of the problems. To be honest, there are still a couple questions on the practice tests that Im still trying to figure out! It is that odd. To cut to the chase, she ended up doing very well on her exams and placed into Lane Tech for a 7th and 8th grade academic center. I highly doubt this would have been possible without doing the Selective Prep course, and I highly recommend it. We will be doing the same course for our younger daughter when its her turn at bat.

I enrolled my daughter in SelectivePreps program in order for her to gain entry into one of Chicagos Selective Enrollment High Schools...her training was superb - she attended Northside Prep.

My son attended the 6th grade prep class and got accepted by Whitney Young Academic Center! He said Selective Prep questions helped a lot as the subjects they focused came out most in the test.

The rating is not on the course but on the management. Due to a billing error, Jonina called yelled and screamed at me and send an escalated email. At the end, she just cancelled my daughters registration. Hence, can’t rate the quality of the course but management is not pleasant.

My daughter was enrolled in the 6th Grade Spring MAP class. Her scores came out better than expected! She said this class taught her a different technique to approach the Reading questions. Her Spring Math score went up 10 points, which put her in the 99 percentile in Math. Higher than her Winter score. Instructor Jonina awesome! I will be enrolling her in the 7th/8th grade Academic Center prep class.

Jonina and her team are terrific! My daughter was an excellent student, but her standardized test scores on the Iowa didnt reflect her skills. We enrolled her in SelectivePrep after hearing from other parents this was an excellent company to help her. She ended up over the 90th percentile on her selective prep exam score. As our daughter entered high school we continued with Jonina as a private tutor for math skills. Today our daughter is a mathematics major and about to enter law school. Jonina helped her prepare for the material, and strategize for taking standardized exams that helped her with her high school admission, and carried forward through SAT and LSAT exams. Our younger son is now entering 7th grade and we are enrolling him with SelectivePrep. I highly recommend SelectivePrep and Jonina to help your child succeed in the selective prep exam process.

SelectivePrep did a wonderful job in preparing my daughter for the exams. She got accepted at Whitney Young!

Rude, unprofessional management and stuff. Not worth the money.