For Central Florida high school students, classes may have just started back. But that doesn’t mean it’s too soon to start thinking about the SAT, ACT and college prep.

Parents and students are constantly asking us: When is the best time to take the SAT and ACT? Well, here are a few guidelines from your Club Z! tutors of Orlando:

Freshmen: Go ahead. Let out a deep breath. Luckily, for you, there’s still plenty of time. Spend this year focusing on your studies, figuring out what subjects interest you, and getting involved in extracurricular activities. You just started high school, after all.

Sophomores: It’s PSAT time. Students usually take the PSAT in October of their 10th or 11th grade year. Why is the PSAT important? It’s a great practice test, and a high score could qualify you for a National Merit Scholarship. The best time to start prepping is summer, but our Orlando Tutoring Experts can help get you up to speed. You’ll also want to continue to focus on those academics.

Juniors: If you take the PSAT in October, you’ll want to follow up with the SAT in the winter or spring. It’s generally a good idea to start taking the SAT and ACT during your junior year, since this leaves you plenty of time for a second try. Plus, senior year quickly fills up with scholarship deadlines and college applications.

Seniors: This is where it gets a bit tricky. If you’re applying for early decision, a highly competitive university or you plan to take both the SAT and ACT, October should really be your last SAT and/or ACT attempt. If not, you can extend that timeframe out to about December.

Remember you aren’t alone. The Orlando Tutoring experts at ClubZ! Tutoring of Orlando can help you prep for the PSAT, SAT, ACT and other standardized tests. For more, call us at 407-628-3100 or fill out our online contact form.

Back to school isn’t just for preK-12 students. With some of the largest public university populations in the country (UCF ranks No. 3, UF No. 6, USF No. 9), thousands of college freshman will descend on Florida campuses this year.
And the Orlando Tutoring Experts are just as focused on their educational needs as their younger counterparts.

That’s why we’ve complied a college freshman guide to academic survival.
Step 1: Go to class. Sounds simple enough, right? Absenteeism is one of the sure-fire ways to fail out of a class (and college if you’re not careful).
Step 2: Don’t go home every weekend. This is tempting for students staying in state, but going home every weekend prevents you from connecting with other students, getting comfortable with the campus and making a new home.
Step 3: Take risks and participate. As long as it’s safe, it’s OK to go outside of your comfort zone. This is a time to meet new people and explore new ideas.
Step 4: Learn to say “no.” Agreeing to everything that sounds fun, interesting and exciting will lead to trouble. Your academics will suffer, your time management will be horrible and you’ll burn yourself out.
Step 5: Don’t forget to pay attention to finances. Make sure you’re sticking with your budget throughout the semester and that you always know the status of your financial aid package.
Step 6: Ask for help before it’s too late. This is where we can help. Our tutors can assist you with college-level work from Physics and Statistics to Foreign Languages and English.
The Orlando Tutoring experts at ClubZ! Tutoring of Orlando can help you get through that first semester (and beyond). For more, call us at 407-628-3100 or fill out our online contact form.

We’re counting down the weeks (no, more like days!) until school bells chime once again in Central Florida. And for the reluctant and eager alike, that means it’s time for some back-to-school shopping.

But it’s likely to cost a pretty penny. On average, parents will spend $606.40 to get one child ready for school this year, according to the National Retail Federation’s annual survey. Luckily, the Orlando Tutoring Experts of Club Z! are here to offer a few back-to-school shopping and saving tips.

Begin with a plan. Look over your class supply list before you head out the door. What items do you have leftover from last year? For the items you still need, search online for the best store deals/coupons and map out your course of action.

Set a budget. You’ll also want to set a budget (and stick to it)! A good way to make sure you don’t over spend is to use the envelope system and put the cash you’ve allotted for each child into separate envelopes. Once the cash is gone, no more money can be spent.

Buy in bulk. According to a WESH Channel 2 story, team with other parents to buy in bulk.

Don’t forget Tax-Free days. Florida’s back-to-school tax-free holiday this year is from Aug. 13-15. The exemption on state sales and local-option sales tax applies to supplies costing $10 or less, and most clothing costing $50 or less.

Host a clothing swap. Host a party to exchange kids’ clothing. Decide who to invite based on the ages, sizes and gender of your friend’s children.

The Orlando Tutoring experts at ClubZ! Tutoring of Orlando can help students prepare for the upcoming school year—giving them a jumpstart on important reading, math and test skills. For more, call us at 407-628-3100.

It’s hard to believe, but August (a.k.a. Central Florida’s month of excruciating heat) is already here. And for parents, that means the back-to-school hustle is well underway.
Luckily, the Orlando Tutoring Experts of Club Z! are here to say, “don’t sweat it.” In Part I of our back-to-school series, we’ve got your back with all the need-to-know info.
The first bit of nugget: dates. You just can’t miss this. The first day of school for:
•    Volusia and Seminole counties is Monday, Aug. 16.
•    Orange, Lake and Osceola counties is Monday, Aug. 23.
Next, know the dress code. Before buying an entire back-to-school wardrobe, make sure you know the school requirements. In fact, Seminole County just passed new rules this year.
Take advantage of the tax holiday. It’s back! After a two-year hiatus, Florida will have a sales-tax holiday for back-to-school items. It happens Aug. 13-15. Books, clothing and shoes that cost $50 or less and school supplies of $10 or less will be exempt from state and local sales taxes, generally 6.5 percent to 7 percent in Central Florida.
Know the busy spots. Stores can be jammed packed right before school starts. According to an Orlando-area survey, expect Walmart (20.7%), Kohl’s (10.8%) and Target (8.5%) to be the top three shopping destinations for parents and students this year. Overall Central Florida sales, however, are expected to be lower than last year.
Hit the books early. The Orlando Tutoring experts at ClubZ! Tutoring of Orlando can help students prepare for the upcoming school year—giving them a jumpstart on important reading, math and test skills. For more, call us at 407-628-3100.

For native Floridians, Tropical Storm Bonnie, which churned across the lower part of the state not too long ago, was just a blip on the weather radar (and one rainy day for us in Central Florida). In fact, by now, many of us have probably even forgotten all about it.
But such low-level storms and the trapped-inside-the-house doldrums they can create are the perfect opportunity to sneak in some learning. Here are a few tips from the Orlando Tutoring Experts:

Geography. Learning about maps and tracking becomes interactive, relevant and a little bit more interesting when you’re following a storm that could hit nearby. Print off tracking charts at Weather Wiz Kids.

Science.  Books and sites can provide interesting facts about how hurricanes form and the science behind them. The National Weather Service, Weather Wiz Kids, NASA and FEMA for Kids are great starters.

Math, Planning and Preparation. Discuss and design safety plans (in case a bigger storm heads this way), and create a list/budget for hurricane survival items.

The Orlando Tutoring experts at ClubZ! Tutoring of Orlando can help students prepare for the upcoming school year—giving them a jumpstart on important reading, math and test skills. For more, call us at 407-628-3100.

A warning to kids across Central Florida (and yes, we’re going to sound a bit like a parent here): Your summer reading needs to get done!

While school may feel like a light year away, we’re already well past the halfway point. In fact, we’re getting down to a few measly weeks. And before you know it, it’ll be backpacks and school lunches all over again.

Our point here at Club Z! Tutoring of Orlando isn’t to be a downer. We just want you to be prepared for the new year, and it’s easier to stay ahead than to play catch up. So here are a few pointers:

Create a reading plan. Use a calendar and map out your reading goals. The idea is NOT to leave a novel unread two days before school starts.

Set aside a consistent reading time each day. Depending on your family’s schedule, reading time might be in the morning, afternoon or before bed. Whatever time you choose, stick to it, but also remember that flexibility around trips and special events is all right.

Alternate required reading with books of your own choice. We’re all more motivated to read when we have the opportunity to select some of our own choices.

Read and discuss books together. Read a book aloud with your parent, sibling or friend, or get two copies of the same book and have each person read silently. Ask questions and invite discussion.

Audio books can be OK, too. This especially helps if you’re struggling with a difficult book. By listening to books on tape, following along and discussing them with a parent, you’ll learn new vocabulary and information.

The Orlando Tutoring experts at ClubZ! Tutoring of Orlando can help students prepare for the upcoming school year—giving them a jumpstart on important reading, math and test skills. For more, call us at 407-628-3100.

ORLANDO, Fla. (July 8, 2010) – The Orlando Tutoring Experts at Club Z! are celebrating school-year success with an all-out summer bash this Saturday.

Central Florida students, families and tutors, who participated in Club Z! in-home tutoring over the course of the year, are invited to the Wadeview Park party, which will include a DJ, bounce houses, games, prizes and tons of food.

“The students have worked extremely hard this year and have achieved great strides in everything from math and reading to standardized test prep and building strong study skills,” said Gail Mears, Orlando’s Club Z! area director. “We’re proud of them, and wanted to throw a giant celebration to honor their achievements.”

WHEN: Saturday, July 10 from 11 a.m. – 3 p.m.

WHERE: Wadeview Park – 500 E. Harding St. Orlando, FL 32806 (near Boone High School’s football field)

WHO: Club Z! Orlando students, tutors, families and friends.

RSVP/INFO: Gail Mears at (407) 628-3100 or gmears@clubztutoring.com

Club Z! Orlando has helped thousands of Central Florida students through its in-home private tutoring and test prep services. Club Z! assists with improving grades, raising test scores, teaching productive study skills, building academic self-confidence, and helping students score higher on the FCAT, SAT and ACT.

For more on the Orlando Tutoring Experts at Club Z! and to find out how to receive in-home tutoring assistance, visit http://orlandotutoringexpert.com/ or call (407) 628-3100.

It’s a mid-break reminder that school is just around the corner: FCAT scores. Parents across Central Florida are receiving their child’s individual scores beginning this week either by mail or electronically. And this year—the reviews aren’t all that bad.

The Orlando Sentinel reported that Florida’s middle and high school students posted the highest-ever scores on the FCAT reading exam this year with a record number of them reading at their grade level. And math scores were higher, as well.

In Orange County, which is the fifth largest school system in the state, scores were up by 1 percent in both reading and math.

The exact date when parents will receive their child’s score depends on the county. For a list of Lake, Orange, Osceola, Seminole and Volusia county information, check out the Sentinel’s School Zone blog.

Scores were about a month late this year because the company processing the results had computer problems. It’s caused some anxiety among families, since it determines whether or not some students are able to move on to the next grade level.

To help eliminate anxiety next year, The Orlando Tutoring experts at ClubZ! Tutoring of Orlando can help students prepare—giving them a jumpstart on important math and reading skills. For more, call us at 407-628-3100.

Even summer—with all its sleep-away camps, grandparent visits and beach trips—has its critics. A recent article in TIME magazine notes that some experts blame languorous summer breaks as one reason U.S. high school math skills and graduation rates ranked below the average in two international-education reports.

So how do you keep these math skills from slip-n-sliding right out of your child’s consciousness? The Orlando Tutoring Experts have a few suggestions:

Calculating Fun. Sharpen your child’s mathematics know-how with a few fun games by Family Education. These printable activities are designed for children K-8.

Start a small business. Whether kids are selling lemonade, handmade accessories or mowing lawns, operating a small business involves quite a bit of math that can keep kids’ minds sharp as they set prices, offer deals and track their earnings.

Serve up a side of math. Have your child prepare a meal from start to finish, including setting the menu, sticking to a budget, shopping and following a recipe.

Check out the Web. There are a number of useful sites. Compete in math games with other players across the world at Carrot Sticks; give geography a go with Geo Sense; or get into all types of learning at Fun School.

Download an App. The iphone offers a wide variety of handy math applications that you can download to your phone. Browse educational apps for learning for the iPad, iPhone, and iPod touch.

Ask for help. Math can be a daunting challenge to any student. The Orlando Tutoring experts at ClubZ! Tutoring of Orlando take the time to understand how your child learns and then will implement a solid plan to help improve your student’s overall mathematic skills. For more, call us at 407-628-3100.

Toss aside the homework, and store away those backpacks. It’s summertime, and the Orlando Tutoring Experts have rounded up a list of Central Florida’s sizzling seasonal activities. Caution learning may occur.

The Arts

• Summer Theatre Workshop is designed for kids to develop and enhance their musical theater skills.

• UCF’s Contemporary Drums and Percussion Camp covers history, techniques and instruction for percussion.

• Crafty Kids Camp provides painting, mosaics, scrapbooking and other crafty opportunities for kids in two different age groups.

• Jazz Camp at Valencia Community College is a comprehensive, weeklong program for students in middle and high school wishing to develop their overall understanding of jazz music and gain performance experiences with professional jazz artists and educators.

• In the Limelight Idol is one week of vocal training and performances.

The Sciences

• OSC: Bubble-ology – The Orlando Science Center delves into the science of bubble making.

• Camp Kennedy Space Center allows kids to experience realistic motion-based space simulators and to perform a simulated space shuttle mission.

• Central Florida Zoo & Botanical Gardens Summer Camps includes programs like Jr. Zoo Keeper, Pirate of the ZOOribbean, Jungle to Jungle and more.

• OSC: Engineer This! lets kids design creations with K-nex, LEGOS and other objects to discover how they work.

Also, get a head start on learning with Club Z! The Orlando Tutoring Experts at Club Z! offer specialized in-home tutoring services for standardized tests, summer reading, writing and all other subjects from kindergarten to college level. For more information, call 407-628-3100 or visit us online at http://orlandotutoringexpert.com/.