ACT/SAT/ISEE Summer Bootcamps
Full Summer Programs for 2026
$1600 for 32 hours SAT/ACT or $960 for 24 hours ISEE
Sessions capped at FIVE participants.
Red Dessert Dive
2214 W. 34th St.
There will be ten-minute breaks every hour where students will have access to any cafe treats they wish to purchase.
Our summer boot camps for SAT, ACT, and ISEE preparation offer a focused learning environment with sessions limited to five students to ensure meaningful engagement and individualized support.
Each boot camp is structured to provide high-impact instruction while integrating real-time performance tracking which enables us to identify each student’s strengths and areas for growth. This data-driven insight not only enhances immediate test preparation but also serves as the foundation for a personalized academic plan for the year ahead. This helps ensure long-term progress and readiness for the challenges to come.
The boot camp is one week for English and one week for math skills. You have calendar options to help them to suit your schedule. When you check out, you start by picking the English schedule. As you continue the registration, you choose the math week from the drop down menu. The fee includes both.
ACT/SAT monthly enrichment
Fall and Spring Monthly Workshops for Practice (new and returning clients)
Miss the summer boot camps? We can still help.
Interested in refining the skills started in our summer boot camps? We can do that, too.
Sessions will be held at Red Dessert Dive in Garden Oaks.
Part One: Saturday, 1:00–5:00 PM
Part Two: Sunday, 1:00–5:00 PM
Students will receive a practice test to complete at home before the workshop begins. The total cost for the 8-hour workshop is $400.
Students should bring:
• A personal device
• Money for refreshments during breaks
Upcoming Workshop dates are scheduled to align with upcoming SAT test dates, typically within one to two weeks of the exams.
April 18/19
May 30/31
Academic Support workshops
Using AI Ethically and Effectively in the Classroom
Jan. 17 12p.m-4 p.m.
AI is not going away — and neither is the confusion around how to use it responsibly. That’s why this workshop exists: to help students understand when and how to use AI as a powerful tool, not a shortcut.
This is a program I’ve actively developed and taught in the classroom. Last year, I discovered that nearly 40% of my students were using AI unethically or ineffectively. So, we tackled the issue head-on. After refining my approach over the course of the year, we brought the rate of AI-related cheating down to zero on our final major assignment.
This workshop is built on what we learned together. Students leave with:
A clear understanding of what constitutes ethical vs. unethical use of AI
Practical strategies for using AI to brainstorm, revise, and problem-solve
Awareness of AI’s strengths, limitations, and blind spots
Tools for thinking critically about the information AI generates
Respect for their own thinking and voice in the age of automation
Let’s help students work smarter, not just faster — and keep their integrity intact while they do it.
Media Literacy
Feb. 22- 12 p.m.-4 p.m.
Media Literacy Workshop
Empowering Students to Think Critically in a World of Information Overload
In a digital age where anyone can publish anything — and headlines are designed to provoke rather than inform — media literacy isn’t optional. It’s essential.
This four-hour workshop helps students build the tools they need to evaluate the news, think critically, and recognize bias in the information they consume.
We’ll start by exploring how media bias is measured using resources from Ad Fontes Media, which ranks news outlets by reliability and bias. Students will learn how media sources are evaluated — and why it matters.
Then, we’ll dive into Checkology by the News Literacy Project to practice analyzing real-world news stories. Through interactive lessons and activities, students will sharpen their ability to:
Spot misinformation and disinformation
Evaluate the credibility of sources
Identify bias, opinion, and fact
Ask better questions about what they read, watch, and share
Finally, we’ll step back and discuss the why — why this skill is essential for civic engagement, academic success, and personal awareness in an era of AI, social media, and global conflict.
Workshop Takeaways:
Confidence in evaluating news and online information
Tools to recognize bias and misinformation
A framework for responsible media consumption
Greater awareness of how media shapes opinion and action
Let’s teach students not just to consume information — but to challenge it, question it, and think for themselves.
UPCOMING WORKSHOPS
Learn how to confidently apply to college and win scholarships! This two-day workshop gives students the tools to research, plan, and organize their application and scholarship strategies. We’ll explore current admissions trends, build timelines, practice essays, and identify real scholarship opportunities — all with expert guidance and resources. Perfect for rising juniors and seniors looking to take control of the process.
Sept. 19/20
Sessions will be held at Sunday Press in Garden Oaks.
Part One: Saturday, 1:00–5:00 PM
Part Two: Sunday, 1:00–5:00 PM
Students will receive a practice test to complete at home before the workshop begins. The total cost for the 8-hour workshop is $400.
Students should bring:
• A personal device
• Money for refreshments during breaks
College & Scholarship Application Workshop
“I’m excited to see the launch of this new opportunity! Ms. Boyd was an integral part of my son’s VECHS learning experience. Her passion for language, literature, travel, and teaching is exemplary! This along with her patience (she needed a lot) and consistent encouragement boosted his confidence and instilled a life-long passion for learning. Grade Expectations is a fantastic reflection of her dedication to helping students grow and thrive. I’m confident it will be an invaluable resource for both parents and learners alike!”
-Darcy White
Mother of former student
Important Testing Dates coming
I’ve known Ms. Boyd and the impact of her teaching for over two decades. I was her student 25 years ago, a fellow teacher 10 years ago, and I remain a fan to this day. As a former educator and now Digital Learning and Engagement Lead at a global SaaS company, I’ve seen many models of learning. What continues to set Grade Expectations apart — and what shaped me as a student — is the way professional like Ms. Boyd build competence and confidence. The immediate academic support is strong, but the real magic is in the long-term skills they cultivate: critical thinking, clear communication, intellectual curiosity, and the ability to approach problems strategically. Ms. Boyd and her team understand that success isn't just about preparing for one test or project. It’s about nurturing the kind of learner who can thrive in any setting — whether that’s a classroom, a boardroom, or a new career path. Their program equips students with tools to meet their goals, but also with skills that continue to pay off long after the tutoring ends. Grade Expectations invests in students not just as pupils, but as people — meeting them where they are, and guiding them with care, rigor, and purpose. I’m grateful for the role Ms. Boyd played in my own development, and I wholeheartedly recommend Grade Expectations to anyone looking for more than just short-term results. This is the kind of learning that lasts.
“Ms. Boyd’s enthusiasm and engaging personality are contagious. The ways in which she cares and connects with students is a God-given gift and her sense of purpose inspiring. Thank you for bringing out the best in your students and never giving up!”
-Ileana Lozano
-Mother of a former student