- 9600 Seven Locks Rd. Bethesda, MD 20817
SSAT & HSPT Online & In-Person Courses
Get ready for your high school admission test with someone who has taken the time to really get to know the test and who has the experience to prepare you properly.
Meet Mr. Dugan
John is a committed educator and school leader. He is excited to bring his courses to those who need them.
John Dugan
Teacher
A dedicated educator and school leader, John has spent his career helping students succeed. Unlike many test-prep programs that focus on shortcuts and gimmicks, John believes in building a strong foundation of skills that lead to long-term success.
John isn’t part of a big test-prep company where the SSAT and HSPT are just an afterthought. His focus is entirely on these exams, ensuring that students receive high-quality, personalized instruction. When the pandemic disrupted traditional classroom learning, John adapted, bringing the structure and engagement of an in-person class to students both in the DC area and beyond.
His courses are designed to replicate a classroom experience, using the same textbooks and flashcards he has relied on for years. Students take a full-length practice test, which is graded and analyzed to track progress over time. Weekly—and sometimes biweekly—Zoom sessions complement the recorded lessons, providing interactive support and deeper learning.
A Washington, D.C. native and the oldest of six children, John attended Blessed Sacrament School and Gonzaga College High School. He spent a postgraduate year at Phillips Academy in Andover before earning his degree from Trinity College in Hartford, Connecticut, where he played football and lacrosse. His passion for teaching began immediately after graduation when he joined Mater Dei School in Bethesda, Maryland, in 1996.
After five years at Mater Dei, John returned to Phillips Andover as a head lacrosse coach, English teacher, and admissions counselor. Three years later, he felt the call home and returned to Mater Dei, where he continued teaching while earning his Master’s in the Great Books program at St. John’s College. Over the years, he has remained deeply involved in education, coaching lacrosse at Georgetown Prep and serving as assistant headmaster at Mater Dei since 2015.
John and his wife, Katie—also a teacher—are proud parents of two busy children. While he loves the traditional classroom, he has embraced educational technology, making high-quality SSAT and HSPT prep accessible to students everywhere. With a deep commitment to student success, he looks forward to continuing to help young learners achieve their goals.
Learn From Anywhere
With John Dugan
a career educator With Three decades of teaching and tutoring experience
Trusted by Schools
Our program has consistently helped students achieve their academic goals with proven results.
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Prepare for Your exams
Are you preparing for the SSAT or HSPT? Would you appreciate a course that has been developed by a veteran classroom teacher who really knows the test inside and out and who cares about your success on this test and beyond?
2,000+
What Our Students Said
Our students appreciate the clear guidance and support they receive throughout the course. Many have found the preparation helpful in building their confidence for exams.