- 9600 Seven Locks Rd. Bethesda, MD 20817
SSAT in-person Courses
The SSAT Class meets in-person at Mater Dei School in Bethesda, MD. There are three sessions of in person SSAT Prep. Classes meet on Tuesdays and Fridays at Mater Dei School in Bethesda, MD.
- Materials and resources
- Comprehensive preparation
📚 In-Person SSAT Class — Notes & Benefits
📍 Convenient Location
🗓 Meets Tuesdays & Fridays, 5:00–6:30 PM at Mater Dei School
Conveniently scheduled after school hours. [Click here for 2025 class dates.]
📍 Held at Mater Dei School, Bethesda, MD 20817 (8A Homeroom)
Conveniently located, modern classroom equipped with a SmartBoard—an ideal learning environment for focused, in-person instruction.
🌐 Extended digital access
Online resources remain available through the end of the calendar year—and beyond—allowing for continued review and practice.
📆 Offered in Three Distinct Sessions
Choose the session that best fits your test date:
- Session I begins in early September, preparing students for the October 11 test.
- Session II begins in early October, preparing students for the November 15 test.
Session III begins in early November, preparing students for the December 13 test. Session III meets from 4pm – 5:30pm and is open to all students, Mater Dei and non-Mater Dei students.
📘 Eight engaging sessions, 1.5 hours each
Focused, in-depth instruction totaling 12 hours of in-person prep.
💻 Includes full access to online materials and resources
Students receive three full-length practice tests, video lessons, and interactive drills to reinforce classroom learning.
📖 Traditional textbook and vocabulary program
Proven strategies using analogies, word roots, and weekly lists build long-term verbal skills. Excellent textbook not widely available in bookstores.
✏️ Session I: Prepares for the October 11, 2025 SSAT
✏️ Session I: Prepares for the October 11, 2025 SSAT
Class Dates:
Tue, September 16
Fri, September 19
Tue, September 23
Fri, September 26
Tue, September 30
Fri, October 3
Tue, October 7
Thu, October 9 (moved from Friday due to travel conflict)
Test Date:
📌 Saturday, October 11, 2025 – Register at ssat.org
✏️ Session II: Prepares for the November 15, 2025 SSAT
Class Dates:
Tue, October 14
Fri, October 17
Tue, October 21
Fri, October 24
Tue, October 28
Thu, October 30 (moved to avoid Halloween)
Tue, November 4
Fri, November 7
Test Date:
📌 Saturday, November 15, 2025 – Register at ssat.org
✏️ Session III: Prepares for the December 13, 2025 SSAT
Class Dates and Times…Session III is held from 4pm – 5:30pm:
Tue, November 11
Fri, November 14
Tue, November 18
Fri, November 21
Tue, November 25
🦃 Thanksgiving Break
Tue, December 2
Fri, December 5
Tue, December 9
Test Date:
📌 Saturday, December 13, 2025 – Register at ssat.org
The SSAT (Secondary School Admission Test)
- High-level vocabulary and reading comprehension: The verbal section challenges students with advanced vocabulary, analogies, and complex reading passages that often exceed typical grade-level expectations.
- Time pressure: The test includes strict time limits for each section, requiring students to think quickly and manage their time efficiently under pressure.
- Math content spans multiple grades: The quantitative section covers topics from elementary arithmetic through pre-algebra and early algebra, sometimes testing material not yet formally taught in school.
- No calculator allowed: Students must perform all math calculations manually, increasing the cognitive load and demanding strong number sense and mental math skills.
- Guessing penalty: Unlike some standardized tests, the SSAT penalizes incorrect answers, discouraging random guessing and rewarding strategic thinking.
📚 In-Person SSAT Class
- 🗓 Meets Tuesdays & Fridays, 5:00–6:30 PM at Mater Dei School
Conveniently scheduled after school hours. [Click here for 2025 class dates.]
📍 Held at Mater Dei School, Bethesda, MD 20817 (8A Homeroom)
Conveniently located, modern classroom equipped with a SmartBoard—an ideal learning environment for focused, in-person instruction.
📘 Eight engaging sessions, 1.5 hours each
Focused, in-depth instruction totaling 12 hours of in-person prep.
💻 Includes full access to online materials and resources
Students receive three full-length practice tests, video lessons, and interactive drills to reinforce classroom learning.
📖 Traditional textbook and vocabulary program
Proven strategies using analogies, word roots, and weekly lists build long-term verbal skills. Excellent textbook not widely available in bookstores.
🌐 Extended digital access
Online resources remain available through the end of the calendar year—and beyond—allowing for continued review and practice.
Our SSAT In Person Courses
View Our Course Selection Below! (All courses are available through mobile app aswell as desktop)
About The Instructor
30 Years of Teaching Experience
A seasoned educator with three decades of classroom teaching in both day and boarding schools, including Mater Dei School and Phillips Academy Andover.
Specialized Focus on Middle School and High School Transitions
As Assistant Headmaster at Mater Dei, John has worked closely with 8th graders preparing for high school entrance exams and understands what schools are looking for.
Not a Test-Prep Corporation
Unlike large companies that treat the SSAT and HSPT as afterthoughts, John’s courses are built specifically around these exams, with a clear focus on student growth, mastery, and confidence.
Rooted in the Fundamentals of Great Teaching
His approach isn’t about shortcuts or “tricks”—it’s about strong reading comprehension, vocabulary building, quantitative reasoning, and writing, taught the right way.
SPEAK WITH JOHN
What Our Students Said About Our Courses
Parents and students have shared positive feedback about how our courses helped build confidence, improve skills, and achieve strong test results.
Strong Academic
Foundation and Leadership
A proud alumnus of Gonzaga, Andover, and Trinity College, with a Master’s in Great Books from St. John’s College, John blends academic rigor with warmth and encouragement.
