Resources for Students & Families
Tutoring, test prep, online courses, and college-planning tools our counselors recommend.
Start Here — Timelines & Checklists
New to college planning? Start with the year you’re in — then explore the resources below.
8th–9th Grade
Build the academic foundation: a strong course plan and study habits. See Tutoring & Academic Support for help with tough classes, and Online Courses if a course you need isn’t offered at your school.
10th Grade
Take a first PSAT and sketch a testing timeline (Testing). Start seeing campuses — in person or virtually (Visiting Colleges).
11th Grade
Testing year: SAT or ACT in earnest, plus AP exams in May (Testing). Keep grades strong with tutoring support if a class gets hard, and visit colleges while building your list.
12th Grade
Application year. File the FAFSA and, where required, the CSS Profile — both open October 1 (Paying for College).
Tutoring & Academic Support
Good tutoring is specific: help with this class, this unit, this skill. Start with the free options — many students get everything they need from Khan Academy, a free peer tutor, or live help through the public library. If you hire a tutor, look for a clear goal, a fit with how your student learns, and progress you can see in schoolwork within a few weeks. These are resources our families have found useful.
Khan Academy
Free
Nonprofit, mastery-based video + practice across math, science, computing, humanities, economics, and ELA, K–12 through early college — the default first stop for a concept that didn’t click in class. Learning content, not a credit-bearing school.
Schoolhouse.world
Free
Free peer-tutoring nonprofit founded by Sal Khan: live small-group Zoom sessions in math, science, and humanities plus homework help, led by certified volunteer peer tutors. Also home of the free SAT Bootcamps (see Testing).
Tutor.com via HomeworkCA — California Libraries
Free in CA Official CA State Library
The route to send families to first: California’s HomeworkCA program gives every CA K–12 student free live Tutor.com tutoring 24/7 — no library card or account needed from a California IP — in 250+ subjects, plus drop-off writing and math review. Outside CA, the same service is commonly free through a local public library card.
CK-12
Free
Free, customizable digital textbooks (“FlexBooks”) with interactives, simulations, and adaptive practice — strongest in STEM, plus social studies. Good when the school textbook’s explanation isn’t landing.
HippoCampus
Free
Free multimedia study help — videos, animations, simulations — across algebra, biology, physics, US history, government, and more, from the nonprofit NROC Project. An older, simpler site with curated, free content.
Wyzant
Paid
Open marketplace of ~65,000 independent tutors in 300+ subjects: search by subject and level, read profiles and reviews, book online or in person, pay per lesson (average ~$35–60/hr). Guidance: the family does the vetting — check credentials, look for the background-check badge, interview 2–3 tutors, and set the goal before the first paid hour. First hour covered by its Good Fit Guarantee.
Varsity Tutors
Paid
Managed service: describe the need, get matched from a vetted pool, meet on its Live Learning Platform; also group classes and a Learning Membership. No prices are published — get the total, hours, expiry, and refund terms in writing before paying, and ask whether the student keeps the same tutor.
Mathnasium
Paid
Math only, K–12: assessment plus an individualized learning plan, in-center small-group instruction with an online equivalent. For steady math confidence, fluency, or enrichment alongside school math — a curriculum, not homework-by-the-hour. Fremont center listed under Local Tutoring below.
Kumon
Paid
Math + reading, preschool through high school: daily short worksheet practice and twice-weekly center visits in a mastery, self-learning model — students often work above grade level. Best for younger students and families who will sustain a daily habit over years; less suited to rescuing an AP grade this month.
Russian School of Math (RSM)
Paid
Rigorous classroom-based after-school math, K–12: a continuous multi-year curriculum, 1.5–4 hrs/week of class plus significant homework, WASC-accredited. For students who like math and can commit to acceleration 1–3 years ahead of school pace — enrichment, not homework help; joining mid-stream is hard.
Local Tutoring
Families often ask where students get help with a hard class nearby. These Bay Area centers offer subject tutoring and academic enrichment — each is listed with its address, so you can find the one closest to home. They are grouped by area: Fremont & Tri-City, East Bay — Tri-Valley, and South Bay. Programs and schedules change, so please confirm details directly with the center. Last checked: November 2026.
Fremont & Tri-City
Mathnasium of Fremont
Paid
39650 Liberty St #160, Fremont. Best for: steady math confidence. Math only, K–12 — assessment-driven individualized plan; catch-up, keep-up, enrichment, and homework support, in-center or live online with the same tutors; also SAT/ACT math prep. Flat monthly membership + one-time enrollment.
Russian School of Math — Fremont
Paid
Three Fremont campuses (3555 Beacon Ave; 2675 Stevenson Blvd; 39995 Mission Blvd) plus Pleasanton. Best for: math acceleration & depth. Math only, K–12 — rigorous continuous after-school curriculum, classes 1.5–4 hrs/week by grade with substantial homework. Also in the Tri-Valley: Dublin, 6799 Dublin Blvd, Dublin, CA 94568; Pleasanton, 4233 Rosewood Dr, Pleasanton, CA; San Ramon (Alcosta), 9260 Alcosta Blvd Suite 17, San Ramon, CA 94583; San Ramon (Crow Canyon), 3150 Crow Canyon Pl Ste 170, San Ramon, CA 94583. K–12 math enrichment.
AoPS Academy Fremont
Paid
46515 Mission Blvd, Fremont. Best for: advanced students & contests. Advanced math, science, language arts & CS, grades 1–12 — in-person after-school/weekend small classes for highly motivated students; problem-solving and contest preparation, not remediation.
Kumon — Fremont Centers
Paid
Six Fremont centers — find yours at the link. Best for: daily-practice foundations. Math + reading, preschool through high school — daily worksheets, mastery progression, twice-weekly center visits; builds fluency and stamina, often above grade level. Also in Union City: Union City–East, 34712 Alvarado Niles Road, Union City, CA 94587; Union City–Alvarado, 32116 Alvarado Boulevard, Union City, CA 94587.
Sylvan Learning of Fremont
Paid
3100 Mowry Ave #101, Fremont. Best for: assessment-first general tutoring, incl. high school. Personalized K–12 tutoring — math, reading, writing, science, homework help + SAT/state-test prep — starting from its Insight Assessment. Published pricing: $58–$72 per session + $124 one-time registration. Also serves Union City, Milpitas & Newark.
Eye Level of Fremont
Paid
39159 Paseo Padre Pkwy #108, Fremont. Best for: level-based foundations, strongest PreK–8. Math + English, PreK–12 — self-directed, level-based program with basic + critical-thinking math and reading/writing, with 1:1 coaching check-ins. Also in Union City.
JEI Learning Center — Fremont
Paid
2856 Washington Blvd, Fremont (East Fremont). Best for: step-by-step foundations, PreK–9. Math, English, reading & writing, and problem solving — diagnostic placement, individualized workbooks, small ratios. Also Newark, Union City, Milpitas, and Pleasanton.
MathEdge — Fremont
Paid
3755 Washington Blvd #102A, Fremont. Best for: problem-solving & competition math, K–middle school (competitive levels to grade 9+). Small classes by assessed level, training for Math Olympiads, MATHCOUNTS, AMC, and Math Kangaroo; also PSAT/SAT prep in its program descriptions.
Huntington Learning Center — Pleasanton & Cupertino
Paid
Pleasanton (4855 Hopyard Rd) and Cupertino (10564 S De Anza Blvd) — listed as nearby; there is no Fremont center. Best for: assessment-first general tutoring incl. high school. K–12 tutoring + exam prep — accredited, 1:1 and small-group reading, writing, math, science, and study skills, plus SAT/ACT prep, in-center/online/hybrid.
Afficient Academy — Mission-Fremont
Paid
43255 Mission Blvd Suite 202, Fremont, CA 94539. Best for: AI-adaptive math + English with test prep built in. AI-adaptive Math, grades 1–12, and English, K–9, plus SAT/ACT and ISEE/SSAT prep. Pricing (provider-published): $190/subject/month, $505/subject/quarter.
Sylvan Learning of Castro Valley
Paid
3200 Castro Valley Blvd Ste B, Castro Valley, CA 94546. Best for: assessment-first general tutoring with SAT prep. K–12 tutoring + SAT prep, personalized from an initial assessment. Pricing (provider-published): $60–$75/session + $199 one-time registration.
Mathnasium of Hayward
Paid
22306 Foothill Blvd, Hayward, CA 94541. Best for: steady math confidence. Math only, K–12 — assessment plus an individualized learning plan, in-center small-group instruction.
East Bay — Tri-Valley
AoPS Academy Pleasanton
Paid
5200 Franklin Drive Suite 110, Pleasanton, CA 94588. Best for: advanced students & contests. Advanced math, language arts, science, and computer science, grades 1–12 — rigorous small classes for strong students.
Afficient Academy — Tri-Valley
Paid
Pleasanton, 275 Rose Ave Room 207, Pleasanton, CA 94566; Foothill-Pleasanton, 6280 W Las Positas Blvd Suite D, Pleasanton, CA 94588; San Ramon, 2355 San Ramon Valley Blvd STE 102, San Ramon, CA 94583; Danville, 3880 Blackhawk Rd Suite 100, Danville, CA 94506; Dublin, 6711 Sierra Ct Suite A, Dublin, CA 94568. Best for: AI-adaptive math + English with test prep built in. AI-adaptive Math, grades 1–12, and English, K–9, plus SAT/ACT and ISEE/SSAT prep. Pricing (provider-published): $190/subject/month, $505/subject/quarter.
Tutoring Club of San Ramon / Dublin
Paid
6990 Village Parkway Ste 200/201, Dublin, CA 94568. Best for: K–12 tutoring plus SAT/ACT/AP/IB prep in one place. K–12 tutoring + SAT/ACT/AP/IB prep — individualized plans with regular progress reporting.
Mathnasium — Tri-Valley
Paid
Pleasanton, 915 Main St #D, Pleasanton, CA 94566; Dublin, 6599 Dublin Blvd Suite B, Dublin, CA 94568; San Ramon, 2240 Camino Ramon #120, San Ramon, CA 94583. Best for: steady math confidence. Math only, K–12 — assessment plus an individualized learning plan, in-center small-group instruction.
Kumon — Danville / Livermore
Paid
Danville-Central, 480 San Ramon Valley Blvd Suite C, Danville, CA 94526; Danville (Blackhawk), 4125 Blackhawk Plaza Cir Suite #180, Danville; Livermore-Springtown, 922 Larkspur Dr Ste A2, Livermore. Best for: daily-practice foundations. Math + reading, preschool through high school — daily worksheets, mastery progression, twice-weekly center visits.
South Bay
Russian School of Math (RSM) — South Bay
Paid
Sunnyvale, 771 E El Camino Real, Sunnyvale, CA 94087; Sunnyvale II, 719 Sunnyvale Saratoga Rd, Sunnyvale; Cupertino, 20325 Stevens Creek Blvd, Cupertino, CA 95014; San Jose Westgate, 5205 Prospect Road Suite 160, San Jose, CA 95129; Almaden, 1008 Blossom Hill Rd Stes A & B, San Jose, CA 95123; Silver Creek, 1654 E Capitol Expressway, San Jose, CA 95121; Evergreen, 4095 Evergreen Village Square #200, San Jose. Best for: math acceleration & depth. Math only, K–12 — rigorous continuous after-school curriculum.
AoPS Academy — Santa Clara / Saratoga / Mountain View
Paid
Santa Clara, 777 Lawrence Expressway Suite 28, Santa Clara, CA 95051; Saratoga, 12200 Saratoga Sunnyvale Rd, Saratoga, CA 95070; Mountain View, 409 San Antonio Rd Ste 50, Mountain View, CA 94040. Best for: advanced students & contests. Advanced math, language arts, science, and computer science, grades 1–12.
AlphaStar Academy
Paid
Santa Clara Campus, 100 Saratoga Ave Suite 100, Santa Clara, CA 95051; Cupertino Campus, 1072 S De Anza Blvd Ste B206, San Jose, CA 95129. Best for: competition STEM. Competition STEM, grades 4–12 — MATHCOUNTS, AMC, USAMO, USACO preparation. Not SAT/ACT prep.
Afficient Academy — San Jose
Paid
San Jose, 1072 S De Anza Blvd Suite B101, San Jose, CA 95129; Evergreen-West, 4075 Evergreen Village Square Suite 220, San Jose, CA 95135. Best for: AI-adaptive math + English with test prep built in. AI-adaptive Math, grades 1–12, and English, K–9, plus SAT/ACT and ISEE/SSAT prep. Pricing (provider-published): $190/subject/month, $505/subject/quarter.
Sylvan Learning of San Jose – Westgate
Paid
4701 Hamilton Ave, San Jose, CA 95130. Best for: assessment-first general tutoring with SAT/ACT prep. K–12 tutoring + SAT/ACT prep, personalized from an initial assessment. Pricing (provider-published): $60–$75/session + $129 registration.
Lumen Learning Center (Sunnyvale)
Paid
1021 S Wolfe Rd Ste 100, Sunnyvale, CA. Best for: K–12 tutoring + SAT/ACT prep in Sunnyvale. K–12 tutoring + SAT/ACT prep — small-group and one-on-one instruction.
Mathnasium — South Bay
Paid
Cupertino, 1035 S De Anza Blvd STE 4B, San Jose, CA 95129; Willow Glen, 1171 Lincoln Ave, San Jose, CA 95125; Silver Creek, 4035 Evergreen Village Square #30, San Jose, CA 95135; Santa Teresa, 6181 Santa Teresa Blvd, San Jose, CA 95123 — plus Sunnyvale, Campbell, and Los Gatos centers; find yours at the Mathnasium locator at the link. Best for: steady math confidence. Math only, K–12 — assessment plus an individualized learning plan, in-center small-group instruction.
Testing — SAT, ACT & AP
These are the test-prep resources our counselors recommend, starting with the free official materials from the test-makers themselves. Work down each list — most students need only the free resources at the top. Add one book for a weaker section if you need it, and consider a paid course only if self-study stalls.
SAT
College Board SAT Practice — Bluebook
FreeOfficial
The only official full-length adaptive practice, in the same Bluebook app used on test day — plus Test Preview, Student Question Bank, and Question of the Day. Results and explanations appear in My Practice.
Khan Academy — Official Digital SAT Prep
FreeOfficial partner
Two courses (Math; Reading & Writing) with thousands of questions, videos, and hints at Foundations / Medium / Advanced levels — the place to fix what a Bluebook test exposes.
Schoolhouse.world — SAT Bootcamps
FreeOfficial tutoring partner
Live 4-week small-group (≤10) bootcamps led by trained peer tutors who scored in the top 5%; built for section scores 400–690. Free human help, which Khan lacks.
The Official SAT Study Guide, 2nd Ed. (2025)
PaidOfficialCollege Board
The only print book from the test-maker: 7 official practice tests (the same tests are free in Bluebook) + 300 pages of instruction. Buy it for the explanations, not the tests.
Erica Meltzer — Critical Reader / Digital SAT Grammar
Paid
The consensus standard for Reading & Writing: rule-by-rule grammar and question-type method rebuilt for the digital short-passage format.
The College Panda — SAT Math
Paid
The standard self-study math book: short topic chapters + 500+ problems — the gentler on-ramp for math-anxious students.
1600.io
Paid
Video explanations of official questions plus the Math “Orange Book” — the best add-on for high scorers on a 1500+ trajectory.
UWorld College Prep
Paid
Premium question bank (~2,000 questions) praised above all for the quality of its answer explanations and visuals.
Princeton Review — SAT Prep
Paid
The mainstream full-service option: self-paced, live classes, and tutoring under one brand, with score guarantees.
PrepScholar — Complete Online SAT Prep
Paid
Adaptive self-paced course with a published 160-point improvement guarantee — the transparent-pricing online option.
ACT
ACT — Free Test Prep (Official)
FreeOfficial
Official full-length practice tests (digital or paper), practice by section, QuizMe, and Question of the Day via a free MyACT account. Always start here. The same official page also routes students to free, expert-taught Kaplan classes and a free scored practice test.
The Official ACT Prep Guide 2026–2027
PaidOfficialACT
The only book with real ACT questions: 4 authentic Enhanced-format tests (incl. optional Writing) with the test-maker’s explanations. It’s a practice book, not a teaching book — pair it with a strategy book.
Princeton Review — Enhanced ACT Prep
Paid
Mainstream strategy + content review written for the Enhanced format (2026 edition). Courses cost extra.
Barron’s — ACT Study Guide Premium 2027
Paid
Barron’s usual profile: the deepest content review, with 6 practice tests.
Kaplan — ACT Total Prep, 2nd Ed.
Paid
6 full-length tests + 2,000+ questions + video — the high-volume practice option.
PrepScholar — ACT
Paid
The same adaptive platform and guarantee model as its SAT course (4-point ACT guarantee), for students who want a structured online program.
AP Exams
AP Classroom (via MyAP)
Free Official
College Board’s official practice system: AP Daily videos, progress checks, and the teacher-assigned question bank. Most official multiple-choice practice exists only here. (Access via a school AP class.)
AP Central — CEDs & Past FRQs
Free Official
The Course & Exam Description defines exactly what each exam tests; released free-response questions with scoring guidelines are the best timed-practice material available.
AP Students — Info & Credit Policy Search
Free Official
Check, college by college, what score (3/4/5) actually earns credit or placement — before deciding how much a score matters.
AP Review Books — by need
Paid
Barron’s: deepest, hardest review — the over-preparation choice. Princeton Review Cracking the AP Exam: strategy-first, better for pacing. 5 Steps to a 5 (McGraw Hill): built around study plans — good for late starters.
UWorld — AP
Paid
Interactive question bank (750–1,500+ questions per subject) with detailed explanations, for students who want digital practice beyond AP Classroom.
Online Courses for Credit (UC A–G & AP)
Sometimes the right course isn’t available — or doesn’t fit — at your own high school. The programs below offer accredited online courses, including UC A–G approved and AP courses. Check with your school counselor before you enroll in any course for credit: your school decides whether the course will be added to your transcript and how the grade will be reported, and approval is given for the individual course, not the provider. Then verify the specific course yourself on the UC A–G Course List — and, for AP, in the College Board’s AP Course Ledger.
UC A–G Course List
Free Official UC
The verification tool: search by the online school’s name (not your own high school), open its list for the year you’ll take the course, and confirm the exact course title is approved in the A–G subject area you need.
College Board — AP Course Ledger
Free Official College Board
Confirm an online AP course is College Board–authorized: search the Ledger and put “online” in the high-school-name field, per College Board’s own guidance. Note AP Classroom access comes via a join code from an authorized AP teacher.
UC Scout — On Demand
Paid Official University of California
The anchor recommendation: a UC program hosted at UC Santa Cruz, WASC-accredited, with 65+ A–G courses including many AP. On Demand ($399 per semester course) is the plan an individual student enrolls in directly — taught by a UC Scout credentialed teacher, self-paced within term dates, and UC Scout provides the transcript. Basic and Plus are different: free to California public schools through the school (Plus is taught by the student’s own school teacher, and credit comes from the school) — they are not a free self-enrollment route to credit. Need-based scholarships for eligible CA students.
BYU Independent Study
Paid
University-run, self-paced (up to a year per course), 470+ accredited courses for grades 7–12 including AP and credit recovery. Individual courses flagged “UC” in its catalog are the A–G candidates — the Teacher-Led format is the A–G route; verify the exact course on the A–G Course List.
Silicon Valley High School
Paid
A low-cost supplemental option: video-based, self-paced, teacher-graded single courses; Cognia + WASC accredited, states UC A–G and NCAA approval. Confirm the current single-course price on its site.
Apex Learning Virtual School
Paid
Edmentum’s tuition-based virtual school: self-paced courses with per-course UC and NCAA tags shown in the catalog, a large AP list, and a dedicated credit-recovery line. Cognia-accredited; College Board–authorized AP. Check the tag on the specific course.
Florida Virtual School — FLVS Flex / FlexPoint
Paid outside Florida
One of the oldest, largest state virtual schools. FLVS Flex lets a student take individual courses while staying enrolled at their own school. Free to Florida residents only — California students take the same courses tuition-based through FlexPoint Virtual School, so this is a paid option for Bay Area families.
Laurel Springs School
Paid
Premium private online school (since 1991), self-paced/asynchronous: single-course, part-time, and full-time enrollment, AP Capstone, and dual enrollment. WASC + Cognia, NCAA-approved, states UC A–G approved courses.
Art of Problem Solving (AoPS) Online
Paid
Advanced math (and CS/physics/chemistry) with live text-based classes, from intro algebra through Olympiad training — for motivated students accelerating, not recovering credit. WASC-accredited; AoPS’s own FAQ says to discuss credit acceptance with your school — check specific courses on the A–G Course List.
Visiting Colleges — Including Virtually
Visit in person when you can — and start here: virtual tours help you build and narrow a college list before you travel.
YouVisit
Free
360° immersive tours for hundreds of colleges — the standard starting point before a trip.
CampusReel
Free
Unscripted, student-made campus videos — the least marketing-polished view of a school.
Paying for College
The official starting points for financial aid and scholarships — the FAFSA is always free; never pay to file it.
FAFSA — Federal Student Aid
Free — never pay Official
The gateway to all federal aid and most state/institutional need aid. Results are summarized by the Student Aid Index (SAI, which replaced the EFC).
CSS Profile
Paid waivers available Official College Board
Required by many (mostly private) colleges to award their own grant money; opens Oct 1. Missing it forfeits institutional aid even with a FAFSA filed.
Net Price Calculators
Free
Every college is federally required to host one on its own site. Run the calculator for every college on the list with the same family figures — sticker price is meaningless for comparison. Find them via Common App’s NPC Center.
BigFuture Scholarship Search
Free Official College Board
College Board’s scholarship database, tied to the student’s existing BigFuture account.
Fastweb
Free
The oldest/largest matcher (~1.5M scholarships) driven by a detailed student profile, with email alerts.
Going Merry
Free
One profile + reusable materials to apply to many scholarships — including local ones the big databases miss.
Not sure where to start?
Book a free consultation with an IvyBoost counselor — we’ll help you figure out the next step for your student, whether that’s tutoring, test prep, or a college plan.
