Learning & Educational Resources for Students and Families on Mercer Island

March 20, 2017 | by Julia Hess

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Looking for resources to help your child grow and succeed in school? Want to learn more about private schools or the college application process? We’ve gathered the many helpful tutoring services, educational consultants, and supplemental learning programs available on Mercer Island to help your child.

With numerous individual and group tutoring services for grades K – 12, Mercer Island is full of options. Each organization has their own approach to supplemental education, so you can find the program that best fits your child’s learning goals as well as your family’s schedule.

Mercer Island families are also served by a number of experts who specialize in the private/independent school system and the college admission process. Through in-depth consultations from independent school counselors, parents can receive guidance on the private school system. Teens can also receive insight on applying to college through many organizations on Mercer Island.

Here’s our round-up of all the high-quality resources available for students and parents on Mercer Island:

Mercer Island School District Summer School

Looking to give your child an extra academic boost or maintain skills and learning over the summer?  The Mercer Island School District offers summer school programs for elementary, middle school, and high school students:
Grades K – 7 (Elementary and Middle School)

The Mercer Island School District will offer a four-week “Keeping Pace” 2017 summer program. It is available to current students in grades Kindergarten through 7th who meet specific criteria. This extended learning opportunity is not like the typical “Summer School” model made famous in pop culture. Our program aims to support the academic skills of our current Kindergarten through 7th grade students in Math and/or Literacy. Students will have the opportunity to develop skills in one or both areas. They will have a great time in a fun, student-centered learning environment.

The elementary program will be at Northwood Elementary School from Wednesday, July 5, 2017 through Friday, July 28, 2017, on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Thursdays and Fridays (with the exception of the first week). Middle School schedule to be determined.
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High School
The MIHS Summer School Program is a tuition-based service of the Mercer Island School District. Housed at Crest Learning Center, the program runs three days per week, from June 20 to July 27. Classes may: (1) meet on a daily basis, or (2) be contract-based/independent study, or (3) be delivered through an online provider. A student must be in the Class of 2018, 2019, 2020, or 2021 to participate in Summer School 2017. Partial scholarships are available for students participating in the free/reduced lunch program.


Tutoring Services

College Nannies and Tutors
7605 27th Street SE, Ste 101
College Nannies and Tutors offer both on-call childcare services and one-on-one tutoring, each tailored specifically to meet your family’s needs. For their nanny services, their local staff will meet with you in your home to figure out the best match for your family. For their tutoring services, they offer customized one-on-one tutoring for all ages and all subjects, including college test prep.
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Yellow Wood Academy 
9655 SE 36th Street, Suite 201
Yellow Wood Academy’s one-on-one tutoring is open to non-enrolled K – 12 students as well as students currently enrolled at Yellow Wood Academy. They offer tutoring throughout the academic year and during the summer. Through a highly personalized approach, tutors can help students develop their study skills, organizational habits, test-taking practice, and subject-area knowledge, all while boosting the student’s confidence levels.
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Privett Academy 
9311 SE 36th Street
In a safe and supportive environment, Privett Academy’s tutoring services will help your child catch up or get ahead in any area of study, from K – 12th grade.  They provide tutoring for basic to advanced skills, homework and organizational methods, study skills, and test preparation. Their flexible tutoring sessions give families the choice to schedule sessions based on the individual needs of their child.

Wyzant Tutoring
Virtual and In-Person Tutors located in the Mercer Island and Seattle area
Offering a wide array of subjects for students in elementary school through college, Wyzant allows full customization in creating and scheduling a tutoring session. Through their website or their app platform, you’ll answer a few questions before they match you with tutors in your area. View the tutor’s profiles and choose the tutor that best fits your child’s needs, along with your family’s budget and schedule.
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Free Tutoring Programs

MIHS Kids Corps Tutoring
Island Park Elementary School, 5437 Island Crest Way
Kids Corps is a student club at Mercer Island High School that provides free tutoring to elementary students. Eager and high-achieving MIHS students volunteer their time to help children in subjects such as math, science, or reading.
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Mercer Island Library Study Zone
Mercer Island Library, 4400 88th Ave SE
Every Thursday from 4 – 6 pm
Study Zone is a free, drop-in tutoring service for students in grades K – 12 or students under 21 studying for their GED. Students can work on their homework at the Study Zone and ask questions to the tutor on staff. They can also receive help in group tutoring settings on subjects such as advanced math, advanced science, foreign language studies, grammar, history, and general skill building.
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Supplemental Learning Programs

Kumon (Math and Reading)
2827 80th Ave SE
Through academic exercises at the “just-right” level tailored to each student, the Kumon Method and Kumon instructors help children develop confidence in the fundamental building blocks of reading and math in both group and individual tutoring sessions. Mercer Island Kumon’s head instructor, Queenie Louie, has been teaching with Kumon for over 23 years, inspiring children to enjoy the learning process while also achieving their academic potential.
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Mathnasium (New program on Mercer Island!)
2448 76th Ave SE, Suite 101-B
As a math-only tutoring center for students in grades K – 12, Mathnasium’s tutors help students gain confidence in their math skills while learning in a supportive and encouraging environment. Based on each student’s individual needs, instructors create custom learning plans using the Mathnasium method and help students change their negative attitude toward difficult math assignments.
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College Prep / Academic Counseling Services

Mercer Island High School PTSA
The PTSA at Mercer Island High School provide numerous resources on college preparation for current high school students. Throughout the school year, they host several Mock SAT/ACT exams administered by Princeton Review, co-sponsor the College Night Series to provide families with information on college admissions, and bring college representatives to MIHS to help students learn more about various colleges.
Learn more >>

MI College Support
9228 SE 33rd Place
Joan Franklin is a certified school counselor who provides independent college counseling to guide high school students throughout the entire college decision-making process. From researching the best colleges that fit a student’s unique goals, to assisting with the application materials and interview process, Joan helps students stay focused and not become overwhelmed by the many steps involved when applying to college.
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Educational Consultants

Jeanne Gunsolas, Savvy on Seattle
As an Associate Member of the independent Educational Consultants Association, and as a Seattle native, Jeanne Gunsolas specializes in helping families who are relocating to the Seattle/Mercer Island area. She especially assists families with finding the school that best matches their child’s unique needs, providing guidance on the admissions process, inquiring about vacancies, and organizing appointments for school visits.
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Christy Haven, Mindful Educational Consulting
With her background in school admissions for over 15 years, Christy Haven shares her expertise with families searching for the best independent or private school for their child. Her mindful approach to education guides families through the stressful process of applying and interviewing at private K – 12 schools in the Mercer Island and Seattle area.
Learn more >>

Have we missed a learning / educational resource or specialist who has been helpful to your family? Please share with us in the comments!