Beginning in the 2023-2024 school year, Linganore High School (LHS) rolled out a new, valuable half-semester class. SAT Prep, taught by math teachers William Eckard and Allison Partner and English teacher Lauren Seibert, is a nine-week class which serves to prepare students for the stress-inducing SAT exam. It gives students an opportunity to make up for their academic weaknesses, even without the ability to study independently.
“I think it [the class] just gives them a place, a time to devote to it [studying for the SAT]… I think it does give people an opportunity,” said Partner, one of the two math-focused SAT Prep teachers.
The SAT Prep class, although useful in itself, was ultimately made to be taken alongside the new Health 2 course, which is mandatory for juniors. In previous years, Physical Education (P.E.) was the only class that could be taken alongside Health, so when Health 2 was announced, some students were upset, especially ones that had already taken P.E. once.
“When I realized that we had to take health again, I thought it was pretty pathetic,” said junior Heather Burdette.
Thankfully, the Linganore staff heard their cries; a number of new half-semester classes made an appearance on the 2023-2024 registration form including SAT Prep, Film Study and Team Sports.
Some students excited at the opportunity to spend the school day doing something they are genuinely passionate about were immediately drawn to Film Study or Team Sports. Other students were drawn to SAT Prep after seeing the help it could potentially give them in taking the SAT.
“I took SAT Prep because…I thought it was good to get more practice in so I can pass it [the SAT],” said Burdette.
The SAT Prep teachers fully intend to take advantage of this opportunity to help their students with something so important to their futures.
“I think giving students the opportunity to do multiple practice tests with support from teachers [is valuable],” said Partner.
While they all teach different subjects, Partner notes that the teachers are working together to create a uniquely helpful environment that adapts to student feedback.
“The course…is something that we’re trying to figure out how best to make it work. I think having this discussion and being able to talk to students as to what works best [is the best method],” said Partner.
While the course is valuable and students are urged to take it if they need assistance before taking the SAT, Partner also praises other methods people use to independently study.
“I think that what I would recommend for someone either in or out of the class is to use those things that are out there like Khan Academy,”said Partner. “You don’t have to have a teacher to do that; you can do it on your own.”
SAT Prep can be an incredibly helpful class which juniors should seriously consider taking, but studying for the exam independently remains a must for getting high scores on the SAT.
