SAT Retreat

  

 

Dr. Pace's Instructional Products

Vocabulary Flash Cards
Introducing Dr. Pace's New
Vocabulary Flash Cards

Math Flash Cards
Dr. Pace's Math
Flash Cards:
for College Entrance Tests (SAT/ACT)


Dr. Pace's Book:
The Last of the Dragon Slayers: The Ultimate Guides to Personal Best Performance

 

Dr. Pace's CD:
Tests, Learning, Talent: Slaying Dragons

 

Slaying the Dragons of Standardized Tests Student Workbook and Parents' Supplement

 

SAT Retreat Training DVD

 

SAT Retreat
Student's Workbook & Director's Instruction Booklet

 

Math Flash Cards

Math Flash Cards

 

*SAT Retreat

SAT Retreat: Improving SAT scores using practical strategies from Jesuit, Benedictine, and Medical Mission Sisters spirituality.

Successful:

The SAT Retreat has been proven to help students perform at their personal best. Field tested, the retreat produced an increase of over 250 points, on average, when given in conjunction with an SAT academic seminar, and 165 points when given without an academic seminar.

The following list shows the point increases of students who took Dr. Pace’s 25-hour SAT Academic + SAT Retreat Seminar in the summer or fall of 2010 and who agreed to have their accomplishments posted. It is important to note that point increase measures improvement; it does not indicate scores.

This partial list of point increases (PSAT to PSAT, or PSAT to SAT, or SAT to SAT) shines a light on the hard-earned improvements of some remarkable young students who put their trust in a unique, holistic approach to the SAT:

Ordered Alphabetically

Student

Point Increase

School 

Grade

Lauren Atkinson

240

Villa Joseph Marie

12

*Richard Barnes

260

Archbishop Wood

11

Isabella Brilliant

350

Nazareth Academy

11

Alexandra Bruno

220

Saint Basil Academy

11

Victoria Evans

220

Nazareth Academy             

11

Devin DiDomenico

100

Archbishop John Carroll

11

Natalie Feld

310

Saint Basil Academy

11

*Lauren Field

440

Nazareth Academy

11

Michael Forgione

160

Holy Ghost

11

Jude Grimaldi

230

Bishop McDevitt 

11

*Michael Heggan

300

Archbishop Wood

11

John Herbut

100

Father Judge        

12

Adriana Herrmann        

170

Saint Basil Academy

11

Molly Heloskie

280

Archbishop Wood              

11

Elizabeth Jeitner

260

Mount Saint Joseph

11

Alexa Keehfuss

230

Saint Basil Academy

11

Kevin Letizio

110

Archbishop Wood

11

Patrick McFadden

180

Archbishop Wood

11

Kathy McGee

150

Nazareth Academy

11

Joe McDonnell

140

Archbishop Wood

12

Ryan Muldoon

250

Father Judge

12

Angela Meyers

140

Saint Basil Academy

11

**Samantha Nichols

380

Archbishop Wood

11

Brendan Nessel   

250

Archbishop Wood

11

Maura Nolan

210

Nazareth Academy

12

Gina Palumbo

180

Nazareth Academy

11

*Kristina Robold

210

Nazareth Academy

11

Alexandra Ruane

230

Saint Basil Academy

11

Joe Scott

230

Archbishop Wood

11

*Julie White

220

Saint Basil Academy

11

Jake Wild

220

Archbishop Wood

11

Jennifer

200

 Villa Joseph Marie

12

* Indicates an almost certain likelihood of a National Merit Award
** Earned the highest PSAT score in the Philadelphia Archdiocese

Spiritual-Academics
SAT Retreat: Integrates Faith and Academics

Testimonies

"I really LOVED this program and recommend that everyone in the U.S. takes it."
Teron Dow, St. Joe's Prep, class of 2011

"The PSATs were not scary this year. All I remember from last year is the stomach ache I had because I so nervous about the test and how I was panicky and anxious the whole time. This year I wanted it to be a good day, so I made it one. I did all of the sleeping and eating tips for the week before and morning of the test, came to school early and after doing the some breathing exercises in chapel, pulled out a coloring book which helped relax me before the test. When the time came for the test I was calm, confident, ready, and I really felt a difference. It was so much easier when I thought about the strategies and realized that the knowledge is there, I just had to be calm to unlock it. I only left one blank on the whole test compared to the five from last year. I think I did really well and can't wait to get my scores back!" - Kristina Robold, Nazareth Academy, class of 2012 - PSAT score increase of 210 points and a National Merit Scholarship candidate

"Dr. Pace, your SAT Prep/Retreat experience not only raised my SAT score by a critical thirty points--placing me in Penn's SAT range--but also, the program--specifically the retreat component--helped me utilize my creative strengths and include them in my application. Through your guidance in the retreat and class I was able to identify my strengths and fully understand my positive academic qualities and characteristics. My essays reflected these characteristics and fortes, and I believe that this was a key component in obtaining an acceptance to my first choice college!

I greatly appreciate all of your help and guidance with the SAT program and also your continued support and prayers. Your guidance not only helped to raise my SAT scores, but helped me remain focused throughout the year in school, with my athletics and extracurricular activities, and college applications. Thank you so much for all you have done for me and I wish you a most Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!"             - Eric Skoritowski, Saint Joseph's Prep, 2010

"Pat's SAT Retreat program assures uncertain students that they have what it takes for the grueling SAT exam. The program encourages them to reach the peak of their potential by teaching them traditional spiritual techniques not only to reduce anxiety but also to engage the positive energies that are gifts from their Creator. Students learn, moreover, how to prepare in the weeks leading up to the SAT, just as an athlete might prepare for competition, making use of proper diet, exercise and rest. Their interest in achievement on the SAT encourages students to learn important spiritual skills that will be with them for life." - George W. Bur, S.J., President of St. Joseph's Preparatory School, Philadelphia, and founder of the Ignatian College Connection Program:

"Dr. Pace exudes a genuine love for the students which is palpable. This love, I believe, breaks down barriers and encourages the students to trust the instructor and to trust the material. Beyond this human experience of love and trust, Dr. Pace invites the students to trust their knowledge and abilities.”   - Mimi Limbach, Community Partners Coordinator at the Faith-Justice Institute, St. Joseph's University, Philadelphia

"I have worked with the SAT Retreat for more than four years. I continue to be amazed at the increase in scores earned by the students. My experience with the retreat has been in two different schools, one urban, the other suburban; yet the results were comparable. In both schools the SAT Retreat helped increase the number of students recognized by National Merit. However, the greatest benefit of the SAT Retreat is that it puts this high pressure test in the proper perspective. Students are reminded of the gifts they have been given and that they are not approaching the test alone but with God's help. I am so grateful to Dr. Pace. Her SAT Retreat has enabled me to put a Catholic perspective on this high pressure test." - Mary Harkins, Principal of Archbishop Wood High School, Philadelphia, PA

"My daughter Meghan took Dr. Pace's SAT Prep Course and SAT Retreat to increase her PSAT scores. Her goal was to qualify for National Merit recognition. Meghan found the SAT Retreat very innovative and interesting and really enjoyed learning the different strategies and approaches Dr. Pace introduced to the class. I think these courses provided her with the confidence and focus to do her personal best, and, yes, she did reach her National Merit goal." - Mrs. Check, Nazareth Academy Parent

"This past year I participated in Dr. Pace's SAT Seminar, the SAT Retreat, and Essay Prep Class in preparation for the PSAT and SAT. I feel that these courses were valuable tools in achieving my goal of National Merit recognition and subsequently increasing my SAT scores. Dr. Pace's classes were very enjoyable and benefited each person individually. I left the class more confident in my ability to succeed, and recommend this course highly." - Meghan Check, Nazareth Academy '08

"Dr. Pace's SAT classes and SAT Retreat were honestly some of the best classes that I've taken in high school. Not only were her SAT classes extremely enlightening and helpful, but they were also very enjoyable and something that I always looked forward to. Her SAT Retreat was also a vital class that helped me not only on the SATs, but also in school in general. She helped me recognize that God is there with me, by my side, as I take the daunting test, and therefore should not be as anxious and apprehensive. This allowed me to take the test with an unperturbed mind that allowed me to do the best that I could. I definitely could not have gotten a 630 point increase without her classes." - James Won, Cardinal Dougherty High School class of 2007, University of Pennsylvania

"Dr. Pace's SAT program was a Godsend! Knowing that my SAT scores did not reflect my capabilities, Dr. Pace worked with me over the school year in the SAT Retreat portion of her program. During the retreat sessions, Dr. Pace really helped me focus on attaining the best possible SAT score and she also played a vital role in giving me the confidence I needed to attack every SAT question. During the summer of my Sophomore year, we met again to review test taking strategies and the results speak for themselves. I scored a 720 in critical reading and a 730 in writing, my two weakest subjects. Over all, I had a 300 point increase from my PSATs. In addition to this great point increase, I was accepted to all of my top choices, including Penn, Princeton, Yale, and Harvard. I can't imagine how this could all be possible without Dr. Pace's guidance within the classroom, and her inspiring words and support following the seminars." - Tam Nguyen, Cardinal Dougherty High School class of 2007, Yale University

"Dr. Pace's classes not only prepared me academically for the SATs, but they also prepared me mentally and emotionally.  I gained a strong background from her courses in both the content of the test and study/relaxation techniques that enabled me to enter the test confidently." - Eva Liggett, Harvard University, Mt. Saint Joseph Academy Class of 2005

Flexible: 

Constructed as eight 20-minute sessions, the program easily fits into any school or home schedule. An appendix outlines how it can be used as a one-day or weekend retreat. The SAT Retreat can also be self-guided; however, it was specifically designed to be administered by teachers, counselors, principals, youth group leaders, high school CCD instructors, or parents.

High Schools that have offered the SAT Retreat include:

Holistic: 

By emphasizing physical, emotional, mental, and spiritual preparedness, the SAT Retreat perfectly complements an academic seminar.

"As a Catholic educator, I have always believed that it is my privilege and responsibility to educate the whole person. Dr. Pace’s SAT Retreat enables me to do just that. As part of my academic SAT Prep instruction, the SAT Retreat is an invaluable component, inspiring students to gather their energies and focus them in a powerful yet relaxed manner. Subsequently, the students awaken within themselves a wide realm of possibilities and personal potential. Hence, by harnessing their energies and creating a balance in their lives, they open themselves to success on three levels: spiritual, intellectual, and physical." - Sister Ingrid Schweikart, SSJ, Archbishop Wood High School

"Last year's group said that the program was very beneficial. Many were nervous. Some were so bad I received calls to do the relaxation exercises over the phone to help them. The students all said that if nothing else it helped them calm down and do their best work. I loved how some said they never thought about bringing God into the equation. Some felt it was good to remember that God was with them. All except one said they used what they had learned during the test. I had one student who is usually a very hard sell say that he could not believe how good he felt after the program. He has diabetes and this helped him tremendously. When he gets anxious his legs stiffen up and he is in excruciating pain. He did well during the test. As a facilitator for this program I have found it enriching. I had test anxiety for one of my courses recently and used the methods in the book to calm myself down...It worked. I am not a good test taker so I see the benefits of this program. I personally felt spiritually enriched." - Bernadette Kapps, Religion Teacher for grades 7-12, Rome Catholic, Rome, NY

"Seeing the SAT in the way it is presented in the SAT Retreat is amazing. You really learn about yourself. The test is so much more than those three scores. It is about learning who you are, accepting yourself, and working toward your personal best. I feel at ease with the SAT now and how I view my life and how I want to live. I will always be grateful to Dr. Pace and this retreat for opening my eyes." - Mary Kate Kaminski, 11th grade, St. Basil Academy

Available: 

The SAT Retreat workbook is currently available. 

Training: 

Training for education professionals is available. 

Seminars: 

Dr. Pace occasionally offers the retreat as one of her SAT Seminars for interested students. 
 

*SAT is a registered trademark of the College Board, which was not involved in the production of, and does not endorse, this product.