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SAT* Retreat:A program for improving SAT scores using practical strategies from Jesuit, Benedictine, and Medical Mission Sisters spirituality"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 Many factors affect how students perform on the SAT exam. These factors can be divided into two groups:
Courses that deal with SAT academics are common. However, programs that offer real help with the non-academic factors are not generally available, even though these factors significantly affect performance by robbing test takers of the clarity they need to access and use stored information. Popular test prep seminars and books at best only superficially mention non-academic factors. For example, "Don't be nervous" is good but useless advice unless students are guided through the actual steps of "how" not to be nervous. Dr. Pace's diverse fields of expertise have placed her in a unique position to apply specific holistic techniques to address the host of difficulties students bring to high-stakes tests. Thus, in addition to introducing a remarkably powerful, sacred approach to academics, the SAT Retreat effectively treats the non-academic factors. "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
Ordering InformationSuccessful: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. Read about some of the results of the SAT Retreat in Dr. Pace's article "Putting God To the Test: God and the SAT" which was published in the September/October 2007 issue of Momentum Magazine the journal of the National Catholic Educational Association. "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 properperspective. 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
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:
Offered out of Mt. Manresa Jesuit Retreat House in Staten Island to:
"Students who come to Mount Manresa Jesuit Retreat House are surprised to find how many gifts they receive by participating in the SAT Retreat. They come to us hoping for improved SAT scores and leave us wanting to make use of the many gifts which the program offers in every other part of their lives as well. Their teachers are surprised to find that the skills which we are teaching their students are equally applicable to the lives of busy adults as well. It gives them a taste of the riches of our spiritual tradition and leaves them wanting more!" -Fred Herron Program Director, Mount Manresa Jesuit Retreat House Staten Island, New York 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. Ordering Information 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.
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