Four Measures of Success of Dr. Pace’s Programs
1. Point Increase
Point increase is a primary measure of the success of a test-prep program.
The latest statistical data from Dr. Pace’s 25-hour “Combined SAT Academic and SAT Retreat Seminar” is as follows:
- Average Point Change: 180 point increase
Seniors: 160 point increase
Juniors: 182 point increase
Sophomores: 210 point increase - Of the Catholic High School participants in Dr. Pace’s summer 2008 Combined Program: 95% showed an overall increase in total point change; 5% stayed the same—that is, between -10 and +10.
Statistics on Dr. Pace’s High School Entrance and Scholarship program
- The average TerraNova National Percentiles of the students who took Dr. Pace’s academic and holistic programs were two times higher than the average National Percentiles of their classmates at their parish schools
2. Scholarships
Another important measure of the success of a test-prep program is whether or not the participants are awarded scholarships.
- Mary Harkins, Principal of Archbishop Wood High School, reports that approximately 80% of her National Merit candidates have taken Dr. Pace’s SAT Retreat, which is regularly offered at Archbishop Wood.
- A group of thirty-three 8th grade students who took Dr. Pace’s Dragon Slayer Series received over $146,000 dollars in scholarship money. Among those scholarship recipients is Christine McLane. Mr. and Mrs. McLane wrote this letter to Dr. Pace: "Our daughter, Christine McLane, is a current 8th grade student at St. Cecilia School in Fox Chase. She attended your Whiz Kids program and your HSPT prep class. I wanted to inform you that Christine was accepted to NazarethAcademy and St. Basil Academy. Her performance scores and her performance ratings on the entrance exams were extremely high. She was awarded a $6,000 scholarship to St. Basil Academy due to her high scores. Christine also sat for the scholarship exam at Little FlowerHigh School and was awarded a $14,000 scholarship for her academic performance on the exam. We wanted to share this great news and to thank you for your wonderful prep classes. We feel that your guidance and instruction assisted Christine in achieving her goals. Christine will definitely be attending more of your classes throughout her high school years. Thank you so much!"
- More testimonies are available throughout this web site.
3. Far-Reaching Effects
Students and administrators, alike, notice that the positive effects of Dr. Pace’s holistic programs extend far beyond standardized tests.
- Mary Kate Gasiewski, Nazareth Academy, class of 2010, went up 290 points on her SAT. She offers this testimony about the far-reaching effects: " Dr. Pace’s SAT Retreat program, with its encouragement of an all-around healthy lifestyle, teaches through life lessons, lessons that will get you through not only the SAT but also through a handful of situations. The retreat helped me realize what to expect of myself mentally and how to prepare myself physically and emotionally. It taught me essential tactics that will undoubtedly help me with future problem-solving."
- George W. Bur, S.J., President of St. Joseph's Preparatory School, Philadelphia, and founder of the Ignatian College Connection Program: "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."
- Mrs. Sheila Amrhein says this about the broad effects of Dr. Pace’s holistic high school entrance program: "Dr. Pace charters new territory in test preparation. Helping your child identify some of the "emotional dragons" preventing personal best achievement is invaluable. This holistic approach has application in all aspects of life and it was particularly helpful to share the experience with my son."
4. Sampling of Schools
One measure of the success of a program is the number of schools that use it. The following is a sampling of schools that have used Dr. Pace’s programs:
- Saint Basil Academy High School, Fox Chase Manor, PA - Read St. Basil's letter of recommendation regarding the SAT Retreat Program
- Archbishop Wood High School in Warminster, PA
- Nazareth Academy High School, Philadelphia, PA
- St. Joseph's Prep, Philadelphia, PA
- Little Flower Catholic High School for Girls, Philadelphia, PA
- West Catholic High School, Philadelphia, PA
- Villa Maria Academy, Malvern, PA
- Rome Catholic, Rome, NY
- Cardinal Dougherty High School, Philadelphia, PA
- The Ignatian College Connection at St. Joseph's University, Philadelphia, PA
- St. Cecilia School, Philadelphia, PA
- Holy Martyrs School, Oreland, PA
- Queen of Peace School, Ardsley, PA
- St. Martin de Porres School, Philadelphia, PA
- Presentation BVM School, Cheltenham, PA
- Our Lady of Lourdes Academy, Miami, FL
- The Mary Louis Academy, Queens, NY
- Fontbonne Hall Academy, Brooklyn, NY
- Saint Saviour High School, Brooklyn, NY
- Bishop Kearney High School, Brooklyn, NY
- Xaverian High School, Brooklyn, NY
- St. Joseph of the Palisades High School, West New York, NJ
Articles about Dr. Pace's Programs
- "Tests Measure Many Things and Prepping Can Help"
Dr. Pace's Published Response in the Wall Street Journal (6/3/09) - Putting God To the Test: God and the SAT As published in the September/October 2007 issue of Momentum Magazine - the journal of the National Catholic Educational Association.
- God and the SAT: Spiritual/Academic Retreat at TMLA
As published in the August 23, 2008 edition of The Tablet - the weekly newspaper of the Diocese of Brooklyn.
Presentation and Events
- Saint Cecilia Home and School- Wednesday May 5, 7 p.m. Dr. Pace describes the goals and benefits of her new spiritual-academic Learning Skills Program
- Saint Basil Academy Parents Club - Tuesday May 11, 7:30 p.m. Dr. Pace describes the goals and effects of her Combined SAT Academic and SAT Retreat
- Presented on the SAT Retreat to the Saint Joseph's Prep Mothers Club on February 10, 2010.
- Dr. Pace’s programs and products were presented at the Philadelphia Archdiocesan Elementary School Book Fair on October 12, 13, 15.
- Presentation on the SAT Retreat, November 6, 2009: Region 3 NCEA Regional Meeting for Catholic High School Principals in Pennsylvania and New Jersey
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Presentation on the SAT Retreat, November 17, 2009: Philadelphia Archdiocesan Secondary School Principals Meeting
Dr. Pace presented her successful programs at the NCEA Convention in Anaheim, CA on April 15, 2009. See the photos below.
