ISEE Tutoring NYC — Private Prep for the Independent School Entrance Exam
A Twenty-Year Track Record With NYC Private School Admissions
The Independent School Entrance Exam is the test most NYC independent schools use to evaluate applicants — from Horace Mann and Dalton on the west side to Spence, Brearley, and Chapin on the east, and from Trinity and Collegiate to Fieldston and Riverdale. For more than twenty years, Central Park Tutors has been preparing NYC students for the ISEE, working one-on-one, in the family’s home, with a curriculum built around each child.
Our tutoring has been recommended by The New York Times, and we have been invited by Columbia University Teachers College to teach test prep. Our students have gone on to Horace Mann, Dalton, Trinity, Brearley, Spence, and dozens of other top NYC independent schools.
What the ISEE Is
The ISEE is administered by the Educational Records Bureau (ERB) and offered at four levels: Primary (for students applying to 2nd–4th grade), Lower (5th–6th), Middle (7th–8th), and Upper (9th–12th). The Lower, Middle, and Upper Levels share the same five-section structure: Verbal Reasoning, Quantitative Reasoning, Reading Comprehension, Mathematics Achievement, and an unscored Essay that is sent directly to the schools your child is applying to. The Primary Level is shorter and uses adaptive computer-based questioning.
Scoring is reported in stanines (1 through 9) and percentile rank. The essay is not scored, but the schools read it. For competitive NYC independent schools, applicants typically aim for stanines of 7, 8, or 9 across all sections.
How We Prepare Students for the ISEE
Every student starts with a full-length diagnostic at the appropriate ISEE level. We don’t guess at the level — we verify it, because Lower, Middle, and Upper Levels require distinct preparation. From the diagnostic, we build a section-by-section plan.
The ISEE has two math sections (Quantitative Reasoning and Mathematics Achievement) that feel similar at first but test different things: QR is about pattern recognition and multi-step reasoning, while Math Achievement is about computational fluency and applied math. We prepare for them differently. Reading Comprehension and Verbal Reasoning — which includes Sentence Completion and Synonyms — draw on vocabulary and reading endurance that need to be built over weeks, not crammed.
The essay is the part most families overlook. It’s unscored but it’s the only piece of writing in your child’s application read before the interview. We coach students through the typical ISEE prompt structures, help them build a personal bank of anecdotes and details, and rehearse timed writing so the essay reflects who your child actually is.
Timeline and Cost
Most families begin ISEE prep in the spring or summer before the fall application cycle. A student taking the ISEE in October of fifth grade would ideally start in March or April of fourth grade. Three to six months of weekly prep is typical.
Our rate for ISEE tutoring is $165 per hour. We do not require prepayment. We bill monthly. All materials are included.
Central Park Tutors is run by a literacy specialist, which matters for the ISEE. Reading comprehension and verbal reasoning depend on how a child processes language — and those are areas where generic test-prep tutors often miss what’s actually slowing a student down. Here is what one recent family shared: “Thank you so much for your help on the ISEE! Harry got into Horace Mann and we are very excited. Stephen was a great help.” — NYC Parent, ISEE & Horace Mann Admissions.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the ISEE and which schools accept it?
The ISEE is the Independent School Entrance Exam, administered by the ERB. It’s accepted by nearly every major NYC independent school, including Horace Mann, Dalton, Trinity, Collegiate, Brearley, Spence, Chapin, Nightingale-Bamford, Fieldston, Riverdale, Poly Prep, Packer, and Friends Seminary, among many others. Most private schools outside NYC also accept it.
What’s the difference between Lower, Middle, and Upper Level ISEE?
Lower Level is for applicants to 5th or 6th grade. Middle Level is for 7th or 8th grade. Upper Level is for 9th through 12th. The structure is similar across the three, but the content difficulty and reading level scale with grade. Primary Level is a distinct, shorter format for 2nd through 4th grade applicants.
When should my child start preparing for the ISEE?
For a fall test date, we recommend starting in the spring or summer before. Three to six months of preparation with one to two sessions per week is typical. Starting earlier — as much as a full year out — gives us room to build skills gradually rather than rushing through content.
Should my child take the ISEE or the SSAT?
Both are accepted by most NYC independent schools, though the SSAT is more common for boarding school applicants. The ISEE is more common for NYC day schools. We typically recommend taking whichever test your child performs better on — which we can assess with side-by-side diagnostics.
How many times can the ISEE be taken per year?
The ISEE can be taken up to three times per twelve-month period, but only once per testing season (Fall, Winter, and Spring/Summer). Schools see all scores, so we prepare students to take the test once they are ready rather than using an early attempt as a “practice run.”
What percentile scores do top NYC private schools expect?
Most of NYC’s most selective independent schools look for stanines of 8 or 9 across all sections for applicants without other distinguishing factors. A 7 is a solid score; a 9 is exceptional. The right target depends on your child’s full application — including grades, recommendations, and essay.
Do you help with the ISEE essay?
Yes. The essay is unscored but is read by every school your child applies to. We coach students through the common prompt types, help them build a bank of usable anecdotes, and practice timed writing so the essay feels natural rather than rehearsed.
What does the ERB process look like in NYC?
Families register directly through the ERB website. Tests can be taken at authorized ISEE test sites, at the ERB office in Manhattan, or online in a proctored format. We help families navigate registration as part of prep.
Every family’s situation is different. Call us at (917) 502-9108 and we will talk through your target schools, schedule a diagnostic, and match your child with the right tutor.
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