Excel Tutoring was established in 2006 by former elementary school teacher Pauline Crisci-Goncalves. This tutoring…More establishment is founded on the principle of providing its students with the highest quality learning experience. The center offers programs for students in grades k-12 and college, as well as classes for adults. Sessions are available both in the center and privately in the home.</p> <p>Crisci-Goncalves, a former Newton resident of 10 years, believes that "every child can succeed in school given the proper support, encouragement and tools." To this end, Excel Tutoring offers only one-on-one sessions and, in support of the teacher/student rapport, pupils work with the same instructor in each session. All Excel tutors are selected for their excellent credentials as well as teaching experience.</p> <p>The center's design also reflects the company's commitment to optimize the learning experience. With bright and relaxing, yet studious surroundings, Excel Tutoring students engage in learning supported by comfortable study rooms, full-service technology for Mac and Windows PCs, copying and printing services.</p> <p>Conveniently located in downtown Newtown, the center currently provides tutoring for students in 17 surrounding towns. Programs offered include mathematics, reading, writing, spelling, social studies/history, science, test prep (SAT, PSAT, SSAT, ACT, CMT, CAPT and more), enrichment, homework assistance, study/organization skills, foreign languages, academic coaching, homeschool instruction, college application and essay assistance.</p> <p>To determine the academic needs of each student, an initial assessment is conducted prior to the beginning of any program.  For more information or to schedule an assessment, contact Crisci-Goncalves at 203-270-8887 or email <a href="mailto:learn@exceltutoringllc.com">learn@exceltutoringllc.com</a>.</p> <p>Excel Tutoring LLC is a member of the Chamber of Commerce of Newtown and the National Tutoring Association.</p>

Newtown High School is one of the largest schools in the state with about 1,733 students who started the 2009-10…More school year.</p> <p>In order to graduate, students must earn a minimum of 20 credits, or four in English, three in math, two in science, three in history and social sciences, one and a half in physical education, one in fine and applied arts, and the rest in electives.</p> <p>The school offers Spanish, French, Latin, Italian and level one Chinese. Spanish and French can be taken as part of the University of Connecticut Early College Experience Program.</p> <p>Many advanced placement courses are offered with more students eventually taking the AP Psychology exam than another other, while the AP Spanish and AP French exam each only got one test taker.</p> <p>About 76 percent of the Class of 2009 took the SAT with a mean critical reading score of 534, mean math score of 546 and mean writing score of 535. Among the 414 students in the Class of 2009, 88 percent said they planned to attend a two- or four-year college, with 4 percent choosing to work instead and the others not saying or opting to pursue the military or other schools.</p> <p>About 10 percent of the certified staff in the school have just a bachelor's degree with the rest possessing advanced degrees, including five doctorates as of the 2000-10 school year.</p> <p>The school has a long list of clubs and extracurricular activities with a participation rate of 75 percent. Sports also is extremely popular at the school with nearly half the student population playing at least one of 25 different sports offered. Newtown belongs to the Southwest Conference of the Connecticut Interscholastic Athletic Conference and is the largest school among the 16 teams in the conference.</p> <p>The school was in the midst of a major school renovation project, which began in 2009.</p> <p>The school also offers day care services on site to the public at a cost of $850 a year for supplies.</p>