Private ISEE and SSAT Tutoring in San Diego & Online
One-on-one test prep with Dr. Stuart Donnelly, Oxford Ph.D. Whether your child is applying to top independent schools in San Diego or across the country, our personalized approach builds confidence and delivers the scores that open doors.
What Sets Our Private ISEE Test Prep Apart
Dr. Stuart Donnelly combines an Oxford education with over two decades of test-prep expertise to deliver focused, results-driven ISEE and SSAT preparation.
Oxford Ph.D. Expertise
Dr. Donnelly holds a Ph.D. in Mathematical Science from the University of Oxford, bringing world-class analytical skills to every tutoring session. Your child learns from one of the most qualified tutors in the country.
Personalized Study Plans
No two students are alike. After a thorough diagnostic assessment, Dr. Donnelly builds a custom study plan targeting your child's specific weaknesses across Verbal Reasoning, Quantitative Reasoning, Reading Comprehension, and Mathematics Achievement.
Proven Score Improvements
Students consistently achieve 90th-percentile and above scores after working with Dr. Donnelly. Our data-driven approach tracks progress weekly and adjusts strategy to maximize score gains by test day.
Three Steps to ISEE Test Prep Success
Getting started with private ISEE or SSAT tutoring is simple. Here is what to expect.
Free Consultation
Book a complimentary 30-minute call or in-person meeting. Dr. Donnelly will learn about your child's target schools, assess their current level, and recommend a preparation timeline.
Diagnostic Assessment & Custom Plan
Your child takes a full-length practice ISEE or SSAT. Dr. Donnelly analyzes the results section by section and builds a personalized study plan that targets weak areas and reinforces strengths.
Score Improvement
Through focused one-on-one sessions, your child masters content, learns proven test-taking strategies, and builds confidence. Regular practice tests track progress and keep preparation on target.
ISEE & SSAT Tutoring for Every Level
Dr. Donnelly provides expert preparation for every ISEE and SSAT level, from elementary through high school admissions.
ISEE Test Prep
Primary Level
Grades 2–4 admission. Early skills assessment and preparation.
ISEE Primary Level →Middle Level
Grades 7–8 admission. Age-appropriate reasoning and comprehension.
ISEE Middle Level →Upper Level
Grades 9–12 admission. Advanced verbal, quantitative, reading, and math.
ISEE Upper Level →SSAT Test Prep
Understanding Scores
Learn how ISEE and SSAT scores work and what they mean for admissions.
ISEE Scores → • SSAT Scores →
Meet Your Private ISEE Tutor: Dr. Stuart Donnelly
Unlike large test-prep companies that rotate instructors, ISEE Tutoring means working directly with Dr. Donnelly from the first session to test day. He learns how your child thinks, identifies exactly where they struggle, and adapts every lesson accordingly.
- Ph.D. from the University of Oxford in Mathematical Science
- 20+ years of dedicated test-prep tutoring experience
- Expert in both ISEE and SSAT at every level
- San Diego office at 5425 Oberlin Dr, Suite 202
- Online nationwide via Zoom with recorded sessions
- Flexible scheduling — mornings, evenings, and weekends
What Parents Are Saying
Hear from families whose children achieved their target scores and gained admission to top independent schools.
"Dr. Donnelly transformed my daughter's ISEE preparation. She went from anxious and unsure to confident and focused. Her Upper Level scores came back in the 97th percentile, and she was accepted to her first-choice school. We could not be more grateful."
"We tried a group prep course first and saw no improvement. Within six weeks of one-on-one sessions with Dr. Donnelly, our son's practice scores jumped dramatically. He scored in the 95th percentile on the SSAT and got into every school he applied to."
"Dr. Donnelly's approach is truly personalized. He identified exactly where our daughter was losing points on the Quantitative Reasoning section and built targeted exercises. Her score improved by over 20 percentile points. Highly recommend for any family serious about private school admissions."
"Our son needed help with the ISEE Middle Level for 7th grade admission. Dr. Donnelly was patient, encouraging, and incredibly effective. The custom study plan made all the difference — our son actually looked forward to tutoring sessions. He was admitted to The Bishop's School."
ISEE Test Prep & Tutoring FAQ
Dr. Donnelly tutors all four ISEE levels: Primary Level (for entry into grades 2–4), Lower Level (for entry into grades 5–6), Middle Level (for entry into grades 7–8), and Upper Level (for entry into grades 9–12). Each level is approached with age-appropriate strategies and materials tailored to your child's learning style.
Most students benefit from 8 to 16 weeks of preparation, depending on their starting level and target score. During the free consultation, Dr. Donnelly creates a custom timeline based on your child's diagnostic results and application deadlines. Students with earlier start dates generally see the strongest score improvements.
Yes. Dr. Donnelly offers the same one-on-one ISEE and SSAT tutoring via Zoom for students anywhere in the United States. Online sessions are fully interactive with screen sharing, digital whiteboards, and real-time problem solving. Sessions can be recorded for later review. Many families combine in-person and online sessions for maximum flexibility.
The ISEE (Independent School Entrance Examination) and SSAT (Secondary School Admission Test) are both widely accepted for private school admissions but differ in format and scoring. The ISEE has four scored sections and an unscored essay, while the SSAT has three scored sections and an unscored writing sample. The SSAT penalizes wrong answers, while the ISEE does not. Dr. Donnelly tutors both exams and can advise which test is best suited to your child's strengths and target schools.
Tutoring rates vary depending on the package and frequency of sessions. Dr. Donnelly offers a free initial consultation to assess your child's needs and recommend the right plan. Contact us at (917) 568-2473 or dr.stuart.donnelly@gmail.com for current pricing information.
Dr. Stuart Donnelly holds a Ph.D. from the University of Oxford in Mathematical Science and has over 20 years of experience tutoring students for standardized tests including the ISEE, SSAT, SAT, ACT, and MCAT. He has helped hundreds of students gain admission to top independent and private schools across the country.
Give Your Child the Advantage
Book your free consultation today and take the first step toward the ISEE or SSAT score your child needs for admission to the school of your dreams.