Brooklyn Letters IconBrooklyn Letters

1139 Prospect Avenue, Brooklyn

4.9 56 reviews

  • Avatar Emily Matles ★★★★★ a week ago
    We would highly recommend Ally! Our son always asks about her, so very thankful to Brooklyn Letters for introducing us.
    ~ Emily, mom of Brooklyn 2 year old
  • Avatar Natalie Levon ★★★★★ 4 months ago
    Nicole has been an amazing therapist!! She played a tremendous role in our daughter’s speech progress and overall development. She has come such a long way and we are so happy with the therapy she received!
  • Avatar T Ainsley ★★★★★ 5 months ago
    I cannot express how grateful and rewarding my experience with Brooklyn Letters has been. Her tutor Ms. Daria is so knowledgeable, amazing, kind and awesome. My daughter has made so much progress in Literacy and Math and it's all … More thanks to Ms. Daria. I know my daughter is sad that she can no longer work with Ms. Daria, as she looked forward to their sessions every week. Thank you again!
  • Avatar Jackie Vasquez ★★★★★ 5 months ago
    Excellent services, caring therapists.
  • Avatar Lil Amatore ★★★★★ 8 months ago
    Christina was absolutely wonderful. She went out of her way to win my son over and it worked. He looked forward to her visits and his speech improved so much under her care. She was super flexible and it’s clear she truly cares. We adore … More Christina and we’re going to miss her. Almost sad he improved so much! She’s simply amazing and we can’t say enough how great she is. I would recommend her services to anyone and everyone, without hesitation. Thank you so much for connecting us with her!
  • Avatar Colin Peters ★★★★★ 6 months ago
    We could not be happier with the services Valerie provided! She is very thoughtful and knowledgeable and provided significant guidance to support our daughter's speech development outside of our scheduled sessions. She established … More a great working relationship with her, and she will definitely be missed! Your business model is amazing and it was an absolute pleasure working with Valerie. I've referred your organization and Valerie to the Executive Director of our daughter's school and friends/colleagues who are in need of speech therapy services.
  • Avatar Heather Liljengren ★★★★★ a year ago
    We cannot say enough good things about Effie, the ASL teacher, who was so engaged and effective with our 2 year old daughter from the very first session! Effie gladly included our whole family in the sessions! Her expertise and fantastic … More personality gave our daughter a way to communicate that she was so desperately seeking. The coordinators at Brooklyn Letters were so helpful and communicative…I would highly recommend their services!
  • Avatar Chris duke Fields ★★★★★ a month ago
    The company is great with outstanding customer service. They keep my horses protected. I have recommended them to other horses trainers as well that are going to get service early next year. Very professional an honest too. Respectfully … More submitted Christopher
  • Avatar Nikhil Jaisinghani ★★★★★ 5 months ago
    Ron and Ken did a fantastic job with our security system today. Installed everything very quick. Both of them were very polite and asked us throughout if the installation met our needs. Simply fantastic!
  • Avatar Linda Parsley ★★★★★ 6 months ago
    I called Cornerstone Protection to get a Security system at a relatives out of state property, within a week it was installed! The installers worked with the client to help understand her new system and she was happy! Our relative said … More they were courteous, professional and patient! I highly recommend Cornerstone Protection for all of your security needs!
  • Avatar Amanda Clay Mackin ★★★★★ 5 months ago
    Had blink cameras; Car was broken into multiple times so I called CornerStone & they were able to install multiple cameras very quickly & for a reasonable price. I am so happy with the app & getting alerts that are not superfluous, … More like they were with Blink. Highly recommend CornerStone & the tech Ronnie.
  • Avatar Pete Peters ★★★★★ 4 months ago
    Ron and Ken are great guys to work with.
    Both were very knowledgeable and got our system back up and running.
    Thanks to both for a job well done...
  • Avatar Brigid Bower ★★★★★ 11 months ago
    Samantha Dalmas was fantastic! We saw her for a feeding therapy evaluation and while she doesn’t think my daughter needs more feeding therapy sessions at this time, but she gave me lots of tips to try. If my daughter's doctors want … More to see more progress at her next appointment, I wouldn’t hesitate to reach out to Samantha again.
  • Avatar Larry Barton ★★★★★ a year ago
    Amazing assistance provided by Shannon today on my security system. I’m so grateful for your prompt, efficient, professional, and courteous service. Put me down as a customer for life!
  • Avatar Megan Haller ★★★★★ 2 years ago
    One of the most painless experiences I've had. They came on time and was over the moon professional with still keeping a level of personability to it. The gentleman also went out of his way to say that my husband and Mines business … More was appreciated. Which is actually rare to be appreciated by such a great company. So thank you and we look forward to continuing services with this company.
  • Avatar Megan Magsam ★★★★★ 2 years ago
    I am so happy we decided to go with cornerstone. They were quick and efficient. Shannon and the installer we very friendly. We got a lot of equipment and it was still within our budget. 10/10 would definitely recommend! Thank you
  • Avatar Collins Youngblood ★★★★★ a year ago
    Love the customer service and Shanon and his team go above and beyond for my restaurant. Couldn't of asked for a better security system and level of service that his team provides.
  • Avatar kanu patel ★★★★★ 2 years ago
    I have been using Cornerstone Protection service for over 5 years and I'm really happy with the service and state-of-the-art equipments and it's futures are so much in advance and friendly, I highly recommend Cornerstone Protection … More Service any and all business that need a security protection days and nights specially after business hours(Cornerstone Protection is perfect solution for your business). Owner of Cornerstone Protection is proactive with their customers and their equipments. Good experienced with Cornerstone Protection!!!
    Kanu Patel
  • Avatar Liz Jones ★★★★ 2 years ago
    We had a very positive experience with Alissa as a tutor for our pod of 5th grade boys from January - June 2020. She cared a lot about the boys and worked hard to create meaningful activities for them. The pod experience was invaluable … More for all of our families during a difficult year and we were so grateful to have found this partnership! We also want to appreciate Craig for helping to match us with a tutor on very short notice after we had cycled through a few folks who were not able to see the commitment through. Thanks for sticking with us!
  • Avatar S CL ★★★★★ 3 years ago
    Dusty was the exact person we needed to help our child finish out the school year. So grateful to him for the way he steadily encouraged her and helped her stay on track and organized. He is flexible, responsive to our needs/schedule as … More a family, and a delight to be with. We are also thankful that Craig at Themba Tutors really "gets it" and partnered us with such a wonderful tutor who was a great fit for our girl.
  • Avatar Nicole May ★★★★★ 3 years ago
    My child worked with Gillian D virtually for math enrichment. She is an excellent teacher. She took time to understand my child's specific learning style and provided tools that would be engaging. She was kind and empathetic- really … More made it her goal to connect with my child and build trust and rapport. My child started the school year with confidence and without the typically "brain-drain" that occurs over the summer, thanks to Gillian.
  • Avatar Gillian Davidoff ★★★★★ 3 years ago
    I am going into my second year as a Themba tutor. I have met so many great individuals while working for this company. Craig and the rest of the Themba team do such an excellent job picking and choosing Themba tutors that suit each client's … More individual needs! I look forward to meeting new tutors and clients in the 2021-2022 school year!
  • Avatar carolina luttmann ★★★★★ 3 years ago
    Our son started in a new high school, 100% remote, and was really struggling with Latin and Physics. I found Themba Tudors online and had an initial call with Craig, who was very knowledgeable, responsive, and found 2 amazing tutors for … More us. Both the Latin and the physics tutors were fantastic, connected with my son really well and helped him go from 'failing' grade to 'honors'! I will for sure continue using (and recommending!) Themba Tutors. Thank you, C, K, and W!
  • Avatar Eric Fingerman ★★★★★ 3 years ago
    Brian is a fantastic executive functioning coach. Super helpful, flexible with hours, and tailored the experience to our needs.
  • Avatar Susan Wong ★★★★★ 3 years ago
    Giulia Mercuri is a great Italian tutor! She was very responsive and accessible. Giulia put a ton of effort into preparing for each session and really helped our son with test preparation and projects. We are grateful that she was able … More to help, especially since our son did not receive any live teaching during COVID. We are happy that she was referred to us!
  • Avatar Christine Gennetti ★★★★★ 3 years ago
    As an adult student diagnosed with a learning disability during grad school, I knew I needed help dealing with my Master's program's demanding workload. I was seriously considering dropping out when I was referred to Themba Tutors. … More I was paired up with a wonderful tutor, Julie, who was a total lifesaver. I learned many techniques that I can utilize in the future as I embark on the next phase of my career.
    I can wholeheartedly say after working with Themba for two years that I would not have finished my program without this organization. And I am so thankful I selected them.
  • Avatar Fabiola FITZPATRICK ★★★★★ 4 years ago
    We were introduced to a wonderful tutor: Mcedwyn. He and our son, a freshman in college, worked well together. As a result, our son’s grades significantly improved. The tutor taught our son subject content and various methods to effectively … More study for quizzes and exams. Our son was also taught time management and organization. My son’s experience with the tutor made the first year of college a less intimidating experience.
  • Avatar Jude Eugene ★★★★★ 3 years ago
    We have been with our tutor, Cailin Schiller, for two years, from 5th - 7th grade. She started as an executive functioning tutor with my daughter. From the start, she demonstrated a depth of expertise and a selective use of techniques skillfully … More adapted to my daughter’s ADHD and Math disability. Cailin made Math accessible and understandable to her in a way that even her teachers had not been able to do. She differentiated reading, writing and math tasks and assignments to tailor them to my daughter’s unique learning differences. Not only did it have an effect on her grades and her work efficiency, but she finally could do her work with less anxiety. Even my daughter’s teachers used Cailin’s guidance to modify their work with her. But most importantly, she became my daughter’s favorite resource. I can’t say how invaluable Cailin has been to my daughter’s progress and well-being. I’d recommend her a million times over. She is a gem.
  • Avatar Janice Eidus ★★★★★ 4 years ago
    Victoria is a superb tutor. She helped my high school age daughter with her writing. Victoria's skills as a tutor, as well as her sense of humor and her engaging personality went a long way with my daughter.
  • A Google User ★★★★★ 4 years ago
    I'm so glad we were referred to Themba Tutors. After a great initial conversation to learn our needs, we were connected with an excellent tutor, Felicia, who is helping our high school daughter learn better organizational and executive … More skills. Highly recommended.
  • Avatar Fara Jones ★★★★★ 5 years ago
    Themba Tutors provided a leaning specialist that was a perfect fit for my daughter. I told them what we were looking for and they delivered. Our tutor is responsive and flexible and makes it easy for my daughter to reach out to her own … More her own, which gives her an added sense of responsibility over her learning. As a therapist myself, I now regularly recommend Themba to my patients. A much needed and well provided service to the community!!
  • Avatar Frances Simpson ★★★★★ 4 years ago
    The tutors at Themba are fantastic! Caitlyn McNeill helped our son academically, but also with getting organized in every subject, which he so desperately needed. She offered great advice and useful strategies that helped our son become … More a more successful student. We are using Themba tutors again this year for our daughter. We're so happy to have been referred to them!
  • Avatar Mary Jean Babic ★★★★★ 4 years ago
    I'm so glad we were referred to Themba Tutors. After a great initial conversation to learn our needs, we were connected with an excellent tutor, Felicia, who is helping our high school daughter learn better organizational and executive … More skills. Highly recommended.
  • Avatar Nina Herman ★★★★★ 4 years ago
    We had a wonderful experience with our tutor Micaela. She helped our son not only academically but at every level. We will be forever grateful to have her in our lives.
  • Avatar Frances ★★★★★ 4 years ago
    The tutors at Themba are fantastic! Caitlyn McNeill helped our son academically, but also with getting organized in every subject, which he so desperately needed. She offered great advice and useful strategies that helped our son become … More a more successful student. We are using Themba tutors again this year for our daughter. We're so happy to have been referred to them!
  • Avatar Michael Birnbaum ★★★★★ 4 years ago
    Paul Smith at Themba has been an exceptional tutor for my son, both in terms of teaching the subject matter and teaching how best to approach the process of learning math and executing assignments. We feel very fortunate to be working with … More Paul.
  • Avatar Monica Alzate ★★★★★ 5 years ago
    We were very lucky to have found Edwouine Swift, my son's therapist through Themba Tutors. Thomas is 12 years old, and it is extremely difficult to get him to write. Edwouine just works her magic with him, he adores her and is so … More eager to follow her guidance. I have no doubt she will be a positive driving force in his academic future.

Math Tutors

BEST 1:1 ENGLISH LANGUAGE ARTS TEST PREP TUTORING FOR NEURODIVERGENT STUDENTS

Best 1:1 English Language Arts Test Prep Tutoring for Neurodivergent Students | FREE CONSULTATIONS | MEET-AND-GREETS WITH OUR STAFF

English Language Arts PREP in New York City

Themba Tutors: Trust and Excellence in English Language Arts Test Prep Tutoring Services for Neurodivergent Students

Since 2012, Themba Tutors has honored its Swahili namesake, meaning “trust,” by delivering individualized private tutoring and academic coaching both in person and online. Our work emphasizes engaging instruction, personalized assessment, and meaningful academic progress.

Our English Language Arts test prep tutors support students in developing time management, test-taking strategies, and subject mastery. Flexible scheduling options include in-person, online, and hybrid programs. One-on-one instruction provides real-time feedback that strengthens both academic skills and confidence.

We specialize in comprehensive ELA preparation, including reading comprehension, writing, grammar, and vocabulary development. Families also receive access to free at-home practice tests to reinforce learning between sessions.

English Language Arts Test Prep Customized for Neurodivergent Students

English Language Arts assessments present unique challenges for many neurodivergent students. Difficulties may include reading fluency, comprehension, written expression, grammar, spelling, working memory, executive functioning, and listening comprehension. Our ELA test prep programs address these challenges through individualized instruction tailored to each learner’s profile.

Certified Specialists: Our learning specialists and ADHD experts provide personalized support aligned with each student’s needs.

What’s Included

  • Consultation with Our Accommodations Expert: Individualized ELA planning
  • 1-on-1 Tutoring: Personalized ELA test prep sessions
  • Neurodivergent-Specific Strategies: Cognitive-accessible approaches
  • Accommodation-Specific Strategies: Effective use of approved supports
  • Review of Supports: Optimization of school and test accommodations

We Travel To You!

English Language Arts PREP in New York City

We travel to you and offer private English Language Arts (ELA) test prep tutoring throughout the NYC Metro Area. Are you looking for English Language Arts test prep tutoring outside of NYC? Explore our locations for more options.

Here’s How We Can Help

  • Interactive Lessons: Engaging, hands-on instruction tailored to each learner.
  • Customized Assessments: Personalized evaluations that identify strengths and areas for growth.
  • Practice Retrieval: Reinforcement strategies designed to strengthen retention.
  • Live Goal and Note Sharing: Ongoing parent communication that supports collaboration and reduces stress.
  • Standards-Aligned Content: Practice tests and assessments aligned with educational standards.

Highly Qualified Private English Language Arts Test Prep Tutors and Coaches

  • Advanced Degrees: Over 90% of our tutors hold advanced degrees in education or related fields.
  • Local and Compassionate Staff: Skilled educators from the local community who understand NYC schools.

Proven Success and Social Proof

  • Strong Track Record: Since 2012, we have supported students from over 100 schools and worked with more than 1,000 individuals.
  • Positive Reviews: Families consistently share strong testimonials about our results.
  • Professional Referrals: Schools and educational professionals regularly refer families to us.

Exceptional Standards and Outcomes

  • Certified Professionals and Special Education Expertise: Specialists in learning disabilities and ADHD provide individualized support.
  • Explicit Study Skills Instruction: We directly teach study skills to help students build effective learning strategies.

TESTIMONIALS

Despite the challenges of the year, Alissa’s dedication and resilience kept our learning journey on track, for which we are truly grateful.
She did a nice job communicating feedback with us and contacting the teachers to ensure they were in sync.
I am so thankful it worked out and that we got connected. 

 

-Jana Z      

Giulia is a great Italian tutor! She was very responsive and accessible. Giulia put much effort into preparing for each session and helped our son with test preparation and projects. We are grateful that she was able to help, especially since our son did not receive any live teaching during COVID. We are happy that she was referred to us!

 

-Susan W.      

David was very helpful because he showed me new ways to study that I hadn’t even considered and helped me understand how to approach different tests.

 

-Chase A.    

We were very impressed with Anthony’s calmness and resilience in the face of a daunting task: helping our daughter with math! He engaged her in creative and engaging ways to try and get across the challenging concepts of her homework and test prep. He cared and put a lot of effort into working with our 11-year-old.

 

-Emily R.       

At Themba Tutors, we take the time to help students/clients understand their strengths and progress in areas where they need to improve. We offer personalized tools for each of our clients to help them become more aware of their individual needs as they work towards short-term goals. Improving these skills will benefit our students’/clients’ long-term plans.

About Us

English Language Arts PREP in New York City

At Themba Tutors, we specialize in English Language Arts (ELA) test preparation for students with diverse learning needs. Our team includes academic tutors, learning specialists, and executive function coaches who provide tailored ELA guidance. We focus on building strong relationships and offering comprehensive support services. Known for our flexibility, we prioritize a personalized approach to address each student’s unique requirements, ensuring they are prepared and confident on ELA test day.

Comprehensive Free Intake Process for English Language Arts Test Prep

  1. Initial Consultation: Arrange a free call with our intake coordinator to assess your family’s requirements. We will determine your child’s starting ELA score (or offer assessments if unavailable) and identify preferred educational goals and any specific test score requirements.
  2. Report Review: Craig Selinger, our founder and CEO, personally evaluates past reports, English Language Arts scores, psychological assessments, and academic records.
  3. Customized Study Plan: Tailor a study plan aligned with your objectives and timeline and covers all key areas of English Language Arts.
  4. Specialist Matchmaking: Craig assigns your child to one of our ELA specialists and provides their profiles for your review.
  5. Initial Consultations at No Cost: Before commencing sessions, we typically present our top recommendations based on your needs and arrange free online meetings with several English Language Arts test prep tutors/coaches.
  6. Tutor/Coach Selection: Choose a English Language Arts test prep tutor and schedule the first paid session. Payment is required after the initial session.

We are known for our comprehensive intake process that ensures a personalized and effective approach to ELA preparation.

Trust Themba Tutors for superior private tutoring services. Our dedication to excellence and personalized guidance make us the preferred choice for families seeking specialized support.

Building a Team

Themba Tutors began offering coaching and tutoring services in the summer of 2012. Founded by Craig Selinger, an educational specialist and executive function coach with a robust background in educational consulting, Craig’s leadership has been instrumental in developing our thorough and individualized approach. Our team members undergo a rigorous selection process based on referrals and recommendations. Upon assessing your requirements, we carefully match your child with the team member who aligns best with their educational objectives.

DAVID K.
DAVID K.

Masters in Special Education and Trained in Orton-Gillingham

CHRIS M.
CHRIS M.

Master’s in Special Education and Literacy, Bachelor’s in Sociology

English Language Arts Test Prep Tutor
GOUTHAM

Master’s in Data Science

DAVID W.
DAVID W.

Master of Philosophy and Doctor of Philosophy, Master of Educational Leadership

English Language Arts Test Prep Tutor
DERYCKA

Master’s in Special Education

English Language Arts Test Prep Tutor
MOLLY T.

Master’s in Social Studies and Special Education

OCTAVIA
OCTAVIA

Bachelor’s degree in English, currently pursuing a Master’s in Dramaturgy

DR. BARBARA
DR. BARBARA

Ph.D. in History, Maser’s in Music

Craig Selinger’s Accomplishments

Craig Selinger, CEO and owner of Themba Tutors, brings over two decades of professional experience directly assisting students and families and overseeing our team. He is a published author in respected journals and platforms, including the Journal of Brain Research, Momtastic, NYMetro Parents, Healthline, About.com, Psych Central, Tiny Beans, and ADHD Online. Craig has been featured in live interviews on WPIX 11 and Insider. He has lectured at prestigious institutions such as Bard High School Early College (BHSEC), NYU Langone, Mount Sinai Hospital, and the Educational Alliance. He has also been a keynote speaker at the Everyone Reading Conference and the New York City Parents’ Primer Round Table Discussion for Dyslexia. Craig’s leadership and significant contributions have established him as a recognized expert in education and executive function coaching.

At Themba Tutors, you can rely on our commitment to providing the best test preparation and tutoring services for your child, college student, or young professional. Our dedication to excellence and personalized approach ensures that we are the preferred choice for families seeking specialized support.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What is the English Language Arts test?

The English Language Arts (ELA) test is a standardized assessment that measures students’ proficiency in reading comprehension, writing, listening, and language conventions. It evaluates students’ ability to understand and interpret text, write effectively, and apply grammar and punctuation across multiple grade levels.

Is it required to take the ELA test?

Yes. The ELA test is typically required for students in many states and school districts, including New York. These assessments are part of statewide testing programs designed to evaluate reading, writing, listening, and language skills and to ensure students meet grade-level standards. Requirements may vary, so families should confirm expectations with their child’s school or local education authority.

Who takes the ELA test?

Students in grades 3–8 typically take the ELA assessment each spring. English Language Learners (ELLs) are exempt during their first year in the United States but are required to participate afterward. Some students with disabilities, as outlined in their Individualized Education Program (IEP), may take the New York State Alternate Assessment (NYSAA) instead.

What is on the test?

The ELA test spans two days and is untimed. It includes multiple-choice questions based on short passages as well as open-ended questions based on stories, articles, or poems. The exam is transitioning from paper-based testing to computer-based testing, with certain grades already testing digitally.

What is the format of the ELA test?

The ELA test includes several components designed to assess different language skills:

  • Reading Comprehension: Students read passages and answer multiple-choice, short-response, and extended-response questions.
  • Writing: Students write essays, narratives, or informative responses to demonstrate organization, clarity, and grammar.
  • Language Skills: Questions assess vocabulary, grammar, punctuation, and sentence structure.

Test results help identify student strengths and areas for improvement, inform instruction, and measure overall school and district performance.

How is the test scored?

The ELA test is scored by licensed and trained NYC teachers. Exams are not scored by teachers from a student’s own school, and scoring follows New York State Education Department and Department of Education guidelines.

How are the results reported?

Student results are converted into scale scores and divided into four performance levels. Families can access results through the NYC Schools Account (NYCSA) portal. Scores appear on the “My Student” page once the account is linked to the child.

How do students register for the English Language Arts test?

To register for the ELA test in New York:

  1. School Enrollment: Students enrolled in New York public schools are automatically registered by their school.
  2. Contact School Administration: Families may confirm registration details with the school if needed.
  3. Special Circumstances: Homeschooling families or students requiring accommodations should contact the local school district or NYSED.
  4. Testing Dates and Preparation: Confirm dates with the school and prepare using practice materials.

Can my child take the ELA test face-to-face or online?

New York State is transitioning from paper-based testing to computer-based testing. For recent school years, certain grades have been required to take the ELA exam digitally, while others may still test on paper depending on grade level and school policies.

Are there accommodations for students with disabilities or special needs?

Yes. Students with disabilities may receive accommodations based on their IEP or Section 504 Plan. These may include extended time, flexible settings, scheduled breaks, assistive technology, bilingual glossaries, and alternative formats such as large print, Braille, or audio support.

Can students retake the ELA test?

Retake policies depend on the specific assessment and grade level. For certain state exams, including Regents-level exams, students may retake the test until a passing score is achieved. Families should consult their school for specific retake procedures.

How can students prepare for the ELA test?

Preparation should begin with understanding the test format and practicing with released questions and study guides. Regular reading and writing practice strengthens comprehension and expression skills. Consistent study habits, school review sessions, and teacher support all contribute to success. At Themba Tutors, we also provide free practice tests for students to complete at home to reinforce preparation.

Not ready to fill out the form yet? We’re here to make this easy.

📞 (917) 382-8641 | 📲 (917) 382-8641 | ✉ [email protected]


Every coach offers a free 15-minute remote meet-and-greet, so you can get to know them and see if it feels like the right fit. We’re very responsive and easy to communicate with throughout the process. From there, we’ll thoughtfully match you with one or more of our coaches.