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.

Middle School Transition Support Nyc | Build Organization & Homework Systems For 6th Grade

Personalized NYC Support to Help Students Succeed in Middle School

Middle School Transition Support NYC featured image

Middle school transition support in NYC helps students learn how school works when they enter 6th grade and encounter academic complexity for the first time. The transition from 5th to 6th grade is often the first point when students must manage multiple teachers, classes, assignments, and deadlines independently.

 

We provide structured, in-home academic tutoring across New York City to help students build the systems that middle school requires from the start. This support is designed to teach organization, homework tracking, planning, and academic routines early—before confusion turns into underperformance.

 

We work with students across NYC—from Manhattan to Brooklyn—and support families seeking structured, long-term academic growth. Whether your child is struggling to stay organized, feeling overwhelmed by school demands, or aiming to perform at a higher level, academic coaching provides practical, personalized guidance.

Middle School Transition Support NYC: The Academic Challenge

Middle school is often the first time school becomes a system students must manage for themselves. In elementary school, much of the structure is held together by one classroom, one lead teacher, and a more guided daily routine. In 6th grade, that structure changes quickly. Students are suddenly expected to manage:

 

  • Multiple subject teachers
  • Rotating schedules and different classroom expectations
  • Separate materials and platforms for each subject
  • Independent homework tracking
  • Longer-term assignments and test preparation across classes

 

Even strong students can struggle during this transition because the difficulty is not always the material itself. The challenge is that many students have never been explicitly taught how to operate inside a more complex academic system. Many NYC families seek support at this stage because they want their child to build those systems early, not after grades begin to slide. Research on academic skills and organization shows that early system-building strongly impacts long-term academic performance (see What Works Clearinghouse).

 

The First Time School Becomes a System Problem

 

The move into middle school introduces new academic demands that many students are meeting for the first time.

 

  • First time managing multiple teachers
  • First time keeping track of assignments across subjects
  • First time handling both short-term homework and longer-term projects
  • First time organizing digital files, school portals, notebooks, and backpacks together
  • First time being expected to plan ahead instead of simply reacting day by day

Why Bright Students Struggle

Private tutor helping student with homework at home in NYC apartment

Early middle school struggles often reflect missing systems, not low ability. Many students entering 6th grade understand their coursework but do not yet know how to manage the structure around it. In demanding NYC school environments, academic performance depends not only on comprehension, but also on whether a student can track work, organize materials, and respond to multiple expectations at once. Common early breakdowns include:

 

  • Lost or incomplete assignments
  • Disorganized binders, backpacks, or mixed subject materials
  • Difficulty tracking homework across multiple classes
  • Digital files scattered across platforms
  • Projects started too late because no planning system exists

 

These issues usually do not reflect intelligence, motivation, or seriousness. They happen because middle school is often the first time a student is expected to run a multi-class academic system independently. This page should stay focused on prevention: teaching students how school works before these problems become entrenched. For students approaching high school, these challenges often evolve into larger execution issues, which is why many families later seek support during the transition to high school.

Our Approach: Building Strong Academic Systems

Structured tutoring can teach students the academic systems middle school assumes they already know. Our middle school transition support focuses on building the practical routines and structures that help students manage school successfully from the beginning of 6th grade.

 

Rather than waiting for serious academic stress to develop, our tutors help students build systems early so they can handle middle school with more clarity and independence. During sessions, tutors actively teach and practice systems such as:

 

  • Binder Architecture: Subject-specific binder organization, divider systems, and assignment storage protocols
  • Notebook Systems: Clear structure for class notes, homework tracking, and reference materials
  • Homework Capture Systems: Reliable processes for recording assignments across teachers and platforms
  • Planning Frameworks: Weekly planning routines that prevent last-minute work and missed deadlines
  • Digital File Structure: Organized folder systems and naming conventions for Google Drive, school portals, and shared documents

 

In-home tutoring allows these systems to be built directly within the student’s real school materials, backpack, and workspace.

What the Middle School Performance Transition Program Includes

Middle school transition support helps students build repeatable systems before sixth-grade disorganization becomes a larger academic problem. This support includes:

 

  • Binder and notebook organization across subjects
  • Digital file and folder systems for school platforms
  • Homework capture routines across multiple teachers
  • Weekly planning systems for quizzes, assignments, and projects
  • Support for the 5th-to-6th-grade transition and early 6th grade adjustment
  • Backpack, materials, and home-study organization
  • Practical routines for handling increased academic complexity

 

We provide in-home middle school transition support across New York City, helping students build these systems in the real environment where they use them every day.

      TESTIMONIALS

Everything is still going well with Janeese. She keeps up with the Math curriculum at Franklin’s school while also continuing to help with his more basic Math skills that need constant shoring up. She keeps him engaged and makes it fun, so he’s never reluctant to have a tutoring session with Janeese, which is amazing!

 

-Michelle C. 

Themba is the place to go if you are looking for quality, professional tutoring with a true understanding of how to engage learners with unique learning profiles. Learning disabilities are real. Some are more extreme than others. No two are exactly the same. Finding an organization that understands the necessary framework to help learners who process information along non-standard lines can be challenging. Look no further! Themba combines a strong philosophy of learning with a thorough assessment process that matches highly qualified subject matter experts who understand how to engage individuals with unique learning profiles. BZ Themba. Thank you for making the difference. Very sincerely, a life-long client!

 

-J.M.

Everything went very well with Alissa. So well, in fact, that my daughter received a 93% on her final! My daughter felt Alissa understood her learning style, and that has been challenging over the years of working with tutors. So grateful. Thank you!

 

-Lucy L.    

I really appreciated the summaries of what was happening in tutoring. My son really benefited from the guidance on how to plan his study time before an upcoming exam. He easily built a rapport with David. I also really liked that David had additional materials to help address needs.

 

-Simone A.     

Craig Selinger CEO

Meet Some of Our Academic Tutors & Coaches

Middle School Transition Support NYC | Organization & Homework Help
JACOB

Masters of Science in General and Special Education

Ojené
OJENÉ

Master’s of Science in Education in Therapeutic Interventions

FRED
FRED

Master’s in Special Education and Health & Wellness Coaching

STACEY
STACEY

Master’s in Adolescent Education

JAHYRA
JAHYRA

Master’s in Teaching

MICHAEL
MICHAEL

Master’s in Teaching Adolescents with Disabilities | Master’s in School Administration

Middle School Transition Support NYC | Organization & Homework Help
BRENNA

Special Education Teacher & Math Specialist

Evan
EVAN

Master’s in Leadership in Math Education, Bachelor’s Degree in Mathematics

Who This Middle School Transition Support Is For

Middle school student studying with private tutor in NYC living room setting

Middle school transition support is often most useful for capable students before serious academic decline begins. This program is especially helpful for students who:

 

  • Did well in elementary school but are entering a more complex school structure
  • Need help preparing for the shift from one-teacher guidance to multi-class independence
  • Lose track of assignments, materials, or deadlines
  • Feel unsure how to manage multiple teachers and subjects
  • Would benefit from learning school systems before stress and inconsistency take hold

 

Many of these students are bright, responsible, and fully capable. They simply have not yet been taught how to manage the structure of middle school.

When to Consider Middle School Transition Support

The best time to build middle school systems is often before visible academic trouble becomes serious. Families often seek support:

 

  • In spring of 5th grade
  • During the summer before 6th grade
  • In the first months of middle school
  • When teachers begin noticing organization or homework management issues
  • When a student seems capable but unclear on how to keep up with the new structure

 

Addressing this transition early helps students build the organizational and planning systems that middle school requires. The goal is not to repair the collapse. The goal is to teach students how school works before disorganization becomes a pattern.

Why NYC Families Choose Themba Tutors

NYC middle school students often need stronger academic systems as school expectations become more complex and independent. We work with families across Manhattan and Brooklyn navigating demanding public and private school environments where students are expected to manage more on their own beginning in middle school. Our tutors understand the pacing, workload, and academic expectations of rigorous NYC schools and help students build tutoring-based systems for organization, planning, and assignment management inside real school work.

FAQs: Middle School Performance Transition Program

Is this only for students who are already struggling academically?

No. This support is often most valuable before major academic decline begins. Many families seek middle school transition support because they want their child to learn how to manage a more complex school structure early.

 

What skills do students learn in the program?

Students learn practical academic management systems that support consistent performance across multiple classes. Tutors work with students on binder organization, notebook systems, homework tracking routines, weekly planning frameworks, and digital file organization for school platforms.

 

Does the program help with homework completion?

Yes, the program focuses on building reliable systems that ensure assignments are recorded, tracked, and completed on time. Rather than simply helping with individual assignments, tutors teach students how to manage homework across all classes.

 

How is this program different from traditional tutoring?

Traditional tutoring focuses on subject content, while this program focuses on the organization and planning systems that support consistent performance across all classes.

 

When should families consider middle school transition support?

Late 5th grade, the summer before 6th grade, and the opening months of middle school are often the best times to start. Early support helps students build systems before missed work and school stress become established patterns.

 

Is support provided in person or online?

Themba Tutors provides structured, in-home tutoring across New York City. Working in the student’s home environment allows tutors to build organization systems that integrate directly with the student’s school materials and study space.

 

How long does it take for students to develop these systems?

Most students begin seeing improvements within several weeks once consistent organizational routines are established. The goal is not just short-term improvement, but helping students develop systems they can maintain independently throughout middle school.

 

Does the program help with digital organization for school platforms?

Yes, the program includes digital file management systems for platforms such as Google Drive and school learning portals. Students learn folder structures, naming conventions, and processes that keep assignments organized across subjects.

 

What are common signs a student is struggling with the middle school transition?

Missing assignments, disorganized materials, and increased homework stress are common signs students are struggling with the middle school transition. Teachers may also note that the student understands the material but fails to submit work consistently.

 

Is this support only for sixth graders?

The transition from 5th to 6th grade is the most natural fit for this service because that is when many students first encounter real academic complexity. Some 7th-grade students also benefit if they never fully built the systems middle school requires.

StructureA d, Guided Process for the Middle School Performance Transition Program

One-on-one tutoring session with teenage girl and male tutor in New York City

Our work is focused on helping students learn the systems that middle school expects from the start. We make it straightforward for families to get structured support during the 5th-to-6th-grade transition without waiting for larger academic problems to develop.

 

  • Consultation to discuss your student’s middle school transition
    Parents speak with our team to review organizational challenges, workload concerns, and the academic expectations at their child’s school.
  • Thoughtful tutor matching based on the student’s needs
    Students are paired with an educator experienced in helping middle schoolers build strong academic organization and planning systems.
  • Initial sessions focused on building academic infrastructure
    Tutors help students establish binder systems, assignment tracking routines, and weekly planning frameworks that support multiple classes.
  • Flexible, ongoing in-home support across New York City
    Sessions reinforce organization, planning habits, and workload management so students can maintain these systems independently.

 

Most families are matched with a tutor and begin sessions within 1–3 business days.

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.

**Guarantee: It’s critical that whoever receives our tutoring services connects with the specialist, the specialist has expertise in the area of need, and is available to travel to you. If you are not 100% satisfied with our services, we are 100% committed to finding you the right professional.