POP Pi

Valeria Jaramillo

+170 in Math

“Peace of Pi made my dreams possible, and I’m so grateful for the confidence this experience has given me!”

I’ve always been strong in math, but when it came to the SAT, I just wasn’t getting the score I needed. It was frustrating because I knew I could do better, but the results didn’t show that. 

I was honestly nervous about doing tutoring on Zoom with Peace of Pi. Similarly to many others, online learning didn’t work for me in the past. I would soon come to realize that Peace of Pi was so different. The tutors focused on each of us individually, making sure we understood our mistakes, and that approach helped me learn so much.

The course was definitely a lot of work! I dedicated 1 to 2 hours daily, and honestly, it was worth it. They kept me on top of every assignment, pushing me to keep going. My tutor was so kind and taught in a way that made things click.

I improved my score by 170 points, ending up with a 730 in math! This score allowed me to earn 100% Bright Futures, which is such a relief as I start my senior year. For anyone else on this journey, my advice is simple: do all the homework and practice tests. It’s the practice that made the biggest difference for me. Peace of Pi made my dreams possible, and I’m so grateful for the confidence this experience has given me.

 

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Anastasiia Zakharova

+140 in Math

“I would describe Peace of Pi’s service as truly supportive. If you’re coming in feeling lost or anxious about the SAT, know that you will be taken care of.”

Although I don’t currently attend school, I decided to pursue my academic goals by taking the SAT. I realized I needed support when I found myself struggling to keep up with the material. I felt overwhelmed, especially with the upcoming tests, and I couldn’t find any strategic resources online that would help me from start to finish.

Before joining Peace of Pi, I was always a straight-A math student, so it was confusing for me to score lower than I expected on the SAT. I didn’t understand that the SAT had a specific way of presenting questions, and I was unsure how to approach them. That’s when I turned to Peace of Pi.

Coming into the virtual group learning experience, I expected it to be like a typical online class, but I was pleasantly surprised. The way the tutors separated students into skill-based groups was incredibly helpful. It made me feel like I belonged with others who were also striving for improvement. The pace was just right, and I really appreciated having the same teacher most of the time. It helped me form a bond with my instructor, making the environment comfortable and enjoyable.

I would describe Peace of Pi’s service as truly supportive. If you’re coming in feeling lost or anxious about the SAT, know that you will be taken care of. The tutors will keep you on track and make sure you understand the material. They’re like an airbag, ready to catch you if you fall behind. I always felt encouraged and motivated to complete my assignments, thanks to their support.

As for the results, I started with a score of 530, which felt disheartening. After just a month and a half with Peace of Pi, I improved to a 670, which is a 140-point increase! That growth not only boosted my math score but also improved my reading score without any additional studying on my part. The practice tests we completed contributed greatly to this success.

This improvement has opened up opportunities for me to apply for scholarships, such as My Bright Futures, which is vital since I’m not originally from the States and navigating the college system is a bit daunting. Now, I can apply for scholarships without needing to go test-optional, and I’m genuinely proud of the results I achieved through hard work and dedication.

For other students on their SAT prep journey, my biggest piece of advice is to keep practicing. Don’t settle for a few hours of study; always push yourself to do a little more. And on the day before the test, remember to relax. If you’ve put in the effort and stayed committed, trust that you’re ready. Don’t stress about the test; instead, enjoy that final day knowing you’ve done the work.

POP Pi

Guido Gersti

+230 points on the SAT Math!

“It’s natural to hit a plateau, but if you keep pushing, you’ll see that improvement again!”

I wanted to share my experience with Peace of Pi because it really helped me in my SAT prep. Last year, after taking the PSAT, I realized that I had forgotten a lot of the math and reading concepts I once knew. I wanted to improve my score to open up scholarship options like Bright Futures and have a more diverse range of colleges to consider. I figured that by using Peace of Pi, I could learn how to do things faster and remember the material I had forgotten.

Honestly, I wasn’t sure what to expect from the virtual group learning experience, but it turned out to be great! The tutors were really direct. They stayed on top of me about answering questions, and if I got something wrong, they’d help me through my mistakes and lead me to the right answer. That approach really worked for me.

My main tutor was Mel at the start, and then I had Mars for math towards the end. They both helped me out with the problems and made sure I got through as much material as possible. They were both great additions to my SAT Prep. 

I’d say to any student considering Peace of Pi to make sure you’re ready to commit. There’s a lot of work involved, especially as you get closer to the end.

In the end, my SAT score jumped from 1100 to 1480, with my math score going from 580 to 770! This result means I now have more options for colleges and scholarships, both in-state and out-of-state.

If I could give advice to other students on this journey, it would be to keep going even when things feel stagnant. It’s natural to hit a plateau, but if you keep pushing, you’ll see that improvement again.

POP Pi

Fransisco J. Rodriguez

+140 points on the SAT Math!

“I decided to join after seeing their improvements and after a detailed conversation with Renan, who gave me personal attention and answered all my questions.”

I took the Peace of Pi SAT prep course in the Summer of 2024. I needed their help after taking the SAT twice (in March and May) without seeing any improvement in my math score. I found myself confused most of the time during the math section. Before Peace of Pi, I spent a lot of time trying to guess answers using Desmos because I didn’t have a solid foundation to understand how to solve the questions properly.

This lack of understanding was keeping my SAT math score significantly below what I was aiming for. I learned about Peace of Pi because four of my friends had taken the course. I decided to join after seeing their improvements and after a detailed conversation with Renan, who gave me personal attention and answered all my questions.

I would describe Peace of Pi as tough but effective, considering the amount of work and dedication required to see improvement. Initially, I thought being in a Zoom call for four hours would be repetitive and annoying, but the virtual learning experience exceeded my expectations. I could directly ask questions, and it almost felt like being in a classroom in person.

I also thought the group would be very large, but I was pleased to find that it consisted of only 4-5 students. This group size allowed me to ask questions comfortably and receive the help I needed.

Thanks to Peace of Pi, my SAT math score went from a 560 to a 700. This improvement has significantly reduced my stress as I return to school, knowing I no longer need to worry about retaking the SAT. I’m also more confident now, as my score is at or above the average for the colleges I want to apply to.

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Paula Cirule

+250 points on the SAT Math!

“Peace of Pi has truly prepared me for the SAT and has given me the confidence to apply to competitive colleges.”

I had a fantastic experience with Peace of Pi while preparing for the SAT. Initially, I wasn’t too concerned about the SAT since I hadn’t even taken the PSAT, but after talking with a friend who was about to join the program, I decided it was best to start early. I enrolled in Peace of Pi before my junior year, and it turned out to be one of the best decisions I made.

Before joining, I hadn’t done any test prep and had forgotten many math concepts from my previous classes. The SAT questions felt confusing, and I was uncertain if I could even tackle them. However, the virtual group learning environment was surprisingly engaging. I was worried about participating in a Zoom class with other students, but everyone was involved, and we created a supportive community. The requirement to keep our cameras on helped ensure that nobody slacked off, and the tutors made the learning experience personalized and comfortable.

The course was intensive, with lots of practice packets, which initially felt overwhelming. However, I quickly realized that repetition was key. Each time I revisited the same questions, my understanding deepened, and my confidence grew. I improved my score significantly—my final SAT score was 1420 with a 730 in the math, up from an initial practice score of 1170. This 250-point improvement exceeded my expectations and allowed me to qualify for full Bright Futures, opening up many more opportunities for my college applications.

My advice for other students is to stay committed and not rush through the material. Although it can feel like a lot of work at times, the effort is absolutely worth it in the end. Peace of Pi has truly prepared me for the SAT and has given me the confidence to apply to competitive colleges. I’m excited about my future, and I owe a big part of that to the support and structure provided by Peace of Pi.

POP Pi

Isabella Garriga

+210 points on the SAT Math!

“I had moments where I wasn’t seeing the progress I wanted, but with consistent practice, it all added up.”

I decided to join Peace of Pi’s math tutoring over the summer after my PSAT score in sophomore year came back with a 520 in math. I knew I needed to get it up to be competitive for the colleges I want to apply to. Math has always been my strong suit, but I realized I needed an extra push—especially to get familiar with SAT-style questions and refresh some key concepts. 

Before tutoring, the wording of SAT questions really threw me off. They’re written in such a tricky way that I would get super confused, even if I knew the math behind it. When I joined, I thought I might get distracted with it being virtual, but that wasn’t the case at all. The tutors keep you fully engaged by handing out work, solving problems, and interacting with you the whole time. It keeps you focused on learning instead of getting distracted. I actually loved the group setting because you get to hear other people’s questions and problem-solving approaches, which sometimes end up being more effective for you. 

To anyone considering this program, I would say it’s absolutely worth it, but you have to put in the work. That means doing all the homework and practice tests. The practice tests especially helped me build confidence and see how much I was improving. My final score was a 730, so I ended up improving +210 points in math, which was so exciting! 

Doing the course over the summer was the best choice I could’ve made because now, as a junior, I have so much less stress knowing that I already have a solid score. My advice to other students is to just trust the process. I had moments where I wasn’t seeing the progress I wanted, but with consistent practice, it all added up. The improvement you make will depend on the effort you’re willing to put in, but it’s so worth it in the end!

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Miranda Mejia

+270 points on the SAT Math!

“I tell all my friends that while the program is hard work, it’s worth it.”

Before joining Peace of Pi, I struggled with math and knew my SAT score wasn’t where it needed to be. After taking the March SAT and seeing my low score of 1030, with only a 450 in math, I realized that if I wanted to apply to good colleges, I had to improve quickly. 

I joined Peace of Pi, a little nervous about the virtual learning environment and group setting.  But those worries quickly disappeared once I started. The tutoring felt very personalized, with smaller groups and tutors who truly cared about my progress. What surprised me the most was how rigorous the program was. There were days when I felt exhausted from the amount of homework and studying, but it ALL paid off in the end.

After completing the course, my score jumped from 1030 to 1400, and my math score alone improved by 270 points, going from a 450 to a 720! This result has completely changed my life. It opened doors for me to apply to schools like the University of Florida and the University of Miami, and I feel confident that my SAT score will no longer hold me back. 

I tell all my friends that while the program is hard work, it’s worth it. If you’re dedicated and willing to put in the effort, Peace of Pi will help you achieve the results you’re looking for.

POP Pi

Daniel Lopez

+170 points on the SAT Math!

“There were times when I felt stuck at just under 700, but I kept studying, reviewing the material, and eventually had that breakthrough. It feels amazing when you finally get past the block, so just keep going!”

My name is Daniel Lopez, and I’m a junior at Strawberry Crest High School in Tampa, Florida. I decided to join Peace of Pi after taking the PSAT in 10th grade and getting a 580 in math. That score wasn’t good enough for most universities, and I knew I needed to improve if I wanted to have a shot at my dream schools. I was recommended to Peace of Pi, and it seemed like the right choice to help me get my score up.

Before starting the course, I didn’t really prepare much on my own, and my freshman year had been tough, so I was struggling with retaining a lot of math concepts. I was frustrated because, at the time of taking the PSAT, I didn’t know a lot of the material yet. So, going into the SAT, I knew I needed to reinforce the basics like algebra and geometry.

At first, I was a little skeptical about the virtual group learning experience because I had a bad experience with online learning during COVID in 7th grade. But honestly, Peace of Pi completely changed my perspective. The virtual environment was super supportive, and the group setting made it easy to ask questions and stay engaged. The teachers were approachable and always ready to help if I didn’t understand something. It felt like a good balance between getting the work done and being in a comfortable learning environment.

As for my results, I ended up with a 750 in math, which was a 170-point improvement from my original score of 580. That jump was huge for me, especially on my first SAT attempt. It’s a rewarding feeling to see that kind of progress after putting in the effort. Now, I’m planning to take the SAT again in October, just to see if I can improve even more by using everything I’ve learned.

My advice for other students is to keep pushing, even if you’re not seeing immediate results. There were times when I felt stuck at just under 700, but I kept studying, reviewing the material, and eventually had that breakthrough. It feels amazing when you finally get past the block, so just keep going!

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Lucia Corbea

+80 points on the SAT Math!

“I liked that I could do the sessions at home without distractions. It felt more structured than what I experienced during COVID learning—there were no free periods or lost time, just focused study sessions.”

My name is Lucia Corbea, and I’m a senior at Saint Brendan High School. I first realized I needed Peace of Pi’s help when I wasn’t achieving the SAT score I wanted. I felt that by dedicating more time and joining a program that would hold me accountable, I could definitely raise my score. A higher score is important to me because it opens up scholarship opportunities and helps me get into better schools.

Before joining Peace of Pi, I wasn’t doing much test prep. I tried studying on my own, but balancing school with SAT prep was really hard. That’s why I decided to do the summer program. I’d definitely recommend taking the course over summer because the workload is more manageable compared to doing it during the school year. 

My biggest frustration with the test was when it went digital, the way they worded the math questions was confusing, and that made it harder for me to answer confidently. I heard about Peace of Pi from a friend and was excited about the idea of virtual learning. I liked that I could do the sessions at home without distractions. It felt more structured than what I experienced during COVID learning—there were no free periods or lost time, just focused study sessions.

If I had to describe Peace of Pi to another student, I’d say it’s a program that requires dedication. You really have to put in the work if you want to see results, but it’s worth it. My main tutor was Marcela, and I loved how she taught. She tried to connect with her students and make the sessions engaging, which made a big difference for me.

From my parents’ perspective, they were really happy with how the program kept me on track. My mom was especially grateful for the constant communication from the team—whether it was reminders about homework or encouragement to keep me going, Peace of Pi made sure I stayed focused. She loved that the homework kept me practicing and improving consistently.

Thanks to the program, my total SAT score ended up at a 1420! My math score went up 80 points—from 650 to 730—which was my highest score so far. This improvement has given me so much confidence, and I believe that with more studying, I can push my score even higher.

For students currently preparing for the SAT, my advice would be to spread out your study sessions. Instead of cramming everything into one day, dedicate a little time each day to avoid burnout and keep your progress steady.

Thanks to Peace of Pi, I feel ready and confident for what’s next, and I couldn’t be happier with my results.

POP Pi

Cecilia Motta

+80 points on the SAT Math!

“I’d heard from other students at my school that Peace of Pi was really good at helping with SAT prep…after Peace of Pi, I raised my score to 720—a total improvement of 80 points.”

I’m Cecilia Motta and I’m currently a senior at Mast Academy. Before joining Peace of Pi, I took the SAT twice, but my score just wasn’t improving. I wanted to find tutoring that would actually help me get the score I needed to qualify for Bright Futures and get into my dream school, the University of Florida. I needed at least a 1350 for Bright Futures, and I wasn’t reaching that.

Before Peace of Pi, I was doing light tutoring twice a week, but it wasn’t helping because my scores stayed the same. I realized I needed a program that would push me more. I had been putting in effort, but I also knew I could do more, and I’d heard from other students at my school that Peace of Pi was really good at helping with SAT prep.

At first, I wasn’t sure how I’d handle the virtual group learning because the classes are long—four hours on Zoom sounded tough. But to my surprise, the time flew by. The classes were interactive, with a lot of participation, so you’re not just sitting there listening; you’re actively engaged with the teacher and other students. It made the four hours feel manageable and even enjoyable.

I’d describe Peace of Pi’s service as a lot of work, but worth it. It’s intense, especially if you’re juggling it with school, so I’d recommend doing it when you’re not in the middle of exams. You have to really commit and put in a lot of effort with the homework and practice tests, but in the end, it makes a huge difference.

I started with a 640 in math, and after Peace of Pi, I raised my score to 720—a total improvement of 80 points! That helped me reach my 1350 overall, which means I’ve already qualified for Bright Futures. I’m so relieved to have that taken care of, and it’s made me a lot more confident as I continue preparing for college.

For anyone else on their test prep journey, I’d say the SAT is a tough test—you really have to put in the work. It’s not something you can just rely on luck for. Peace of Pi is a great option for students who want to boost their scores in math or English, but you have to be ready to commit fully to the process. If you do, you’ll see the results.