Program Comparison
Choose Small Group for weekly accountability. Choose Self-Paced for flexible guided prep with alumni feedback.
Where to begin
How much weekly structure does your student need right now? Both paths teach the same TJ-specific SPS/PSE curriculum and include alumni feedback.
Live max-8 coaching, weekly deadlines, unlimited SPS/PSE feedback, and 10 proctored practice exams included.
24/7 lessons and practice, Q&A support, and 15 instructor feedback credits. Below 7th grade, start here; tuition rolls over if you switch to Small Group later.
Useful for pacing, stamina, and score reporting. Small Group already includes 10 exams.
Program paths
Both program paths include the same TJ content. The practical choice is support model: weekly live coaching or flexible guided prep.
For 7th and 8th grade students who benefit from live teaching, accountability, and repeated feedback through exam day.
For students who need TJ-specific curriculum and feedback without adding a required weekly live class to the calendar.
What is included
The biggest difference is live structure. Curriculum, TJ specificity, and alumni feedback are built into both paths.
| Support area | TJ Small Group Coaching | TJ Self-Paced |
|---|---|---|
| Best fit | 7th and 8th graders who need weekly accountability, live coaching, and repeated deadlines. | Younger students or busy students who need flexible guided prep with TJ-specific feedback. |
| TJ-specific curriculum | Full SPS/PSE curriculum plus access to the digital course materials. | Full SPS/PSE curriculum with lessons, guides, practice, and examples. |
| Live coaching | Weekly live small-group coaching with TJHSST alumni in a max-8 group. | No required weekly class. |
| Schedule flexibility | Live weekly structure, with online materials and session recordings for catch-up. | 24/7 access around schoolwork, activities, travel, and family schedules. |
| SPS/PSE feedback | Unlimited SPS and PSE feedback through the coaching cycle. | 15 instructor feedback credits included, plus Q&A support. |
| Q&A support | Included alongside live coaching and written feedback. | Included for course questions and prep guidance. |
| Sample essays and guides | Included through the digital course materials. | Video lessons, written guides, practice prompts, and 24 sample essays. |
| Practice exams | 10 proctored practice exams included. | Available separately for timed rehearsal. |
| Below 7th grade | Usually best to wait until 7th or 8th grade for Small Group. | Best starting point. Self-Paced tuition rolls over if the student later joins Small Group. |
| Parent decision | Choose this when you want the weekly plan managed for your student. | Choose this when your student needs TJ-specific prep without another fixed weekly commitment. |
Timed 90-minute exam rehearsal for families who already have a prep plan in place. Small Group includes 10; Self-Paced families can add exams separately.
Parent questions
For most students below 7th grade, Self-Paced is the better starting point. It builds TJ-specific foundations without adding a weekly live class too early. When the student reaches 7th or 8th grade, the Self-Paced tuition rolls over toward Small Group Coaching.
Self-Paced includes the TJ-specific curriculum, video lessons, written guides, practice prompts, sample essays, Q&A support, and 15 instructor feedback credits. It gives busy families TJ-specific guidance without a required weekly live class.
Choose Small Group when your student needs weekly live structure, accountability, unlimited SPS/PSE feedback, and included proctored practice exams. It is the flagship path for 7th and 8th grade families who want the most complete support.
Practice exams give students timed rehearsal and score reporting. They are most useful once a student has TJ-specific curriculum and feedback in place.
Ready to choose?
