Early College and Career Prep

By Dr. Johnel Bryant Robinson, Ed.D. St. Charles Tutoring Lab | Learn. Love. Inspire.   There are moments when you realize something bigger is happening—when what started as support for a few families begins to grow into access for many. This is one of those moments. Today, we took a step forward in expanding college access by reaching out to local media to share an opportunity that families need to know about: CLEP Camp. This isn’t just another program. This is about changing the timeline—and the cost—of college. What Is CLEP Camp? CLEP Camp is a guided, virtual experience designed to help students earn college credit before they ever step foot on a college campus. Through this program, families learn how to: Choose the right CLEP exams Build a preparation plan that actually works Move from “thinking about college” to earning credits now Use free resources like Modern States Education Alliance to prepare and test This is strategy. This is access. This is opportunit...

  How Many Times Can You Take the ACT—And Why Smart Families Start Early At St. Charles Tutoring Lab, one of the most common questions I get from families is: “How many times can my child take the ACT?” Let’s start there—and then I’m going to show you why the ACT should be a priority over the PSAT and SAT for families who are thinking about scholarships, not just test scores. How Many Times Can You Take the ACT? The ACT can be taken up to 12 times. Now—before that sounds overwhelming, let me reframe it: Most students only need 2–4 strategic attempts to reach their target score. Why? Because the ACT is not about memorizing content—it’s about: Recognizing patterns Managing time Avoiding traps Building endurance And those are skills that improve with intentional preparation and exposure. Why I Started My Own Children Early I didn’t wait until junior year. I started my own children with the ACT in 8th grade. Not for pressure—but for familiarity and confidence. By t...