Every trusted US resource, in one place
School research, free learning, tests and college, and quality tutoring. Mostly free, with honest notes on the paid options that are worth it.
Researching and comparing schools
Where to check ratings, reviews and official data before you choose or move.
- Ratings
GreatSchools
Ratings, test scores and parent reviews for public and private schools nationwide. Read beyond the single number, the equity and academic-progress details matter.
(opens in a new tab) - Official
NCES School Search
The federal government register of public schools and districts, with official enrollment and demographic data. The authoritative source.
(opens in a new tab) - Reviews
Niche
Rankings and detailed reviews of schools and districts, useful for a feel of the community. Reviews are opinions, so weigh them alongside official data.
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Your state report card
Every state publishes school report cards with test results and accountability data. Search "[your state] school report card" for the official version.
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Free learning and practice
High-quality, free tools that cover core subjects and reading.
- Free
Khan Academy
World-class free lessons and practice in math, reading, science and more, from pre-K through SAT prep. The single best free resource for most families.
(opens in a new tab) - Free
CommonLit
Free reading passages and comprehension activities for grades 3 to 12, searchable by grade and skill. Excellent for building reading stamina.
(opens in a new tab) - Free
PBS LearningMedia
Free, standards-aligned videos, games and activities across subjects, from a trusted public broadcaster.
(opens in a new tab) - Practice
IXL
Adaptive practice across math and English by grade. Paid subscription, useful for targeted practice once you know the gap.
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Tests and college
Official sources for standardized tests, college applications and financial aid.
- Official
College Board BigFuture
Official home of the SAT, PSAT and AP, plus free college and career planning tools. Start here for anything test-related in high school.
(opens in a new tab) - Official
ACT
The official site for the ACT, with test dates, prep and score information. Many colleges accept the SAT or the ACT, so check your targets.
(opens in a new tab) - Official
Common App
The application used by more than 1,000 colleges. Free to create an account and explore requirements early.
(opens in a new tab) - Official
Federal Student Aid (FAFSA)
The official route to federal grants, loans and work-study. Filing the FAFSA is the first step to most college financial aid, and it is free.
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Tutoring and extra help
Most of what your child needs is free above. When you want structured help, these are quality options.
- Tutoring
Wyzant
A large marketplace of independent tutors across subjects and test prep, in person and online. You choose the tutor and pay by the hour.
(opens in a new tab) - Tutoring
Varsity Tutors
One-on-one and small-group tutoring plus test prep, online nationwide. Paid, with some free live classes and resources.
(opens in a new tab) - Classes
Outschool
Live online small-group classes on almost any topic, for ages 3 to 18. Paid per class, popular with homeschooling families.
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Get everything, for less than one tutoring hour a month
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