Education

The Smart Barn provides one-to-one tutoring and test prep programs tailored to each student from First Grade through college and beyond. In addition, we work with adults who are returning to school or changing careers and need a little help along the way.

Discover your learning style

Our approach is strengths-based. We adapt and teach in the style that is most effective for each student. When you first come in, we’ll discover your learning style and personality traits that affect learning. When you work with our instructors, we’ll be going just your speed, and you’ll learn faster than you would in a group setting.

Monitor your progress

Our approach gives you tools that transcend a given test or academic subject and become a toolkit of solid study skills that can be applied to other subjects in school, and become lasting organizational skills for life in general.

Our approach is quantitative whenever possible; we use diagnostic tools and regularly monitor students’ progress.

Access our work

Our instructors keep records each time they meet with a student, and our notes can be accessed through our secure, online database. College-bound high school students can also use their accounts with us to access information about potential colleges and careers.

How do I get started?

Your first step is to schedule an intake interview at our location, and together we’ll learn about your situation and goals for working together. For students grades 1 through 12, a parent or care taker should also attend the intake session. Tutoring takes place either at our location on 4th and Capitol, downtown Olympia or online -- all you need is an internet connection with reliable service. Sessions are typically 50 minutes and start at the top of the hour, Sunday 11am - 6pm, Saturday 9am - 12pm, and Monday - Thursday 1pm - 8pm.