Chicago's Premier ACT & Selective Enrollment Specialists

Your Child Doesn't Need More Practice.
They Need Precision Coaching.

Anya Pasowicz has spent her entire life inside Chicago's most competitive academic environments — as a student, then as a coach. Her students have earned over $2 million in scholarships and gained admission to Yale, Cornell, and UChicago.

$2M+
In scholarships
earned by students
150–300
Average SAT
point improvement
5–10 pts
Average ACT
score improvement
7+
Elite CPS schools
placements

Documented Results

Score Transformations That Open Doors

A 5–10 point ACT jump equals a 150–300 point SAT increase — the difference between "considered" and "competitive" at selective universities.

19 → 31
+12 pts  |  ≈ +360 SAT
U of Illinois
Full Ride Scholarship
1280 → 1560
+280 pts  |  ≈+7 ACT
University of Michigan
Ann Arbor Admit
30 → 36
+6 pts  |  ≈ +180 SAT
Yale & Cornell
Ivy League Admits
University Acceptances
HarvardPrincetonYaleCornellColumbiaBrownDartmouthUniversity of PennsylvaniaUChicagoNorthwesternDukeGeorgetownNotre DameVanderbiltEmoryJohns HopkinsWashington Univ. in St. LouisRice UniversityWake ForestUniversity of VirginiaUNC Chapel HillUCLAUC BerkeleyUSCNYUBoston UniversityNortheasternVillanovaLoyola University ChicagoDePaul UniversityMarquette UniversityUniv. of MichiganUW MadisonU of Illinois — Full RidePurdueIndiana University BloomingtonOhio StateMichigan StatePenn StateUniversity of MinnesotaUniversity of MissouriUniversity of KansasIowa StateUniversity of NebraskaBoston CollegeTulaneUniversity of RochesterUniversity of IowaUniversity of FloridaUniversity of GeorgiaUniversity of TennesseeUniversity of ArizonaArizona StateUniversity of Colorado BoulderUniversity of Kentucky
$2,000,000+
In scholarship dollars earned by Elevate studentsThe right score at the right time is worth more than years of unfocused preparation. Our students don't just get in — they get funded.

Why Elevate

Why Choose an Independent Specialist?

When you hire a large tutoring company, you get a rotating roster and fees that pay for their overhead — not your child's results.

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Direct Access to the Expert

You work with Anya or Lizzie — not whoever is available that week. Every session is with the same specialist who knows your student's history.

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No Contracts. No Minimums.

Sessions are structured around your student's goals and timeline — not a rigid package designed to maximize billing.

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Neurodivergent-Experienced

Extensive background with ADHD, autism, dyslexia, 504 Plans, and test anxiety coaching. Every student gets a plan built for how they actually learn.

Serving families across: Lincoln Park · Wicker Park · Logan Square · Bucktown · Lakeview · Evanston · the North Shore

The Process

How It Works

A repeatable four-step method that turns scattered preparation into a focused, results-driven plan.

STEP 01
Baseline Assessment

A full practice test establishes a precise starting point. No guessing. No generic assumptions.

STEP 02
Custom Strategy

Anya builds a personalized plan targeting your student's specific gaps — not a one-size-fits-all curriculum.

STEP 03
Weekly Sessions

Two-hour sessions with targeted homework that reinforces material without overwhelming other commitments.

STEP 04
Measurable Results

Students go into their exam confident, prepared, and strategically equipped to perform under pressure.

Selective Enrollment

We Know These Schools Because We Came From Them

Chicago's Selective Enrollment system is unlike any other in the country. Anya is a Whitney Young graduate — this isn't research, it's lived experience turned into a repeatable method.

Whitney Young
Lane Tech
Northside Prep
Jones College Prep
Walter Payton
St. Ignatius
Loyola Academy
DePaul Prep

What Families Say

In Their Own Words

ACT · 28 → 33
★★★★★
"

Anya came in with a detailed plan — time management, pacing, and strategies that worked. His scores jumped from 28 to 33. Beyond the score, he learned to approach problems strategically rather than rushing.

Mrs. G.
Parent of an ACT student
Selective Enrollment · Jones
★★★★★
"

We were nervous about the SEHS exam — it felt like a black box. Anya mapped out exactly what the test rewards and drilled it systematically. My daughter got into Jones College Prep on her first attempt.

Mrs. T.
Parent, Jones College Prep admit
Personal Statement · Cornell
★★★★★
"

I went from feeling stuck to feeling proud of what I submitted. I was accepted to Cornell, and I truly believe my essay played a huge role. I could not have done it without her guidance.

Former Student, Class of 2025
Cornell University admit
Selective Enrollment · Northside
★★★★★
"

Anya spent weeks preparing my son specifically for Northside Prep — the reading, the math pacing, all of it. He walked in calm and prepared. Getting that acceptance was one of the best days of our family's life.

Mr. A.
Parent, Northside Prep admit

Documented Outcomes

Every Result Here Is Real.

These are not marketing claims. They are documented score jumps, school acceptances, and scholarship dollars earned by real students who committed to the process.

ACT & SAT Score Jumps

What a 5–10 Point Increase Actually Means

On the SAT scale, a 5–10 point ACT increase equals a 150–300 point jump — the difference that separates scholarship candidates from the rest.

19 → 31
+12 pts  |  ≈ +360 SAT
U of Illinois
Full Ride Scholarship
1280 → 1560
+280 pts  |  ≈+7 ACT
University of Michigan
Ann Arbor Admit
30 → 36
+6 pts  |  ≈ +180 SAT
Yale & Cornell
Ivy League Admits
University Acceptances
HarvardPrincetonYaleCornellColumbiaBrownDartmouthUniversity of PennsylvaniaUChicagoNorthwesternDukeGeorgetownNotre DameVanderbiltEmoryJohns HopkinsWashington Univ. in St. LouisRice UniversityWake ForestUniversity of VirginiaUNC Chapel HillUCLAUC BerkeleyUSCNYUBoston UniversityNortheasternVillanovaLoyola University ChicagoDePaul UniversityMarquette UniversityUniv. of MichiganUW MadisonU of Illinois — Full RidePurdueIndiana University BloomingtonOhio StateMichigan StatePenn StateUniversity of MinnesotaUniversity of MissouriUniversity of KansasIowa StateUniversity of NebraskaBoston CollegeTulaneUniversity of RochesterUniversity of IowaUniversity of FloridaUniversity of GeorgiaUniversity of TennesseeUniversity of ArizonaArizona StateUniversity of Colorado BoulderUniversity of Kentucky
Selective Enrollment Placements
Whitney YoungJones College PrepNorthside PrepWalter PaytonLane TechSt. IgnatiusLoyola AcademyDePaul Prep
$2,000,000+
Total scholarship dollars earned by Elevate studentsScore increases translate directly into money. The ROI on focused coaching is undeniable.

All Reviews

What Students & Families Say

ACT · 28 → 33
★★★★★
"

Anya came in with a detailed plan — time management, pacing, and strategies that worked. His scores jumped from 28 to 33. Beyond the score, he learned to approach problems strategically rather than rushing.

Mrs. G.
Parent of an ACT student
Selective Enrollment · Jones
★★★★★
"

We were nervous about the SEHS exam — it felt like a black box. Anya mapped out exactly what the test rewards and drilled it systematically. My daughter got into Jones on her first attempt. We are so grateful.

Mrs. T.
Parent, Jones College Prep admit
Selective Enrollment · Ignatius
★★★★★
"

My son had his heart set on Ignatius but his scores weren't there. Anya identified exactly where he was losing points and rebuilt his approach section by section. He got in. Worth every penny.

Mr. K.
Parent, St. Ignatius admit
Selective Enrollment · Northside
★★★★★
"

Anya spent weeks preparing my son specifically for Northside Prep — the reading, the math pacing, all of it. He walked in calm and prepared. Getting that acceptance was one of the best days of our family's life.

Mr. A.
Parent, Northside Prep admit
Personal Statement · Cornell
★★★★★
"

Anya helped me find the real story I wanted to tell. I went from feeling stuck to feeling proud. I was accepted to Cornell, and I truly believe my essay played a huge role.

Former Student, Class of 2025
Cornell University admit
AP US History · Score 5
★★★★★
"

Anya created a clear roadmap and taught my son memory strategies and how to approach every question type. He scored a 5 — beyond our expectations — and genuinely enjoyed learning history again.

Ms. H.
Parent of an APUSH student
AP Literature
★★★★★
"

Anya broke down each assignment and developed my daughter's own voice and critical thinking. By the AP exam she felt confident and prepared. Her teacher even commented on her growth.

Mr. R.
Parent of an AP Lit student
Student with ADHD
★★★★★
"

Anya structured lessons to maintain engagement, breaking topics into smaller sections. My daughter stayed on task, built confidence, and her test scores improved noticeably. Truly tailored.

Mr. W.
Parent of a student with ADHD
Test Anxiety · ACT
★★★★★
"

Anya worked with my son on stress-reduction and pacing — not just content. He went into the ACT feeling prepared rather than stressed. Strategy, practice, and support all made the difference.

Ms. B.
Parent of an ACT student
AP Psychology
★★★★★
"

Anya created a plan with active recall, practice tests, and concept mapping. My son developed strategies to tackle challenging questions — not just memorize. His scores improved significantly.

Mrs. F.
Parent of an AP Psych student
K–12 Math
★★★★★
"

My child started looking forward to math homework instead of dreading it. Within weeks, test scores improved and he gained real confidence. Anya's ability to simplify complex concepts made all the difference.

Mrs. C.
Parent of a middle school student
AP Spanish
★★★★★
"

Anya structured lessons with conversational practice, essay writing, and comprehension exercises. By the AP exam my daughter felt prepared and calm. Her consistent encouragement was key to her success.

Mr. V.
Parent of an AP Spanish student

Personal Statement & College Essay Coaching

The Essay That Gets You In Is the One That Sounds Like You.

Writing a college personal statement can feel overwhelming — it is often the most vulnerable part of the application. And yet it can make all the difference. Anya has guided students from paralyzed first drafts to Ivy League acceptances.

Anya's Story

She Has Been on Both Sides of the Application

Whitney Young Writing Center — One of Three

When Anya was a senior at Whitney Young, her personal statement was selected as one of only three essays included in the school's Writing Center example book. That experience ignited a deep interest in personal storytelling that has shaped her teaching ever since.

What Admissions Officers Are Actually Looking For

Her approach goes beyond grammar edits. She guides students through idea development, structure, voice, clarity, and revision — to produce an essay that reflects the student's personality, maturity, and goals in a way that stands out in a competitive pool.

Results: Cornell, Northwestern, Full Rides

Students Anya has worked with have been accepted to Cornell University and Northwestern University, and have earned full scholarships to the University of Illinois. The essay is more than writing — it is your student's opportunity to be heard.

01
Story Discovery

We uncover the experiences that are uniquely yours — the ones admissions officers have never read before.

02
Structure & Voice

We build a narrative arc that is compelling, specific, and authentically the student's own voice.

03
Revision & Polish

Multiple rounds of detailed feedback until the essay is sharp, honest, and impossible to put down.

What Students Say

Essays That Made the Difference

Cornell University admit
★★★★★
"

Working with Anya completely changed my college application. She helped me dig deeper and find the real story I wanted to tell — more specific, more reflective, more authentic without losing my voice. I went from stuck to proud. I was accepted to Cornell, and I truly believe my essay played a huge role.

Former Student, Class of 2025
Cornell University
AP Literature student
★★★★★
"

Anya helped my daughter develop not just writing skills but her own critical voice. She focused on content, voice, and critical thinking. Her teacher commented on her growth by the AP exam. These are skills she'll use far beyond the classroom.

Mr. R.
Parent of an AP Literature student

Meet the Specialists

Coached by People Who Know This System Intimately

Elevate Tutoring is a two-person expert team. Every student works directly with a specialist — not a marketplace tutor, not a rotating face — someone with deep expertise in the exact exam that matters most.

The Story Behind Elevate

Anya Pasowicz — Founder & Lead Strategist

Anya Pasowicz

"I have been tutoring my whole life. It started before it was ever a job."

Anya grew up in Chicago and attended Whitney Young Magnet High School — one of the city's most competitive Selective Enrollment schools. While there, she was selected for the Writing Center showcase for her personal statement and spent her time tutoring classmates in AP Economics and AP Calculus.

After earning her degree from the University of Dallas — majoring in English and Spanish with a minor in Mathematics — she returned to Chicago and built Elevate Tutoring from the ground up. She spent two years as a Math Enrichment Specialist at Saint Mary of the Angels and has extensive experience supporting neurodivergent learners, including students with ADHD, autism, dyslexia, and 504 Plans.

Anya's passion for tutoring is personal: her own 34 on the ACT earned her a life-changing scholarship that made her college education possible. She founded Elevate to help other students unlock those same doors. Outside of tutoring, Anya is a professional harpist who performs across Chicagoland, bringing the same discipline of quiet, deliberate practice to every student she mentors.

Anya Pasowicz

Founder & Lead Strategist — ACT · SAT · AP · Selective Enrollment · Personal Statement

Advanced Math Division — New

AP Calculus BC Is the Most Consequential Math Course Your Student Will Take Before College

A 5 on AP Calculus BC signals college readiness to every admissions office in the country, earns college credit, and positions students ahead of peers in STEM pipelines. Lizzie brings focused, exam-specific expertise that goes far beyond the classroom. We don't teach the chapter — we teach the exam.

Target Score
5
AP exam — top band
Covers
AB + BC
Both exam tracks

The Specialists

Meet the Team

Anya Pasowicz
Anya Pasowicz
Founder · ACT, SAT & Selective Enrollment
Whitney Young AlumShe attended the school your child is applying to. She knows its standards from the inside.
7+ Years of TutoringACT, SAT, AP courses, personal statements, and Selective Enrollment — all under one roof.
University of Dallas — BA English & SpanishAnalytical and linguistic depth that informs every session.
Math Enrichment SpecialistTwo years at Saint Mary of the Angels deepening classroom instincts.
Neurodivergent-ExperiencedADHD, autism, dyslexia, 504 Plans, and test anxiety coaching.
Lizzie Pasowicz
Lizzie Pasowicz
Advanced Math Lead · AP Calculus AB & BC
AP Calculus AB & BC SpecialistMath & Accounting double major at Saint Mary's University of Minnesota. Built to take students to a 5.
K–12 Through CalculusWorks with students from foundational arithmetic all the way through advanced college-level coursework.
Summer Camp & Group InstructionExperienced in small-group sessions and summer academic programs.
Patient & Structured ApproachEspecially effective with students who feel overwhelmed or unsure in math.

What We Cover

Services & Packages

Every engagement is tailored to the student's specific goals, timeline, and learning style.

Subject / ServiceSpecialistFormat
ACT & SAT — All SectionsAnya1-on-1 or Small Group
Selective Enrollment Entrance ExamsAnya1-on-1
Personal Statement & College EssaysAnya1-on-1
AP Language & AP LiteratureAnya1-on-1
AP US HistoryAnya1-on-1
AP SpanishAnya1-on-1
AP PsychologyAnya1-on-1
K–12 Math & ReadingAnya1-on-1
AP Calculus AB & BCLizzie1-on-1
K–12 Advanced MathLizzie1-on-1

Our Packages

Named programs to guide your conversation with Anya. All rates are personalized — contact for a quote.

Most Popular
ACT / SAT Intensive

Begins with a full baseline test. Weekly 2-hour sessions targeting your student's precise gaps. Includes pacing drills and test anxiety coaching.

Best for: students 3–6 months from test date
Chicago Specialty
Selective Enrollment Sprint

Designed specifically for SEHS entrance exams. Insider knowledge of what each school's process rewards — from a Whitney Young graduate.

Best for: 8th graders preparing for SEHS
AP Courses
AP Deep Dive

Targeted support for one or more AP courses. Content mastery plus exam strategy — so students learn how to perform, not just what to know.

Best for: students targeting a 4 or 5
College Applications
Personal Statement Intensive

Story discovery through final polish. Multiple revision rounds, admissions perspective, and a finished essay the student is genuinely proud to submit.

Best for: rising seniors and early applicants
New · Advanced Math
AP Calculus BC Program

Exam-specific coaching with Lizzie targeting a 5. Covers both AB and BC tracks with structured weekly sessions and targeted practice.

Best for: STEM-track students in Calculus
Ongoing
Academic Support

Flexible weekly tutoring for K–12 Math, Reading, or multi-subject support. Structured around the student's coursework and learning style.

Best for: students needing consistent support

Frequently Asked Questions

Everything You Need to Know
Before Applying

Elevate Tutoring is an independent practice — which means flexibility, personalization, and none of the inflated fees or rigid contracts of large companies.

01Why should we choose Elevate over a large tutoring company?
Anya brings 7+ years of experience and specializes in K–12 math, AP courses, and all sections of the ACT and SAT. She provides personalized instruction, small-group options, and extensive experience with neurodivergent students. As an independent practice, Elevate offers high-quality instruction without the inflated fees or mandatory contracts typical of large companies.
02What subjects does Elevate specialize in?
  • K–12 Math & Reading (specialty: Math)
  • AP Language, AP Literature, AP US History, AP Spanish, AP Psychology
  • AP Calculus AB & BC (with Lizzie)
  • ACT & SAT — all sections
  • Personal Statement & College Essay Consultations
  • Selective Enrollment entrance exam prep
03Do you offer formats beyond one-on-one?
Yes. Elevate offers private one-on-one sessions, small group ACT classes (great for cost-sharing among friends or siblings), and flexible academic support. School partnerships for structured ACT/SAT prep classes of 15–20 students are also available.
04Are online sessions available?
Absolutely. Virtual sessions are available for ACT prep, AP courses, and K–12 academic tutoring — so location is never a barrier.
05How are test prep sessions structured?
A standard ACT/SAT session is two hours, once per week, at the student's home or another convenient location. Before the first session, Anya consults with the family and assigns a practice test as a baseline. Weekly homework of approximately 1–2 hours reinforces material without overwhelming other commitments.
06How are regular academic tutoring sessions structured?
Academic tutoring is fully tailored to each student's needs. Lessons focus on understanding concepts, reinforcing skills, and targeted practice in areas of improvement — adapted to the student's learning style and pace.
07What materials do you use?
Official ACT, SAT, and AP materials are used whenever possible so students practice with the most accurate, up-to-date content available. K–12 sessions use curriculum resources and personalized exercises based on each student's goals.
08What are your rates?
Rates are determined on a case-by-case basis depending on subject, format, and the student's specific goals. Apply for a strategy consultation and Anya will provide a personalized recommendation and quote.
09How do I pay?
Payments are accepted via:
VenmoZelleCheckCash
Invoices are available upon request.
10Where do you tutor in Chicagoland?
Group sessions are held at a local public library. One-on-one sessions take place at the student's home. Online sessions are available anywhere. Anya primarily serves families across Lincoln Park, Wicker Park, Logan Square, Bucktown, Lakeview, Evanston, and the North Shore.

Apply for a Strategy Consultation

Let's Talk About Your
Student's Goals.

Anya works with a small number of students each semester so every engagement receives her full attention. Complete the form below to start the conversation.

Enrollment Is Limited by Design

Spots fill quickly each semester. If you're serious about your student's outcomes, the next step is completing this form. Anya reviews every inquiry personally and will follow up within 48 hours.

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LocationChicago, IL — serving Lincoln Park, Wicker Park, Logan Square, Bucktown, Lakeview, Evanston & the North Shore. Online sessions available nationwide.
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Payment Methods
VenmoZelleCheckCash
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Websiteelevatetutoringchi.com
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Response TimeAnya reviews all inquiries personally and responds within 48 hours.

Tap the button below to open the application form. It only takes a few minutes and Anya reviews every inquiry personally.

Open Application Form →