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Academic Assistance

Founded by public school educators,

OUT OF THE WOODS ACADEMIC CONSULTING offers a range of services to help every student succeed

in the classroom and beyond...

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Duke University, NC - 2022

About Us

Over 55 Years of Experience in Education

Driven by a firm belief that every student can learn, we have founded a company whose goal is to meet students where they are, identify and target areas of need, and help them reach the success they desire. We have decades of experience in a wide range of subject areas.

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Davidson College, NC - 2016

Services We Offer

We offer a wide range of academic services, from standardized test prep to homework help, college essay advising to study skills. 

Click below for answers to some of the most frequently asked questions about our services.

High School Test Prep

High School Placement Test (HSPT) | Reading, Writing, Verbal, Math EOC Tests (6-12) |

College Test Prep

College Admissions Exams: PSAT (9-11) | SAT/ACT (10-12) | Graduate Admissions Exams: GRE | GMAT | LSAT preparation

Academic Course Tutoring

Assistance with study skills and methods, organization, critical reading and writing, test prep and note-taking

College Essay Advising

Brainstorming, workshopping, collaborating, editing and proofing, and polishing throughout the college essay writing process Common App | Supplementals | Scholarships

Relevant Statistics

56

Years of Direct Instructional Experience

>7,500

Students Taught

250+

Satisfied SAT/ACT Clients

100s

College Essays Advised

Specialized Focus

One-on-One Tutoring

We give personalized one-on-one tutoring to clients so that they can feel comfortable asking questions & spending time on the skills and strategies that matter most to them.

Essay Workshopping

From brainstorming to a finished, polished essay, our instructors are available to workshop ideas and help make revisions to essay drafts every step of the way. 

Online or In-Person

We are available for homework help or other support seven days a week, online or in person (Charlottesville/Central Virginia Area).

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Florida A&M University, FL - 2026

Our Targeted Approach

Academic Assistance

01

Diagnostic/ Discussion

Our instructors first meet with clients to discuss their needs and expectations. If appropriate, a diagnostic will be administered to determine skills to focus on or target in each session, and available resources can be discussed.

02

Foundational Support

Be it test prep or college essay writing, instructors begin with the basics, whether it is providing an understanding of the exam's format before beginning practice or discussing standard (CommonApp) prompts & topics before moving to the brainstorming steps.

03

Client-Centered Focus

Here, clients help guide their own instruction or essay advising. Depending on targeted skill areas or difficult writing portions, instructors can "get granular" with each client to help them master the tested skills or perfect that portion of the essay.

04

Continued Support

Through practicing, questioning, revising, and clarifying, clients become more confident in their testing and essay writing skills. With consistent practice, students' skills strengthen over time. 

Student Experiences

Discover how some of our most recent students have benefited from our personalized instruction, advising, and support.

Applying to college can be stressful. I am the first in my family to go to college, so my parents, though they wanted the best for me, could only help me so much. In addition to that, having only immigrated 6 years ago, with English as my 3rd language, it proved a frustrating challenge to not only obtain a great SAT score but also effectively express myself in my college essay.

 

Thankfully, Mr. & Mrs. Wood guided me. From SAT tutoring to revising numerous personal statement drafts, they helped me to put my best foot forward. I'm now thrilled to say that I am currently a QuestBridge scholar attending the University of Notre Dame!

Hussen Eugene

University of Notre Dame

c/o 2029

Not having Paula throughout the college application process would have been like skydiving without a parachute. Not only is she incredibly knowledgeable about what colleges are looking for, but she also has the ability to help students present the best version of themselves on paper. She helped me transform my experiences into compelling essays that authentically reflected who I am, making every part of my application stronger.

 

Throughout the process, she was patient, responsive, and genuinely invested in my success. Knowing she was in my corner gave me confidence during one of the most stressful periods of my life. Please do yourself the favor: "Holla at Paula!"

Damian DeLaVega

Princeton University, c/o2029

My son Hunter was a striving student in high school. He wanted to attend UF but knew he needed a higher SAT score. David was recommended by a friend who had hired him. My son was not only able to get his score up but also got into UF!

Thanks to David for teaching him tips and tricks to make that happen. I have recommended him to friends when they ask who I used for Hunter, and they are extremely happy as well.

Kristen Pangia

Parent of Hunter Pangia

University of Florida, c/o 2029

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Florida State University, FL - May 2026

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Mrs. Wood was incredibly informative when it came to college prep. She provided me with all sorts of scholarship opportunities, feedback on college essays, and plenty of help with SAT/ACT questions. She is the reason I got into my top choice school.

 

I couldn't have done it without her. Thank you, Mrs. Wood!

Valeria Senior

University of South Florida

c/o 2029

David was an exceptional tutor for my son Jacob, and we truly can't recommend him highly enough. His patience, expertise, and ability to explain challenging concepts in a way that made sense gave Jacob the confidence he needed to succeed.

 

Thanks to David's guidance and support, Jacob earned admission to Florida State University and qualified for the 100% Florida Bright Futures Scholarship. David was invested in Jacob's success every step of the way and always went above and beyond to help him reach his goals. 

If you're looking for someone who genuinely cares about his students and knows how to help them achieve outstanding results, David is the person to call. We are incredibly grateful for everything he did and would recommend him without hesitation. 

Meri Solomon

Parent of Jacob Solomon

Florida State University c/o 2029

Mrs. Wood's guidance has been vital to my academic and personal journey. She helped me refine my voice and master structure in my writing. Furthermore, her attentive care throughout my college application process lifted a significant burden off my shoulders and greatly boosted my confidence during each step.

 

I wholeheartedly believe that without Mrs. Wood's unwavering support, enrolling at UF wouldn't have been half as smooth as she made it for me.

Joaquin Gilbert

University of Florida, c/o 2029

I can confidently say that David & Paula's support was crucial to my college applications. Meeting with them a couple of times a week made a tangible difference. I raised my SAT score by 100 pts from my first exam to the one I used for applications.

Beyond test prep, they helped me turn my personal statement into something authentic. I came to them with experiences and ideas that mattered to me, and they guided me in crafting and structuring them into essays that genuinely captured who I was. By the time we finished, my essays were polished and reflected my identity and personality. 

What sets them apart is that they frame questions and provide feedback that lets sutdents discover who they are, rather than forcing a mold. The entire process felt collaborative, not stressful, which made all the difference.

Sebastian Verde

Northwestern University, c/o 2029

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Mrs. Wood is the reason I attend Amherst College today. During my senior year in high school, I met her without truly understanding what the college application process involved. Rather than assuming I already knew how to navigate Common App, she patiently guided me through every step, nurtured the strengths I already possessed, and encouraged me without ever making me feel judged. Most importantly, she encouraged me to apply to colleges I had never imagined were within my reach.

In 2025, I was one of only 90 students nationwide to receive the Jack Kent Cooke Undergraduate Transfer Scholarship and was admitted to Amherst, an institution with an 9% transfer acceptance rate. Thank you, Mrs. Wood. 

Kevin Romero

Amherst College, c/o 2028

Thank you, David Wood, for helping me raise my SAT score and getting me accepted into University of Florida! Your SAT guidance was invaluable!

Camryn Kreitman

University of Florida, c/o 2026

I hired David Wood for my daughter in 2022 and my son in 2025. Mr. Wood was able to help raise both their scores immediately. His years of SAT prep show in his ability to help your child strengthen their weak areas and excel significantly beyond just the practice test format.

I highly recommend David Wood if you are looking for one-on-one or small group SAT preparation!

Dr. Darren Kreitman

Parent of Camryn Kreitman

University of Florida, c/o 2026

Paula & David were my "rocks" throughout my senior year. Their guidance, support, and genuine passion helped shape my academic success. Paula taught me how writing can be used to express myself, how to communicate clearly, and how this will open doors for my future. She took her time to understand me, and whether it was my college essay or scholarship essays, she approached every piece with care and a deep desire to see me succeed. She genuinely wants the best for every student she works with.

David gave me the push I needed to reach my goal SAT score, breaking down the hardest English questions or math problems into simple, understandable steps, making everything feel achievable. He makes sure students truly understand the material, building both skill and confidence along the way.

David & Paula don't just teach - they invest in you, guide you, and celebrate your progress. I truly hope they have the chance to make the same impact on your future.

Lunna Clavijo
Nova Southeastern University
c/o 2030

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As a first-generation, low-income student, I would have struggled greatly without Mrs. Wood's aid in the college application process. Her reviews of my essay helped guide me in choosing a topic and weaving in the story of my life. Her support in providing scholarship opportunities and SAT/ACT practice test reviews also greatly aided my college application process.

With Mrs. Wood's help, I was able to get accepted into UF, UCLA, NYU, UCSD, FSU and other great schools.

Emily Chen

University of Florida, c/o 2029

Mr. and Mrs. Wood were critical to my college application process. Mrs. Wood was a big contributor to my college essay. I don't think I would have gotten into my dream school without her.

 

Tutoring with Mr. Wood, with only a month or two of practicing with him, I was able to get the SAT score I was aiming for. I really can't thank them enough.

Tomer Hizkaya

University of Central Florida

c/o 2030

I highly recommend David! He first helped me as a college student more than 24 years ago, and years later, he helped both of my children - preparing my son for the SAT and helping my daughter succeed on her FAST exams.

His knowledge, patience, and ability to connect with students at every stage have made a lasting impact on our family. It is rare to find someone whose dedication spans generations, and I wholeheartedly recommend David to anyone lookng for an exceptional tutor.

Denise Hilsenrath

Parent of Nathan & Olivia

current BCPS students

David and Paula Wood were instrumental in reviewing my personal statement as I was applying for law school.

They provided helpful and constructive edits and opened my eyes to issues and areas for improvement I had not noticed before they saw the piece. I highly recommend Out of the Woods Academic Consulting for all your educational consulting needs.

Jonah Perrin

Harvard Law School c/o 2029

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Other Available Resources

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Teachers Pay Teachers

In addition to all of the services discussed above, our company, with over 55 years of direct instruction in the classroom has extensive content available for purchase. From individual worksheets to thematic units, the content aligns with today's rigorous education standards and engages students at every academic level.

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Contact Us

Please email us with any questions or if you'd like to schedule a consultation with us. We typically respond to emails within 1-2 business days.

OR

If you prefer to communicate via text message, please text your questions to (954) 829-8335, and a member of our team will get back to you.

Reach out to us!

Out Of The Woods Academic Consulting

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