About Me

Why did I start Riverdale Test Prep?

Christina A.: Mathematics instructor, Riverdale Test Prep founder

In addition to my previous career teaching high school mathematics, I have over 20 years experience with private and small-group instruction. I have also worked as both writer and project manager developing custom math curriculum for a major test-prep publisher.

I earned my undergraduate degree in Physics from M.I.T. I have a teaching certificate (WA state) with endorsements in grades 4-12 Math and 4-12 Science.

I am mom to two middle-school students and a tiny dog.

My daughter took the SHSAT in November 2025. Although I have been an educator for many years, I thought it was important for her to take a specialized class for this very important exam. I was shocked that I could not find any SHSAT preparation company near where we live in Riverdale. My daughter did enroll in a class in Manhattan, which provided a sense of camaraderie with other students, but little academic benefit (her ELA teacher told students that if they didn’t know the correct answer to questions, that they should use AI. Seriously.)

As a result, I needed to take an unexpectedly large role in helping her to prepare for the SHSAT. Over the past year, I have deep-dived into this test. I have thoroughly analyzed the math sections of all of the tests released by the DOE, as well as the practice tests and prep materials published by several companies.

I started this company because I feel that my teaching experience and detailed knowledge of this exam can help fill a need in our underserved neighborhood.