I’m a math teacher based in St. Petersburg, and I work with Tampa Bay families online. Tampa Prep families usually ask me about one of two things: getting through the admissions testing, or keeping a strong student ahead in a demanding math program. This page covers both, as a Tampa Prep math tutor would see them.
Applying to Tampa Prep: the SSAT and PSAT requirements
Tampa Prep serves grades 6 through 12 in downtown Tampa. According to its admissions page:
- Grades 6 through 9: applicants register for the SSAT and select Tampa Preparatory School (school code 7612).
- Grades 10 through 12: applicants submit PSAT or SAT scores instead of taking the SSAT.
- International students: the TOEFL or TOEFL Jr. is also required.
Applications and all supporting documents are due February 1, 2027 to be considered for the 2027–28 school year. Working backward, that means the SSAT should be done in the fall or early winter, which leaves room to retake it if needed.
What the SSAT math sections look like
The SSAT has two math (quantitative) sections of 25 questions each, 30 minutes apiece, at both the Middle Level and the Upper Level. They cover arithmetic, elementary algebra, geometry and other quantitative concepts, and calculators are not allowed.
That last part surprises families. Students who lean on a calculator in class can struggle when they have to work with fractions, percents and estimation by hand under a clock. My SSAT and ISEE math prep guide goes deeper on how to prepare.
Math at Tampa Prep once you’re in
Tampa Prep offers 118 courses at levels from College Prep to AP. In math, its departments page describes a sequence of courses leading up to Calculus, plus Algebra 3 with Financial Applications, Statistics and Probability, and Calculus III with Analytical Geometry. Students can prepare for AP exams in Statistics, Calculus AB and Calculus BC.
Testing continues after admission too. Per the school’s standardized testing page, freshmen are automatically registered for the PSAT 9 in October, and sophomores and juniors take the PSAT/NMSQT in October. The junior-year PSAT/NMSQT is the National Merit qualifying test, so strong math in ninth and tenth grade pays off. Students register for the SAT and ACT on their own.
How I work with Tampa Prep students
Parents looking for a Tampa Prep math tutor usually want help with admissions testing, the classes themselves, or both. Most families pick a regular weekly time on Zoom, which suits students with a long drive or practice after school. For applicants, we build calculator-free fluency for the SSAT. For current students, we keep up with class, get a little ahead of the next unit, and prepare early for the PSAT, SAT and AP exams. Desmos is built into the digital SAT and PSAT, and it’s a routine part of my sessions.
I teach Socratically: I ask questions that show me what a student really understands and help them reason through the next step on their own. I never do a student’s homework for them. You can read more about my background, including the full range of courses I teach.
Tampa Prep math FAQs
Q: What does a Tampa Prep math tutor actually help with?
A: Two things. Before admission: calculator-free SSAT math, or PSAT and SAT math for older applicants. After admission: keeping up with class, getting a little ahead of each new course, and preparing early for the PSAT, SAT and AP exams.
Q: Which test does Tampa Prep require for admission?
A: Applicants to grades 6 through 9 take the SSAT (Tampa Prep’s school code is 7612). Applicants to grades 10 through 12 submit PSAT or SAT scores instead. International students also take the TOEFL or TOEFL Jr.
Q: Which SSAT level should my child take?
A: The Middle Level SSAT is for students in grades 5 through 7, and the Upper Level SSAT is for students in grades 8 through 11. Both have two 25-question math sections of 30 minutes each, with no calculator.
Q: When is the Tampa Prep application deadline?
A: Applications and all supporting documents are due February 1, 2027 for the 2027–28 school year.
Q: Do you tutor Tampa Prep students in person?
A: All of my sessions are one-on-one on Zoom, so there’s no extra drive after a long school day. Students work on a shared whiteboard and Desmos with me in real time.
Q: Are you affiliated with Tampa Prep?
A: No. Math Rescue is an independent tutoring practice. The school details here come from Tampa Prep’s own published pages.
Math Rescue is an independent tutoring practice and is not affiliated with or endorsed by Tampa Preparatory School. School details on this page come from the school’s own published admissions pages and course guides as of September 2026. Always confirm current requirements with the school’s admissions office.
About Andre Vaquero, M.Ed.
Certified math educator and curriculum designer with advanced training in instructional technology. I’ve taught since 2017, both in-person and online, and specialize in turning abstract math into clear, visual steps students actually enjoy.
My mission is to help families build math confidence together — one skill at a time.
- B.S., Mathematics Education, 2017
- M.Ed., Curriculum and Instruction, specialization in math and instructional tech, 2019
- Graduate Certificate in Mathematics, 2021
- Classroom teaching since 2017, virtual teaching since 2021
I help middle school, high school, and college students master the exact skills that block progress, then build durable habits parents and students can sustain at home.
Serving families in St. Petersburg and online nationwide.