About Us:

Our Founders Jillian Kass & Jacob Oster (Gaby Kass - NOT SHOWN) Onboard for 2019-2022 as our Team Leader: Ashley Alex: I am a rising sophomore at Marjory Stoneman Douglas. I am a straight A student taking challenging AP classes. I am an active member in DECA, HOSA, and First Priority. I excel in various subjects like Math, Science, English and more. I have been tutoring at Smart Start throughout my freshman year. I am really looking forward to helping students become the best they can be and reach their full potential   Onboard for 2018-2019 as our Team Leader: Rishita Malakapalli: I am a rising senior at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School and am in the top 2% of my class. I have taken countless AP classes in various subjects like science, math, english, social studies, and other areas. I’ve received an underclassman award for AP English Language. In addition, I am a straight A student in numerous honors societies and clubs such as National Honors Society, English Honors Society, and Health Occupations Students of America. I am looking forward to helping every student reach his or her full potential! Congratulations to Rishita on her admission to UF - CHOMP CHOMP   Onboard for 2017-2018 as our Team Leader: Lucia Carrero: I am a rising senior at MSD High School and a straight A student taking challenging AP classes   .I am a member of MSD’s Brain Brawl team and have earned Underclassmen Awards in English 3 honors, Algebra 2, and AP psychology. I have been involved with the Smart Start program since last year and have been tutoring since my sophomore year through Mu Alpha Theta. I am really looking forward to helping other students reach their full potential and help them with school for another year.   Onboard for 2016-2017 as our Team Leader: Allison Fleisher: : I am currently a senior at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School. I am an officer of both Spanish National Honor Society and Debate Honor Society, and an active member of other clubs such as Jewish Student Union and National Honor Society. I have been a personal tutor since my sophomore year and have been tutoring through Westglades Middle School since my freshman year. I have received Underclassmen awards in Marine Science I, World History, Spanish III, and AP Physics I. I love tutoring as it gives me the opportunity to give back to my community and inspire others to value education. I am looking forward to a great year with Smart Start!   Varsha Geer:: I am currently a senior at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School. I am an active member in many clubs such as Deca, Key Club, National Honor Society, and I am an officer for Best Buddies. I have been tutoring students at Westglades Middle School since I was a freshman, and I continue to do so. I also tutor students privately who work better in a quiet environment and require one-to-one tutoring. Tutoring has become a part of who I am and how I contribute to my community. I look forward to expanding my tutoring experiences through Smart Start.   Onboard for 2015-2016 as our Team Leaders: Gabriella (Gaby) Kass:  I am currently a senior at MSD High School and am in the top 6% of my grade level. My unweighted current GPA is 3.75 and my weighted GPA is 4.97. My last ACT score was a 32 and my SAT is 1970.  I have been a Girl Scout since kindergarten and am actively involved in Soccer Buddies, Best Buddies, TAG (Teen Advisory Group), and Peer Counseling. I have been a personal tutor since my freshman year. I have been involved with the Smart Start program since its inception in 2013.  I am looking forward to another great year with Smart Start and the opportunity to reach out and help those in my community. Congratulations to Gaby on her admission to the University Of Florida - Go Gators! Thomas Neira:  I am currently a senior in Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School and in the top 3% of my class.  I am an AP student with a 2090 composite SAT score and am part of the National Honor Society and English Honor Society.  Additionally, I am an officer in our school's DECA club, a varsity swimmer, and the lead critic of our school's show critic team.  I have experience as an independent tutor and camp counselor.   Joanna Zhuang:  I am currently a senior at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in the top 1% of my class. I am an AP student, with an unweighted GPA of 4.0 and a SAT score of 2190. I have previous tutoring experience with National Honor Society, Science National Honor Society, and Mu Alpha Theta, as well as working as a personal tutor in Calculus. I am the Co-Vice President of English Honor Society, the Co-Editor-in-Chief of the Douglas Courier, the Co-Treasurer of Mu Alpha Theta, and the Co-Historian of Women Out of the Kitchen. I have earned Underclassmen Awards in Calculus, Precalculus, Algebra 2, and Spanish 3 and have worked with children as a dance teacher.   Alex Jessup: Our 2014-2015 Tutoring Team Leaders: Kevin Quach:  I am currently a senior at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School and am in the top 5% in my class. I am an AP student, getting a 5 on AP exams such as AP English Composition and AP U.S. history. Although not content with my SAT and ACT scores just yet, I received an 1810 on my first SAT and a 26 on my first ACT. I have multiple community service hours in, many of which have been involved with tutoring. I was a tutor for the program last year and am familiar with many of the kids.  Congratulations to Kevin on his admission to UF as a business major - (Go Gators)   Nicholas Besley:  I am currently a senior at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School and am in the top 4% of the class. I am an AP student, with a 2020 SAT score and a composite 29 ACT score. I have previous tutoring experience with Science National Honor Society and Mu Alpha Theta (Math Honor Society). I received the French I and II Underclassmen Awards my freshman and sophomore years and am the Captain of the Stoneman Douglas Track and Field team Congratulations to Nicholas on his admission to Duke University as a biology major - Best of Luck to you   Gabriella (Gaby) Kass:  I am currently a junior at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School, and am in the top 6% of my grade level. I have a GPA of 3.78 and am enrolled in a majority of AP classes. I participate in Best Buddies and have been in Soccer Buddies for four years. I am continuing my career as a Girl Scout and I volunteer around the community and tutor children ages 9-15 every week. I am currently prepping for SATs and ACTs and am following in the footsteps of my sister, Jillian , one of the original Smart Start founders with whom i tutored in the program last year.  Congratulations to Gabriella for achieving a 32 on her recent ACT!   Alex Jessup:  I am currently a junior at Marjory Stoneman Douglas high school and am in the top 7% of my whole class. I am a straight A student with a 3.76 gpa and take AP classes. I have previously volunteered as a C.I.T (Counselor In Training) at a drama camp for kids and I am an active participant in multiple clubs in school, including Best Buddies. I also have worked with children while babysitting, and this year I am involved in the Soccer Buddies program. I am a dancer and my favorite subject is Biology.     Our Founders (2013-2014) Jillian Kass: I am currently a senior at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School and I am in the top 6% of my class.  I am an AP student, I scored a 1960 on my SAT and a 29 on my ACT. I have worked with special needs students for three years on and off school campus and I am on board for Best Buddies in my school. I have also tutored in math and science related subjects for close to five years. In 9th grade, I earned the Underclassman’s Award in Geometry. Jacob Oster: I am also currently a senior at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in the top 5% of the class. I am an AP student, with a 2290 composite SAT score and a 32 on my ACT. I am a National Merit Scholar and have previous tutoring experience with National Honor Society. I have worked as a camp counselor for individuals with special needs for four years, and am the Captain of the Douglas Cross Country team. 2014 - Both Jillian and Jacob have started their college careers at The University Of Florida (UF) Congratulations to both of these fine students!